The cellular localization of Na+/H+ exchanger 1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator,potassium channel,epithelial sodium channel γ and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase in human eccrine sweat glands

The secretory portions of human eccrine sweat glands secrete isotonic fluid into the lumen and then the primary fluid is rendered hypotonic during its passage to the skin surface. During the processes of sweat secretion and absorption, many enzymes and proteins play important roles. In the study, the cellular localizations of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 1 (NHE1), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), potassium channel (KC), epithelial sodium channel γ (γENaC) and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in human eccrine sweat glands and epidermis were detected using immunofluorescence labeling. The results revealed that in the secretory coils, the basolateral membranes showed evidence of CFTR, NHE1 and KC activities, the apical membranes showed the activities of KC and NHE1, and the nucleus showed γEaNC and V-ATPase activities; in the duct, the peripheral and luminal ductal cells showed evidence of CFTR, NHE1 and KC, the apical membranes showed the activities of CFTR and NHE1, and the nucleus showed γEaNC, V-ATPase and KC activities. The cellular localization of these proteins in eccrine sweat glands is helpful to better understand the mechanisms of sweat secretion and absorption.     

Estimation of maximal heart rate using the relationship between heart rate variability and exercise intensity in 40–67 years old men

Large interindividual variation in maximal heart rate (HR_max) may not be accounted for by age alone. In order to evaluate a novel method in the prediction of HR_max, this study examined the profile of HR variability (HRV) during exercise in 40–67 years old men (n = 74). R–R intervals were recorded during supine rest and during a graded exercise test by cycle ergometry until exhaustion. A third-degree polynomial function was fitted to the HRV data recorded during exercise to represent the HRV profile of each subject. The instantaneous beat-to-beat R–R interval variability (SD1), high (HF) and low frequency power decreased between all consecutive exercise intensities (P < 0.033). The relationship between HR_max and a variable illustrating the declining rate of HF (HR_HF50%) was stronger (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) than between HR_max and age (r = −0.36, P < 0.01). The regression analysis showed that a more accurate estimation of HR_max was attained when HRV was used in the equation in addition to age: HR_max = 160.633–0.603(age) + 0.441(HR_HF50%) (SEE = 9.8 bpm vs. 11.6 bpm in the equation based on age alone). The decline of HRV during incremental exercise seems to be useful for accurate estimation of maximal heart rate.     

A novel method to estimate changes in stress-induced salivary α-amylase using heart rate variability and respiratory rate,as measured in a non-contact manner using a single radar attached to the back of a chair

The authors have developed a non-contact system which estimates changes in salivary α-amylase (sAA ratio) induced by stress. Before and after stressful sound exposure, a single 24?GHz compact radar which is attached to the back of a chair measures the low frequency (LF) component of heart rate variability and respiratory rate, α-amylase in the subjects’ buccal secretions was measured by using an α-amylase assay kit. Using multiple regression analysis, sAA ratio was estimated using stress-induced LF change (LF ratio) and stress-induced respiratory rate change (respiratory rate ratio). Twelve healthy subjects were tested (12 males, 22?±?2 years), who were exposed to audio stimuli with a composite tone of 2120?Hz and 2130?Hz sine waves at a sound pressure level of 95?dB after a silent period through a headphone. The result showed that sAA ratio estimated using multiple regression analysis significantly correlated with measured sAA ratio (R?=?0.76, p?相似文献   

A meta-analysis of the relationship between MYO9B gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

ObjectiveBoth Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have a complex etiology involving multiple genetic and environmental factors. Multiple UC and CD susceptibility genes have been identified through genome-wide association studies and subsequent meta-analyses. The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify the impact of MYO9B gene polymorphisms on CD and UC risk.MethodsThe PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct and Embase databases were searched to identify eligible studies that were published before October 2014. Data were extracted and pooled crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.ResultsA total of 11 studies, containing 3297 CD cases, 3903 UC cases and 8174 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Bonferroni correction results showed that rs1545620 A/C polymorphism of MYO9B gene was associated with both CD and UC susceptibility in Caucasians (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.82 ∼ 0.95, P = 0.001; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.76 ∼ 0.89, P < 0.001), but not in Chinese. rs1457092 G/T and rs2305764 C/T polymorphisms are associated with UC susceptibility (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.79 ∼ 0.91, P < 0.001; OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.83 ∼ 0.93, P < 0.001), but not with CD susceptibility in Caucasians.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggested that rs1545620 is both CD and UC susceptible locus in Caucasians; rs1457092 and rs2305764 are UC susceptible loci, but are not CD susceptible loci in Caucasians. Further studies with more sample size are needed for a definitive conclusion.     

Adipose tissue is prominent in salivary glands of Sjögren’s syndrome patients and appears to influence the microenvironment in these organs

A minor salivary gland (SG) biopsy with focal lymphocytic sialadenitis and a focus score of ≥1 is today’s widely accepted pathological finding confirming the SG component of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Adipocytes can occupy a large percentage of the SG area although little is known about their significance in SS lesions. This study aimed to characterise adipose tissue infiltration in labial SG biopsies from 27 SS patients and 28 non-SS sicca controls. Biopsies were evaluated by one oral pathologist and assessed for focus score, acinar atrophy, fatty replacement and non-specific chronic inflammation. Moreover, to explore the SG microenvironment, immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded SG tissue was performed using interleukin-6 (IL-6). The fatty replacement was evident in all SS patients possessing autoantibodies (Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB) as well as a positive SG biopsy (focus score ≥1). Additionally, 62% of SS patients having autoantibodies but a negative biopsy showed fatty infiltration (FI) while non-SS controls demonstrated fatty replacement in only 32% of the cases. Overall, the SS group (mean age 53.0 years) had a significantly higher incidence (p value 0.005) of FI than the non-SS controls (mean age 54.8 years). Interestingly, adipocytes were located in IL-6 rich areas, and IL-6 positive adipocytes were detected. As fat deposition seems to be more recurrent in SGs affected by SS, we propose the assessment of adipose tissue replacement as a helpful tool for diagnostic evaluation in SS. Detection of IL-6 positive adipocytes suggests their involvement in immune reactions. Still, functional studies are needed to investigate the SG microenvironment further.     

Time flies when you are in a groove: using entrainment to mechanical resonance to teach a desired movement distorts the perception of the movement’s timing

The human motor system quickly entrains rhythmic limb movement to the resonant frequency of mechanical systems with which it interacts, suggesting that entrainment to an appropriately designed training device might be a convenient way to teach desired movements. We tested this possibility by asking healthy subjects (N = 30) to learn to move with a desired movement timing using a simple resonating arm training device: a lever attached to a manual wheelchair. The subjects tried to learn to roll the lever-driven wheelchair back and forth in place at a target frequency initially presented using a series of auditory beeps. One-third of the subjects trained without resonance and with no further feedback about rolling frequency; their performance did not improve. Another group trained with continual visual feedback of frequency error but no resonance; they quickly learned to roll the chair at the target frequency, as evidenced at both short-term and long-term (1 day later) retention tests. A third group trained with elastic bands attached to the lever that caused the system to resonate at the target frequency, providing a timing template. While these participants quickly entrained to the target frequency during training, they did not accurately reproduce this frequency when the system was no longer resonant, moving too slowly with the same systematic error at both the short-term and long-term retention tests. They also did not exhibit a timing aftereffect on the initial movements made when they transitioned from a resonant to non-resonant system or vice versa. This suggests they did not realize they were performing the task with a temporal error. Entrainment to mechanical resonance conveys usable information about movement timing, but seems to cause that movement timing to be perceived as slower than it actually is, as if a putative internal clock speeds up, which is a factor to consider in designing machine-assisted motor training.     

Patients’ experiences of using a smartphone application to increase physical activity: the SMART MOVE qualitative study in primary care

Background

Regular physical activity is known to help prevent and treat numerous non-communicable diseases. Smartphone applications (apps) have been shown to increase physical activity in primary care but little is known regarding the views of patients using such technology or how such technology may change behaviour.

Aim

To explore patients’ views and experiences of using smartphones to promote physical activity in primary care.

Design and setting

This qualitative study was embedded within the SMART MOVE randomised controlled trial, which used an app (Accupedo-Pro Pedometer) to promote physical activity in three primary care centres in the west of Ireland.

Method

Taped and transcribed semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of 12 participants formed the basis of the investigation. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Four themes emerged from the analysis: transforming relationships with exercise; persuasive technology tools; usability; and the cascade effect. The app appeared to facilitate a sequential and synergistic process of positive change, which occurred in the relationship between the participants and their exercise behaviour; the study has termed this the ‘Know-Check-Move’ effect. Usability challenges included increased battery consumption and adjusting to carrying the smartphone on their person. There was also evidence of a cascade effect involving the families and communities of participants.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding technological challenges, an app has the potential to positively transform, in a unique way, participants’ relationships with exercise. Such interventions can also have an associated cascade effect within their wider families and communities.     

Identification of women at risk of depression in pregnancy: using women’s accounts to understand the poor specificity of the Whooley and Arroll case finding questions in clinical practice

Antenatal mental health assessment is increasingly common in high-income countries. Despite lacking evidence on validation or acceptability, the Whooley questions (modified PHQ-2) and Arroll ‘help’ question are used in the UK at booking (the first formal antenatal appointment) to identify possible cases of depression. This study investigated validation of the questions and women’s views on assessment. Women (n?=?191) booking at an inner-city hospital completed the Whooley and Arroll questions as part of their routine clinical care then completed a research questionnaire containing the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). A purposive subsample (n?=?22) were subsequently interviewed. The Whooley questions ‘missed’ half the possible cases identified using the EPDS (EPDS threshold ≥10: sensitivity 45.7 %, specificity 92.1 %; ≥13: sensitivity 47.8 %, specificity 86.1 %), worsening to nine in ten when adopting the Arroll item (EPDS ≥10: sensitivity 9.1 %, specificity 98.2 %; ≥13: sensitivity 9.5 %, specificity 97.1 %). Women’s accounts indicated that under-disclosure relates to the context of assessment and perceived relevance of depression to maternity services. Depression symptoms are under-identified in current local practice. While validated tools are needed that can be readily applied in routine maternity care, psychometric properties will be influenced by the context of disclosure when implemented in practice.