Efficacy of clinical gait analysis: A systematic review

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and summarize the current evidence base related to the clinical efficacy of gait analysis. A literature review was conducted to identify references related to human gait analysis published between January 2000 and September 2009 plus relevant older references. The references were assessed independently by four reviewers using a hierarchical model of efficacy adapted for gait analysis, and final scores were agreed upon by at least three of the four reviewers. 1528 references were identified relating to human instrumented gait analysis. Of these, 116 original articles addressed technical accuracy efficacy, 89 addressed diagnostic accuracy efficacy, 11 addressed diagnostic thinking and treatment efficacy, seven addressed patient outcomes efficacy, and one addressed societal efficacy, with some of the articles addressing multiple levels of efficacy. This body of literature provides strong evidence for the technical, diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic thinking and treatment efficacy of gait analysis. The existing evidence also indicates efficacy at the higher levels of patient outcomes and societal cost-effectiveness, but this evidence is more sparse and does not include any randomized controlled trials. Thus, the current evidence supports the clinical efficacy of gait analysis, particularly at the lower levels of efficacy, but additional research is needed to strengthen the evidence base at the higher levels of efficacy.     

Substrate Specificity and Interferences of a Direct-Electron-Transfer-Based Glucose Biosensor

Objective:

Electrochemical sensors for glucose monitoring employ different signal transduction strategies for electron transfer from the biorecognition element to the electrode surface. We present a biosensor that employs direct electron transfer and evaluate its response to various interfering substances known to affect glucose biosensors.

Methods:

The enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) was adsorbed on the surface of a carbon working electrode and covalently bound by cross linking. The response of CDH-modified electrodes to glucose and possible interfering compounds was measured by flow-injection analysis, linear sweep, and chronoamperometry.

Results:

Chronoamperometry showed initial swelling/wetting of the electrode. After stabilization, the signal was stable and a sensitivity of 0.21 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² was obtained. To investigate the influence of the interfering substances on the biorecognition element, the simplest possible sensor architecture was used. The biosensor showed little (<5% signal deviation) or no response to various reported electroactive or otherwise interfering substances.

Conclusions:

Direct electron transfer from the biorecognition element to the electrode is a new principle applied to glucose biosensors, which can be operated at a low polarization potential of −100 mV versus silver/silver chloride. The reduction of interferences by electrochemically active substances is an attractive feature of this promising technology for the development of continuous glucose biosensors.     

Human bubonic plague transmitted by a domestic cat scratch

Bubonic plague was transmitted to a 10-year-old girl in Oregon by a scratch wound inflicted by a domestic cat. The cat probably was infected by contact with infected wild rodents or their fleas. Yersinia pestis was identified in Diamanus montanus fleas collected from an abandoned burrow near the patient's home. Domestic cats may infect humans with Y pestis by inoculation from a scratch.     

Orcein-alcian blue staining: a new technique for demonstrating acid mucins in gastrointestinal epithelium.

Orcein-alcian blue staining, a new method for the simultaneous demonstration of sulphated and sialomucins in gastrointestinal epithelium was compared with the standard high iron diamine-alcian blue technique. Sections were oxidised with potassium permanganate and decolourised in oxalic acid. They were stained with orcein for four hours, differentiated for a few seconds in acid alcohol, and then counterstained with alcian blue for half to one minute. There was a good correlation of results between the two methods. Orcein-alcian blue is a safer, cheaper, and quicker method than high iron diamine-alcian blue which can be safely introduced into routine laboratories for the study of acid mucins in the gastrointestinal diseases.     

Bioselective detection in liquid chromatography by the use of immobilized enzymes

The combination of liquid chromatography and immobilized enzyme reactors (LC/IMER) is a rapidly developing field of research. The enzymes are used to catalyse chemical reactions and thereby facilitate selective detection. In this instance the chemical derivatizations are performed in the post-column mode. The selectivity is demonstrated with respect to interfering compounds present in complex samples.