Age-based normative data for a computerized dynamic posturography system that uses a virtual visual surround environment

Background: Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) is the gold standard to differentiate between sensory, motor, and central adaptive impairments to postural control.

Objective: To obtain normative values in healthy adults age 20–69 for a CDP system that uses a full-field dynamic visual surround. This is in contrast to the mechanically movable visual surround used in traditional CDP systems.

Methods: Fifty healthy adults divided into five age groups were tested during the three test protocols for CDP: sensory organization test (SOT), motor control test (MCT), and adaptation test (ADT). Outcomes were compared across age groups and to published normative CDP values. Repeatability was assessed in five different subjects (23–30 years old) on 2 days, 1 week apart.

Results: Most outcomes were comparable to published norms with notable differences in SOT condition 4 and ADT. SOT composite and conditions 4–6, all MCT translations, and ADT toes up showed moderate to good repeatability (r?=?0.60 to 0.99). Age group and gender differences were not substantial.

Conclusions: Some but not all CDP outcomes with a virtual visual environment were comparable to published norms. The differences are likely related to the virtual surround having a more compelling effect on balance even in conditions with a stationary surround.     

Rapid Polymyxin NP test for the detection of polymyxin resistance mediated by the mcr-1/mcr-2 genes

The Rapid Polymyxin NP test has been recently developed to rapidly detect polymyxin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae. Here we evaluated this test for detecting MCR-1/MCR-2-producing Enterobacteriaceae using a collection of 70 non-redundant strains either recovered from the environment, animals, or humans. Sensitivity and specificity were found to be 100%.     

Friedrich Trendelenburg: Historical background and significant medical contributions

Friedrich Trendelenburg's name is widely known today because it is associated with the Trendelenburg position. However, Trendelenburg made many other valuable contributions to the field of medicine, including a test, a gait, and a sign. A historical review of his life helps to elucidate the factors that contributed to his innovative approaches and techniques. Both Trendelenburg's mentors in his early years and the influences upon him throughout his professional career contributed to his development as a pioneer of surgery, anesthesia, and clinical diagnostics. Clin. Anat. 27:815–820, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Corneal Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis

Purpose: Corneal involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is rare, but due to rich collagen composition cornea is especially vulnerable to connective tissue diseases. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate corneal parameters of SSc patients.

Methods: The study included 32 SSc patients and 39 control subjects with no ocular symptoms or ocular surface disorders. All study participants underwent Pentacam evaluation and objective signs of dry eye disease (DED), and clinical parameters were evaluated.

Results: All pachymetric values, most of the corneal front surface, corneal volume, as well as anterior chamber depth measurements were significantly lower in the SSc group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Significant negative correlation was found between corneal parameters and age on the one hand, and disease duration on the other.

Conclusions: Early recognition of corneal impairment, a possible extraintestinal manifestation of SSc, should be included in the check-up of the disease in order to reduce sight-threatening complications.     

外阴接触性皮炎的发生及正确评估

女性外阴瘙痒是皮肤科及妇产科门诊的常见症状,外阴接触性皮炎是最常引起外阴瘙痒症状的原因之一。文中就外阴皮肤对于接触性刺激及过敏的敏感性,刺激性接触性皮炎(irritant contact dermatitis,ICD)及过敏性接触性皮炎(allergic contact dermatitis,ACD)的发病情况,外阴药物接触性皮炎及如何正确认识和评估外阴接触性皮炎等方面进行综述。     

����֢�����μ�Ԥ��

近年来花粉过敏的发病率逐年增高,已经成为世界各国所面临的重要的卫生问题之一。文章从花粉症的历史和流行病学、主要症状、诊断和鉴别诊断及治疗和预防等方面进行了较详细的介绍。     

The Agar Diffusion Cytolysis Method: An Alternative In Vitro Screen for the Prediction of a Severe Ocular Response

Manufacturing intermediates and formulation components constitute the bulk of compounds evaluated in ocular irritation protocols. A cost-effective in vitro screen for predicting severe ocular reactions, which reduces the chance of exposing animals to caustic chemicals, was a logical first step in a tiered approach to the reduction, refinement, and eventual replacement of animals in ocular irritation test protocols. Our laboratory has validated the agar diffusion cytolysis method, which employs a monolayered SIRC cell culture as an initial biological ocular screen. Twenty-four hours after plating 100-mm dishes, the culture medium was replaced with a 0.01% neutral red/1% agar overlay and incubated for a minimum of 16 h. Solid or liquid compounds were applied atop the agar diffusion matrix in glass cylinders or on paper discs, respectively, at doses of 2, 5, 10, and 25 mg or μ1 and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Clear zones resulting from the loss of the neutral red dye following compound-induced cytolysis were measured, and the response was compared to the responses of the positive and negative controls. Results from the in vitro cytolysis assays conducted with 24 formulation components and chemically complex manufacturing intermediates have correlated well with in vivo data. Thus far the assay has demonstrated the following performance characteristics: sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93%, overall predictive value of 96%.     

Parietal Cell and Intrinsic Factor Antibodies in a Finnish Rural Population Sample

Parietal cell and intrinsic factor antibodies were studied in the sera of 156 inhabitants of Pornainen. Parietal cell antibodies were found in 8 per cent of the ‘random sample’, consisting of 135 subjects, and in 34 per cent of the ‘high risk group’ consisting of 29 subjects with decreased gastric secretion. Intrinsic factor antibodies were found in 3 cases in the ‘high risk group’. Two of these had manifest and one latent pernicious anaemia. It seemed that the determination of gastric antibodies may be of some value in screening for severe atrophic gastritis and pernicious anaemia.