Activation amplitude patterns do not change for back muscles but are altered for abdominal muscles between dominant and non-dominant hands during one-handed lifts

It is assumed when lifting with the dominant hand that the relationship between contralateral and ipsilateral trunk muscle responses are similar to when lifting with the non-dominant hand. The purpose of this study was to quantify trunk muscle activation amplitude patterns during right- and left-handed lifts. Surface electromyography (EMG) and kinematic variables were recorded from 29 healthy subjects. Minimal trunk and pelvis motion was observed. Three principal patterns accounted for 95% of the variation in the EMG data indicating minimal variation in the pattern. Significant differences in scores captured different recruitment strategies for reach and hand. Selective and differential recruitment of back sites characterized lifts at greater distances from the body, whereas co-activation between internal oblique and back sites characterized lifts closer to the body. While the results showed no handedness effect for back muscles, the external oblique responded differently between right- and left-handed lifts. Specific recruitment strategies were used to account for subtle changes in reach and asymmetrical demands.     

Plasma levels of asymmetrical dimethylarginine and adverse cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: We investigated the predictive value of plasma concentration of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) on clinical outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients with stable angina and undergoing PCI were prospectively enrolled for clinical follow-up. Plasma ADMA levels were determined before procedure by high performance liquid chromatography. The major adverse cardiovascular events included cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization of target vessels. Patients were grouped into tertiles according to their plasma ADMA levels. Over a follow-up period of 16 months (median), cardiovascular events occurred in 6 patients of tertile I (<0.50microM), in 17 patients of tertile II (0.50-0.62microM), and in 28 patients of tertile III (>0.62microM), P<0.001. By multivariate analysis, tertiles of ADMA levels were independently associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events after PCI (relative risk: tertile II vs I: 3.0 [1.2-7.7], P=0.022; tertile III vs I: 5.3 [2.2-12.9], P<0.001). Moreover, plasma ADMA level in the highest tertile also appeared as a significant risk factor of subsequent death and non-fatal myocardial infarction after PCI (tertile III vs I, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Pre-procedural plasma ADMA levels may independently predict subsequent adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing PCI. Measurement of plasma ADMA levels could provide a rationale for risk stratification of patients by measuring ADMA levels before intervention.     

Diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz de la hipoacusia unilateral o asimétrica en la infancia: recomendaciones CODEPEH

The aim of this document is to improve the management and the treatment of unilateral or asymmetrical hearing loss in children. One in one thousand newborn infants has unilateral hearing loss and this prevalence increases with age, due to cases of acquired and delayed-onset hearing loss.Although the impact on the development and learning processes of children of these kinds of hearing loss have usually been minimized, if they are not treated they will impact on language and speech development, as well as overall development, affecting the quality of life of the child and his/her family.The outcomes of the review are expressed as recommendations aimed at clinical diagnosis and therapeutic improvement for unilateral or asymmetrical hearing loss.     

Relation of asymmetrical dimethylarginine levels with renal outcomes in hypertensive patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between high plasma ADMA levels, a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, with the progression of albuminuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in hypertensive patients, with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ADMA对单核细胞来源的树突状细胞成熟和免疫的影响

目的:通过观察非对称性二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)对树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DCs)成熟及免疫的影响来探讨AS形成的可能机制。方法:贴壁法分离人外周血单核细胞,在含重组人粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rhGM-CSF 20ng/ml)和重组人白细胞介素-4(rhIL-4,10ng/ml)的完全培养基中培养,五天后收集imDC,用1、8、16umol/L的ADMA干预未成熟DC 24h。用流式细胞术检测DC细胞表面分子的表达、吞噬能力及DC的凋亡,用混合淋巴细胞反应检测成熟DC刺激T淋巴细胞增殖的能力,用ELISA检测DC细胞因子的分泌。结果:生理浓度ADMA并不刺激DC成熟及分化;但病理浓度ADMA抑制DC成熟;抑制DC诱导的T淋巴细胞增殖;诱导DC凋亡:抑制DC分泌IL-12细胞因子、TNF-α及IL-10细胞因子。结论:生理浓度ADMA并不刺激DC成熟及分化;但病理浓度AD-MA抑制DC成熟和免疫。     

Early Career Award. Clarifying the emotive functions of asymmetrical frontal cortical activity

Asymmetrical activity over the frontal cortex has been implicated in the experience and expression of emotions and motivations. Explanations of the research have suggested that relatively greater left frontal activity is associated with positive affect and/or approach motivation, and that relatively greater right frontal activity is associated with negative affect and/or withdrawal motivation. In past research, affective valence and motivational direction were confounded, as only positive (negative) affects that were associated with approach (withdrawal) motivation were examined. Consequently, this research is unable to address whether asymmetrical frontal activity is associated with affective valence, motivational direction, or some combination of valence and motivation. In this article, I review research on the emotion of anger, a negative emotion often associated with approach motivation, that suggests that asymmetrical frontal cortical activity is due to motivational direction and not affective valence. Methodological and theoretical implications for the study of the frontal asymmetry specifically, and for emotion and motivation more generally, are discussed.     

Circulating ADMA concentrations are elevated in hypopituitary adults with and without growth hormone deficiency

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular mortality is increased in patients with hypopituitarism. Elevated concentrations of the endogenous NO synthase antagonist asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) may be related to the development of atherosclerosis and are associated with cardiovascular risk. We studied the concentrations of ADMA in hypopituitary patients with and without growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma from 44 patients with hypopituitarism with (n = 30) and without GHD (n = 14) and from 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls was taken for analysis of L-arginine, ADMA, symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) and clinical parameters. Further plasma from 10 hypopituitary patients was examined before and after treatment with 9 g of oral L-arginine for 14 days. RESULTS: Asymmetrical dimethylarginine was significantly higher in the hypopituitary patients than in the controls (0.63 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.15 micromol L(-1); P < 0.005). L-arginine and the L-arginine/ADMA ratios were lower in the subjects with hypopituitarism (53 +/- 18 vs. 90 +/- 29 micromol L(-1) and 87 +/- 31 vs. 185 +/- 59; both P < 0.0001). Symmetrical dimethylarginine was comparable between the patients and the controls. L-arginine and dimethylarginines were associated with 2-h stimulated glucose levels in a glucose tolerance test (r = 0.33; P < 0.05), but not other cardiovascular risk factors. Oral L-arginine supplementation normalized the reduced L-arginine/ADMA ratio in the hypopituitary patients. CONCLUSION: Asymmetrical dimethylarginine is elevated in patients with hypopituitarism independent of GHD and traditional risk factors. This might contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity in hypopituitary patients.     

Asymmetric headgear for differential molar movement: a study using finite element analysis

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of four different asymmetric headgear systems.

Design: A mathematical method for three-dimensional data called finite element analysis.

Setting: The Orthodontic Department, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Metallurgical Engineering Department of the Fluminense Federal University.

Methods: Four systems of delivering an asymmetrical force to headgear were studied: using face-bow arms of different lengths, a symmetric face-bow with one of the arms bent outward in relation to the internal arch, a symmetric face-bow used in combination with a transpalatal arch activated to produce an asymmetric force, and a symmetric face-bow with the outer bow soldered to the inner bow on the side where a larger force will be applied.

Results: All four systems were effective in promoting asymmetric distal movement of the molars. However, the symmetrical face-bow with the outer bow soldered to the inner bow (system 4) could be used in asymmetric mechanics if the bows are soldered on the opposite side to the proposed distalization. Lateral and occlusal displacing forces were observed in all systems as well as tip-back and rotational movements.

Conclusion: The simulated computer model used in this investigation suggests that a face-bow with a symmetrically soldered joint and arms of equal lengths used in combination with a transpalatal arch is the best headgear option when asymmetric movement of upper molars is desired.     

The role of MRI in assessment of asymmetrical breast densities

This study included 86 women presented with asymmetric breast densities, seen on either routine screening or diagnostic mammogram.     

不对称二甲基精氨酸对体外培养内皮祖细胞数量和功能的影响

目的:观察不对称二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)对体外培养内皮祖细胞(EPCs)数量和功能的影响。方法:密度梯度离心法获取外周血单个核细胞,培养6d后,收集贴壁细胞并分别加入ADMA1、5、10μmol/L干预培养72h。激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪鉴定EPCs,分别观察EPCs的数量、增殖及黏附和产生一氧化氮的能力。结果:与对照组相比,不同浓度的ADMA可显著抑制外周血EPCs扩增、黏附增殖能力和产生NO的能力。结论:ADMA可抑制培养EPCs的数量和功能。