Angular displacement of torso during lifting: A system comparison of two measuring methods

This paper introduces a study which was conducted to evaluate two different methods used to measure trunk kinematics during a set of controlled lifting tasks. The following two methods were compared in a laboratory study: (1) an opto-electronic detection method using the Selspot 1 method, and (2) a new Miniature electronic Inclinometer method. The comparison revealed that, with care in calibration, the two methods display similar torso angle measurements for a large variety of test conditions. Cross-correlation between the angle estimates averaged (rmean = 0.814) for a combination of the following lifting variables: posture of lifting, lifting height, weight of load, and horizontal distance. Variation in the correlation coefficient between the two measuring methods shows acceptable positive correlation and consistent agreement in angle trajectory over time at Thoracic (at level 5), consistency was obtained at Lumbar (level 5) and Cervical (level 4) levels. Factors affecting the performance of the two measuring methods are analyzed and the pros and cons of the method are discussed. The findings argue for the use of the new Miniature Inclinometer since it is inexpensive when compared to the Selspot 1 measuring system, provides direct angle measurements and is an easy to use technique.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27669/1/0000051.pd

Liver transplantation is a preferable alternative to palliative therapy for selected patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the traditional criteria (advanced HCC) are typically offered palliation, which is associated with a 3-year survival rate lower than 30%. This study aimed to describe the outcomes for a subset of patients with advanced HCC who satisfied the Extended Toronto Criteria (ETC) and were listed for liver transplantation (LT). Materials & Methods: All patients listed in the Toronto liver transplant program with HCC beyond both the Milan and University of California, San Francisco criteria were included in this study. Data were extracted from the prospectively collected electronic database. All radiological images were reviewed by two independent radiologists. The primary endpoint was patient survival. Results: Between January 1999 and August 2014, 96 patients with advanced HCC were listed for LT, and 62 (65%) of these patients received bridging therapy while on the waiting list. Bridging therapy led to a significant reduction in tumor progression (p=0.02) and tumor burden (p <0.001). The majority of those listed underwent LT (n=69, 72%). Both tumor progression on waiting list (HR 4.973 [1.599 – 15.464], p=0.006) and peak AFP ≥400ng/ml (HR 4.604 [1.660 – 12.768], p=0.003) were independently associated with waiting list dropout. Post-LT HCC recurrence occurred in 35% (n=24). Among those with HCC recurrence, survival was significantly better for those who received curative treatment (p=0.004). The overall actuarial survival rates from the listing were 76% at 1 year, 56% at 3 years, and 47% at 5 years, and the corresponding rates from LT were 93%, 71%, and 66%. Conclusion: LT provides significantly better survival rates than palliation for patients with selected advanced HCC

An international, multicenter study of intravenous bevacizumab for bleeding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: the InHIBIT-Bleed study

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) is a rare multisystem vascular disorder causing chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, epistaxis, and severe anemia. Bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, may be effective to treat bleeding in HHT. This international, multicenter, retrospective study evaluated the use of systemic bevacizumab to treat HHT-associated bleeding and anemia at 12 HHT treatment centers. Hemoglobin, epistaxis severity score, red cell units transfused, and intravenous iron infusions before and after treatment were evaluated using paired means testing and mixed-effects linear models. 238 HHT patients received bevacizumab for a median of 12 (range, 1-96) months. Compared with pretreatment, bevacizumab increased mean hemoglobin by 3.2 g/dL (95% CI, 2.9-3.5 g/dL) [mean hemoglobin 8.6 (8.5, 8.8) g/dL versus 11.8 (11.5, 12.1) g/dL,

Misuse of suncare products: Toward a protocol for sunscreen application

1548 Background: Increasing awareness of the UV-induced skin carcinogenesis has led to a significant demand for improved photo-protection both in UVB and UVA ranges. Sunscreen products are subjected to strict efficacy controls relying on standardized UV protection measurements and are widely recommended by oncologists and dermatologists in order to prevent skin cancers. However, sunscreen effectiveness depends not only on the quality of the product itself but also on the way people use it in real life. Misuse of suncare products might even lead to opposite deleterious effects. We conducted three successive studies in order to validate a sunscreen application protocol. Methods: Three studies were done on healthy volunteers who were asked to apply a sunscreen product as they usually do without any guidance or following a protocol of product application. Spontaneous application was evaluated in the first study (N = 17). Two application protocols were successively tested (N = 31) where both quantity of product and quality of sunscreen spreading were assessed (without and with the protocol) by three independent evaluators using photos taken under UVA light. Results: Spontaneous application of sunscreen resulted in an heterogeneous application of only 27% of the quantity recommended following COLIPA guidelines. Two application protocols giving practical informations concerning the quantity and the way to spread the product on each body anatomical sites were successively evaluated. Use of the application protocols improved both the quantity of suncare product and the homogeneity of product spreading with an highly significant improvement resulting from the use of the final and improved application protocol tested in the third study (p &lt; 0.02). Conclusions: The correct use of sunscreens is a public health issue about which the public still requires considerable education. We propose that, in addition to the usual photoprotection recommendations (i.e., clothing protection and avoidance of middle day exposure), population should be trained to use validated protocols for sunscreen application. [Table: see text] </jats:p

Antiaging Action of Retinol: From Molecular to Clinical

The antiaging efficacy of retinol (ROL) has been explored mainly clinically in photoprotected skin sites and for high doses of ROL (0.4–1.6%). The objective of the study was to demonstrate the antiaging action of a low and tolerable dose of ROL (0.1%) ex vivo by measuring the expression of cellular retinoic-acid-binding protein II (CRABP2) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HBEGF) by a histological evaluation of the epidermis and in vivo by assessing major aging signs and performing three-dimensional profilometry and digital imaging during a 9-month double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 48 volunteers. Finally, epidermal cell proliferation was evaluated using tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate that 0.1% ROL induced &lt;i&gt;CRABP2&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;HBEGF&lt;/i&gt; gene expression and increased keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal thickness. In human volunteers, topical application of a ROL-containing product improved all major aging signs assessed in our study (wrinkles under the eyes, fine lines and tone evenness). Moreover, tryptophan fluorescence increased in the active-agent-treated group and not in the placebo-treated group, indicating that cell proliferation was accelerated in vivo. These data demonstrate that a product containing a low dose (0.1%) of ROL promotes keratinocyte proliferation ex vivo and in vivo, induces epidermal thickening ex vivo and alleviates skin aging signs, without any significant adverse reaction.</jats:p