The potential of an automated system to identify the upper limb component of a controlled sitting posture

Full trunk control in sitting is demonstrated only when the head-trunk are aligned and upper limbs remain free of contact from mechanical support. These components represent a Controlled Kinetic Chain and can be evaluated in people with neuromotor disability using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) when a therapist provides manual trunk support at different segmental levels. However, the SATCo, as with other clinical assessments of control, is subjective. The SATCo was translated to objective rules relating the position of the hands and elbows to the head-trunk and then tested to determine the extent to which this automated objective method replicated the clinical judgement.Clinical evaluation used video to determine whether the upper limb was free of mechanical support while the objective evaluation used 3D motion capture of the trunk and upper limbs with a classification rule. The agreement between clinical and objective classification was calculated for three conditions of a distance-from-support-surface threshold parameter in five healthy adults and five children with cerebral palsy.The unfitted (zero-threshold values) method replicated the clinical judgement in part (68.26% ± 15.7, adults, 48.3% ± 33.9 children). The fitted (level-of-support determined) agreement showed that the process could be refined using trial specific parameters (88.32% ± 5.3 adults, 89.84% ± 10.2 children). The fixed-values agreement showed high values when using general group parameters (80.80% ± 3.1 adults, 74.31% ± 21.5 children).This objective classification of the upper limb component of trunk control largely captures the clinical evaluation. It provides the first stages in development of a clinically-friendly fully automated method.     

Favre–Racouchot syndrome concurrent with chronic granulomatous reaction

Favre–Racouchot syndrome (FRS) is a disorder consisting of solar elastosis with the presence of multiple cysts and open comedones. Although the exact mechanism of the condition is not known, FRS has been specifically connected to sun exposure, smoking and radiation exposure. The histological changes present in FRS reveal an atrophic epidermis and large masses of keratinous material, causing follicular plugging, as well as solar elastotic changes and possible basophilic degeneration of connective tissue. Herein, we report an unusual case of FRS concurrent with chronic granulomatous reaction and review relevant published works.     

Fcγ receptor 3B polymorphism is associated with hypersensitivity reactions to adalimumab in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To examine the association between Fcγ receptor (FcγR) polymorphisms and the development of hypersensitivity reactions to adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Sixty-five patients receiving adalimumab were enrolled in the study. Genetic polymorphisms for FcγR3B were genotyped in FCGR3B NA1/2 alleles by real allelic discrimination assay. Clinical information and the occurrence of a hypersensitivity reaction to adalimumab were collected from the patients’ charts.

Results: A hypersensitivity reaction was observed in 12% of the patients. Clinical information obtained from patients with a reaction and those without were the same. The FCGR3B NA1/NA1, NA1/NA2, and NA2/NA2 alleles were found in 75%, 13%, and 13% of the patients with hypersensitivity reaction, respectively, and in 28%, 42%, and 30% of those without a hypersensitivity reaction, respectively (p?=?0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified only the NA1/NA1 as an independent relevant factor for a hypersensitivity reaction to adalimumab (OR 7.7, p?=?0.01).

Conclusions: The FCGR3B NA1/NA1 genotype is associated with hypersensitivity reactions to adalimumab.     

Effect of Aerva lanata on cell-mediated immune responses and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte generation in normal and tumor-bearing mice

Cell-mediated immunity offers protection against virus-infected cells and tumor cells, involves activation of natural killer (NK) cells, production of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and release of various cytokines in response to an antigen. Administration of an ethanolic extract of Aerva lanata was found to stimulate cell-mediated immunological responses in normal and tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. A significant enhancement in NK cell activity in both normal and tumor-bearing hosts was observed after administration of A. lanata. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity (ACC) were significantly enhanced as well in both sets of treated hosts. In addition, in vivo production of IL-2 and IFNg were each significantly enhanced by extract treatment. The stimulatory effect of A. lanata on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) production was determined by Winn’s neutralization assay using CTL-sensitive EL4 thymoma cells. A. lanata treatment caused a significant increase in CTL production in both in vivo and in vitro models, in each case as indicated by a significant increase in the life-spans of tumor-injected mice. Taken together, all of these results in the murine model indicate that administration of an ethanolic extract of A. lanata could enhance the cell-mediated anti-tumor response.     

Thyroid Hormones and Cardiovascular Function and Diseases

Thyroid hormone (TH) receptors are present in the myocardium and vascular tissue, and minor alterations in TH concentration can affect cardiovascular (CV) physiology. The potential mechanisms that link CV disease with thyroid dysfunction are endothelial dysfunction, changes in blood pressure, myocardial systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and dyslipidemia. In addition, cardiac disease itself may lead to alterations in TH concentrations (notably, low triiodothyronine syndrome) that are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Experimental data and small clinical trials have suggested a beneficial role of TH in ameliorating CV disease. The aim of this review is to provide clinicians dealing with CV conditions with an overview of the current knowledge of TH perturbations in CV disease.     

Therapeutic attitude towards internal mammary chain drainage in patients with breast cancer

Internal mammary chain (IMC) is one of the main local lymph drainages in breast cancer. However, internal mammary chain sentinel lymph node biopsy (IMC-SLNB) is not always performed.The purpose of this research is to evaluate the outcomes of IMC-SLNB in our institution from 2008 to 2014. We analyzed 1346 women with breast cancer. Six-hundred twenty-two sentinel node biopsies were carried out, one out of ten in IMC territory. Adjuvant radiotherapy in this area was added when positive.IMC-SLNB is feasible, it may change tumour stage, modify adjuvant therapy and change prognosis in selected patients.     

In vitro human colonic fermentation of indigestible fraction isolated from lunch menus: impact on the gut metabolites and antioxidant capacity

The indigestible fraction (IF) isolated from three lunch menus: Modified Mexican Lunch (MM-L), Traditional Mexican Lunch (TM-L) and Alternative Mexican Lunch (AM-L), was studied in terms of antioxidant capacity (AOX) and metabolites produced through fermentation by human intestinal microbiota. IFs were isolated after withstanding in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and total soluble polyphenols (TSP), condensed tannins (CT), hydrolysable polyphenols (HP) and AOX (DPPH, FRAP) were evaluated. AOX, pH and bacterial metabolites profile changes were also monitored during in vitro colonic fermentation. Lunch menus showed differences in IF, TSP, CT and FRAP values (p<.05). TM-L had the highest TSP and CT contents (0.84 and 1.89?g/100?g DW, respectively). Changes in pH and AOX during fermentation were time-dependent and substrate-dependent (p<.05). Butyric acid production was not significantly modified by the IFs (p>.05). Fifty-seven microbiota-produced volatile compounds were detected by SPME-GC–MS. This study shows the potential effects of food habits on bacterial metabolite production.     

Successful differentiation of herpes zoster‐associated erythema multiforme from generalized extension of herpes by rapid polymerase chain reaction analysis

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for varicella zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐1 and HSV‐2 is available for use. Sometimes the differential diagnosis of the generalized herpes zoster (HZ), HSV1/2, and drug eruption is difficult. We report a case of HZ followed by the vesicular erythema multiforme (EM)‐like lesion. In this case the use of PCR was of great assistance. A 78‐year‐old Japanese man without any significant previous history of disease was admitted to our hospital complaining of zosteriform vesicle on an erythematous base from his right shoulder to the upper arm. We diagnosed him with HZ at the level of right Th2. In spite of the prompt start of antiviral therapy, a secondary new vesiculous erythema developed on his trunk. Clinically, it was quite difficult to differentiate the lesion from the generalized HZ. Rapid PCR assay of effusion and crust for VZV was performed. A PCR assay of VZV was positive for the crust taken from the primary lesion, while it was negative for the effusion and crust of the secondary widespread lesion. We diagnosed the secondary widespread lesion as an EM‐type drug eruption induced by acyclovir, or an EM associated with herpes zoster. We then stopped the use of acyclovir and applied steroid ointment of a very strong class for the secondary lesions, which improved after a few days. A PCR assay for VZV was useful for ruling out the generalized HZ in our case with secondary developed vesiculous lesions.     

基于随机聚合酶链反应的病原菌基因芯片检测技术

目的建立一种基于随机聚合酶链反应的病原细菌基因芯片筛查检测技术。方法用生物学软件分析7种病原菌特异性基因序列的保守性区域,利用Oligo 6.0软件设计针对靶细菌的一系列探针,制备检测用基因芯片。细菌基因组DNA在随机引物扩增中掺入氨基丙烯-dUTP,产物偶联荧光染料后与芯片上探针杂交,通过芯片扫描仪和图像分析软件对结果进行判断。选取19种病原菌基因组DNA进行芯片特异性验证和灵敏度评价,使用问号钩端螺旋体对应靶探针进行基因芯片检测方法重复性验证,并制备问号钩端螺旋体模拟水污染样本进行芯片检测。结果在均一的杂交条件下4种靶细菌均能得到相应特异性杂交图谱,其他非目的细菌均为阴性结果,3种靶细菌基因组DNA最低检测浓度为14.43～363.4 pg/μl,芯片重复性变异系数CV值〈15%,最低可检测含问号钩端螺旋体7×105条/ml模拟水污染样本。结论初步建立的随机聚合酶链反应结合芯片技术的检测方法可用于多种病原菌筛查检测,为细菌高通量筛查与鉴定技术提供了新的思路和实验依据。