Physical activity is associated with a low prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the Royal Norwegian Navy: a cross sectional study

Background  

Despite considerable knowledge about musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and physical, psychosocial and individual risk factors there is limited knowledge about physical activity as a factor in preventing MSD. In addition, studies of physical activity are often limited to either leisure activity or physical activity at work. Studies among military personnel on the association between physical activity at work and at leisure and MSD are lacking. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of MSD among personnel in the Royal Norwegian Navy and to assess the association between physical activity at work and at leisure and MSD.     

Use of buccal cells collected in mouthwash as a source of DNA for clinical testing

CONTEXT: To maximize the participation rate in population genetic studies, alternatives to invasive whole blood collection are increasing. One such alternative is buccal epithelial cell collection, which, in contrast to venipuncture and finger sticks, is painless. Buccal cells, if collected and purified efficiently, offer an acceptable source for DNA to be used in research and clinical applications. OBJECTIVE: To develop a noninvasive sampling method for collecting cells for routine DNA testing in a clinical laboratory setting. DESIGN: Five factors were used to evaluate several brands of mouthwash: (1) compatibility with the DNA purification chemistry, (2) DNA yield, (3) DNA quality, (4) DNA stability at room temperature, and (5) mouthwash taste. Next, an optimization study was undertaken to maximize DNA yield. Finally, a validation study was undertaken with the optimized protocol to test a panel of 14 donors for DNA yield and performance and to test for the stability of DNA held in mouthwash. SETTING: Industrial research and development laboratory. RESULTS: Of 5 mouthwashes tested, Scope brand mouthwash received the highest overall ranking. The addition of proteinase K and glycogen to the protocol significantly enhanced DNA yields, with a test panel (n = 14) giving a range of 12 to 60 microg of DNA per donor. In a 4-week room temperature stability study, the DNA in mouthwash samples was found to be stable for at least 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: A clinically validated DNA purification chemistry was adapted to a noninvasive specimen collection method. This method used a commercially available mouthwash, Scope, to collect buccal epithelial cells for the preparation of high-quality DNA in high yield.     

Sequencing of the alpha-synuclein gene in a large series of cases of familial Parkinson's disease fails to reveal any further mutations. The European Consortium on Genetic Susceptibility in Parkinson's Disease (GSPD)

A mutation in exon 4 of the human alpha-synuclein gene was reported recently in four families with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). In order to examine whether mutations in this exon or elsewhere in the gene are common in familial PD, all seven exons of the alpha- synuclein gene were amplified by PCR from index cases of 30 European and American Caucasian kindreds affected with autosomal dominant PD. Each product was sequenced directly and examined for mutations in the open reading frame. No mutations were found in any of the samples examined. We conclude that the A53T change described in the alpha- synuclein gene is a rare cause of PD or may even be a rare variant. Mutations in the regulatory or intronic regions of the gene were not excluded by this study.      

The pentose phosphate pathway and pyruvate carboxylation after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

The neonatal brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress, and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) may be of particular importance to limit the injury. Furthermore, in the neonatal brain, neurons depend on de novo synthesis of neurotransmitters via pyruvate carboxylase (PC) in astrocytes to increase neurotransmitter pools. In the adult brain, PPP activity increases in response to various injuries while pyruvate carboxylation is reduced after ischemia. However, little is known about the response of these pathways after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). To this end, 7-day-old rats were subjected to unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia. Animals were injected with [1,2-¹³C]glucose during the recovery phase and extracts of cerebral hemispheres ipsi- and contralateral to the operation were analyzed using ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After HI, glucose levels were increased and there was evidence of mitochondrial hypometabolism in both hemispheres. Moreover, metabolism via PPP was reduced bilaterally. Ipsilateral glucose metabolism via PC was reduced, but PC activity was relatively preserved compared with glucose metabolism via pyruvate dehydrogenase. The observed reduction in PPP activity after HI may contribute to the increased susceptibility of the neonatal brain to oxidative stress.     

Regulation of stimulated integrin surface expression in human neutrophils by tyrosine phosphorylation

The control of the adhesive properties of human neutrophils is an essential element of their defense function. One level at which this control is exerted involves the upregulation of the surface expression of beta 2-integrins. In this study, we have examined the potential involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the latter process. Two inhibitors of tyrosine kinases with differing modes of action, erbstatin and herbimycin A, were found to inhibit the expression of CD11b and CD18 stimulated by chemotactic factors (fMet-Leu-Phe or leukotriene B4) or growth factors (tumor necrosis factor alpha). This inhibition was not shared by an inactive analog of erbstatin or by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8330. Erbstatin also inhibited the unveiling of activation-specific neoepitopes detected by antibody CBRM1/5. Pretreatment of neutrophils (but not of endothelial cells) with erbstatin inhibited the stimulation of neutrophils' adherence to endothelial cells induced by fMet-Leu-Phe. Augmentation of tyrosine phosphorylation by inhibiting tyrosine phosphatases using hydroperoxyvanadate led to an increased surface expression of CD11b and CD18 and enhanced the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells. Finally, the leumedin NPC 15669, which had previously been shown to inhibit stimulated CD11b expression and neutrophil adherence to endothelial cells and to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in various in vivo models of inflammation, inhibited the stimulation of tyrosine, phosphorylation induced by fMet-Leu-Phe. Taken together, these data establish a strong correlation between tyrosine phosphorylation and integrin upregulation in stimulated human neutrophils.     

自体骨髓单个核细胞经介入途径移植治疗股骨头坏死54例：12个月疗效随访

目的:观察经介入途径移植自体骨髓单个核细胞在股骨头坏死治疗中的应用,并评价其疗效。方法:选择2004-07/2005-11在解放军四六三院细胞治疗中心住院的,具有完整随访资料的股骨头坏死确诊患者共54例91髋。纳入确诊股骨头坏死,有关节疼痛、功能障碍等症状患者,性别、年龄不限;排除有严重心力衰竭、严重肾功能异常等不能耐受手术者。符合纳入标准54例,男45例,女9例,12～68岁。按ARCO分期Ⅱ期42髋,Ⅲ期47髋,Ⅳ期2髋。实验对象对治疗的相关内容知情同意并签知情同意。干预措施:抽取患者髂后上嵴骨髓进行单个核细胞悬液的制备。在DSA监视下将采集的单个核细胞混悬液经股动脉行Seldinger法穿刺,穿刺成功后,置入4F动脉鞘,经动脉鞘置入Cobra导管,将导管超选择至闭孔动脉及旋股内外侧动脉,平均注入单个核细胞悬液。术后定期随访症状变化情况,1年后复查X射线或CT,随访疼痛、关节活动度等情况。实验评估:①疼痛指数:无疼痛症状为3分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛分级A级;时有隐痛2分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛B级;轻度疼痛为1分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛C级;中度疼痛为0分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛D级。②功能指数:髋关节屈、伸、展、收、旋转度评分达Harris髋关节活动范围评分4～5分为3分;3～4分为2分;2～3分为1分;小于2分为0分。③X射线平片指数:股骨头形态无变化,应力骨小梁清晰,坏死区明显缩小为3分;坏死区略缩小为2分;治疗前后无明显变化为1分;坏死区扩大为0分。④血管指数:治疗后旋股内、外侧动脉及其分支增粗、增多,延长1cm以上者3分;1～0.5cm者2分;小于0.5cm者1分,无变化者0分。结果:54例患者均完成疼痛症状、关节功能及影像学随访1年。①术后12个月复查疼痛消失9髋,缓解61髋,无缓解21髋,缓解率为76.9%。②关节功能缓解33髋,无缓解58髋,缓解率为36.3%。③1年后X射线平片或CT、MRI示股骨头区可见不同程度的股骨头坏死区骨质密度改变,坏死区有吸收、缩小,股骨头形态变圆滑规整,改善28髋,无缓解或加重63髋,缓解率为30.1%。④12例24髋完成术后12个月复查股骨头供血动脉数字减影血管造影,好转18髋,好转率为72.2%。结论:经介入途径移植自体骨髓单个核细胞治疗股骨头坏死损伤小,可缓解临床相关症状。