Decreased Pain Severity and Differential Gene Expression Following Calmare Therapy

We present the results of a double-blinded randomized sham-controlled research study of a non-pharmacologic low back pain intervention. Calmare therapy is an neurocutanous electrical stimulation approach for pain management. The intervention group received Calmare therapy and the other received sham. Differences in pain severity and interference scores, pain sensitivity measures and gene expression profiles are reported. Patterns of downregulated gene expression suggest that Calmare may alter proteins involved in pain transduction may have implications for the treatment of other chronic pain conditions.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1120/thumbnail.jp

Solid-Phase Electrochemical Enzyme Immunoassay with Attomole Detection Limit by Flow Injection Analysis

A sandwich electrochemical enzyme immunoassay with flow injection analysis for the model antigen mouse IgG has been developed with alkaline phosphatase as the enzyme label. The enzyme substrate, 4-aminophenyl phosphate and its enzymatic reaction product, 4-aminophenol have been studied by cyclic and hydrodynamic voltammetry. The determination of 4-aminophenol by flow injection analysis with electrochemical detection (FIAEC) has a linear range of 5.0 × 10−8 to 1.0 × 10−5 M, a detection limit of 2.4 × 10−8 M, and a sample throughput of 72 samples/h. The detection limit is set by a background capacitance response, which depends on the ionic strength difference between the sample and the mobile phase. The sandwich immunoassay has been characterized with respect to substrate concentration for the enzymatic reaction, detection limit, dynamic range and sources of error. Mouse IgG can be determined with a detection limit of 0.81 pg ml−1 by a 30-min substrate incubation time and a six orders of magnitude linear dynamic range

Development of More Efficacious {Tc}-99m Organ Imaging Agents for Use in Nuclear Medicine by Analytical Characterization of Radiopharmaceuticals. Annual Technical Progress Report, September 1, 1992--August 31, 1993

This research program is detailed at development of more efficacious technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals for use as imaging agents in diagnostic nuclear medicine. We seek to isolate and develop distinct site imaging agents to provide diagnostic information concerning a given pathological condition. Analytical techniques are being developed to enable complete analysis of radiopharmaceutical preparations so that individual complexes can be characterized with respect to imaging efficacy and to enable a radiopharmaceutical to be monitored after injection into a test animal to determine the species that actually accumulates in an organ to provide the image. Administration of the isolated, single most effective imaging complex, rather than a mixture of technetium-containing complexes, wi-11 minimize radiation exposure to the patient and maximize diagnostic information available to the clinician. This report specifically describes the development of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for characterizating diphosphonate skeletal imaging agents. Advances in the development of electrochemical and fiber optic sensors for Tc and Re imaging agents are described. These sensors will ultimately be capable of monitoring a specific chemical state of an imaging agent in vivo after injection into a test animal by implantation in the organ of interest

Development of More Efficacious Tc-99m Organ Imaging Agents for Use in Nuclear Medicine by Analytical Characterization of Radiopharmaceutical Mixtures

The long-range objective of this research program is the development of more efficacious technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals for use as imaging agents in diagnostic nuclear medicine. We seek to isolate and develop distinct site imaging agents, each of which has properties optimized to provide diagnostic information concerning a given pathological condition. The specific objectives during the period (9/1/89 to 8/31/92) include: (1) Development of strategies for improving yields of specific Tc-diphosphonate complexes with optimum imaging properties; (2) Development of electrodes for rapid in situ electrochemical generation of skeletal imaging agents; (3) Development of electrochemical sensors for {Tc} and Re imaging agents; (4) Characterization of stable {Tc}- and Re-diphosphonate complexes obtainable in high yield by structural studies with techniques such as NMR, EXAFS, and Raman spectroscopy; (5) Development of improved separation techniques for the characterization of diphosphonate skeletal imaging agents; (6) Evaluation of the effect of the biological milieu on {Tc}-diphosphonate complexes; and (7) Electrochemical studies of technetium and rhenium complexes synthesized by Professor Deutsch's research group for heart and brain imaging

Typical general movements at 2 to 4 months:Movement complexity, fidgety movements, and their associations with risk factors and SINDA scores

Background: Movement complexity and the presence of fidgety movements (FMs) during general movements (GMs) both reflect aspects of neurological integrity in early infancy. Aim: To assess interrelations between the degree of movement complexity and characteristics of FMs during typical GMs and to investigate associations between mildly impaired GMs and risk factors and neurodevelopmental condition. Study design: Observational cohort study. Subjects: 283 infants (25 born preterm) at 2-4 months corrected age, representative of the general Dutch population. Outcome measures: GMs were classified in terms of GM-complexity (normal or mildly abnormal (MA)) and FMs (clearly present, sporadic, or exaggerated). Concurrent neurological, developmental and socio-emotional status were measured with the Standardized Infant NeuroDevelopmental Assessment (SINDA). Results: Infants with MA GM-complexity had a higher risk of having sporadic FMs and exaggerated FMs. Perinatal complications were not associated with mildly impaired GMs. MA GM-complexity was associated with advanced maternal age (adjusted OR = 2.29 [1.11, 4.76]) and having a non-native Dutch mother (adjusted OR = 2.93 [1.29, 6.64]). It was also associated with atypical neurological (OR = 7.62 [3.51, 16.54]) and developmental scores (OR = 2.38 [1.16, 4.88]). Sporadic and exaggerated FMs were associated with low-to-middle maternal education (adjusted OR = 2.88, [1.45, 5.72]) and having a non-native Dutch father (adjusted OR = 7.16 [1.41, 36.32]), respectively. However, neither sporadic nor exaggerated FMs were associated with the SINDA outcomes. Conclusions: GM-complexity and FMs are two interrelated but different aspects of GMs. Mild impairments in GM-complexity and FMs share a non-optimal socio-economic background as risk factor, but only MA GM-complexity is associated with a concurrent non-optimal neurodevelopmental condition

Atypical knee jerk responses in high-risk children:A longitudinal EMG-study

INTRODUCTION: We previously found that atypical responses to the knee jerk reflex, i.e., tonic responses (TRs), clonus and contralateral responses in very high-risk (VHR) infants were associated with cerebral palsy (CP) at 21 months. The current study aimed for a better understanding of pathophysiology of atypical knee jerk responses by evaluating whether infant atypical knee jerk responses are associated with CP and atypical knee jerk responses at school-age. METHODS: 31 VHR-children, who had also been assessed longitudinally during infancy, and 24 typically developing children, were assessed at 7-10 years (school-age). We continuously recorded surface EMG of thigh muscles during knee jerk responses longitudinally during infancy and once at school-age. Neurological condition was assessed with age-appropriate neurological examinations. It included the diagnosis of CP at 21 months corrected age and school-age. CP's type and severity (Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)) were reported. RESULTS: Persistent TRs in infancy were associated with CP at school-age. TR prevalence decreased from infancy to childhood. At school-age it was no longer associated with CP. Clonus prevalence in VHR-children did not change with increasing age; it was significantly higher in children without than those with CP. Reflex irradiation was common in all school-age children, and its prevalence in contralateral muscles in VHR-children decreased between infancy and childhood. CONCLUSIONS: In infancy, TRs indicated an increased risk of CP, but at school-age TRs were not associated with CP. In general, spinal hyperexcitability, expressed as reflex irradiation and TRs, decreased between infancy and school-age

Electrochemical Enzyme Immunoassay Using Sequential Saturation Technique in A 20-μl Capillary: Digoxin as A Model Analyte

Capillary enzyme immunoassay with flow-injection analysis for digoxin using the sequential saturation technique has been developed. Glass capillary tubes (10 cm × 0.53 mm i.d.) with immobilized digoxin antibody were used as the immunoassay reactor. The product of enzymatic reaction. 4-aminophenol, was detected amperometrically. The digoxin and the labeled digoxin binding reaction with the immobilized digoxin antibody were completed in 2 and 10 min, respectively. Digoxin was determined in a 20-μl sample with a detection limit of 10 pg ml−1 (200 fg or 260 attomoles) and a 3 orders of magnitude range

Longer duration of gestation in term singletons is associated with better infant neurodevelopment

Background: Longer gestation at term and post-term age is associated with increased perinatal mortality. Nonetheless, recent neuroimaging studies indicated that longer gestation is also associated with better functioning of the child's brain. Aims: to assess whether longer gestation in term and post-term (in short: term) singletons is associated with better infant neurodevelopment. Study design: cross-sectional observational study. Subjects: Participants were all singleton term infants (n = 1563) aged 2–18 months of the IMP-SINDA project that collected normative data for the Infant Motor Profile (IMP) and Standardized Infant NeuroDevelopmental Assessment (SINDA). The group was representative of the Dutch population. Outcome measures: Total IMP score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were atypical total IMP scores (scores &lt;15th percentile) and SINDA's neurological and developmental scores. Results: Duration of gestation had a quadratic relationship with IMP and SINDA developmental scores. IMP scores were lowest at a gestation of 38·5 weeks, SINDA developmental scores at 38·7 weeks. Next, both scores increased with increasing duration of gestation. Infants born at 41–42 weeks had significantly less often atypical IMP scores (adjusted OR [95 % CI]: 0·571 [0·341–0·957] and atypical SINDA developmental scores (adjusted OR: 0·366 [0·195–0·688]) than infants born at 39–40 weeks. Duration of gestation was not associated with SINDA's neurological score. Conclusions: In term singleton infants representative of the Dutch population longer gestation is associated with better infant neurodevelopment scores suggesting better neural network efficiency. Longer gestation in term infants is not associated with atypical neurological scores.</p

PII: S 0 0 4 0 -6 0 9 0 Ž 0 3 . 0 0 0 2 9 -4 In situ measurements of sensor film dynamics by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Demonstration of back-side measurements and the etching of indium tin oxide

Abstract A new liquid flow cell design for in situ ellipsometric measurements on transparent multilayer samples using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry is presented. In this cell, films made on transparent substrates are in direct contact with liquid solution. Ellipsometry measurements are made through the transparent substrate, that is, from the back-side relative to the incident light so that films are in continuous contact with the liquid. This cell is not limited to just one angle of incidence of light allowing the films to be characterized at several angles before, during and after liquid contact. The spectral range of measurements is limited only by absorption of light in the underlying transparent substrate and not by the liquid solution that the film is in contact with. As a demonstration, we have measured and analyzed the dynamics of an indium tin oxide film on glass undergoing acid etching. Data from this in situ experiment were successfully modeled and the ITO layer thickness decreased uniformly during the etching process with an average etch rate of 0.23 nmymin

Infant motor behaviour and functional and cognitive outcome at school-age:A follow-up study in very high-risk children

BACKGROUND: The Infant Motor Profile (IMP) is an appropriate tool to assess and monitor infant motor behaviour over time. Infants at very high risk (VHR) due to a lesion of the brain generally show impaired motor development. They may grow into or out of their neurodevelopmental deficit. AIMS: Evaluate associations between IMP-trajectories, summarised by IMP-scores in early infancy and rates of change, and functional and cognitive outcome at school-age in VHR-children. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: 31 VHR-children, mainly due to a brain lesion, who had multiple IMP-assessments during infancy, were re-assessed at 7-10 years (school-age). OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcome was assessed with the Vineland-II, cognition with RAKIT 2. Associations between IMP-trajectories and outcome were tested by multivariable linear regression analyses. RESULTS: When corrected for sex, maternal education and follow-up age, initial scores of total IMP, variation and performance domains, as well as their rates of change were associated with better functional outcome (unstandardised coefficients [95% CI]): 36.44 [19.60-53.28], 33.46 [17.43-49.49], 16.52 [7.58-25.46], and 513.15 [262.51-763.79], 356.70 [148.24-565.15], and 269 [130.57-407.43], respectively. Positive rates of change in variation scores were associated with better cognition at school-age: 34.81 [16.58-53.03]. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that in VHR-children IMP-trajectories were associated with functional outcome at school-age, and to a minor extent also with cognition. Initial IMP-scores presumably reflect the effect of an early brain lesion on brain functioning, whereas IMP rate of change reflects whether infants are able to grow into or out of their initial neurodevelopmental deficit