Relationship between joint motion and acceleration during single-leg standing in healthy male adults

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between acceleration and joint movement by synchronizing accelerometers and a three-dimensional motion analysis system, and to show the utility of an accelerometer as a postural control assessment tool. [Subjects and Methods] Head, lumbar, shank accelerations and various joint angles during single-leg standing were measured of 20 healthy males. Root mean squares of acceleration and joint angle were calculated. Fast Fourier transform analysis was performed for head, lumbar, and shank accelerations, and the median frequencies were calculated. Then, principal component analysis was performed for the median frequency of each acceleration. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was also used to examine the relationship between joint angle and acceleration. [Results] The score of the first principal component was highest for shank acceleration, while that of the second principal component was highest for lumbar and head accelerations. In multiple regression analysis, hip flexion/extension and adduction/abduction were identified as variables associated with head acceleration. [Conclusion] We were able to confirm the aggregation of acceleration into two components, which we interpreted as postural control strategies using primarily the ankle and hip joints. Furthermore, though multiple regression analysis, we were able to clarify the joint movement indicated by acceleration of each segment.Key words: Postural control, Acceleration, Ankle sprain     

HLA-B52-positive vasculo-Behçet disease: usefulness of magnetic resonance angiography, ultrasound study, and computed tomographic angiography for the early evaluation of multiarterial lesions

We report a case of HLA-B52-positive Behçet disease accompanied by multiarterial lesions. A 24-year-old woman was suffering from sporadic high fever and recurrent oral and genital ulcers, and laboratory data revealed severe inflammation. A diagnosis of Behçet disease was made. Magnetic resonance angiography, ultrasound study, and computed tomographic angiography demonstrated multiarterial lesions that had caused no symptoms. These noninvasive examinations were extremely useful in evaluating asymptomatic early vascular lesions.     

T helper type-2 cells induce ileal villus atrophy,goblet cell metaplasia,and wasting disease in T cell-deficient mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS: T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cell subsets significantly influence the pathological features of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract in a distinct manner. It is now established that the transfer of CD4(+)CD45RB(Hi) (RB(Hi)) T cells to either severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) or recombinase activation gene 2-deficient (RAG(-/-)) mice results in a severe granulomatous hypertrophic colitis mediated by Th1 cells. We have modified this approach to address the role of Th2 cells. METHODS: RB(Hi) T cells from wild-type (Wt) mice or mice genetically predisposed to Th2 responses (interferon-gamma-defective [IFN-gamma(-/-)]) with or without B cells were transferred to T cell receptor (TCR)-beta and delta-chain-defective (TCR(-/-)) or SCID mice. RESULTS: Transfer of Wt RB(Hi) T cells induced wasting disease with severe colitis in the TCR(-/-) mice. In contrast, IFN-gamma(-/-) RB(Hi) T cells induced severe weight loss and hypoalbuminemia without significant inflammation in the colon. The small intestine of these mice exhibited villus atrophy, a decrease in brush-border enzymes, reduced enterocyte proliferation, and an increased number of goblet cells. The presence of B cells was necessary for these changes, because SCID recipients required cotransfer of B cells, together with IFN-gamma(-/-) RB(Hi) T cells for ileal lesions to develop. Treatment of TCR(-/-) recipients of IFN-gamma(-/-) RB(Hi) T cells with anti-IL-4 mAb abrogated both the wasting disease and the villus atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Dysregulated Th2 cells cause atrophic changes and goblet cell transformation in the small intestinal epithelium and wasting disease mediated by excess interleukin-4 and B cells.     

A hairy B cell lymphoproliferative disorder resembling hairy cell leukemia

This case report describes a hairy B cell lymphoproliferative disorder (HBLD) with clinical and hematological features resembling hairy cell leukemia. The patient was a 29-year-old female who demonstrated atypical lymphocytes in her peripheral blood. Physical examination demonstrated splenomegaly, but there were no palpable superficial lymph nodes. Hematological examination showed a leukocyte count of 10.6 x 10(3)/mm3 with 41% atypical lymphocytes. Bone marrow examination showed a normal cellular and an atypical lymphocyte count of 42%. The atypical lymphocytes had microvilli and prominent membranous ruffles on their surfaces. Atypical lymphocytes expressed CD5- CD10- CD11c+ CD19+ CD20+ CD23- CD25- on the surface of the cells on examination by with a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Although these findings were similar to hairy cell leukemia, Japanese variant, the surface marker of the kappa chain and lambda chain was unbiased and studies of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements and expression showed polyclonal proliferation of B cells. Therefore, we diagnosed this patient as having HBLD. Because she did not demonstrate anemia or thrombocytopenia, she is not currently receiving medication. To date, the atypical lymphocyte count has not changed.     

Angiotensin II type 1a receptor signals are involved in the progression of heart failure in MLP-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II (AT) is implicated in the development of cardiac remodeling, which leads to heart failure, and pharmacological inhibition of the AT type 1 (AT1) receptor has improved mortality and morbidity in patients of heart failure. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the AT1 receptor in disease progression in muscle LIM protein (MLP)-deficient mice, which are susceptible to heart failure because of defective function of mechanosensors in cardiomyocytes. METHOD AND RESULTS: Hearts from MLP knockout (MLPKO) mice and MLP-AT1a receptor double knockout (DKO) mice were analyzed. MLPKO hearts showed marked chamber dilatation with cardiac fibrosis and reactivation of the fetal gene program. All of these changes were significantly milder in the DKO hearts. Impaired left ventricular (LV) contractility and filling were alleviated in DKO hearts. However, the impaired relaxation and downregulated expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase 2 were unchanged in DKO hearts. CONCLUSIONS: The AT1a receptor is involved in progression of LV remodeling and deterioration of cardiac function in the hearts of MLPKO mice. These results suggest that blockade of the receptor is effective in preventing progression of heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy.     

Relationship and factors responsible for regulating fasting and post‐challenge plasma glucose levels in the early stage development of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims/Introduction

Elevation of 2-h plasma glucose (2-h PG) levels keeps step with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels elevation, but some individuals show dominant elevation of 2-h PG and others FPG. We analyzed dependent and independent relationships between 2-h PG and FPG, and investigated the factors regulating 2-h PG and FPG.

Materials and Methods

In 1,657 Japanese participants who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at the initial examination for a medical check-up, we carried out simple linear regression analysis between 2-h PG and FPG levels on the three patterns of independent variables. We divided the participants into two subgroups: the 2-h PG-side group and the FPG-side from the regression line, and examined the relationships between 2-h PG-FPG and factors responsible for elevation of plasma glucose levels.

Results

There was a significant positive correlation between 2-h PG and FPG levels. The regression line of both 2-h PG and FPG as independent variables was in accordance with the regression line of 2-h PG as an independent variable and FPG as a dependent variable. In 2-h PG-side group, age was the independent factor affecting 2-h PG in addition to insulinogenic index and insulin sensitivity index (ISI composite). In the FPG-side group, triglyceride was the independent factor affecting FPG in addition to insulinogenic index and ISI composite.

Conclusions

Two-hour PG was an independent predictor of FPG. In addition to the importance of decreased insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, age was the strong factor to elevate 2-h PG levels in the 2-h PG-side group and triglyceride was the strong factor to elevate FPG levels in the FPG-side group in the early stage of development of type 2 diabetes.     

Nonsurgical orthodontic treatment of a hypodivergent adult patient with bilateral posterior scissors bite and excessive overjet

This report illustrates successful nonsurgical orthodontic treatment of a hypodivergent adult patient with bilateral posterior scissors bite (Brodie bite) and excessive overjet. A 26-year-old woman primarily reported maxillary incisor protrusion. She was diagnosed with Class ll division 1 malocclusion with skeletal Class I, short face, low mandibular plane angle and bilateral posterior scissors bite. A lingual arch with anterior bite block and posterior miniscrews with preadjusted edgewise appliances were used to improve the bilateral scissors bite. After achieving molar occlusion, the maxillary first premolars were extracted, and six miniscrews were used to improve the anterior-posterior and vertical discrepancies. After active treatment for 56 months, the convex facial profile with excessively protruded lips was improved and good interdigitation with ideal incisor relationship was achieved. Additionally, the irregular movements of the incisal path and the bilateral condyles during lateral excursion were improved. At 13 months of retention, a satisfactory facial profile, occlusion, and jaw movements were maintained. The treatment results suggest that miniscrews and fixed bite blocks were effective and efficient to facilitate correction of the bilateral scissors bite, excessive overjet, and vertical relationship correction in this nonsurgical orthodontic treatment.