Development of an intraoral device for social inclusion of a physically disabled patient

The aim of this study is to describe the use of an intraoral assistive technology for a patient with idiopathic generalized muscular dystonia, presenting temporomandibular disorder and severe anterior tooth mobility and diastema. A multidisciplinary team developed an intraoral device to provide typing and painting functions, and promote relaxation of masticatory muscles without compromising the teeth and supporting tissue structures. The occlusal splint associated with the device promoted muscle relaxation and relief of the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction, in this case with generalized muscle dystonia, allowing typing and painting with her mouth without causing tooth mobility or occlusal alteration. This intraoral device has low cost, easy adaptation and was efficient in TMD symptoms. Furthermore, the patient returned to her rehabilitation allowing performance of her duties without compromising dental structures, facilitating the social and the digital inclusion.     

Involving Fathers in Teaching Youth About Farm Tractor Seatbelt Safety—A Randomized Control Study

PurposeFarm youth continue to experience high rates of injury and deaths as a result of agricultural activities. Farm machinery, especially tractors, is the most common cause of casualties to youth. A Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) along with a fastened seatbelt can prevent almost all injuries and fatalities from tractor overturns. Despite this knowledge, the use of seatbelts by farmers on ROPS tractors remains low. This study treats farm safety as a family issue and builds on the central role of parents as teachers and role models of farm safety for youth.MethodsThis research study used a longitudinal, repeated-measures, randomized-control design in which youth 10–19 years of age were randomly assigned to either of two intervention groups (parent-led group and staff-led group) or the control group.ResultsFathers in the parent-led group were less likely to operate ROPS tractors without a seatbelt compared with other groups. They were more likely to have communicated with youth about the importance of wearing seatbelts on ROPS tractors. Consequently, youth in the parent-led group were less likely to operate a ROPS tractor without a seatbelt than the control group at post-test.ConclusionsThis randomized control trial supports the effectiveness of a home-based, father-led farm safety intervention as a promising strategy for reducing youth as well as father-unsafe behaviors (related to tractor seatbelts) on the farm. This intervention appealed to fathers' strong motivation to practice tractor safety for the sake of their youth. Involving fathers helped change both father as well as youth unsafe tractor-seatbelt behaviors.     

Evolutionary Change Mimicking Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Patient with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

In this report, we introduce a case of thickening of the involved left ventricular apical segment on echocardiography and deep T‐wave inversions in precordial leads on electrocardiography transiently seen in the course of recovery from biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy, mimicking apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This result suggests that the echocardiographic finding of transient myocardial edema can be identified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Additionally, it persisted a few weeks after full functional recovery. We believe that this case will contribute in part toward clarifying the pathophysiology of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.     

咪达唑仑导致神经功能损伤及作用机制研究

目的：探讨镇静药咪达唑仑导致神经功能损伤及其机制。方法：将72 只大鼠分为生理盐水对照组、咪达唑仑组、右美托咪定组三个组别，每组各24 只，比较三组大鼠的神经元特异性烯醇化酶（neuron-specific enolase，NSE）、中枢神经特异性蛋白（central nervous specific protein，S100β）、细胞死亡受体Fas 水平、逃逸潜伏期、游泳速度、穿过原平台次数，对NSE、S100β、Fas 病理切片进行分析。结果：与对照组和右美托咪定组相比，咪达唑仑组 NSE、S100β、Fas 水平较高，逃逸潜伏期较长，穿过原平台次较少（P<0.05）。结论：咪达唑仑对神经功能损伤以及学习记忆功能影响较大。     

The POWER-tool: Recommendations for involving patient representatives in choosing relevant outcome measures during rare disease clinical trial design

In clinical trials, it is relevant to ask patients and/or their caregivers which aspects concerning their disease they consider important to measure when a new intervention is being investigated. Those aspects, useful as outcome measures in a trial, are of pivotal importance for the result of the trial and the subsequent decision-making. In rare diseases the choice of outcome measures may be even more important, due to the small numbers and heterogeneity of the patients that are included.We have developed a tool to involve patients in the determination of outcome measures and the choice of measurement instruments. This tool was developed together with a patient think tank, consisting of a group of rare disease patient representatives, and by interviewing end users. We have road-tested our tool in an ongoing trial, and evaluated it during a focus group meeting.The tool consists of three steps: 1) Preparation, 2) Consultation of patients, 3) Follow-up during which the consultation results are implemented in the trial design.The tool provides guidelines for researchers to include the patient’s opinion in the choice of outcome measures in the trial design stage. We describe the development of the POWER-tool (Patient participation in Outcome measure WEighing for Rare diseases), and first experiences of the tool in an ongoing trial.     

Functional limitation of the masticatory system in patients with bulbar involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with bulbar dysfunction affects the motor neurons responsible for controlling the muscles in the jaw, face, soft palate, pharynx, larynx and tongue. This cross‐sectional study aimed to determine the functional limitation of the jaw in patients with ALS and bulbar dysfunction who had upper motor neuron (UMN), lower motor neuron (LMN) or balanced involvement. One hundred and fifty‐three patients with ALS and 23 controls were included. All participants answered using the 8‐item Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS‐8). Patients with ALS were grouped by neurologic examination as follows: non‐bulbar ALS, bulbar UMN‐predominant ALS; bulbar LMN‐predominant ALS; and bulbar balanced (UMN + LMN) ALS. Jaw limitation between the different groups was compared using the Kruskal‐Wallis test. Patients with non‐bulbar ALS had similar mandibular limitations to healthy participants. Only patients with balanced UMN and LMN bulbar manifestations reported greater difficulties in chewing soft food or in jaw mobility compared to the non‐bulbar ALS group. Patients with bulbar involvement also had greater difficulties in chewing tough food or chicken and in swallowing and talking compared to the non‐bulbar group, regardless of whether UMN or LMN predominant. No significant differences were found between the groups in smiling and yawning difficulties. Bulbar involvement in patients with ALS is associated with functional limitation of the masticatory system. However, balanced bulbar UMN and LMN involvement is associated with the worst impairments in chewing soft food and in opening the jaw widely.     

去大骨瓣减压颞肌贴敷术治疗大面积脑梗死患者几种护理模式的临床应用效果

目的:对比研究不同护理模式在去大骨瓣减压颞肌贴敷术治疗大面积脑梗死患者临床护理中的应用价值。方法:将襄阳市中心医院收治的120例大面积脑梗死患者随机分为A组、B组、C组,各组40例。A组进行常规护理,B组进行临床护理路径表护理,C组进行循证护理。于3组患者护理干预前后,根据美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分标准评价患者神经功能缺损程度,并根据格拉斯哥预后分级(Glasgow outcome scale,GOS)评价3组患者预后情况。结果:护理3个月、6个月后,C组患者NIHSS评分低于A组、B组(P<0.05),A组、 B组比较,差异无统计学意义(P> 0.0 5)。在预后良好率,A组、 B组、 C组依次为5 0%、6 2.5%、 8 2.5%, C组高于A组、 B组(P <0.0 5), A组、 B组比较,差异无统计学意义(P> 0.0 5)。结论:于大面积脑梗死患者行去大骨瓣减压颞肌贴敷术治疗中行循证护理能有效提高护理效果,改善患者神经功能缺损程度及预后。     

Antibody therapeutics targeting ion channels: are we there yet?

The combination of technological advances, genomic sequences and market success is catalyzing rapid development of antibody-based therapeutics. Cell surface receptors and ion channel proteins are well known drug targets, but the latter has seen less success. The availability of crystal structures, better understanding of gating biophysics and validation of physiological roles now form an excellent foundation to pursue antibody-based therapeutics targeting ion channels to treat a variety of diseases.     

Paraneoplastic immune-mediated neurological effects of systemic cancers

Cancer patients may develop paraneoplastic neurological conditions associated with autoantibodies directed against neural or neuromuscular tissues. These syndromes are frequently manifested in advance of the cancer presentation by several months or years necessitating a detailed and expensive investigation to search for the presence of a malignancy. In such cases additional assistance may be obtained by the early employment of whole body 18F flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography as a cancer screening imaging procedure for early cancer diagnosis and potential therapy. Effective therapy of the primary cancer consists the best current therapy for a given paraneoplastic syndrome. However, other forms of immune modulation, such as plasma exchange, intravenous gamma globulin, other immune therapies and symptomatic treatment for certain PNS may have additional benefit.