Muscle velocity recovery cycles in myopathy.

OBJECTIVE To understand the pathophysiology of myopathies by using muscle velocity recovery cycles (MVRC) and frequency ramp (RAMP) methodologies. METHODS 42 patients with quantitative electromyography (qEMG) and biopsy or genetic verified myopathy and 42 healthy controls were examined with qEMG, MVRC and RAMP, all recorded from the anterior tibial muscle. RESULTS There were significant differences in the motor unit potential (MUP) duration, the early and late supernormalities of the MVRC and the RAMP latencies in myopathy patients compared to controls (p < 0.05 apart from muscle relatively refractory period (MRRP)). When dividing into subgroups, the above-mentioned changes in MVRC and RAMP parameters were increased for the patients with non-inflammatory myopathy, while there were no significant changes in the group of patients with inflammatory myopathy. CONCLUSIONS The MVRC and RAMP parameters can discriminate between healthy controls and myopathy patients, more significantly for non-inflammatory myopathy. MVRC differences with normal MRRP in myopathy differs from other conditions with membrane depolarisation. SIGNIFICANCE MVCR and RAMP may have a potential in understanding disease pathophysiology in myopathies. The pathogenesis in non-inflammatory myopathy does not seem to be caused by a depolarisation of the resting membrane potential but rather by the change in sodium channels of the muscle membrane

Demographic reconstruction from ancient DNA supports rapid extinction of the great auk

The great auk was once abundant and distributed across the North Atlantic. It is now extinct, having been heavily exploited for its eggs, meat, and feathers. We investigated the impact of human hunting on its demise by integrating genetic data, GPS-based ocean current data, and analyses of population viability. We sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes of 41 individuals from across the species’ geographic range and reconstructed population structure and population dynamics throughout the Holocene. Taken together, our data do not provide any evidence that great auks were at risk of extinction prior to the onset of intensive human hunting in the early 16th century. In addition, our population viability analyses reveal that even if the great auk had not been under threat by environmental change, human hunting alone could have been sufficient to cause its extinction. Our results emphasise the vulnerability of even abundant and widespread species to intense and localised exploitation

2nd ESMO Consensus Conference on Lung Cancer: non-small-cell lung cancer first-line/second and further lines of treatment in advanced disease

This manuscript provides recommendations for first-line / second and further lines of treatment in advanced disease in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These recommendations were developed during the 2nd ESMO Consensus Conference on Lung Cancer in May 201

A prospective study of prognostic factors for duration of sick leave after endoscopic carpal tunnel release

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endoscopic carpal tunnel release with a single portal technique has been shown to reduce sick leave compared to open carpal tunnel release, claiming to be a less invasive procedure and reducing scar tenderness leading to a more rapid return to work, and the purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors for prolonged sick leave after endoscopic carpal tunnel release in a group of employed Danish patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The design was a prospective study including 75 employed patients with carpal tunnel syndrome operated with ECTR at two hospitals. The mean age was 46 years (SD 10.1), the male/female ratio was 0.42, and the mean preoperative duration of symptoms 10 months (range 6-12). Only 21 (28%) were unable to work preoperatively and mean sick leave was 4 weeks (range 1-4). At base-line and at the 3-month follow-up, a self-administered questionnaire was collected concerning physical, psychological, and social circumstances in relation to the hand problem. Data from a nerve conduction examination were collected at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. Significant prognostic factors were identified through multiple logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After the operation, the mean functional score was reduced from 2.3 to 1.4 (SD 0.8) and the mean symptom score from 2.9 to 1.5 (SD 0.7). The mean sick leave from work after the operation was 19.8 days (SD 14.3). Eighteen patients (24%) had more than 21 days of sick leave. Two patients (3%) were still unable to work after 3 months. Significant prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis for more than 21 days of postoperative sick leave were preoperative sick leave, blaming oneself for the hand problem and a preoperative distal motor latency.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Preoperative sick leave, blaming oneself for the hand problem, and a preoperative distal nerve conduction motor latency were prognostic factors for postoperative work absence of more than 21 days. Other factors may be important (clinical, demographic, economic, and workplace) in explaining the great variance in the results of sick leave after carpal tunnel release between studies from different countries.</p