Classification and pathogenic models of unintentional postural cranial deformities in infants: plagiocephalies and brachycephalies

Unintentional postural deformities of the skull have increased in a pseudoepidemic manner in the last 15 years. Although dorsal decubitus and prenatal risk factors can play a role in the genesis of such deformities, we think that a crucial determinant is a postnatal defect of cervical mobility responsible for the infant's posture (ie, positional preference) when supine. Indeed, muscular factors, which limit the range of head and neck movements, have been underestimated in the genesis of skull deformities. Here, we have retrospectively analyzed data from 181 infants with unintentional skull deformities and propose a classification of these deformities into 3 types based on their pathogenic model and clinical appearance: fronto-occipital plagiocephalies due to severe muscle hypertonia in which the myogenic component is the first implicated, occipital plagiocephalies with muscle imbalance due to neurogenic muscle hypertonia, and posterior brachycephalies with neurogenic muscle hypertonia of the suboccipital muscles due to trauma to the occipitovertebral junction. Future studies on the size and density of specific muscles or group of muscles should help us to better understand their involvement in the pathogenesis of postural deformities. Our findings also highlight the importance of carefully assessing cervical mobility during the first week of life to detect possible limitations and to prescribe (if needed) an adapted rehabilitation. Rehabilitation should be associated with postural measures put in place when infants sleep supine to prevent the appearance of skull deformations.     

The use of pholasin as a probe for the determination of plasma total antioxidant capacity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) reflects the capacity of plasma, or other body fluid, to resist oxidation. The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of Pholasin as a probe for the determination of plasma TAC. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma samples either oxidised using the free radical generator 2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) at 60 degrees C for 180 min or obtained from diabetic (type 1 and type 2) patients (n = 61 and 124, respectively) with or without polyneuropathy (PN) and/or cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and control subjects (n = 70) were analysed for TAC status. TAC was assessed using two versions of Analysis By Emitted Light (ABEL) tests including quenching of Pholasin chemiluminescence (QPC) with peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)-QPC) and with superoxide anion (O2(-)-QPC). RESULTS: The utilisation of AAPH to induce peroxyl radical mediated plasma oxidation produced a significant decrease in TAC as assessed by ONOO(-)-QPC and O2(-)-QPC assays in a time-dependent manner. Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients without PN and/or CAN had lower TAC (ONOO(-)-QPC and O2(-)-QPC) than in control subjects. Further alterations in TAC were noted in the presence of PN and/or CAN. Correlations were found between TAC (ONOO(-)-QPC and O2(-)-QPC) values on duration of diabetes and neurological impairment score-lower limb (NIS-LL) in type 1 diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study has established that the ONOO(-)-QPC and O2(-)-QPC versions of the ABEL test fulfil the criteria in terms of simplicity, sensitivity and reliability for the measurement of plasma TAC. These biomarkers may prove useful in studies evaluating the impact of therapeutic drugs or antioxidant interventions aimed at delaying the onset of complications in clinical conditions associated with oxidative stress.     

Antiinflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Activities of Mimusops elengi Linn

In the present study, 70% ethanol extract of Mimusops elengi Linn. bark was assessed for antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in animals. The antiinflammatory activity of ethanol extract of Mimusops elengi (200 mg/kg, p.o) was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and Eddy's hot plate models and antipyretic activity was assessed by Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The ethanol extract of Mimusops elengi (200 mg/kg, p.o) significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced paw oedema at 3rd and 4th h and in cotton pellet model it reduced the transudative weight and little extent of granuloma weight. In analgesic models the ethanol extract of Mimusops elengi decreases the acetic acid-induced writhing and it also reduces the rectal temperature in Brewer's yeast induced pyrexia. However, Mimusops elengi did not increase the latency time in the hot plate test. These results show that ethanol extract of Mimusops elengi has an antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity.