Osteoarthritis and other long-term health conditions in former elite cricketers

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the prevalence and risk of chronic conditions in former elite cricketers compared to a normal population, and describe wellbeing in former elite cricketers.

Reorganisation of human step initiation during acute experimental muscle pain

The effects of experimentally induced pain in tibialis anterior on step initiation were studied in six healthy male volunteers by kinematics, kinetics and electromyography (EMG). We observed longer reaction times, lower joint moments and decreased EMG activity in the painful leading leg’s tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles. Peripheral nociceptive input appeared to alter the internal representation used in the step initiation motor program.     

Laminin {alpha}1 chain corrects male infertility caused by absence of laminin {alpha}2 chain

Laminins are important for basement membrane structure and function. The laminin alpha2 chain is a major component of muscle basement membranes, and mutations in the laminin alpha2 gene lead to congenital muscular dystrophy in humans and mice. Although the laminin alpha2 chain is prominently expressed in testicular basement membranes, its role in testis has remained unclear. Here, we show that laminin alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, gamma 1, and gamma 3 chains are the major laminin chains in basement membranes of seminiferous tubules. In laminin alpha2 chain-deficient dy(3 K)/dy(3 ASK) mice, lack of laminin alpha2 chain led to concurrent reduction of laminin gamma 3 chain and abnormal testicular basement membranes. Seminiferous tubules of laminin alpha2 chain-deficient dy(3 K)/dy(3 K) mice displayed a defect in the timing of lumen formation, resulting in production of fewer spermatides. We also demonstrate that overexpression of laminin alpha1 chain in testis of dy(3 K)/dy(3 K) mice compensated for laminin alpha2 chain deficiency and significantly reversed the appearance of the histopathological features. We thus provide genetic data that laminin alpha chains are essential for normal testicular function in vivo.     

Detection of several types of human papilloma viruses in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma

Epidemiological studies indicate that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) may be caused by an infectious, preferentially sexually transmitted agent. Infections with human papilloma viruses are common, sexually transmitted diseases occurring frequently in homosexual men, who are also the main risk group of developing KS. In order to evaluate the possible role of HPV in the development of KS, 24 cutaneous AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcomas were investigated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in situ hybridization for the presence of human papilloma viruses (HPV). HPV DNA sequences were detected in 5 of 24 KS specimens, in 4 of 13 normal skin specimens from AIDS patients withoutKS and in 5 of 14 skin specimens of HIV-seronegative patients. For the first time, HPV types 6 and 33 were detected by PCR in KS. A higher proportion of HPV types 16/18 was found in AIDS-associated KS specimens, whereas HPV type 33 was seen more often in normal skin specimens of the control group. Apart from the known HPV types 16/18 described in KS, this study demonstrates also the presence of HPV 6 and 33 in this condition. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Strategies to improve patient-reported outcome completion rates in longitudinal studies

Quality of Life Research - The quality of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data can be compromised by non-response (NR) to scheduled questionnaires, particularly if reasons for NR are related to...     

Preliminary evidence on the uptake,use and benefits of the CONSORT-PRO extension

Purpose

This study assessed the uptake of the CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)—Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) statement; determined if use of CONSORT-PRO was associated with more complete reporting of PRO endpoints in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and identified the extent to which high-impact journals publishing RCTs with PRO endpoints endorse CONSORT-PRO.

Methods

CONSORT-PRO citations were identified by systematically searching Medline, EMBASE and Google from 2013 (year CONSORT-PRO released) to 17 December 2015. RCTs that cited CONSORT-PRO (cases) were compared to a comparable control sample of RCTs in terms of adherence to CONSORT-PRO using t tests. General linear models assessed the relationship between CONSORT-PRO score and key, pre-specified variables. The 100 highest-impact journals that published RCTs with PRO endpoints (2014–2015) were identified via a systematic Medline search. Instructions for authors were reviewed to determine whether journals endorsed CONSORT-PRO.

Results

Total CONSORT-PRO scores ranged from 47 to 100% for cases and 25–96% for controls. Cases had significantly higher total CONSORT-PRO scores compared to controls: t?=?2.64, p?=?0.01. ‘Citing CONSORT-PRO’, ‘journal endorsing CONSORT-PRO’ and ‘dedicated PRO paper’ were significant predictors of higher CONSORT-PRO adherence score: R ²?=?0.48, p?<?0.001. 11/100 top-ranked journals endorsed CONSORT-PRO in their instructions to authors, seven of these journals published RCTs included as cases in this study.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated improved PRO reporting associated with journal endorsement and author use of the CONSORT-PRO extension. Despite growing awareness, more work is needed to promote appropriate use of CONSORT-PRO to improve completeness of reporting; in particular, stronger journal endorsement of CONSORT-PRO.

     

Quantification of seven novel synthetic opioids in blood using LC–MS/MS

Forensic Toxicology - The objective of this study was to develop, optimize, and validate a method for the simultaneous quantification of U-47700, AH-7921, U-49900, U-50488, MT-45, W-18, and W-15 in...