MRI Findings Do not Correlate with Outcome in Athletes with Chronic Groin Pain

This trial aimed to assess the value of MRI in the differential diagnosis of chronic groin pain in athletes, a condition caused by various pathologies, the most common being posterior abdominal wall deficiency, osteitis pubis and muscular imbalance. Nineteen subjects with clinically ruled-out hernia and recurrent episodes of exercise-triggered groin pain were assessed. Dynamic MRI was performed under Valsalva manoeuver and at rest within a training- free period and after training activity. Follow-up was performed after 4 years using a questionnaire and physical examination. An incipient hernia was seen in one case, Valsalva manoeuver provoked a visible bulging in 7 others (3 bilateral). Eight athletes showed symphysitis (accompanied by bulging in 3 cases). MRI visualized one hydrocele, one osteoma of the left femur, one enchondroma of the pubic bone, and one dilated left ureter without clinical symptoms or therapeutic relevance. MRI findings after training and during the training free period did not vary. Fifteen participants were available for a follow-up control examination 4 years later - one suffered from ongoing pain, eleven were free of symptoms and three had improvement. However, most of them improved only with changing or reducing training. There were four participants with a specific therapy of their MRI findings. MRI revealed a variety of pathological findings in athletes suffering from chronic groin pain, but it was not reliable enough in differentiating between diagnoses requiring conservative or operative treatment. The MRI examination within the training interval did not have an advantage to that within the training-free period. Further randomized prospective trials with a long follow-up should establish whether MRI findings could be of help in the choice between conservative and surgical treatment for chronic groin pain.

Key points

• MRI findings after training and during the train free period did not vary.
• MRI revealed a variety of pathological findings in athletes suffering from chronic groin pain, but it was not reliable enough in differentiating between diagnoses requiring conservative or operative treatment.

Key words: MRI, hernia, athletes, chronic groin pain, symphysitis     

Synthesis,Antimicrobial and Analgesic Activity of N-Substituted 2-Amino-4-aryl-4-oxo-2-butenoic Acids

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal -     

Liver plasma membrane-associated fibroblast growth: stimulatory and inhibitory activities during experimental cirrhosis.

During experimental CCl4 cirrhosis, an increase of membrane-associated factor stimulating 3T3 cell proliferation in vitro was observed. This stimulator is a 150-kD protein similar to one previously described. In situ perfusion released growth stimulatory activity, suggesting a peripheral plasma membrane protein localizing on basolateral surfaces. The activity increased with increasing number of CCl4 treatments, reaching a maximum at the 14th intoxication. It was faster than the proliferation of connective tissues determined histologically. Cessation of treatment caused a decrease in activity to that of the level of untreated liver, although the number of fibroblastlike cells remained large. This data, taken with the results of experiments with enriched hepatocyte fraction, may serve as an evidence in favor of hepatocyte origin of the factor. A factor inhibiting fibroblast proliferation was measured in detergent extracts from membranes, suggesting an integral membrane protein. The activity of the inhibitory factor increased in acute liver lesions, but at the stage of maximal fibrogenesis this factor is reduced to levels comparable to those of the intact liver. Therefore it is unlikely that this factor is involved in CCl4-induced fibrogenesis at the final stages. These factors may be common controls for various hepatic lesions causing fibrosis, both in clinical and experimental modeling.     

Genetic polymorphism of IgG in mink. I. Identification of 8 allotypes

By means of intraspecific immunization of domestic mink (Mustela vison Schr.), 8, in all probability, complex IgG allotypes were detected in their sera. Based on the results of analysis of the preparations of the IgG heavy (H) and light (L) chains, as well as proteolytic IgG fragments, we assigned the allotypes detected to three groups: (1) marker of the L chain, L1; (2) allotypes of the C region of gamma-chains (H2, H3, H4, H6, and H8) and conformational allotype H7; (3) conformational allotype 5 with unknown location on the chains.     

Social participation of youths with cerebral palsy differed based on their self-perceived competence as a friend

Background Social participation with friends fosters development of meaningful relationships, life skills and psychosocial well‐being. Youths with cerebral palsy (CP) face challenges to establishing social relationships with friends. The aim of this study was to explore whether social participation with friends differs among youths with CP based on their self‐perceived competence as a friend. Methods A total of 135 youths with CP, 13–21 years old (mean age 16 years, 50% were male), completed the measures Fulfillment in Social Roles and Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment. Youths were assigned to high, middle and low groups defined by their self‐perceived competence as a friend. Differences among the three groups in the number, total frequency and enjoyment of activities done with friends was examined by Kruskal–Wallis one‐way analyses of variance. Post hoc analysis of significant effects was performed using a Mann–Whitney U‐test or Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Results The number (χ²= 17.07, d.f. = 2, P < 0.001) and total frequency (χ²= 18.35, d.f. = 2, P < 0.001) of activities done with friends differed based on youths' self‐perceived competence as a friend. Youths with high self‐perceived competence as a friend did the greatest number of activities and participated most often with friends. Youths with low self‐perceived competence did the fewest activities and participated least often with friends. No differences were found in the enjoyment of activities done with friends among the three groups (χ²= 1.86, d.f. = 2, P > 0.05). Conclusions For youths with CP, the number and frequency of activities done with friends differed based on self‐perceived competence as a friend, but not enjoyment of activities. The results suggest a positive link between social participation and self‐perceived competence. Healthcare providers have a role to support youths' efforts to engage with friends by enhancing community opportunities, developing and providing interventions in natural social environments and incorporating peer support into service delivery.     

Partial plasma exchange using albumin replacement: removal and recovery of normal plasma constituents

Using albumin and crystalloid as the only replacement fluids, the effect of partial plasma exchange on the removal and recovery of normal plasma constituents was studied. The results of 30 procedures on 10 individuals were evaluated. Four patterns of removal are described: reduction in the concentration of fibrinogen and C3 were greater than would be expected based upon the extent of the exchange, while IgG, IgM, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase and SGPT were removed as expected. Reduction of serum glutamicoxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), amylase, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) averaged 17% less, and uric acid, calcium and K+ averaged 53% less than expected. Concentrations of HCO-3 and glucose did not change. The mean recovery for all constituents except fibrinogen, C3, cholesterol. IgG and IgM was near 100% at 48-72 hr postpheresis. The 72-hr recovery of fibrinogen and complement was 66% and 60%, respectively. Cholesterol recovery was also slow, requiring a minimum of 1 wk to reach prepheresis levels. Measured at a time when quantitative IgM levels were still reduced, alloantibody agglutinating activity (anti-A and anti-B) in a postpheresis sample exceeded prepheresis agglutinating activity. These data demonstrated that, depending upon quantity and frequency of pheresis, partial plasma exchange using albumin replacement may cause progressive marked reduction in concentrations of immunoglobulin, complement, fibrinogen, and cholesterol. Furthermore, newly synthesized antibody may have increased biologic activity.     

Corticosteroid-binding globulin: A possible early predictor of infection in acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Objective. Infected pancreatic necrosis is the main cause of death in patients with acute pancreatitis, and therefore its early prediction is of utmost importance. Endogenous cortisol metabolism plays a basic role both in the course of acute pancreatitis and in the process of infection. The purpose of this study was to analyze corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), total cortisol, calculated free cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone as potential early predictors in order to differentiate between infected pancreatic necrosis and sterile pancreatic necrosis in patients with acute pancreatitis. Material and methods. Serum levels of CBG, total cortisol, calculated free cortisol, and plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone were determined in 109 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis. C-reactive protein was measured as the control parameter. Thirty-five patients developed necrotizing pancreatitis and 10 developed infection of the necrosis. Blood was monitored for 6 days after the onset of pain; 30 healthy individuals served as controls. Results. Of all parameters only CBG showed a significant difference (p=0.0318) in its peak levels measured in the first 48 h in patients with sterile (26.5 µg/ml, range 21.3–34.7) and infected (16.0 µg/ml, range 15.2–25.0) necrosis at a cut-off level of 16.8 µg/ml. That difference was further preserved for the first 6 days after onset of pain. Conclusions. In our group of patients, a decreased CBG level below 16.8 µg/ml within the initial 48 h of acute pancreatitis was an early predictor of later infected pancreatic necrosis, with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 87.5%.     

Influence of SHS Precursor Composition on the Properties of Yttria Powders and Optical Ceramics

This study looked at optimizing the composition of precursors for yttria nanopowder glycine–nitrate self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Based on thermodynamic studies, six different precursor compositions were selected, including with excesses of either oxidant or fuel. The powders from the precursors of all selected compositions were highly dispersed and had specific surface areas ranging from 22 to 57 m²/g. They were consolidated by hot pressing (HP) with lithium–fluoride sintering additive and subsequent hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The 1 mm thick HPed ceramics had transmittance in the range of 74.5% to 80.1% @ 1μm, which was limited by optical inhomogeneity due to incomplete evaporation of the sintering additive. Two-stage HIP significantly improves optical homogeneity of the ceramics. It was shown that an excess of oxidizer in the precursor decreases the powders’ agglomeration degree, which forms large pore clusters in the ceramics.