Frequencies of epstein-barr virus—inducible IgM anti-IgG B lymphocytes in normal children and children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

The relative frequencies of IgM antilgG autoantibody (rheumatoid factor) producing cells induced by the polyclonal B cell activator Epstein-Barr virus were measured in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures of normal children and patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The frequencies of rheumatoid factor precursor B cells in normal children were lower than adults, but higher than neonates. The frequency increased with the age of the donor. In seronegative children with the systemic-onset or pauclarticular-onset types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the number of IgM antiIgG inducible B cells was not significantly different (P>0.05) from age-matched controls. Patients with seropositive juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or seropositive adult rheumatoid arthritis had significantly higher IgM antiIgG precursor cell frequencies than age-matched normal subjects (P<0.01 and P<0.02, respectively). In contrast, the patients with seronegative polyarticular-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis had an average precursor frequency significantly lower than normal age-matched controls (P<0.05), analogous to results previously noted in adult seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, both children and adults with seronegative polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis had a deficiency in B cells that produce IgM antiIgG and that are induced by Epstein-Barr virus. This distinguished them from seropositive juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients, normal subjects, and patients with the pauciarticular-onset and systemic-onset types of seronegative juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.     

Popliteal-to-distal bypass grafts for limb salvage in diabetics

Between January 1984 and August 1989, 117 diabetic patients with a palpable popliteal pulse but distal limb threatening ischaemia underwent 124 popliteal artery (or below) to distal bypass grafts. All grafts were intra-operatively monitored. The operative mortality was 0.8% and the 30 day primary patency 93%. Primary patencies at 1 and 3 years were 88.6 and 85.2%, respectively. The results of using the popliteal artery as the proximal graft inflow site in diabetes are comparable to other patient groups and to alternative more proximal inflow sites, but require a shorter length of vein graft with a shorter vein harvesting incision, avoid groin disection and result in a more peripheral operation.     

Enhancement of Viability of Fat Grafts in Nude Mice by Endothelial Progenitor Cells

BACKGROUND: A recent discovery showed that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) could augment collateral vessel growth to ischemic tissues. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to demonstrate the effects of EPCs on the vasculogenesis and survival of free transplanted fat tissues in nude mice. METHODS: EPCs from human donors were cultured in vitro for 7 days. Human fat tissues were injected subcutaneously into the scalps of 20 6-week-old nude male mice. EPCs stained with CM-DiI were mixed with the transplanted fat tissues and injected into the mice. EBM-2 medium was used as control group. The animals were euthanized 15 weeks after the procedure. Graft volume were measured, and histologic evaluation was performed. The central part of fat tissues was histologically evaluated 15 weeks after the fat injection. RESULTS: The survival volume of the experimental group was significantly greater than that of the control group (p< .05). Less cyst formation and fibrosis was obtained in the experimental group. Histologic evaluation of the central part of fat tissues 15 weeks after the fat injection showed that capillary densities increased markedly in the experimental group mice. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that EPCs have the ability to enhance the survival and the quality of the transplanted fat tissues.     

Genital psoriasis: a questionnaire‐based survey on a concealed skin disease in the Netherlands

Background Psoriatic lesions may involve nearly all sites of the body. Involvement of the genital skin is frequently classified as part of intertriginous psoriasis without special awareness and treatment for this presentation of the disease. Gaining knowledge about the frequency of the involvement of genital skin in these patients will improve the overall care for patients with psoriasis. Objectives We studied the prevalence of genital psoriasis in the Netherlands and epidemiological characteristics of this specific presentation of the disease. Furthermore, we studied the relation between flexural and genital psoriasis. Patients/Methods A self‐administered questionnaire was sent to all 5300 members of the Dutch Psoriasis Society. Sociodemographic patient characteristics and disease‐related data (such as localization of psoriatic lesions, involvement of the genitalia, age at onset of genital psoriasis and severity of genital psoriatic lesions) were collected and analysed. Results A response rate of 37% was achieved. Almost 46% of the responding patients with psoriasis, that is 16.5% of all potential responders (n = 5300), report genital involvement at some time during the course of their disease. The genitalia can become affected at any age. Many patients with current genital involvement (38%) do not have the flexural skin affected. Conclusions A large part of patients with psoriasis suffer from genital psoriasis, which was not associated with flexural involvement in at least one third of them. More attention to the genital region is required in the current standard treatment of both male and female psoriatic patients at any age.     

International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaire (NZPAQ): A doubly labelled water validation

Background  

Accurate measurement of physical activity is a pre-requisite for monitoring population health and for evaluating effective interventions. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is used as a comparable and standardised self-report measure of habitual physical activity of populations from different countries and socio-cultural contexts. The IPAQ has been modified to produce a New Zealand physical activity questionnaire (NZPAQ). The aim of this study was to validate the IPAQ and NZPAQ against doubly labelled water (DLW). Method: Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured over a 15-day period using DLW. Activity-related energy expenditure (AEE) was estimated by subtracting the energy expenditure from resting metabolic rate and thermic effect of feeding from TEE. The IPAQ (long form) and NZPAQ (short form) were completed at the end of each 7-day period. Activity-related energy expenditure (IPAQ_AEE and NZPAQ_AEE) was calculated from each questionnaire and compared to DLW_AEE.