A(2)B-Miktoarm Glycopolymer Fibers and Their Interactions with Tenocytes

Electrospun biodegradable membranes have attracted great attention for a range of tissue engineering applications. Among them, poly­(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the most widely used polymers, owing to its well-controlled biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, PCL also has a number of limitations, such as its hydrophobic nature and the lack of functional groups on its side chain, limiting its ability to interact with cells. Herein, we have designed and prepared a series of well-defined A₂B-miktoarm copolymers with PCL and glycopolymer segments to address these limitations. Moreover, copolymers were electrospun to make membranes, which were studied in vitro to investigate cell affinity, toxicity, activity, and adhesion with these materials. The results indicate that incorporating glucose moieties into miktoarm polymers has improved the biocompatibility of the PCL while increasing the cellular interaction with the membrane material

Proximal femoral excision with interposition myoplasty for cerebral palsy patients with painful chronic hip dislocation

Purpose: Proximal femoral excision is a salvage procedure for painful chronic hip dislocation in cerebral palsy (CP) patients. The primary objective of this article is to describe our experience of an amplified interposition myoplasty, with appropriate peri-operative pain and tone management strategies, in a cohort of non-ambulatory CP patients with painful chronic hip dislocation. Our secondary objective is to present the clinical outcomes of these patients. Methods: We describe our experience in 20 CP patients (25 procedures) at mean 54-month (range 27–169) follow-up with a surgical technique that includes an augmented interposition myoplasty and tone management. The indications for surgery were pain (21 hips), poor sitting tolerance (11) and difficulty with perineal care (8). Results: The mean age was 22 years (range 10–40) with 11 patients Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) IV and 9 patients GMFCS V. Mean length of stay was 13 days (3–35). One procedure required revision at 12 months. Mean pain score improved from 7.8 (5–10) pre-operatively to 2.8 (1–5) post-operatively (p  <  0.001). Sitting tolerance improved in all patients and in 75 % (15) perineal care was easier. Conclusions: Our interposition myoplasty technique with individualised pain/tone management has good outcomes in this cohort of patients with multiple co-morbidities

Neuromedin U partially mediates leptin-induced hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) stimulation and has a physiological role in the regulation of the HPA axis in the rat.

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the hypothalamic neuropeptide neuromedin U (NMU) or the adipostat hormone leptin increases plasma ACTH and corticosterone. The relationship between leptin and NMU in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is currently unknown. In this study, leptin (1 nM) significantly increased the release of CRH from ex vivo hypothalamic explants by 207 ± 8.4% (P < 0.05 vs. basal), an effect blocked by the administration of anti-NMU IgG. The ICV administration of leptin (10 μg, 0.625 nmol) increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone 20 min after injection [plasma ACTH (picograms per milliliter): vehicle, 63 ± 20, leptin, 135 ± 36, P < 0.05; plasma corticosterone (nanograms per milliliter): vehicle, 285 ± 39, leptin, 452 ± 44, P < 0.01]. These effects were partially attenuated by the prior administration of anti-NMU IgG. Peripheral leptin also stimulated ACTH release, an effect attenuated by prior ICV administration of anti-NMU IgG. We examined the diurnal pattern of hypothalamic NMU mRNA expression and peptide content, plasma leptin, and plasma corticosterone. The diurnal changes in hypothalamic NMU mRNA expression were positively correlated with hypothalamic NMU peptide content, plasma corticosterone, and plasma leptin. The ICV administration of anti-NMU IgG significantly attenuated the dark phase rise in corticosterone [corticosterone (nanograms per milliliter): vehicle, 493 ± 38; NMU IgG, 342 ± 47 (P < 0.05)]. These studies suggest that NMU may play a role in the regulation of the HPA axis and partially mediate leptin-induced HPA stimulation. Copyright © 2006 by The Endocrine Society

At the Turn of the Tide: Space Use and Habitat Partitioning in Two Sympatric Shark Species Is Driven by Tidal Phase

Coexistence of ecologically similar species occupying the same geographic location (sympatry) poses questions regarding how their populations persist without leading to competitive exclusion. There is increasing evidence to show that micro-variations in habitat use may promote coexistence through minimizing direct competition for space and resources. We used two sympatric marine predators that show high fidelity to a small, remote coral atoll as a model to investigate how temporally dynamic partitioning of space use may promote coexistence. Using novel methods (difference network analysis and dynamic space occupancy analysis), we revealed that even though blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus and sicklefin lemon sharks Negaprion acutidens both show focused use of the same atoll habitats, the spatio-temporal dynamics of their use was partitioned such that they only shared the same microhabitats 26% of the time. Moreover, the degree of overlap was strongly influenced by the tidal cycle, peaking at ∼35% at higher tides as both species appear to target similar intertidal micro-habitats despite the increase in available space. Our work provides a rare example of how two marine predators with similar ecological roles and habitat preferences may coexist in the same place through dynamic segregation of habitat use in space and time, potentially reflecting adaptive behavioral traits for minimizing interactions. The strong influence of small tidal variation on species habitat use and partitioning also raises concerns over how atoll ecosystem dynamics may be influenced by sea level rises that could alter tidal dynamics

Acute aortic dissection in a young patient without Marfan fibrillinopathy: a case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Relationship of cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia in remission to disability: a cross-sectional study in an Indian sample

Background: Cognitive deficits in various domains have been consistently replicated in patients with schizophrenia. Most studies looking at the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and functional disability are from developed countries. Studies from developing countries are few. The purpose of the present study was to compare the neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia who were in remission with that of normal controls and to determine if there is a relationship between measures of cognition and functional disability. &lt;p/&gt;Methods: This study was conducted in the Psychiatric Unit of a General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Cognitive function in 25 patients with schizophrenia in remission was compared to 25 normal controls. Remission was confirmed using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and scale for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS). Subjects were administered a battery of cognitive tests covering aspects of memory, executive function and attention. The results obtained were compared between the groups. Correlation analysis was used to look for relationship between illness factors, cognitive function and disability measured using the Indian disability evaluation and assessment scale. &lt;p/&gt;Results: Patients with schizophrenia showed significant deficits on tests of attention, concentration, verbal and visual memory and tests of frontal lobe/executive function. They fared worse on almost all the tests administered compared to normal controls. No relationship was found between age, duration of illness, number of years of education and cognitive function. In addition, we did not find a statistically significant relationship between cognitive function and scores on the disability scale. &lt;p/&gt;Conclusion: The data suggests that persistent cognitive deficits are seen in patients with schizophrenia under remission. The cognitive deficits were not associated with symptomatology and functional disability. It is possible that various factors such as employment and family support reduce disability due to schizophrenia in developing countries like India. Further studies from developing countries are required to explore the relationship between cognitive deficits, functional outcome and the role of socio-cultural variables as protective factors

UK survey of occupational therapist’s and physiotherapist’s experiences and attitudes towards hip replacement precautions and equipment

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures in the United Kingdom (UK). Historically, people following THR have been provided with hip precautions and equipment such as: raised toilet seats and furniture rises, in order to reduce the risks of dislocation post-operation. The purpose of this study was to determine current practices in the provision of these interventions in the UK for people following primary THR. Methods: A 27-question, self-administered online survey was developed and distributed to UK physiotherapists and occupational therapists involved in the management of people following primary THR (target respondents). The survey included questions regarding the current practices in the provision of equipment and hip precautions for THR patients, and physiotherapist’s and occupational therapist’s attitudes towards these practices. The survey was disseminated through print and web-based/social media channels. Results: 170 health professionals (87 physiotherapists and 83 occupational therapists), responded to the survey. Commonly prescribed equipment in respondent’s health trusts were raised toilet seats (95%), toilet frames and rails (88%), furniture raises (79%), helping hands/grabbers (77%), perching stools (75%) and long-handled shoe horns (75%). Hip precautions were routinely prescribed by 97% of respondents. Hip precautions were most frequently taught in a pre-operative group (52% of respondents). Similarly equipment was most frequently provided pre-operatively (61% respondents), and most commonly by occupational therapists (74% respondents). There was variability in the advice provided on the duration of hip precautions and equipment from up to six weeks post-operatively to life-time usage. Conclusions: Current practice on hip precautions and provision of equipment is not full representative of clinician’s perceptions of best care after THR. Future research is warranted to determine whether and to whom hip precautions and equipment should be prescribed post-THR as opposed to the current ‘blanket’ provision of equipment and movement restriction provided in UK practice

Group interventions to improve health outcomes : a framework for their design and delivery

Peer reviewedPublisher PD