The influence of stride-length on plantar foot-pressures and joint moments

AbstractPurposeJoint moments have been acknowledged as key factors in understanding gait abnormalities. Gait velocity is further known to affect joint moments and foot pressures. Keeping gait velocity constant is thus a strategy to cancel out the influence of different preferred gait speed between groups. But even if gait velocity is controlled, individuals can choose different stride length–stride frequency combinations to cope with an imposed gait velocity.ScopeTo understand the influence of stride frequency–stride length on joint moments and plantar pressures.MethodsTwenty healthy young adults had to cross an 8m walkway with a walking speed of 1.3ms−1. The wooden walkway was equipped with a force and a pressure platform. While walking speed was kept constant each participant walked with five different imposed stride lengths (SL): preferred (SL0); with a decrease of 10% (SL−10); with a decrease of 20% (SL−20); with an increase of 10% (SL+10) and with an increase of 20% (SF+20).ResultsAnkle and knee joint moments significantly decreased with a decrease in SL. A significant (p<.05) lower peak pressure was achieved with a decreased SL under the heel, toes and midfoot.Discussion/conclusionThe results showed that a change in stride lengths alters both, joint moments and foot pressures with clinically interesting indications. Redistribution of joint moments in the elderly for example might rather result from decreased SL than from age

Implementation of quality improvement for community-based health services: what worked, what didn’t, and why? A case study in Ethiopia

Background:&nbsp;Recently, there has been a growing interest in quality improvement (QI) interventions to enhance the health care services provision. However, applying QI interventions to community-based health services (CBHS) is still a limited practice. Strengthening Ethiopia’s Urban Health Program (SEUHP), implemented by John Snow, Inc., used QI principles to address certain challenges in the implementation of the urban health extension program (UHEP). QI activities aimed to improve referral systems between the UHEP and health centers (HCs), strengthen the defaulter tracing system, and enhance linkages and integration between facility-based primary health services and community-based extension services. Aim: This case study reviews the implementation and documents lessons learned from the SEUHP QI intervention. Method: Assessment and multiple case study design to review the implementation and document lessons learned. The study reviews multiple data sources and qualitatively analyzes the experience of QI teams (QIT) in different regions in Ethiopia. Findings:&nbsp;The functionality of the QIT varies across the regions. Where QI interventions function, demand for specific health services increased and QITs met targeted improvement objectives. The linkage and integration between the community-based UHEP extension services and facility health services improved as the result of QI intervention. Conclusion: This case study provides evidence that, despite challenges, QI interventions can be an important tool for facilitating health services. Functional QITs helped motivate Urban Health Extension Professionals (UHE-ps) to effectively execute their job. The QIT’s commitment, the regularity of QIT meetings, and the engagement of all staff and community groups are key factors in the successful implementation of QI initiatives that resulted in improved quality of service provision. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(Special issue 2):54-61] Keywords: Quality Improvement, Community, Urban Health, Ethiopi

Influence of ionic and non-ionic radiographic contrast media on leukocyte adhesion molecules.

BACKGROUND: Many papers have focused on the importance of granulocytes in the process of reperfusion and ischemia. Most of the clinical studies measured several parameters of this process during and after coronary angiography, without taking into account the effect of the radiographic contrast media (RCM) used during this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a randomized patient study (n = 37) to evaluate the effect of ionic and non-ionic RCM on granulocyte adhesion during coronary angiography. We also evaluated the influence of the ionicity and osmolarity of the different substances on granulocyte adhesion molecules in in vitro experiments. RESULTS: The osmolarity of patient serum samples increased from 302 +/- 1 to 309 +/- 1 mOsm/kg (p < 0.05) after infusion of RCM. The CD11b expression in the samples of the non-ionic RCM treated group increased from 221 +/- 21 MFI to 377 +/- 30 MFI (p < 0.05) measured as the absolute mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), yet did not alter significantly in the ionic RCM group. In contrast, the in vitro experiments showed a reduction of the CD11b expression from 360 +/- 70 MFI to 149 +/- 30 MFI (p < 0.05) in the ionic RCM group. CONCLUSIONS: The upregulation of adhesion molecules was significantly reduced in vivo with ionic RCM, while ionic substances caused opposite effects in vitro. This effect should be taken into account when performing leukocyte functional analysis of samples taken during angiography

FXYD2 and Na,K-ATPase Expression in Isolated Human Proximal Tubular Cells: Disturbed Upregulation on Renal Hypomagnesemia?

Autosomal dominant renal hypomagnesemia (OMIM 154020), associated with hypocalciuria, has been linked to a 121G to A mutation in the FXYD2 gene. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms linking this mutation to the clinical phenotype, we studied isolated proximal tubular cells from urine of a patient and a healthy subject. Cells were immortalized and used to assess the effects of hypertonicity-induced overexpression of FXYD2 on amount, activity and apparent affinities for Na+, K+ and ATP of Na,K-ATPase. Both cell lines expressed mRNA for FXYD2a and FXYD2b, and patient cells contained both the wild-type and mutated codons. FXYD2 protein expression was lower in patient cells and could be increased in both cell lines upon culturing in hyperosmotic medium but to a lesser extent in patient cells. Similarly, hyperosmotic culturing increased Na,K-ATPase protein expression and ATP hydrolyzing activity but, again, to a lesser extent in patient cells. Apparent affinities of Na,K-ATPase for Na+, K+ and ATP did not differ between patient and control cells or after hyperosmotic induction. We conclude that human proximal tubular cells respond to a hyperosmotic challenge with an increase in FXYD2 and Na,K-ATPase protein expression, though to a smaller absolute extent in patient cells

Near-IR variability properties of a selected sample of AGB stars

We present the results of a near-infrared monitoring programme of a selected sample of stars, initially suspected to be Mira variables and OH/IR stars, covering more than a decade of observations. The objects monitored cover the typical range of IRAS colours shown by O-rich stars on the Asymptotic Giant Branch and show a surprisingly large diversity of variability properties. 16 objects are confirmed as large-amplitude variables. Periods between 360 and 1800 days and typical amplitudes from 1 to 2 magnitudes could be determined for nine of them. In three light curves we find a systematic decrease of the mean brightness, two light curves show pronounced asymmetry. One source, IRAS 07222-2005, shows infrared colours typical of Mira variables but pulsates with a much longer period (approx. 1200 days) than a normal Mira. Two objects are ither close to (IRAS 03293+6010) or probably in (IRAS 18299-1705) the post-AGB phase. In IRAS 16029-3041 we found a systematic increase of the H-K colour of approximately 1 magnitude, which we interpret as evidence of a recent episode of enhanced mass loss. IRAS 18576+0341, a heavily obscured Luminous Blue Variable was also monitored. The star showed a continued decrease of brightness over a period of 7 years (1995 - 2002).Comment: 9 pages + 3 appendix, 36 figures, photometry table, accepted in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Emended descriptions of Bacillus sporothermodurans and Bacillus oleronius with the inclusion of dairy farm isolates of both species

Bacillus sporothermodurans is an industrially important micro-organism because of its ability to produce endospores which resist ultra high temperature (UHT) and industrial sterilization processes. It was described by Pettersson et al. (1996) based on seven genetically homogeneous isolates all from UHT-milk. Bacillus oleronius, the closest phylogenetic neighbor of B. sporothermodurans, was described by Kuhnigk et al. (1995), based on a single strain, isolated from the hindgut of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis. A polyphasic study of a heterogeneous collection of B. sporothermodurans and B. oleronius strains isolated from various sources and geographic origins led to an emended description of both species. Additional data presented are the results of fatty acids, quinones and/or cell wall analysis (polar lipids). DNA-DNA hybridizations confirmed 3 subgroups of strains obtained after SDS-PAGE analysis of cellular proteins as B. sporothermodurans. One named B. sporothermodurans strain (R-7489) was reclassified as a Bacillus fordii strain. The phenotypic profiles of both species were rather heterogeneous, sometimes different from the original descriptions and did not differ in a large number of characters, although B. oleronius generally gave stronger reactions in its positive tests than did B. sporothermodurans; the variable and weak reactions for both organisms with some substrates blurred the distinction between both. However, differences in polar lipid, SDS-PAGE and menaquinone profiles clearly allow distinction between the two species

Towards broad spectrum activity-based glycosidase probes: synthesis and evaluation of deoxygenated cyclophellitol aziridines

Activity-based protein profiling has emerged as a powerful tool for visualizing glycosidases in complex biological samples. Several configurational cyclophellitol isomers have been shown to display high selectivity as probes for glycosidases processing substrates featuring the same configuration. Here, a set of deoxygenated cyclophellitols are presented which enable inter-class profiling of [small beta]-glucosidases and [small beta]-galactosidases

A Specific Activity-Based Probe to Monitor Family GH59 Galactosylceramidase, the Enzyme Deficient in Krabbe Disease

Galactosylceramidase (GALC) is the lysosomal β-galactosidase responsible for the hydrolysis of galactosylceramide. Inherited deficiency in GALC causes Krabbe disease, a devastating neurological disorder characterized by accumulation of galactosylceramide and its deacylated counterpart, the toxic sphingoid base galactosylsphingosine (psychosine). We report the design and application of a fluorescently tagged activity-based probe (ABP) for the sensitive and specific labeling of active GALC molecules from various species. The probe consists of a β-galactopyranose-configured cyclophellitol-epoxide core, conferring specificity for GALC, equipped with a BODIPY fluorophore at C6 that allows visualization of active enzyme in cells and tissues. Detection of residual GALC in patient fibroblasts holds great promise for laboratory diagnosis of Krabbe disease. We further describe a procedure for in situ imaging of active GALC in murine brain by intra-cerebroventricular infusion of the ABP. In conclusion, this GALC-specific ABP should find broad applications in diagnosis, drug development, and evaluation of therapy for Krabbe disease

The potential of bioorthogonal chemistry for correlative light and electron microscopy: a call to arms

Bio-organic Synthesi

Barriers, facilitators and motivators of electronic community health information system use among health workers in Ethiopia

BackgroundThe electronic community health information system (eCHIS) has been implemented in Ethiopia to support health services delivered by community health workers. Despite the many benefits of digitizing community health information systems, the implementation of the eCHIS is challenged by many barriers resulting in low uptake. This study assessed the barriers, facilitators, and motivators of eCHIS use among health workers with focus on health extension workers (HEWs) in Ethiopia.MethodsPhenomenological approach was used to assess the barriers, facilitators and motivators of eCHIS use in Amhara, Harari, Oromia, Sidama, South West Ethiopia and Southern Nation Nationalities and People's regions of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 15–29 May 2022. A total of 54 face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted among HEWs, HEW supervisors, health information technicians and managers. The interviews were audiotaped using Open Data Kit, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. OpenCode 4.03 software was used for coding and categorizing the data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe HEWs and other eCHIS users reported lack of infrastructure and resources; poor quality of training, follow-up, and supervision; parallel recording using the manual and electronic system; and HEWs' workload as barriers hindering eCHIS use. Data quality, retrievability, and traceability; tablet portability; encouragement from supervisors; and positive image in the community resulting from HEWs using tablets in their routine activities were the main facilitators of eCHIS use.ConclusionThe study identified various barriers that adversely affect the use of eCHIS. An integrated and coordinated approach to eCHIS implementation that encompasses removing the barriers, and reinforcing facilitators is required