The human cytomegalovirus ul11 protein interacts with the receptor tyrosine phosphatase cd45, resulting in functional paralysis of t cells

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) exerts diverse and complex effects on the immune system, not all of which have been attributed to viral genes. Acute CMV infection results in transient restrictions in T cell proliferative ability, which can impair the control of the virus and increase the risk of secondary infections in patients with weakened or immature immune systems. In a search for new immunomodulatory proteins, we investigated the UL11 protein, a member of the CMV RL11 family. This protein family is defined by the RL11 domain, which has homology to immunoglobulin domains and adenoviral immunomodulatory proteins. We show that pUL11 is expressed on the cell surface and induces intercellular interactions with leukocytes. This was demonstrated to be due to the interaction of pUL11 with the receptor tyrosine phosphatase CD45, identified by mass spectrometry analysis of pUL11-associated proteins. CD45 expression is sufficient to mediate the interaction with pUL11 and is required for pUL11 binding to T cells, indicating that pUL11 is a specific CD45 ligand. CD45 has a pivotal function regulating T cell signaling thresholds; in its absence, the Src family kinase Lck is inactive and signaling through the T cell receptor (TCR) is therefore shut off. In the presence of pUL11, several CD45-mediated functions were inhibited. The induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple signaling proteins upon TCR stimulation was reduced and T cell proliferation was impaired. We therefore conclude that pUL11 has immunosuppressive properties, and that disruption of T cell function via inhibition of CD45 is a previously unknown immunomodulatory strategy of CMV

The Early Growth Genetics (EGG) and EArly Genetics and Lifecourse Epidemiology (EAGLE) consortia: design, results and future prospects

The impact of many unfavorable childhood traits or diseases, such as low birth weight and mental disorders, is not limited to childhood and adolescence, as they are also associated with poor outcomes in adulthood, such as cardiovascular disease. Insight into the genetic etiology of childhood and adolescent traits and disorders may therefore provide new perspectives, not only on how to improve wellbeing during childhood, but also how to prevent later adverse outcomes. To achieve the sample sizes required for genetic research, the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) and EArly Genetics and Lifecourse Epidemiology (EAGLE) consortia were established. The majority of the participating cohorts are longitudinal population-based samples, but other cohorts with data on early childhood phenotypes are also involved. Cohorts often have a broad focus and collect(ed) data on various somatic and psychiatric traits as well as environmental factors. Genetic variants have been successfully identified for multiple traits, for example, birth weight, atopic dermatitis, childhood BMI, allergic sensitization, and pubertal growth. Furthermore, the results have shown that genetic factors also partly underlie the association with adult traits. As sample sizes are still increasing, it is expected that future analyses will identify additional variants. This, in combination with the development of innovative statistical methods, will provide detailed insight on the mechanisms underlying the transition from childhood to adult disorders. Both consortia welcome new collaborations. Policies and contact details are available from the corresponding authors of this manuscript and/or the consortium websites

Comparison of efficacy of neural therapy and physical therapy in chronic low back pain.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of neural therapy, and physical therapy on level of pain, disability, quality of life, and psychological status in patients with chronic low back pain. Patients admitted to the physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic with the complaint of low back pain of at least 3 months duration. Group 1 (n=27), physical therapy (PT, hotpack, ultrasound, TENS 15 sessions), group 2 (n=33), neural therapy (NT, 1:1 mixture of 20 mg/mL Lidocaine HCl (Jetokain simplex®) and saline for 5 sessions. For pain, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), for disability Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), for quality-of-life Nottingham-Health-Profile (NHP), for depression, and anxiety, Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS) were used before and after the treatment. Mean age was 47.3±11.32 years, symptom time was 13.78±11.98 months. There were no differences for demographic variables between groups. Significant improvements were detected for VAS, RMDQ, NHP-Pain, NHP-Physical activity, HADS for both of two groups after treatment. In addition to these findings, significant improvements were found for NHP-Energy, NHP-Social isolation in NT group. The differences of pre- and post-treatment values of parameters were evaluated for each group. Although there were no differences for VAS, NHP-sleep, NHP-Emotional reaction, HADS between groups, RMDQ, NHP-Pain, NHP-Physical activity, NHP-Social isolation were higher in NT than PT before treatment, the improvements for these parameters were better in NT than PT. In conclusion both of NT and PT are effective on pain, function, quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic low back pain

2011-Osteoporosis Knowledge Test

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the revised 2011-Osteoporosis Knowledge test (R-OKT) into Turkish and to assess its reliability.Materials and Methods: After the translation process, the study was performed with healthy volunteers who accepted to participate in the study. Demographic features, level of nutrition and physical activity were recorded. Participants were fulfilled the R-OKT. Cronbach-a was calculated for internal consistency, intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for test-retest reliability by using two tests fulfilled with 2 days interval. Validation study was performed by Spearman's correlation between nutrition and exercise subscales of R-OKT with calcium intake and level of physical activity.Results: The study was carried out with 82 participants with a mean age of 41.3 +/- 12.6 years. Cronbach-a values for the nutrition subscale, exercise subscale and total score was found as 0.71, 0.76 and 0.76, respectively. Test-retest reliability was calculated above 0.90 for both of the subscales and total score. When R-OKT subscales were compared with calcium intake and exercise level in daily living, significant relationship was found between R-OKT nutrition subscale and the level of calcium intake.Conclusion: Turkish version of R-OKT is a reliable scale to assess the level of osteoporosis knowledge

Prednisolone in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Background: Although there are several studies of systemic corticosteroid therapies in various doses and various durations in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the outcome measurement parameters are limited to the range of motion measurements, edema, and symptoms of CRPS.Objective: To investigate the effects of prednisolone on clinical symptoms, pain, hand grip strength, range of motion, as well as on functional ability and quality of life in patients who developed CRPS after traumatic upper extremity injury.Study Design: Retrospective evaluation.Methods: Forty-five patients who used prednisolone for CRPS of the upper extremity were retrospectively studied. Prednisolone was started with a dose of 30 mg and tapered by 5 mg every 3 days until discontinuation after 3 weeks. Clinical symptoms (morning stiffness, cold intolerance, shoulder pain, numbness of fingers, hyperesthesia, abnormal sweating, and cyanosis that is exacerbated by exposure to cold temperature), pain (Visual Analogue Scale-Rest [VAS-R] and VAS-Activity [VAS-A]) were reviewed. The muscle strength with grip strength (GS) (kg), lateral pinch (LP) (pound), tip-to-tip pinch (TP) (pound), and chuck pinch (CP) (pound) measurements; the joint range of motion with using third finger tip-distal crease distance (FT-DC) (cm); functional ability with Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH) score; and quality of life with Short Form-36 (SF-36) score were evaluated.Results: Mean age was 43.53 +/- 11.43 years. After 3 weeks of therapy, patients showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms compared to the basal assessments (P < 0.05). The comparison of pre-and post-treatment results revealed that VAS-R, VAS-A, GS, LP, TP, CP, FT-DC, Q-DASH scores, and all SF-36 subscores were significantly improved (P < 0.05).Limitations: The retrospective design and data collection procedure was limited to the medical records of patients.Conclusion: A short-term oral prednisolone therapy significantly reduced the symptoms and signs of CRPS, and improved the functional abilities and quality of life

Factors affecting the results of the functional dexterity test

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to identify which demographic and anthropometric features affect performance (time) on the functional dexterity test (FDT).Methods: One hundred fifty-two healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, and dominant hand) and anthropometric (the girths of the first 3 fingers) variables were recorded, and the FDT (net time and total score) was performed.Results: Hand dexterity (time) was slower in participants aged 60 years (35.7 +/- 9.4 seconds) and older compared with those aged 40-59 (27.1 +/- 7.2 seconds) years and 20-39 (23.9 +/- 4.9 seconds) years (P <.001 for both) in dominant side.Discussion: There was no significant difference between males (29.1 +/- 9 in dominant hands and 30.9 +/- 9.5 in nondominant hands) and females (27.9 +/- 8.4 in dominant hands and 30.8 +/- 8.1 in nondominant hands) in all groups in terms of FDT net time. The factors associated with hand dexterity were age in dominant hands (R-2 = 0.321) and age and thickness of the second and third fingers in nondominant hands (R-2 = 0.282).Conclusion: FDT scores increased with increasing age for both dominant and nondominant hands. Finger thickness, especially in nondominant hands, should be taken into account while evaluating FDT scores because of its negative effect on dexterity. Level of Evidence: Level 2. (C) (C) 2016 Hanley & Belfus, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Evertor/Invertor Peak Torque Ratios of Healthy Volunteers

[Purpose] To determine the ankle evertor/invertor maximal torque ratios (E/I) in the normal Population which could be used as reference values during clinical evaluations and rehabilitation efforts and also to investigate the effect of age, gender and limb dominance on E/I. [Methods] Concentric ankle E/I I was tested at 30 and 120 degrees/second using an isokinetic dynamometer for 79 healthy volunteers and the effects of age, gender, limb dominance on E/I were analysed. [Results] E/I values increased slightly with increasing age and there were statistically significant differences between age groups of 20-29 and 60-upper ages, and 30-39 and 60-upper ages with respect to left EA (120 degrees/second) values. There were no significant differences between male and female subjects and between dominant and non-dominant limbs. [Conclusion] Ankle evertor/invertor peak torque ratios are affected by age but not by the dominance of the limb and the patient's gender. The ratios observed in different age groups in our study can be used as reference values in clinical evaluations and rehabilitation programs without taking into account the dominance of the limb and the patient's gender

Prednisolone in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Background: Although there are several studies of systemic corticosteroid therapies in various doses and various durations in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the outcome measurement parameters are limited to the range of motion measurements, edema, and symptoms of CRPS.Objective: To investigate the effects of prednisolone on clinical symptoms, pain, hand grip strength, range of motion, as well as on functional ability and quality of life in patients who developed CRPS after traumatic upper extremity injury.Study Design: Retrospective evaluation.Methods: Forty-five patients who used prednisolone for CRPS of the upper extremity were retrospectively studied. Prednisolone was started with a dose of 30 mg and tapered by 5 mg every 3 days until discontinuation after 3 weeks. Clinical symptoms (morning stiffness, cold intolerance, shoulder pain, numbness of fingers, hyperesthesia, abnormal sweating, and cyanosis that is exacerbated by exposure to cold temperature), pain (Visual Analogue Scale-Rest [VAS-R] and VAS-Activity [VAS-A]) were reviewed. The muscle strength with grip strength (GS) (kg), lateral pinch (LP) (pound), tip-to-tip pinch (TP) (pound), and chuck pinch (CP) (pound) measurements; the joint range of motion with using third finger tip-distal crease distance (FT-DC) (cm); functional ability with Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH) score; and quality of life with Short Form-36 (SF-36) score were evaluated.Results: Mean age was 43.53 +/- 11.43 years. After 3 weeks of therapy, patients showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms compared to the basal assessments (P < 0.05). The comparison of pre-and post-treatment results revealed that VAS-R, VAS-A, GS, LP, TP, CP, FT-DC, Q-DASH scores, and all SF-36 subscores were significantly improved (P < 0.05).Limitations: The retrospective design and data collection procedure was limited to the medical records of patients.Conclusion: A short-term oral prednisolone therapy significantly reduced the symptoms and signs of CRPS, and improved the functional abilities and quality of life