Estimates of persistent inward current in human motor neurons during postural sway

Persistent inward current (PIC) is a membrane property critical for increasing gain of motor neuron output. In humans, most estimates of PIC are made from plantarflexor or dorsiflexor motor units with the participant in a seated position with the knee flexed. This seated and static posture neglects the task-dependent nature of the monoaminergic drive that modulates PIC activation. Seated estimates may drastically underestimate the amount of PIC that occurs in human motor neurons during functional movement. The current study estimated PIC using the conventional paired motor unit technique which uses the difference between reference unit firing frequency at test unit recruitment and reference unit firing frequency at test unit de-recruitment (∆F) during triangular-shaped, isometric ramps in plantarflexion force as an estimate of PIC. Estimates of PIC were also made during standing anterior postural sway, a postural task that elicits a ramped increase and decrease in soleus motor unit activation similar to the conventional seated ramp contractions. For each motor unit pair, ∆F estimates of PIC made during conventional isometric ramps in the seated posture were compared to those made during standing postural sway. Baseline reciprocal inhibition (RI) was also measured in each posture using the post-stimulus time histogram (PSTH) technique. Hyperpolarizing input has been shown to have a reciprocal relationship with PIC in seated posture and RI was measured to examine if the same reciprocal relationship holds true during functional PIC estimation. It was hypothesized that an increase in ∆F would be seen during standing compared to sitting due to greater neuromodulatory input. We found that ∆F estimates during standing postural sway were equal (2.44 ± 1.17, p=0.44) to those in seated PIC estimates (2.73± 1.20) using the same motor unit pair. Reciprocal inhibition was significantly lower when measured in a standing posture (0.0031 ± 0.0251,

Pseudomonas and Bacillus as Potential Sources of Novel Antibiotics

With an increase in antibiotic resistance within the medical field the need for novel antibiotics is evident. Through collaboration with the Tiny Earth Project Initiative, we hope to find novel antibiotics through bacteria found in soil. We were able to successfully isolate two microbes that showed broad spectrum antibiotics against both Staphylococcus epidermis and Bacillus subtilis. Through further exploration and collaboration with the Tiny Earth Project Initiative, we might be able to discover novel antibiotics

Retrofitting hotels: evidence from the Protea Hospitality Group of hotels within Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: Over the past decade the environmental responsibilities, practices, policies and performance of hotels have garnered an increasing international scholarship by tourism and hospitality researchers.The imperative for environmental retrofitting of hotels arises from the existence of resource-intensive and frequently inefficient systems and operational routines in the hotel sector which can result in negative environmental impacts. The present article analyses one dimension of the relationship between hotels and sustainable development in South Africa. Specific attention is on issues of the environmental retrofitting in hotels. The empirical focus is upon the operations of a ten hotels in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic heartland, which are part of the Protea Hospitality Group. It is revealed that the nature of retrofitting initiatives at the hotels differed with the most common initiatives being the introduction of LED lighting and recycling initiatives. The leading reasons for introducing environmentally friendly measures were to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, to reduce costs and to enhance brand image. These findings align with those of other investigations which have highlighted profit considerations linked to enhanced competitiveness as the most significant drivers for the greening of hotels.201

Lupus nephritis management guidelines compared

In the past years, many (randomized) trials have been performed comparing the treatment strategies for lupus nephritis. In 2012, these data were incorporated in six different guidelines for treating lupus nephritis. These guidelines are European, American and internationally based, with one separate guideline for children. They offer information on different aspects of the management of lupus nephritis including induction and maintenance treatment of the different histological classes, adjunctive treatment, monitoring of the patient, definitions of response and relapse, indications for (repeat) renal biopsy, and additional challenges such as the presence of vascular complications, the pregnant SLE patient, treatment in children and adolescents and considerations about end-stage renal disease and transplantation. In this review, we summarize the guidelines, determine the common ground between them, highlight the differences and discuss recent literature

Retrofitting hotels: evidence from the Protea Hospitality Group of hotels within Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: Over the past decade the environmental responsibilities, practices, policies and performance of hotels have garnered an increasing international scholarship by tourism and hospitality researchers.The imperative for environmental retrofitting of hotels arises from the existence of resource-intensive and frequently inefficient systems and operational routines in the hotel sector which can result in negative environmental impacts. The present article analyses one dimension of the relationship between hotels and sustainable development in South Africa. Specific attention is on issues of the environmental retrofitting in hotels. The empirical focus is upon the operations of a ten hotels in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic heartland, which are part of the Protea Hospitality Group. It is revealed that the nature of retrofitting initiatives at the hotels differed with the most common initiatives being the introduction of LED lighting and recycling initiatives. The leading reasons for introducing environmentally friendly measures were to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, to reduce costs and to enhance brand image. These findings align with those of other investigations which have highlighted profit considerations linked to enhanced competitiveness as the most significant drivers for the greening of hotels.201

From a Year-long Delivery Pattern to a One Semester Delivery Pattern, the Impact on Student Performance in a UK University

Increasingly UK universities are adopting a more US-based approach of teaching subject- matter in modules across semesters This means that the teaching of a particular subject across a whole academic year is now changing to the same subject-matter being compressed into a single module taught in one semester across twelve weeks This study examines the effects of a transition over four years on 2 612 students at a UK university changing teaching methods from a year-long two semesters method of teaching to a more compressed US-style of only one semester long module method The main findings are that overall pass rates stay approximately the same but there is concern that the number of awards at a first class and upper second level has been diminished This is potentially due to the students not having the time to assimilate the course-material develop a deeper learning and understanding of the course material

Characterization of Fine Particulate Matter (PM) and Secondary PM Precursor Gases in Mexico City

This project was one of three collaborating grants designed to understand the atmospheric chemistry and aerosol particle microphysics impacting air quality in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) and its urban plume. The overall effort, titled MCMA- 2006, focused on: 1) the primary emissions of fine particles and precursor gases leading to photochemical production of atmospheric oxidants and secondary aerosol particles and 2) the measurement and analysis of secondary oxidants and secondary fine particular matter (PM) production, with particular emphasis on secondary organic aerosol (SOA). MCAM-2006 pursued it goals through three main activities: 1) performance and publication of detailed analyses of extensive MCMA trace gas and fine PM measurements made by the collaborating groups and others during earlier MCMA field campaigns in 2002 and 2003; 2) deployment and utilization of extensive real-time trace gas and fine PM instrumentation at urban and downwind MCMA sites in support of the MAX-Mex/MILAGRO field measurements in March, 2006; and, 3) analyses of the 2006 MCMA data sets leading to further publications that are based on new data as well as insights from analysis and publication of the 2002/2003 field data. Thirteen archival publications were coauthored with other MCMA-2003 participants. Documented findings included a significantly improved speciated emissions inventory from on-road vehicles, a greatly enhanced understanding of the sources and atmospheric loadings of volatile organic compounds, a unique analysis of the high fraction of ambient formaldehyde from primary emission sources, a much more extensive knowledge of the composition, size distributions and atmospheric mass loadings of both primary and secondary fine PM, including the fact that the rate of MCMA SOA production greatly exceeded that predicted by current atmospheric models, and evaluations of significant errors that can arise from standard air quality monitors for ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Deployment of the Aerodyne mobile laboratory, equipped with instruments from five collaborating laboratories, at the T0 urban supersite, four downwind sites and the Tula industrial area yielded unique trace gas and fine PM data sets during the March 2006 MAXMex/MILAGRO campaign. In addition, on-road measurements as the mobile laboratory moved between sites provided extensive data on 2006 MCMA fleet averaged vehicle emissions. Analyses of 2006 data sets have yielded the identification of a close correlation between the rate of production of SOA and “Odd Oxygen” (O3 + NO2) and primary organic PM with CO in the MCMA urban plume, a more sophisticated understanding of the interplay between nitrogen oxide speciation and ozone production, the identification of significant vehicular emission sources of HCN and CH3CN (usually associated with biomass burning), characterization of the aging of primary carbonaceous PM, and updated 2006 MCMA fleet on-road trace gas and fine PM emissions. Results from analyses of 2002/2003 and 2006 emissions and ambient measurements have conveyed to Mexican air quality managers who are using these data to devise and assess air quality management strategies. All data sets and published analyses are available to DOE/ASP researchers evaluating the impact of urban emissions on regional climate

Interventions for renal vasculitis in adults. A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Renal vasculitis presents as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and comprises of a group of conditions characterised by acute kidney failure, haematuria and proteinuria. Treatment of these conditions involves the use of steroid and non-steroid agents with or without adjunctive plasma exchange. Although immunosuppression has been successful, many questions remain unanswered in terms of dose and duration of therapy, the use of plasma exchange and the role of new therapies. This systematic review was conducted to determine the benefits and harms of any intervention for the treatment of renal vasculitis in adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Renal Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE to June 2009. Randomised controlled trials investigating any intervention for the treatment of adults were included. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using a random effects model and results expressed as risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes or mean difference for continuous outcomes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty two studies (1674 patients) were included. Plasma exchange as adjunctive therapy significantly reduces the risk of end-stage kidney disease at 12 months (five studies: RR 0.47, CI 0.30 to 0.75). Four studies compared the use of pulse and continuous administration of cyclophosphamide. Remission rates were equivalent but pulse treatment causes an increased risk of relapse (4 studies: RR 1.79, CI 1.11 to 2.87) compared with continuous cyclophosphamide. Azathioprine has equivalent efficacy as a maintenance agent to cyclophosphamide with fewer episodes of leukopenia. Mycophenolate mofetil may be equivalent to cyclophosphamide as an induction agent but resulted in a higher relapse rate when tested against Azathioprine in remission maintenance. Rituximab is an effective remission induction agent. Methotrexate or Leflunomide are potential choices in remission maintenance therapy. Oral co-trimoxazole did not reduce relapses significantly in Wegener's granulomatosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Plasma exchange is effective in patients with severe ARF secondary to vasculitis. Pulse cyclophosphamide results in an increased risk of relapse when compared to continuous oral use but a reduced total dose. Whilst cyclophosphamide is standard induction treatment, rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil are also effective. Azathioprine, methotrexate and leflunomide are effective as maintenance therapy. Further studies are required to more clearly delineate the appropriate place of newer agents within an evidence-based therapeutic strategy.</p

Recommendations for the management of secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia due to B cell targeted therapies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

OBJECTIVES: The association of B cell targeted therapies with development of hypogammaglobulinaemia and infection is increasingly recognized. Our aim was to develop consensus recommendations for immunoglobulin replacement therapy for management of hypogammaglobulinaemia following B cell targeted therapies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. // METHODS: A modified Delphi exercise involved a 17-member Taskforce committee, consisting of immunologists, rheumatologists, nephrologists, haematologists, a gastroenterologist, an immunology specialist nurse and a patient representative. The first round identified the most pertinent topics to address in the recommendations. A search string was agreed upon for the identification of publications in PubMed focusing on these areas, for a systematic literature review. Original data was presented from this review to the Taskforce committee. Recommendations from the British Society for Rheumatology, the UK Department of Health, EULAR, the ACR, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology were also reviewed. The evidence was discussed in a face-to-face meeting to formulate recommendation statements. The levels of evidence and statements were graded according to Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology. // RESULTS: Three overarching principles, eight recommendation statements and a research agenda were formulated. The Taskforce committee voted on these statements, achieving 82–100% agreement for each recommendation. The strength of the recommendations was restricted by the low quality of the available evidence, with no randomized controlled trial data. The recommendations cover risk factors, monitoring, referral for hypogammaglobulinaemia; indications, dosage and discontinuation of immunoglobulin replacement therapy. // CONCLUSION: These are the first recommendations specifically formulated for B cell targeted therapies related to hypogammaglobulinaemia in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The recommendations are to aid health-care professionals with clinical decision making for patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia

Current therapy of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis: the role of rituximab.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis are anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides (AAVs) that are prone to cycles of remission and relapse. The introduction of cytotoxic therapy has changed the prognosis for these diseases from typically fatal to manageable chronic illnesses with a relapsing course. Despite improvements in outcomes, recurrence of disease and drug-related toxicity continue to produce significant morbidity and mortality. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of AAV and the mechanism of action of cyclophosphamide has led to investigation of therapies that target B cells. Two randomized controlled trials have shown that rituximab is not inferior to cyclophosphamide for induction of remission in severe AAV, with no significant difference in the incidence of overall adverse events in rituximab- versus cyclophosphamide-treated patients. Data from ongoing clinical trials will determine the role of rituximab in the maintenance of remission