The effects of somatosensory training on improving ankle proprioception and functional deficit in chronic ankle instability – literature review

Uvod: Kronična nestabilnost gležnja je stanje, ki se pojavi z različnimi simptomi po enem ali več zvinih gležnja. Osebe s kronično nestabilnostjo gležnja pogosto kažejo funkcijski in proprioceptivni primanjkljaj gležnja ter slabšo mišično jakost mišic okrog gležnja, lahko se pojavi tudi manj učinkovito gibanje zaradi slabše koordinacije in slabšega občutka za položaj gležnja. Priporoča se, da je v obravnavo oseb s kronično nestabilnostjo gležnja v fizioterapevtsko obravnavo vključena tudi somatosenzorična vadba za gleženj. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je na podlagi pregleda literature ugotoviti, kakšen vpliv ima somatosenzorična vadba na izboljšanje propriocepcije in funkcionalnega primanjkljaja pri kronični nestabilnosti gležnja. Metode dela: Iskanje literature je potekalo v podatkovni zbirki PubMed. Pri tem so bile uporabljene naslednje angleške ključne besede in besedne zveze v različnih kombinacijah: chronic ankle instability, proprioception, exercise, ankle instability, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Rezultati: Med iskanjem literature je bilo pregledanih 58 strokovnih člankov, v pregled literature je bilo vključenih 7 raziskav, objavljenih med letoma 2001 in 2019. V treh raziskavah so ugotovili izboljšanje propriocepcije gležnja in v štirih raziskavah izboljšanje funkcionalne sposobnosti gležnja pri osebah s kronično nestabilnostjo gležnja, ki so izvajale somatosenzorično vadbo v kombinaciji z vadbo za krepitev mišic okrog gležnja, kot tudi pri osebah s kronično nestabilnostjo gležnja, ki so izvajale druge kombinirane vadbene programe skupaj s fizioterapevtsko obravnavo. Razprava in zaključek: Izsledki raziskav kažejo, da ima somatosenzorična vadba pozitivne učinke na izboljšanje propriocepcije in funkcionalnega primanjkljaja gležnja pri osebah s kronično nestabilnostjo gležnja.Introduction: Chronic ankle instability is a condition that occurs with different symptoms after one or more ankle sprains. People with chronic ankle instability often show functional and proprioceptive ankle deficits and poorer muscle strength around the ankle, however, less effective movement may also occur due to poor coordination and a poor sense of ankle position. It is recommended that somatosensory ankle exercise are included in physiotherapy treatment when treating people with chronic ankle instability. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma thesis was to determine the impact of somatosensory exercise on the improvement of proprioception and functional deficit in chronic ankle instability, based on a review of the literature. Methods: The literature search was performed in the PubMed database. The following english keywords and phrases were used in various combinations in the literature search: chronic ankle instability, proprioception, exercise, ankle instability, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Results: Fifty-eight articles were reviewed, 7 studies published between 2001 and 2019 were included in the literature review. Three studies found improvement in ankle proprioception and four studies found improvement in ankle functional ability in subjects with chronic ankle instability who performed somatosensory exercise in combination with ankle muscle strengthening exercise as well as in subjects with chronic ankle instability who performed other combined exercise programs together with physiotherapy treatment Discussion and conclusion: Literature review indicates that somatosensory exercise has positive effects on improving proprioception and functional ankle deficiency in people with chronic ankle instability

Bedeutung von Protein-Glykan-Wechselwirkungen bei der Pathogenese von Myxobolus cerebralis, dem Erreger der Drehkrankheit der Salmoniden

Glycans and sugar binding molecules (lectins) form a mutual recognition system which enables parasitic organisms to adhere on host cells and to migrate to target tissue. The aim of the present study was to detect and localize carbohydrate-binding activities in developmental stages of M. cerebralis. The binding patterns of thirteen biotin-labelled neoglycoconjugates were examined histochemically in thin-sections of infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and oligochaete (Tubifex tubifex) and preparations of waterborne triactinomyxon spores. A further aim was to characterise glycan epitopes in the myxospore stage of M. cerebralis. Lectin and Western blotting analyses were performed by using selected biotin-labelled plant lectins (GSA-I, PHA-E, SJA, GSA-II) and TAM-antiserum. Glycoproteins were isolated by using lectin affinity chromatography and prominent bands were characterised by mass spectrometry (MALDI/MS). Distinct structure-selective and developmental stage-regulated expression of certain classes of carbohydrate binding was observed. In TAM spores, expression of carbohydrate binding activity specific for alpha-L-Fuc-BSA-biotin, alpha-D-GalNAc-BSA-biotin, Lac-BSA-biotin und ASF-biotin was up-regulated in the polar capsules; shell valves showed no activity. In the gut of T. tubifex, polar capsules of the parasite showed strong positive reaction only with beta-D-GlcNAc-BSA-biotin. In fish cartilage polar capsules were negative, but the spore shell valves showed a broad range of carbohydrate binding activities. No activity was detected for either alpha 2-6- or alpha 2-3-linked N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid. An adhesion assay was performed and myxospores were found to specifically adhere to matrices containing residues of lactose, fucose, galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Furthermore it was identified that glycoepitopes of myxospores contain carbohydrate motifs reactive with PHA-E (proteins 7-70 kDa), SJA (7-70 kDa), GSA-I (10-209 kDa) and GSA-II (5-40 kDa). Mcgp33, a glycoprotein isolated by lectin affinity chromatography is reactive with SJA (about 33 kDa) and is exclusively expressed in the myxospore stage. The application of antiserum against triactinomyxon spores of M. cerebralis indicates differences in antigenicity of isolated glycoproteins from both, waterborne TAM spores and M. cerebralis myxospores. This is the first investigation which identifies lectin activity in a parasite of the phylum myxozoa. A participation of the characterised molecules is suspected in the parasite to mediate the complex process of host recognition, adhesion and invasion. Furthermore, the detected activities can participate in the protection of the spores against environmental forces and may generate immune reactions during migration in the host tissue

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of eprinomectin in cats when administered in a novel topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel

AbstractFour studies were conducted to determine the pharmacokinetic characteristics and in vitro metabolism of eprinomectin, a semi-synthetic avermectin, in cats. Pharmacokinetic parameters including bioavailability of eprinomectin were determined in a parallel study design comprised of one group of eight cats which were treated once topically at 0.12mL/kg bodyweight with BROADLINE®, a novel combination product (fipronil 8.3% (w/v), (S)-methoprene 10% (w/v), eprinomectin 0.4% (w/v) and praziquantel 8.3% (w/v)), delivering a dose of 0.5mg eprinomectin per kg body weight, and a group of six cats which received 0.4% (w/v) eprinomectin at 0.4mg/kg bodyweight once by intravenous injection. For cats treated by topical application, the average eprinomectin (B1a component) maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 20ng/mL. The maximum concentrations were reached 24h after dosing in the majority of the animals (six of eight cats). The average terminal half-life was 114h due to slow absorption (‘flip-flop’ kinetics). Following intravenous administration the average Cmax was 503ng/mL at 5min post-dose, and the mean elimination half-life was 23h. Eprinomectin was widely distributed with a mean volume of distribution of 2390mL/kg, and the clearance rate was 81mL/h/kg. Mean areas under the plasma concentration versus time curves extrapolated to infinity were 2100ngh/mL and 5160ngh/mL for the topical and intravenous doses, respectively. Topical eprinomectin was absorbed with an average absolute bioavailability of 31%. In a second parallel design study, the dose proportionality of eprinomectin after single topical administration of BROADLINE® was studied. Four groups of eight cats each were treated once topically with 0.5, 1, 2 or 5 times the minimum recommended dose of the combination, 0.12mL/kg bodyweight. Based on comparison of areas under the plasma concentration versus time curves from the time of dosing to the last time point at which eprinomectin B1a was quantified, and Cmax, dose proportionality was established. In addition, the metabolic pathway of eprinomectin using cat liver microsomes, and plasma protein binding using cat, rat, and dog plasma were studied in vitro. Results of the analyses of eprinomectin B1a described here showed that it is metabolically stable and highly protein bound (>99%), and thus likely to be, as with other species, excreted mainly as unchanged parent drug in the feces of cats

High Blood Flow Into the Femur Indicates Elevated Aerobic Capacity in Synapsids Since the Synapsida-Sauropsida Split

Varanids are the only non-avian sauropsids that are known to approach the warm-blooded mammals in stamina. Furthermore, a much higher maximum metabolic rate (MMR) gives endotherms (including birds) higher stamina than crocodiles, turtles, and non-varanid lepidosaurs. This has led researchers to hypothesize that mammalian endothermy evolved as a second step after the acquisition of elevated MMR in non-mammalian therapsids from a plesiomorphic state of low metabolic rates. In recent amniotes, MMR correlates with the index of blood flow into the femur (Qi), which is calculated from femoral length and the cross-sectional area of the nutrient foramen. Thus, Qi may serve as an indicator of MMR range in extinct animals. Using the Qi proxy and phylogenetic eigenvector maps, here we show that elevated MMRs evolved near the base of Synapsida. Non-mammalian synapsids, including caseids, edaphosaurids, sphenacodontids, dicynodonts, gorgonopsids, and non-mammalian cynodonts, show Qi values in the range of recent endotherms and varanids, suggesting that raised MMRs either evolved in synapsids shortly after the Synapsida-Sauropsida split in the Mississippian or that the low MMR of lepidosaurs and turtles is apomorphic, as has been postulated for crocodiles.Peer Reviewe

Mice as paratenic hosts of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Several species of nematodes included in the superfamily Metastrongyloidea are recognized agents of parasitic infections in felines. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most prevalent species affecting the respiratory system of domestic cats. The route of infection in cats is supposed to be through ingestion of gastropod intermediate or paratenic hosts. However, because gastropods are not the preferred preys of cats, rodents were suggested to play an important role as paratenic hosts in the biological cycle of A. abstrusus and in the epidemiology of aelurostrongylosis

Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, haemotropic mycoplasmas and other arthropod-borne pathogens in cats from Albania

BACKGROUND: Albania is a country on the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The Mediterranean climate is favourable for the stable development of many arthropod species, which are incriminated as vectors for various agents. Recently, several papers have reported on epidemiological aspects of parasitic diseases including vector-borne disease agents of dogs with zoonotic characteristics in Albania. However, data on the epidemiology of feline parasitic and bacterial agents in Albania is scarce. METHODS: Serum and EDTA-blood samples collected from 146 domestic cats from Tirana during 2008 through 2010 were examined for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Leishmania infantum, and Anaplasma spp. with IFAT, for infection with L. infantum, A. phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and haemotropic mycoplasmas with conventional PCR and real-time PCR and for Dirofilaria immitis with antigen ELISA. Additionally blood smear microscopy was carried out for detection of blood-borne pathogens. RESULTS: Antibodies to T. gondii (titre ≥1:100) were demonstrated in 91 cats (62.3%). Antibodies to N. caninum (titre ≥1:100), L. infantum (titre ≥1:64) and Anaplasma spp. (titre ≥1:100) were found in the serum of 15 (10.3%), 1 (0.7%) or 3 (2.1%) cats, respectively. DNA of haemotropic mycoplasmas was detected in the blood of 45 cats (30.8%), namely Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (21.9%), Mycoplasma haemofelis (10.3%), and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (5.5%), with ten cats harbouring co-infections of two mycoplasmas each; blood from one cat was PCR positive for Bartonella henselae. No DNA of Leishmania spp. and A. phagocytophilum or circulating D. immitis antigen was detected in any cat sample. The overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas was significantly higher in male compared to female cats (40.6% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.0444); and age was associated positively with the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii (p = 0.0008) and the percentage of haemotropic mycoplasma infection (p = 0.0454). CONCLUSIONS: With the broad screening panel including direct and indirect methods applied in the present study, a wide spectrum of exposure to or infection with parasitic or bacterial agents was detected

Enzyme self-label-bound ATTO700 in single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy

Herein, we evaluate near-infrared ATTO700 as an acceptor in SNAP- and Halo-tag protein labelling for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) by ensemble and single molecule measurements. Microscopy of cell surface proteins in live cells is perfomed including super-resolution stimulated emission by depletion (STED) nanoscopy

Netboost: boosting-supported network analysis improves high-dimensional omics prediction in acute myeloid leukemia and Huntington’s disease

State-of-the art selection methods fail to identify weak but cumulative effects of features found in many high-dimensional omics datasets. Nevertheless, these features play an important role in certain diseases. We present Netboost, a three-step dimension reduction technique. First, a boosting-based filter is combined with the topological overlap measure to identify the essential edges of the network. Second, sparse hierarchical clustering is applied on the selected edges to identify modules and finally module information is aggregated by the first principal components. We demonstrate the application of the newly developed Netboost in combination with CoxBoost for survival prediction of DNA methylation and gene expression data from 180 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and show, based on cross-validated prediction error curve estimates, its prediction superiority over variable selection on the full dataset as well as over an alternative clustering approach. The identified signature related to chromatin modifying enzymes was replicated in an independent dataset, the phase II AMLSG 12-09 study. In a second application we combine Netboost with Random Forest classification and improve the disease classification error in RNA-sequencing data of Huntington's disease mice. Netboost is a freely available Bioconductor R package for dimension reduction and hypothesis generation in high-dimensional omics applications

Efficacy of a novel topical fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel combination against naturally acquired intestinal nematode and cestode infections in cats.

The efficacy of a novel topical combination formulation of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel against naturally acquired intestinal nematode and cestode infections in cats was evaluated in seven negative control, blinded studies. Cats were selected based on a pre-treatment faecal examination indicating a patent infection with at least hookworms (two studies), Toxocara ascarids (one study), taeniid cestodes (two studies) or Dipylidium cestodes (two studies). In each study, cats were assigned randomly to blocks of two animals each, based on decreasing pre-treatment body weight and were randomly allocated to one of two groups of six to 12 cats: untreated (control) or treated with topical fipronil (8.3%, w/v), (S)-methoprene (10%, w/v), eprinomectin (0.4%, w/v) and praziquantel (8.3%, w/v) (BROADLINE(®), Merial) at 0.12 mL/kg body weight (providing a minimum of 10mg fipronil+12 mg S-methoprene+0.5mg eprinomectin+10mg praziquantel per kg body weight). The topical treatment was administered directly on the skin in the midline of the neck in a single spot once on Day 0. For parasite recovery and count, cats were euthanized humanely and necropsied seven or ten days after treatment. A single treatment with the novel topical combination product provided 91% efficacy against Ancylostoma braziliense, ≥ 99% efficacy against Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and >97% efficacy against Toxocara cati. Similarly, excellent efficacy was established against Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum and Diplopylidium spp. as demonstrated by >97% and up to 100% reductions of cestode counts in the treated cats when compared to the untreated controls (P<0.01). All cats accepted the treatment well based on health observations post-treatment and daily health observations. No adverse experiences or other health problems were observed throughout the studies. The results of this series of controlled studies demonstrated high efficacy and excellent acceptability of the novel topical combination formulation of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel against a broad range of feline intestinal nematode and cestode infections