Functional properties of adhesive ankle taping: neuromuscular and mechanical effects before and after exercise

The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of adhesive ankle taping. Using electromyographic, goniometric, and thermologic methods, different ankle tapes were tested before and after athletic exercise in simulated inversion trauma. Twelve subjects with stable ankle joints performed five trials: with two different materials, with two taping techniques, and one trial without tape as control. After the simulated inversion trauma, approximately 35% of the initial maximum inversion amplitude was decreased by ankle taping. Depending on the technique, there was a loss of tape stability < or =14% after 30 min of athletic exercise. Thermologic analysis revealed a postexercise 6 degrees C temperature increase in the foot, especially under the tape. Initially, interpreted as the primary effect, the improved joint stabilization is based on mechanical stiffness caused by the adhesive tape. Joint stability was influenced positively by neuromuscular proprioceptive and physiological processes, characterized by relatively increased electromyographic activation.     

Amebic Liver Abscess: Changing Trends over 20 Years RID="" ID="" This study was presented to the Turkish Surgical Congress in Izmir, Turkey.

RID=" ID=" <E5>Correspondence to:</E5> Y. Akgun, M.D.     

Ethyl glucuronide--a marker of alcohol consumption and a relapse marker with clinical and forensic implications

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a non-volatile, water-soluble, direct metabolite of ethanol that can be detected in body fluids and hair. We investigated urine and serum samples from three patient groups: (1) 33 in-patients in acute alcohol withdrawal; (2) 30 detoxified in-patients (treated for at least 4 weeks) from a 'motivation station'; and (3) 43 neuro-rehabilitation patients (non-alcoholics; most of them suffering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease etc.) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with deuterium-labelled EtG as the internal standard and additionally in the second group of patients using liquid chromatography (LC/MS-MS). We found no correlation between the concentration of EtG in urine at hospitalization and the blood-ethanol concentration (r = 0.17), the time frame of detection (r = 0.5) or the total amount of clomethiazole required for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms (r = 0.28). In four out of 30 in-patients from the 'motivation station'--where neither clinical impression nor routine laboratory findings gave indications of relapse--concentrations of EtG in urine ranged between 4.2 and 196.6 mg/l. EtG concentrations in urine of between 2.89 and 23.49 mg/l were found in seven out of 43 neuro-rehabilitation patients using GC/MS. The GC/MS and the LC/MS-MS results showed a correlation of 0.98 with Pearson's correlation test and 1.0 with Spearman's correlation test. We suggest that EtG is a marker of alcohol consumption that can be detected for an extended time period after the complete elimination of alcohol from the body. When used as a relapse marker with a specific time frame of detection intermediate between short- and long-term markers, EtG fills a clinically as well as forensically important gap. Its specificity and sensitivity exceed those of all other known ethanol markers.     

N(epsilon)(carboxymethyl)lysin and the AGE receptor RAGE colocalize in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether glycoxidation products and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are present and colocalize in subfoveal membranes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: Surgically removed subfoveal fibrovascular membranes from 12 patients, 11 related to ARMD and 1 to an idiopathic membrane, were analyzed for the presence of the glycoxidation product N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysin (CML), one of the receptors for advanced glycation end products, RAGE, and the activation of NFkB, using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CML-like immunoreactivity was found in all ARMD specimens examined adjacent or colocalized with RAGE, but not in the idiopathic membrane. RAGE immunoreactive material was found in CD68-positive cells and in the fibrous matrix. CD68-positive cells and surrounding areas stained for p50, the activated form of NFkB. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that glycoxidation products are present in subretinal membranes of patients with ARMD. The concomitant expression of RAGE in these membranes and the finding of activated NFkB is suggestive of an implication of glycoxidation product formation in the pathogenesis of the disease.     

Complexity of the immunoglobulin light chain V kappa 1 gene family in the New Zealand black mouse

The immunoglobulin light chain V kappa 1 gene family is polymorphic in murine inbred strains and this family has been subdivided into five sub-groups (V kappa 1A-E). The V kappa 1A sub-group contributes to approximately 2% of the total serum immunoglobulin light chains in several mouse strains. However, it has been reported that this sub-group is absent in New Zealand Black (NZB) mouse serum. Amino acid sequencing of myeloma proteins from this inbred mouse has shown that they belong to the V kappa 1B sub-group. We report here the structure of nine functional germline genes from NZB mice that have high homologies to the V kappa 1A, V kappa 1B, V kappa 1C, and V kappa 1D sub-groups. In addition, a novel germline gene representing the prototype of a new sub-group (designated V kappa 1F) has been identified. We have isolated different V kappa 1 germline genes from a single restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) fragment, as well as identical V genes from two different RFLP migrating bands. Therefore, the complexity of the genes encoding the immunoglobulin variable region cannot be determined solely by RFLP analysis. Nucleotide sequence analysis of 16 V kappa 1 genes which code for NZB autoantibodies indicate that they belong to five different V kappa 1 sub-groups with five hybridomas (31%) expressing the V kappa 1A sub-group. Comparison of the sequences of V kappa 1 genes expressed in hybridomas with corresponding germline genes show no somatic mutations.     

Comparison of preputial sac and urine cultures in healthy children

The aim of the present study was to examine subpreputial bacteriology and to compare it with the urine cultures of healthy male children. Seventy-two male children were divided into two groups as A and B according to age. In both groups preputial sac and urine cultures were taken simultaneously. Gram (+) enteric cocci were the most common isolated pathogens from the preputial sac in group B. Enterobacter, E. coli and staphylococci species were isolated from the urine cultures of three patients in group B. We could not find any difference between the preputial sac swabs of group A and B patients, but the isolation rate of urine cultures of group A patients was significantly higher than group B (p < 0.05). The findings of the present study support a potential role of the prepuce acting as a reservoir of faecal bacteria in the pathogenesis of UTI in male infants, especially in the first year of life. Improved penile hygiene after the first year of life does not alter the subpreputial bacteriology, but significantly decreases the contamination of urine. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Giant angiomyolipoma associated with marked pulmonary lesions suggesting lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a patient with tuberous sclerosis

The association between Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) and Angiomyolipoma (AML) is well known. A patient with TS and giant AML mimicking Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), measuring 29 × 18 × 11 cm, weighing 4700 gr is presented. Imaging studies revealed coexistent pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and concurrent renal and pulmonary involvement is extremely rare in patients in TS. We believe that the growth potential of this hamartomatous lesion may reach to a life threatening size. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Posterior fossa pseudotumour due to viral encephalitis in a child

A 14-year-old boy had a 1-month history of diplopia (due to a VI nerve palsy), motor ataxia and dizziness. Brain MRI showed a 1.5-cm mass posterior to the pons. Histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen showed the lesion to be of viral origin. After 3 months, the ataxia and dizziness had resolved and the MRI findings returned to normal. By 5 months the abducens paralysis had also resolved. Viral encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumours. Received: 20 March 1997 Accepted: 16 April 1997     

Recent experience with Moyamoya disease in Turkey

A series of moyamoya patients is presented. Angiographic findings, outcome of revascularization surgery and a young case with moyamoya disease and hyperphosphatemia are reported. Thirteen patients (6 males and 7 females; age range 2–50 years) were included in the study group. Findings of the patients at presentation were intracranial haemorrhage in two adult cases and sequelae of cerebral ischemia in the rest of the group. One young girl had hyperphosphataemia. Angiography showed distal internal carotid or proximal anterior and middle cerebral artery stenosis, unique collaterals, microaneurysm of the posterior lateral choroidal artery and flow-related changes in the posterior circulation. In 3 patients, encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) and burrholes were performed at surgery. Follow-up angiograms of these patients showed revascularization. Moyamoya, a rare but potentially devastating disease, must be addressed as a cause of haemorrhagic and ischaemic cerebral events. Received: 19 January 1999; Revised: 14 April 1999; Accepted: 17 May 1999