The Killing Noise of the Out of Style

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The Killing Noise of the Out of Style

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Footwear\u27s Influence on Positional Parameters in the Static Posture of Children

In early childhood, a child’s motor control is rapidly evolving. Upright posture is being supported through a combination of sensory factors that are influenced by the child’s developing neuromuscular system.1 Footwear has the ability to create a drastic impact on postural stability during this key time in a child’s life. In fact, certain types of footwear may actually be detrimental to the child’s normal development of proprioceptive abilities, compared to being able to feel their natural environment while barefoot. Positional parameters of static posture can be used to evaluate the effects of footwear on postural control.2 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that stiff soled shoes had on the posture of young children between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. METHODS: 13 healthy children between the ages of 4-6 participated in this study. There were 4 males and 9 females. The COP anteroposterior(AP), mediolateral(ML), and radiuses of static upright posture while barefoot and while wearing shoes were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the barefoot and shod conditions for COP AP means (Barefoot 4.57±1.14, Shod 4.44±1.11, p\u3c.05). There were no statistical differences for either COP ML means (Barefoot 15.48±9.14, Shod 11.208±6.836, p\u3e.05), or COP mean radiuses (Barefoot 16.771±8.085, Shod 12.802±5.632, p\u3e.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it appears that the stiff soled shoes limit the position variables of static posture compared to standing barefoot, though our data was only significantly different for the AP direction. The data suggest that the stiff soled shoes are providing a constraint to the organization of the children’s posture, though there is not enough evidence to conclude there are negative effects to a child’s natural proprioception of their environment when shod with these specific shoes. Further investigation into the effects of footwear on posture in children, particularly the dynamics of posture, should be done

Adrenocortical and Pituitary Glucocorticoid Feedback in Abstinent Alcohol-Dependent Women

The long-term ingestion of alcohol diminishes hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity in alcohol-dependent men, potentially altering future relapse risk. Although sex differences in HPA axis functioning are apparent in healthy controls, disruptions in this system have received little attention in alcohol-dependent women. In this study, we assessed the basal secretory profile of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, adrenocortical sensitivity in both the presence and absence of endogenous corticotropic pituitary activation, and feedback pituitary glucocorticoid sensitivity to dexamethasone.Seven women 4- to 8-week abstinent alcohol-only dependent subjects and 10 age-matched female healthy controls were studied. All subjects were between 30 and 50 years old, not taking oral contraceptives, and were studied during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Circulating concentrations of ACTH and cortisol were measured in blood samples collected at frequent intervals from 2000 to 0800 hour. A submaximal dose of cosyntropin (0.01 μg/kg), a synthetic ACTH (1–24), was administered at 0800 hour to assess adrenocortical sensitivity. In a separate session, low-dose cosyntropin was also administered following high-dose dexamethasone (8 mg intravenous) to assess adrenocortical sensitivity in the relative absence of endogenous ACTH. In addition, the ACTH response to dexamethasone was measured to determine the pituitary glucocorticoid negative feedback. Sessions were 5 days apart, and blood draws were obtained every 5 to 10 minutes.Mean concentrations and pulsatile characteristics of ACTH and cortisol over 12 hours were not statistically different between the 2 groups. Healthy controls had a somewhat higher ( p  < 0.08) net peak, but not net integrated, cortisol response to cosyntropin relative to the alcohol-dependent women. There were no significant group differences in either the ACTH or cortisol response to dexamethasone nor in the net cortisol response to cosyntropin following dexamethasone.Significant differences in pituitary–adrenal function were not apparent between alcohol-dependent women and matched controls. Despite the small n , it appears that alcohol-dependent women do not show the same disruptions in HPA activity as alcohol-dependent men. These findings may have relevance for gender-specific treatment effectiveness.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79204/1/j.1530-0277.2010.01164.x.pd

Serum Bovine Immunoglobulins Improve Inflammation and Gut Barrier Function in Persons with HIV and Enteropathy on Suppressive ART.

BackgroundSystemic inflammation persists in chronic HIV infection and is associated with increased rates of non-AIDS events such as cardiovascular and liver disease. Increased gut permeability and systemic exposure to microbial products are key drivers of this inflammation. Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate (SBI) supports gut healing in other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind study, participants receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) with chronic diarrhea received placebo or SBI at 2.5 g BID or 5 g BID for 4 weeks, followed by a 20-week placebo-free extension phase with SBI at either 2.5 or 5 g BID. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), zonulin, flagellin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein, and inflammatory markers were measured by ELISA or multiplex assays. Non-parametric tests were used for analysis.ResultsOne hundred three participants completed the study. By week 24 SBI significantly decreased circulating levels of I-FABP (-0.35 ng/μL, P=0.002) and zonulin (-4.90 ng/μL, P=0.003), suggesting improvement in gut damage, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (-0.40 pg/μL, P=0.002), reflecting improvement in systemic inflammation. In participants with the lowest quartile of CD4+ T-cell counts at baseline (189-418 cells/μL), CD4+ T-cell counts increased significantly (26 cells/μL; P=0.002).ConclusionsOral SBI may decrease inflammation and warrants further exploration as a potential strategy to improve gut integrity and decrease systemic inflammation among persons receiving prolonged suppressive ART

The effects of diffusion on an exonuclease/nanopore-based DNA sequencing engine

Over 15 years ago, the ability to electrically detect and characterize individual polynucleotides as they are driven through a single protein ion channel was suggested as a potential method for rapidly sequencing DNA, base-by-base, in a ticker tape-like fashion. More recently, a variation of this method was proposed in which a nanopore would instead detect single nucleotides cleaved sequentially by an exonuclease enzyme in close proximity to one pore entrance. We analyze the exonuclease/nanopore-based DNA sequencing engine using analytical theory and computer simulations that describe nucleotide transport. The available data and analytical results suggest that the proposed method will be limited to reading bases, imposed, in part, by the short lifetime each nucleotide spends in the vicinity of the detection element within the pore and the ability to accurately discriminate between the four mononucleotides

Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: A Single Institution Experience

Purpose. We sought to evaluate our experience using yttrium-90 (90Y) resin microsphere hepatic radioembolization as salvage therapy for liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods. A retrospective review of consecutive patients with unresectable mCRC who were treated with 90Y after failing first and second line systemic chemotherapy. Demographics, treatment dose, biochemical and radiographic response, toxicities, and survival were examined. Results. Fifty-one patients underwent 90Y treatments of which 69% were male. All patients had previously undergone extensive chemotherapy, 31% had undergone previous liver-directed therapy and 24% had a prior liver resection. Using RECIST criteria, either stable disease or a partial response was seen in 77% of patients. Overall median survival from the time of first 90Y treatment was 10.2 months (95% CI = 7.5–13.0). The absence of extrahepatic disease at the time of treatment with 90Y was associated with an improved survival, median survival of 17.0 months (95% CI = 6.4–27.6), compared to those with extrahepatic disease at the time of treatment with 90Y, 6.7 months (95% CI = 2.7–10.6 Conclusion: 90Y therapy is a safe locoregional therapy that provides an important therapeutic option to patients who have failed first and second line chemotherapy and have adequate liver function and performance status