Up Regulated Complement and Fc Receptors in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Correlation with Disease Phenotype

Purpose

The progress in identifying immunological mechanisms in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has partly been hampered by the fact that the disease is heterogeneous. Here we have investigated complement and Fc receptors, as part of the inflammatory process, in two subgroups of JIA.

Methods

Blood from 26 patients with oligoarticular or polyarticular course type JIA and 21 healthy age and sex-matched controls were investigated by FACS and immunoassays.

Results

Increased numbers of monocytes and augmented plasma levels of C-reactive protein, C3a and IgG were found in both JIA subgroups. However, only polyarticular patients exhibited increased expression of Fc gamma receptor (Fc??R) II and III and complement receptor (CR) 1 on monocytes along with enhanced CR1 expression on B cells. A correlation was observed between degree of receptor expression and C3a levels in the patients.

Conclusions

Complement and Fc receptors are up regulated in children with multiple joint involvements, thus highlighting these pathways in the pathogenesis of polyarticular JIA.     

Is leg muscle strength correlated with functional balance and mobility among inpatients in geriatric rehabilitation?

Determinants of functional balance and mobility have rarely been investigated in geriatric wards. This study examined if leg muscle strength correlates to functional balance and mobility among geriatric inpatients. Fifty inpatients, 29 women and 21 men (mean age 79.6 years) were included. Functional balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and mobility was assessed with the Physiotherapy Clinical Outcome Variable Scale (COVS). Strength in the leg extension muscles was measured as 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) in a leg press and strength in the ankle muscles was measured with Medical Research Council grades (MRC, 0-5). The sum scores, and most of the single items, of the BBS and the COVS significantly correlated to 1RM/body weight, ankle dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion. In a stepwise multiple regression, ankle dorsiflexion and 1RM/body weight together accounted for 39% of the variance of the BBS and 41% of the variance of the COVS. Estimated values of the BBS and the COVS can be calculated from the equation. In clinical work, the knowledge about how leg muscle strength associates with balance and mobility may be useful in analyzing underlying causes of reduced balance and mobility function, and in planning rehabilitation programs.     

Effects of high-intensity exercise and protein supplement on muscle mass in ADL dependent older people with and without malnutrition—A randomized controlled trial

Background  

Loss of muscle mass is common among old people living in institutions but trials that evaluate interventions aimed at increasing the muscle mass arc lacking.     

Porous titanium granules for implant stability and bone regeneration - a case followed for 12 years

The clinical and radiological results were excellent for each of the nine fixtures individually tested in a case followed for 12 years after implant treatment using split crest technique in combination with porous titanium granules for an augmentation of the dento-alveolar ridge in a severely resorbed maxilla.     

Risk factors for falls in people with and without a diagnose of dementia living in residential care facilities: a prospective study

People with dementia are at increased risk of falling. The purpose of this study was to identify predisposing risk factors for falls in older people with and without a diagnose of dementia living in residential care facilities, and to compare the results. Eighty-three residents without dementia (mean age ± S.D.; 83.5 ± 7.1 years) and 103 with dementia (83.6 ± 6.3 years) in Umeå, Sweden, participated. The baseline assessment included probable risk factors like walking ability, diagnoses and treatment with drugs. The follow-up period was 6 months. In people with dementia, the fall rate was higher (crude incidence rate ratio 2.55, 95% CI 1.60–4.08) and a larger proportion experienced falls (62% versus 41%). In the group without dementia 54.8% of the variation in falls was explained by a model including orthostatism, “women walking with aid”, and treatment with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In the group with dementia 25.5% of the variation in falls was explained by a model including “man walking with aid”. Our results show that with the same set of common risk factors for falls a considerably lower proportion of the variation in falls can be explained in the group of people with dementia.     

PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING IN WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA: A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY

The aim of this study was to elucidate psychological functioning and psychological processes in women with fibromyalgia. Twenty-one females with fibromyalgia (aged 26–72 years) were interviewed in-depth. The interviews were analysed in line with grounded theory. A core concept, “unprotected self,” mirroring childhood conditions and adult psychological functioning, was identified. Intense activity or hypomanic helpfulness often was used as self-regulation in adult life. Later an increased exposure to mental load is accompanied by reduction of cognitive functioning and generalised pain. The phase of persistence of fibromyalgia is marked by reduction of cognitive functions, unprotected psychological functioning, and increased mental load as from crisis and somatic symptoms.     

Effect of oxybenzone on PGE2-production in vitro and on plaque and gingivitis in vivo

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of oxybenzone on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in cell culture and to evaluate the effect of an oxybenzone-containing dentifrice on plaque and gingivitis in a 6-week clinical trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human embryo palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells were used for testing the inhibition of IL-1beta-stimulated PGE2-production in vitro by different concentrations of oxybenzone. For the in vivo study, a total of 66 individuals with a Quigley & Hein plaque index of at least 1.5 and an Ainamo & Bay gingival index of at least 0.2 were included in a double-blind clinical trial with two cells and a parallel design. Two compositions of fluoride dentifrice were used, one with the addition of 0.5% oxybenzone, and one without. Plaque and gingival index were obtained at three time points: (1) at baseline, (2) after 3 weeks, and (3) after 6 weeks. RESULTS: A dose-dependent inhibition of PGE2-production was found in the HEPM cell culture following oxybenzone exposure. In the clinical trial, a 25% reduction of gingival index was observed in the oxybenzone group (p<0.001) after 6 weeks as compared with 2% for the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that PGE2-production is reduced by oxybenzone in vitro and that the use of oxybenzone in a dentifrice reduces gingivitis in vivo.     

背景光强度与视网膜电图振荡电位

目的:定量分析不同强度背景光照明下,视网膜电图(electroretinogram,ERG)振荡电位(oscillatory potentials,OPs)各子波的变化,探讨背景光照明对振荡电位子波的影响.方法:记录出生25～29天Albino鼠暗视及四个不同强度背景光("弱"、"次弱"、"次强"、"强")照明下全视野ERG a波,b波和振荡电位.刺激闪光和背景照明光源均为白炽灯.刺激闪光强度1.43×102cd/m2,闪光时程75ms,闪光间隔时间1分钟;背景照明光强度1.43×10-6～1.43×100cd/m2,以二个对数单位分级.结果:振荡电位各子波在不同强度背景光照明下反应不同,"弱"背景光照明下,O1和O2振幅增高;O1振幅在"次弱"背景光照明时增高更明显;在"次强"背景光照明下,O1和O2消失,O3、O4和O5,均显著增高;当采用"强"背景光照明时,所记录的O3和O4振幅显著下降,O5振幅无变化.同时记录的ERG a波和b波在"次强"和"强"背景光照明下振幅显著降低.除O2峰时在"次弱"照明时显著延长外,其余子波在二个弱背景光照明下峰时无变化;但在二个强背景光照明下,O3、O4和O5峰时均明显缩短.结论:Albino鼠眼振荡电位各子波在不同强度背景光照明下的不同反应提示它们在视网膜的起源不同.弱背景光照明下短峰时子波活跃而强背景光照明时长峰时子波活跃,提示短峰时子波可能与暗视系统相关而长峰时子波则与明视系统相关.