Mechanomyographic responses are not influenced by the innervation zone for the vastus medialis

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to: (1) compare the power output–related patterns of absolute and normalized mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) signals across the innervation zone (IZ) during incremental cycle ergometry; and (2) examine the influence of the IZ on the mean MMG amplitude and MPF values. Methods: Ten men performed incremental cycle ergometry tests to exhaustion. Surface MMG signals were recorded simultaneously from accelerometer arrangements placed on the vastus medialis over the IZ and proximal and distal to the IZ. Results: The results of polynomial regression indicate that the best‐fit model for each site was consistent for each subject for MMG amplitude, but not for MMG MPF. Two‐way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed no site × power output interaction (P > 0.05) for absolute and normalized MMG amplitude and MPF values. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the IZ does not influence the MMG signal during dynamic exercise. Muscle Nerve 44: 424–431, 2011     

Calcium Intake among Myanmar Residing in Bago, Kayin, and Yangon Areas

A cross-sectional survey combined with 24-hour dietary recall and food diary was undertaken to assess the calcium intake of the Myanmar population. The study was conducted from November 2003 to October 2005. A total of 886 subjects of both sexes aged above 2 years from three States and Divisions (Bago, Kayin, and Yangon) of Myanmar were included in the study. The major measures were mean daily calcium intake (mg/day) and major sources of calcium in the diet. Overall mean calcium intake was 197+13mg/day (2-9 years), 421+2mg/day (10-19 years), 399+21 mg/day (20-49 years), and 383+25mg/day (>50 years) for males, while the corresponding values for females were 207+17 mg/day, 366+19 mg/day, 387+16 mg/day, and 327 +19 mg/day. Calcium intake was less than 80% of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Myanmar for ages 2-9 years and 10-29 years in all the study areas, and for the 50 years and above age group in Yangon. Fish paste was found to be the major source of calcium. Milk and milk products contributed very little to total calcium intake, contributing 2.1% for residents in Yangon, 5.1% in Pa-an and none in Bago. Consumption of calcium rich foods, particularly milk and milk products, should be encouraged among the Myanmar people. Towards this end, appropriate nutrition education materials should be developed for promotional purposes.     

Glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

The purpose of this study is to summarize the data on the incidence, clinical behavior and overall survival of patients with glassy cell cervical carcinoma (GCCC).

Methods

Twenty-four case series and fifteen case reports identified by searching PubMed database qualified for inclusion in this study. The published cases were combined with data from a retrospective chart review of patients with GCCC in two major teaching hospitals in Brooklyn, NY.

Results

A total of 292 cases were collected through our literature and chart review. Median age at diagnosis was 45 years old (range 12–87 years of age). GCCC incidence ranges from 0.2 to 9.3% of all cervical cancers and 2 to 30.2% of cervical adenocarcinomas. The stage distribution is similar to squamous cell carcinoma with 79% of the patients being diagnosed with Stage I or II disease. Most common sites of recurrence for Stage I patients are the vagina and pelvis. In Stage II patients locoregional and distant metastases are equally common. Recurrence rate was higher among patients treated only with surgery (32.7%), as compared to patients treated with surgery followed by radiation (11%) or patients treated with radiation only (10%). Median overall survival (OS) was 25 months (95% CI 8.4–41.6). Overall 5-year survival for all stages is lower when compared to all cervical cancers (54.8% vs 75%). There was no interaction between race and OS (p = 0.66).

Conclusion

GCCC is a rare histologic type of cervical cancer that presents at a younger age, is associated with high risk for distant failure and carries worse prognosis as compared to the squamous cell type. Radiation therapy is associated with decreased risk of recurrence.     

The utility of electromyography and mechanomyography for assessing neuromuscular function: a noninvasive approach

This article introduces the utility of electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) for the assessment of neuromuscular function, and discusses the interpretation of the EMG and MMG signals for various exercise perturbations. The results of these studies suggest that the use of EMG and MMG to determine muscle fatigue is robust. Future studies with clinical populations are needed, however, to determine the optimal use of EMG and/or MMG for assessing muscle function in rehabilitative settings.     

Factors associated with parental stress and satisfaction during the process of diagnosis of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is complex and parents worldwide often experience difficulties and frustration during the diagnostic process. This study examined the duration of the diagnostic period, the number of professionals consulted, the relationship with the professional(s) and the perceived helpfulness of information provided in relation to how they impact on parental satisfaction and stress during the diagnostic process. The study also obtained professional perspectives regarding current diagnostic practices to understand aspects of the process which may be helpful in increasing professional confidence in diagnosing ASD. One hundred and two parents of 2-17 years old children and young people with ASD recruited from ASD special schools, intervention centres and hospitals in Singapore completed a survey, which included information on various aspects of the diagnostic process and measures of autism severity, parental stress and satisfaction. Seventeen professionals completed a similar survey. Parents from higher educational and socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to raise concerns about their child's development at an earlier age. Higher parental stress was associated with more professionals consulted and lower perceived collaboration with professionals. Higher parental satisfaction was associated with higher perceived collaboration with professionals, higher perceived helpfulness of received information, lower severity of child ASD symptoms and lower levels of stress. Findings are discussed in relation to clinical practice guidelines and existing literature on the process and impact of diagnosis on families.     

Expression of hepaCAM is downregulated in cancers and induces senescence-like growth arrest via a p53/p21-dependent pathway in human breast cancer cells

Previously, we reported the identification of a novel immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule hepaCAM that is frequently downregulated and inhibits cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we show that the expression of hepaCAM is suppressed in diverse human cancers. Aiming to evaluate the biological role of hepaCAM in breast cancer, we stably transfected the MCF7 cell line with either wild-type hepaCAM or its mutant hCAM-tailless that lacked the cytoplasmic domain. We found that hepaCAM inhibited colony formation and cell proliferation and arrested cells in the G(2)/M phase. Intriguingly, hepaCAM was capable of inducing cellular senescence as defined by the enlarged cell morphology and increased beta-galactosidase activity. Furthermore, hepaCAM elevated the expression levels of senescence-associated proteins including p53, p21 and p27. In contrast, cell growth inhibition and senescence were less apparent in cells overexpressing hCAM-tailless mutant. To determine if the p53-mediated pathway was involved in hepaCAM-induced senescence, we used the small-interfering RNA system to knock down endogenous p53 expression. In the presence of hepaCAM, downregulation of p53 resulted in a clear reduction of p21, insignificant change in p27 and alleviated senescence. Together, the results suggest that the expression of hepaCAM in MCF7 cells not only inhibits cell growth but also induces cellular senescence through the p53/21 pathway.