593 research outputs found
THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON WALKING PERFORMANCE IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
The current study examined the effects of the NewGaitâą device on walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Eight MS patients participated in this study. Pre- and post-testing assessed kinematic gait variables (step width, length, and speed), ankle range of motion, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Participants completed an 8-week physical therapy (PT) protocol aimed to improve gait and balance, with the experimental group wearing the NewGaitâą device. Repeated measures mixed ANOVA showed no main effects between the gait variables or between groups. Post-hoc paired t-tests indicated that the NewGaitâą device elicited meaningful change in left and right step length and speed. The NewGaitâą device may be a promising rehabilitation device to help induce positive walking performance changes in persons with MS
THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION DEVICE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING GAIT IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
This study examined the acute effect of a novel rehabilitation device, NewGaitâą, on muscle activation in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Through electromyography, muscle activation of the vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) was measured in seventeen patients (n=17). Three trials were conducted in each condition: a 10-meter control walk and 10-meter NewGaitâą walk. Results showed a non-significant change in muscle activity with moderate effect sizes in the right VM (increase of 39.72% MVC, p=0.082, d=0.626) and right TA (decrease of 12.71% MVC, p=0.069, d=0.427). In general, no change in muscle activation was noted when wearing the NewGaitâą device. Future research should include a larger sample size and differentiation between the stance phases to accurately measure the outcomes of the NewGaitâą device on muscle activation
CHANGES IN GAIT AND COORDINATION VARIABILITY IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOLLOWING A REHABILITATION PROGRAM
This study investigated changes in gait and coordination variability in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after an 8-week rehabilitation intervention. Data for eight participants (Control: 4, Intervention: 4) were analyzed via Cortex Motion Analysis software and Visual 3D to calculate knee and ankle joint angles as well as discrete spatiotemporal parameters. The knee and ankle joint angles were further analyzed using a vector coding technique to quantify coordination between these joints and how they produce a functional gait pattern. No significant changes in gait or coordination variability were found after rehabilitation, but some meaningful changes with large and moderate effect sizes were present. This study demonstrated a comprehensive overview of the relationship between process and outcome variability in a clinical population
Spondyloâepiphyseal dysplasia, Maroteaux type (pseudoâMorquio syndrome type 2), and parastremmatic dysplasia are caused by <i>TRPV4</i> mutations
AbstractRecent discoveries have established the existence of a family of skeletal dysplasias caused by dominant mutations in TRPV4. This family comprises, in order of increasing severity, dominant brachyolmia, spondyloâmetaphyseal dysplasia Kozlowski type, and metatropic dysplasia. We tested the hypothesis that a further condition, Spondyloâepiphyseal dysplasia (SED), Maroteaux type (MIM 184095; also known as pseudoâMorquio syndrome type 2), could be caused by TRPV4 mutations. We analyzed six individuals with Maroteaux type SED, including three who had previously been reported. All six patients were found to have heterozygous TRPV4 mutations; three patients had unreported mutations, while three patients had mutations previously described in association with metatropic dysplasia. In addition, we tested one individual with a distinct rare disorder, parastremmatic dysplasia (MIM 168400). This patient had a common, recurrent mutation seen in several patients with Kozlowski type spondyloâmetaphyseal dysplasia. We conclude that SED Maroteaux type and parastremmatic dysplasia are part of the TRPV4 dysplasia family and that TRPV4 mutations show considerable variability in phenotypic expression resulting in distinct clinicalâradiographic phenotypes. © 2010 WileyâLiss, Inc
Tankyrase inhibition sensitizes melanoma to PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade in syngeneic mouse models
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Adiponectin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
BACKGROUND: Though adiponectin has been associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors, the relationship between adiponectin and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare adiponectin level in women with PCOS and without PCOS, and to investigate the relationship between adiponectin level and metabolic variables including insulin resistance.
METHODS: 60 women with PCOS were enrolled along with a control group of 80 healthy women, matched for age and body mass index (BMI). We measured hormonal and metabolic parameters, as well as the plasma adiponectin concentration of each participant. We estimated the insulin sensitivity according to the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI).
RESULTS: The PCOS group displayed significantly lower level of adiponectin (P < 0.001) after adjustment for age, BMI, mean blood pressure, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and several metabolic parameters. Adiponectin levels were positively correlated with QUICKI in the PCOS group (P < 0.001) and the control group (P = 0.03). Following step-wise multiple regression analysis, however, adiponectin level was positively correlated with QUICKI in the control group only (P = 0.03). In addition, adiponectin level was found to be independently associated with HDL-cholesterol level (P < 0.001) and BMI (P = 0.02) in the PCOS group and independently associated with HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.02) in the control group.
CONCLUSION: We report decreased adiponectin level in PCOS patients in relation to controls independently of insulin resistance or other metabolic factors. And adiponectin is associated with both lipid metabolism and obesity, which, in turn, is related to insulin resistance in PCOS. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of adiponectin in PCOS.ope
Transabdominal Embryofetoscopy for the Detection of Short Rib-polydactyly Syndrome, Type II(Majewski), in the First Trimester
Our aim was to demonstrate the potential of first-trimester embryofetoscopy for prenatal diagnosis in a continuing pregnancy. A patient at risk for giving birth to an infant with short rib-polydactyly syndrome, type II (Majewski), presented for prenatal diagnosis at 9 weeks of gestation. A 1 mm semirigid fiberoptic endoscope with an 18 gauge examination sheath and a single-chip digital camera were used for transabdominal embryofetoscopy. Transabdominal embryofetoscopy was performed at 13 weeks of gestation. Direct visualization of the fetus was achieved and no gross limb or facial abnormalities were seen. This case shows that embryofetoscopy is a useful tool for early diagnosis in high-risk patients in the first trimester for continuing pregnancies
siRNA-Mediated Reduction of Inhibitor of Nuclear Factor-ÎșB Kinase Prevents Tumor Necrosis Factor-αâInduced Insulin Resistance in Human Skeletal Muscle
OBJECTIVEâProinflammatory cytokines contribute to systemic low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α impedes insulin signaling in insulin target tissues. We determined the role of inhibitor of nuclear factor-ÎșB kinase (IKK)ÎČ in TNF-αâinduced impairments in insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle
New genetic loci implicated in fasting glucose homeostasis and their impact on type 2 diabetes risk.
Levels of circulating glucose are tightly regulated. To identify new loci influencing glycemic traits, we performed meta-analyses of 21 genome-wide association studies informative for fasting glucose, fasting insulin and indices of beta-cell function (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in up to 46,186 nondiabetic participants. Follow-up of 25 loci in up to 76,558 additional subjects identified 16 loci associated with fasting glucose and HOMA-B and two loci associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. These include nine loci newly associated with fasting glucose (in or near ADCY5, MADD, ADRA2A, CRY2, FADS1, GLIS3, SLC2A2, PROX1 and C2CD4B) and one influencing fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (near IGF1). We also demonstrated association of ADCY5, PROX1, GCK, GCKR and DGKB-TMEM195 with type 2 diabetes. Within these loci, likely biological candidate genes influence signal transduction, cell proliferation, development, glucose-sensing and circadian regulation. Our results demonstrate that genetic studies of glycemic traits can identify type 2 diabetes risk loci, as well as loci containing gene variants that are associated with a modest elevation in glucose levels but are not associated with overt diabetes
Functional Polymorphism of IL-1 Alpha and Its Potential Role in Obesity in Humans and Mice
Proinflammatory cytokines secreted from adipose tissue contribute to the morbidity associated with obesity. IL-1α is one of the proinflammatory cytokines; however, it has not been clarified whether IL-1α may also cause obesity. In this study, we investigated whether polymorphisms in IL-1α contribute to human obesity. A total of 260 obese subjects were genotyped for IL-1α C-889T (rs1800587) and IL-1α G+4845T (rs17561). Analyses of genotype distributions revealed that both IL-1α polymorphisms C-889T (rs1800587) and G+4845T (rs17561) were associated with an increase in body mass index in obese healthy women. In addition, the effect of rs1800587 on the transcriptional activity of IL-1α was explored in pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. Significant difference was found between the rs1800587 polymorphism in the regulatory region of the IL-1α gene and transcriptional activity. We extended these observations in vivo to a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model and in vitro to pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. IL-1α levels were dramatically augmented in obese mice, and triglyceride was increased 12 hours after IL-1α injection. Taken together, IL-1α treatment regulated the differentiation of preadipocytes. IL-1α C-889T (rs1800587) is a functional polymorphism of IL-1α associated with obesity. IL-1α may have a critical function in the development of obesity
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