The Effect of Conjugate Reinforcement on the Leg Movements of Infants with Spina Bifida

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current literature regarding the leg movements and kicks of infants with Spina Bifida (SB) is limited. Kicking reflects the motor development of the lower extremities, which influences the emergence of walking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the type and frequency of spontaneous and goal directed leg movements and kicks through the use of conjugate reinforcement in infants with SB. METHODS: The spontaneous leg movements of five infants with lumbar or sacral SB were videotaped while supine: untethered (baseline); tethered to an overhead mobile (acquisition); and untethered (extinction). Data collection took place in each infant’s home when the parents reported their baby was generally alert and active. Anthropometric measures were collected to determine if selected traits (eg thigh length) were related to the frequency of leg movements and kicks generated by the babies. Frame by frame behavior coding was used to identify leg movements and kicks. RESULTS: All five infants moved their tethered leg more than their untethered leg in the acquisition condition. Participants generated significantly more leg movements in the acquisition or extinction condition compared to baseline (p = 0.014). The babies also generated more total kicks in the acquisition or extinction condition compared to baseline, but this was not significant (p = 0.124). Each baby responded uniquely to the conjugate reinforcement paradigm with respect to the frequency and types of kicks she generated (ie alternating leg kicks). There were non-significant, but moderate - high correlations between selected anthropometric measures (eg calf and thigh length, lower extremity range of motion) and leg movements and kicks. CONCLUSION: These babies increased how often they moved their legs and kicked as a result of experiencing the mobile paradigm. Beyond frequency of leg movements and kicks, each baby demonstrated an individual response to the conjugate reinforcement paradigm by increasing the number of complex kicks she generated or demonstrating new types of kicks in the acquisition or extinction conditions compared to baseline. Clinically, the conjugate reinforcement paradigm provides babies with SB increased opportunities to strengthen their leg muscles and the neuromuscular connections that support kicks

Conduction mechanism in polymeric membranes based on PEO or PVdF-HFP and containing a piperidinium ionic liquid

Two types of polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), with different amounts of the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl) imide ([PP13][TFSI]) added. The results from differential scanning calorimetry and conductivity measurements show that in the case of PVdF-HFP membranes the glass transition temperature T-g decreases and the room temperature ionic conductivity increases with increasing content of the ionic liquid (up to 60 wt.%). However, in the case of PEO based membranes Tg is less significantly affected and the room temperature ionic conductivity increases only up to 30 wt.% of ionic liquid, beyond which a steady value of about 5.10(-5) S/cm is reached. The results from Raman spectroscopy show that the characteristic vibrational mode of the TFSI anion at similar to 742 cm(-1) is weakly affected in the membranes prepared from PVdF-HFP, whereas for those based on PEO it has a clearer composition dependence. These results suggest ion-ion and ion-polymer interactions of different nature, which together with the different nanomorphologies adopted by PEO and PVdF-HFP, as revealed by X-ray scattering, give rise to different composition dependences of the macroscopically measured ionic conductivity. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Abnormal IgD and IgA1 O-glycosylation in hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome

In order to determine the glycosylation pattern for IgD, and to examine whether there are changes in the pattern of IgD and IgA1 O-glycosylation in patients with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS) during acute febrile attacks and during periods of quiescence, serum was obtained from 20 patients with HIDS and 20 control subjects. In the HIDS group, serum was obtained either during an acute febrile episode (n = 9) or during a period of quiescence (n = 11). The O-glycosylation profiles of native and desialylated IgA1 and IgD were measured in an ELISA-type system using the lectins Helix aspersa and peanut agglutinin, which bind to alternative forms of O-glycan moieties. IgD is more heavily O-galactosylated and less O-sialylated than IgA1 in healthy subjects. HIDS is associated with more extensive O-galactosylation of IgD and a reduction in O-sialylation of both IgD and IgA1. These changes are present both during acute febrile attacks and periods of quiescence. The T cell IgD receptor is a lectin with binding affinity for the O-glycans of both IgD and IgA1. The observed changes in IgD and IgA1 O-glycosylation are likely to have a significant effect on IgD/IgA1–T cell IgD receptor interactions including basal immunoglobulin synthesis, and possibly myeloid IgD receptor-mediated cytokine release

Limited oxidative stress favors resistance to skeletal muscle atrophy in hibernating brown bears (Ursus Arctos)

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Recognizing true H5N1 infections in humans during confirmed outbreaks.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether any characteristics that are evident at presentation for urgent medical attention could be used to differentiate cases of H5N1 in the absence of viral testing. METHODOLOGY: Information about exposure to poultry, clinical signs and symptoms, treatments, and outcomes was abstracted from existing data in the global avian influenza registry (www.avianfluregistry.org) using standardized data collection tools for documented and possible cases of H5N1 infection who presented for medical attention between 2005-2011 during known H5N1 outbreaks in Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey. RESULTS: Demography, exposure to poultry, and presenting symptoms were compared, with only the common symptoms of fever and headache presenting significantly more frequently in confirmed H5N1 cases than in possible cases. Reported exposure to  infected humans was also more common in confirmed cases. In contrast, unexplained respiratory illness, sore throat, excess sputum production, and rhinorrhea were more frequent in possible cases. Overall, oseltamivir treatment showed a survival benefit, with the greatest benefit shown in H5N1 cases who were treated within two days of symptom onset (51% reduction in case fatality). CONCLUSION: Since prompt treatment with antivirals conferred a strong survival benefit for H5N1 cases, presumptive antiviral treatment should be considered for all possible cases presenting during an outbreak of H5N1 as a potentially life-saving measure

Snow cover duration trends observed at sites and predicted by multiple models

The 30-year simulations of seasonal snow cover in 22 physically based models driven with bias-corrected meteorological reanalyses are examined at four sites with long records of snow observations. Annual snow cover durations differ widely between models, but interannual variations are strongly correlated because of the common driving data. No significant trends are observed in starting dates for seasonal snow cover, but there are significant trends towards snow cover ending earlier at two of the sites in observations and most of the models. A simplified model with just two parameters controlling solar radiation and sensible heat contributions to snowmelt spans the ranges of snow cover durations and trends. This model predicts that sites where snow persists beyond annual peaks in solar radiation and air temperature will experience rapid decreases in snow cover duration with warming as snow begins to melt earlier and at times of year with more energy available for melting

Human influenza A H5N1 in Indonesia: health care service-associated delays in treatment initiation.

BACKGROUND: Indonesia has had more recorded human cases of influenza A H5N1 than any other country, with one of the world's highest case fatality rates. Understanding barriers to treatment may help ensure life-saving influenza-specific treatment is provided early enough to meaningfully improve clinical outcomes. METHODS: Data for this observational study of humans infected with influenza A H5N1 were obtained primarily from Ministry of Health, Provincial and District Health Office clinical records. Data included time from symptom onset to presentation for medical care, source of medical care provided, influenza virology, time to initiation of influenza-specific treatment with antiviral drugs, and survival. RESULTS: Data on 124 human cases of virologically confirmed avian influenza were collected between September 2005 and December 2010, representing 73% of all reported Indonesia cases. The median time from health service presentation to antiviral drug initiation was 7.0 days. Time to viral testing was highly correlated with starting antiviral treatment (p < 0.0001). We found substantial variability in the time to viral testing (p = 0.04) by type of medical care provider. Antivirals were started promptly after diagnosis (median 0 days). CONCLUSIONS: Delays in the delivery of appropriate care to human cases of avian influenza H5N1 in Indonesia appear related to delays in diagnosis rather than presentation to health care settings. Either cases are not suspected of being H5N1 cases until nearly one week after presenting for medical care, or viral testing and/or antiviral treatment is not available where patients are presenting for care. Health system delays have increased since 2007

Fast and slow gating are inherent properties of the pore module of the K+ channel Kcv

Kcv from the chlorella virus PBCV-1 is a viral protein that forms a tetrameric, functional K+ channel in heterologous systems. Kcv can serve as a model system to study and manipulate basic properties of the K+ channel pore because its minimalistic structure (94 amino acids) produces basic features of ion channels, such as selectivity, gating, and sensitivity to blockers. We present a characterization of Kcv properties at the single-channel level. In symmetric 100 mM K+, single-channel conductance is 114 ± 11 pS. Two different voltage-dependent mechanisms are responsible for the gating of Kcv. “Fast” gating, analyzed by β distributions, is responsible for the negative slope conductance in the single-channel current–voltage curve at extreme potentials, like in MaxiK potassium channels, and can be explained by depletion-aggravated instability of the filter region. The presence of a “slow” gating is revealed by the very low (in the order of 1–4%) mean open probability that is voltage dependent and underlies the time-dependent component of the macroscopic current