bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The low contact stress mobile-bearing total knee replacement
Authors: Hooper G. , Rothwell A. , Frampton C.
Published: December 2008

We have examined the outcome of 400 consecutive patients who underwent total knee replacement with the Low Contact Stress mobile-bearing system between 1993 and 1994 and were followed up for a minimum of ten years. All operations were performed by surgeons in Christchurch, New Zealand, who used no other knee prosthesis during the study time.

At ten years after operation 238 patients (244 knees) remained for independent clinical and radiological assessment. There was a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the postoperative knee scores at one, three, seven and ten years, although a slight deterioration in the score occurred between seven and ten years which did not reach statistical significance. The survival for polyethylene wear or loosening was 97% (95% CI 96 to 98) and survival using reoperation for any cause was 92% (95% CI 90 to 94) at 12 years. Polyethylene wear was more common in the meniscal-bearing component, with five knees requiring revision and a further eight demonstrating early wear. Osteolysis was not seen in the rotating platform component, but was present in three of the meniscal-bearing knees.

There was no association between the radiological alignment at one year and those knees that subsequently required revision. However, there was an association between the overall limb alignment and the Western Ontario McMasters University score (p < 0.001).

The Low Contact Stress mobile-bearing total knee replacement has proved to be a reliable implant at ten years when used in primary knee replacement irrespective of the deformity and diagnosis.
The effect of an associated ulnar styloid fracture on the outcome after fixation of a fracture of the distal radius
Authors: Zenke Y. , Sakai A. , Oshige T. , Moritani S. , Nakamura T.
Published: December 2008

A total of 118 consecutive patients with a fracture of the distal radius were treated with a volar locking plate; 50 patients had no ulnar styloid fracture, 41 had a basal ulnar styloid fracture, and 27 had a fracture of the tip of the ulnar styloid. There were no significant differences in radiological and clinical results among the three groups. The outcome was good and was independent of the presence of a fracture of the ulnar styloid. A total of five patients (4.2%) had persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain at final follow-up. Nonunion of the ulnar styloid fracture did not necessarily lead to ulnar wrist pain. Patients with persistent ulnar pain had a higher mean initial ulnar variance and increased post-operative loss of ulnar variance.

The presence of an associated ulnar styloid fracture of the ulnar styloid does not adversely affect the outcome in patients with a fracture of the distal radius treated by volar plating.
Revision of the humeral component for aseptic loosening in arthroplasty of the shoulder
Authors: Cil A. , Veillette C. J. H. , Sanchez-Sotelo J. , Sperling J. W. , Schleck C. , Cofield R. H.
Published: December 2008

Between 1976 and 2004, 38 revision arthroplasties (35 patients) were performed for aseptic loosening of the humeral component. The mean interval from primary arthroplasty to revision was 7.1 years (0.4 to 16.6). A total of 35 shoulders (32 patients) were available for review at a mean follow-up of seven years (2 to 19.3).

Pre-operatively, 34 patients (97%) had moderate or severe pain; at final follow-up, 29 (83%) had no or only mild pain (p < 0.0001). The mean active abduction improved from 88° to 107° (p < 0.01); and the mean external rotation from 37° to 46° (p = 0.27). Excellent or satisfactory results were achieved in 25 patients (71%) according to the modified Neer rating system. Humeral components were cemented in 29, with ingrowth implants used in nine cases. There were 19 of standard length and 17 were longer (two were custom replacements and are not included). Bone grafting was required for defects in 11 humeri. Only two glenoid components were left unrevised. Intra-operative complications included cement extrusion in eight cases, fracture of the shaft of the humerus is two and of the tuberosity in four. There were four re-operations, one for recurrent humeral loosening, with 89% survival free of re-operations at ten years.

Revision surgery for aseptic loosening of the humeral component provides reliable pain relief and modest improvement of movement, although there is a substantial risk of intra-operative complications. Revision to a total shoulder replacement gives better results than to a hemiarthroplasty.
Simultaneous bilateral sequential total knee replacement is as safe as unilateral total knee replacement
Authors: Kim Y.-H. , Choi Y.-W. , Kim J.-S.
Published: December 2008

We wished to determine whether simultaneous bilateral sequential total knee replacement (TKR) carried increased rates of mortality and complications compared with unilateral TKR in low- and high-risk patients.

Our study included 2385 patients who had undergone bilateral sequential TKR under one anaesthetic and 719 who had unilateral TKR. There were no significant pre-operative differences between the groups in terms of age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, diagnosis, comorbidity and duration of follow-up, which was a mean of 10.2 years (5 to 14) in the bilateral and 10.4 years (5 to 14) in the unilateral group.

The peri-operative mortality rate (eight patients, 0.3%) of patients who had bilateral sequential TKR was similar to that (five patients, 0.7%) of those undergoing unilateral TKR. In bilateral cases the peri-operative mortality rate (three patients, 0.4%) of patients at high risk was similar to that (five patients, 0.3%) of patients at low risk as it was also in unilateral cases (two patients, 1.0% vs three patients, 0.6%). There was no significant difference (p = 0.735) in either the overall number of major complications between bilateral and unilateral cases or between low- (p = 0.57) and high-risk (p = 0.61) patients. Also, the overall number of minor complications was not significantly different between the bilateral and unilateral group (p = 0.143).

Simultaneous bilateral sequential TKR can be offered to patients at low and high risk and has an expected rate of complications similar to that of unilateral TKR.
The ligamentum teres of the adult hip
Authors: Bardakos N. V. , Villar R. N.
Published: December 2008

Advances in hip arthroscopy have renewed interest in the ligamentum teres. Considered by many to be a developmental vestige, it is now recognised as a significant potential source of pain and mechanical symptoms arising from the hip joint. Despite improvements in imaging, arthroscopy remains the optimum method of diagnosing lesions of the ligamentum teres. Several biological or mechanical roles have been proposed for the ligament. Unless these are disproved, the use of surgical procedures that sacrifice the ligamentum teres, as in surgical dislocation of the hip, should be carefully considered. This paper provides an update on the development, structure and function of the ligamentum teres, and discusses associated clinical implications.
Applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to Clinical Practice and Research in Acquired Brain Impairment
Authors: Tate Robyn L. , Perdices Michael
Published: December 2008

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a taxonomy that classifies health states and health conditions. It is a complex and detailed taxonomy, with 1,424 categories, covering body structures and functions, activities and participation, and environmental factors. The complexity and detail, however, can serve as a barrier in its everyday application. A number of strategies have been developed to facilitate use of the ICF in clinical and research practice, including the development of ‘core sets’. In this article, we present another method which will assist both the newcomer and those more familiar with the ICF. Along with a description of the ICF structure and contents, the article presents a graphical representation of ‘ICF trees’ as a vehicle to more readily grasp the detail of the ICF structure and contents and facilitate its use in the area of acquired brain impairment.
Editor's Note
Authors: Sies Helmut
Published: December 2008

No Abstract available
Exploring the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma: pathway and bioinformatics analysis of dysregulated genes and proteins
Authors: Romaschin Alexander D. , Youssef Youssef , Chow Tsz-fung F. , Siu K.W. Michael , DeSouza Leroi V. , Honey R. John , Stewart Robert , Pace Kenneth T. , Yousef George M.
Published: December 2008

We recently identified a group of proteins which are dysregulated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study, we performed bioinformatics and pathway analysis of these proteins. Proteins were mapped to gene ontology biological processes. The upregulated proteins tend to cluster in processes, such as cancer initiation and progression. In addition, we identified a number of pathways that are significantly enriched in RCC. Some of these are ‘common’ pathways which are dysregulated in many cancers, but we also identified a number of pathways which were not previously linked to RCC. In addition to their potential prognostic values, many of these pathways have a potential as therapeutic targets for RCC. To verify our findings, we compared our proteins to a pool of datasets from published reports. Although there were only a minimal number of common proteins, there was a significant overlap between the identified pathways in the two groups. Moreover, out of 16 individually discovered genes identified by a literature search, 10 were found to be related to our dysregulated pathways. We also verified the upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in RCC by immunohistochemistry. Finally, we highlight the potential clinical applications of pathway analysis in kidney cancer.
Role of catalytic and non-catalytic subsite residues in ribonuclease activity of human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin
Authors: Sikriwal Deepa , Seth Divya , Batra Janendra K.
Published: December 2008

Human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), a secretory protein from eosinophils, is a member of the RNase A superfamily. The ribonucleolytic activity of EDN is central to its biological activities. EDN binds RNA in a cationic cleft, and the interaction between EDN and RNA substrate extends beyond the scissile bond. Based on its homology with RNase A, putative substrate binding subsites have been identified in EDN. The B1and B2subsites interact specifically with bases, whereas P0, P1, and P2subsites interact with phosphoryl groups. In this study, we evaluated the role of putative residues of these subsites in the ribonucleolytic activity of EDN. We demonstrate that of the two base binding subsites, B1is critical for the catalytic activity of EDN, as the substrate cleavage was dramatically reduced upon substitution of B1subsite residues. Among the phosphate-binding subsites, P1is the most crucial as mutations of its constituting residues totally abolished the catalytic activity of EDN. Mutation of P0and P2subsite residues only affected the catalytic activity on the homopolymer Poly(U). Our study demonstrates that P1and B1subsites of EDN are critical for its catalytic activity and that the other phosphate-binding subsites are involved in the activity on long homopolymeric substrates.
A completed KLK activome profile: investigation of activation profiles of KLK9, 10, and 15
Authors: Yoon Hyesook , Blaber Sachiko I. , Debela Mekdes , Goettig Peter , Scarisbrick Isobel A. , Blaber Michael
Published: December 2008

We previously reported the activation profiles of the human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) as determined from a KLK pro-peptide fusion-protein system. That report described the activity profiles of 12 of the 15 mature KLKs versus the 15 different pro-KLK sequences. The missing profiles in the prior report, involving KLK9, 10, and 15, are now described. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and N-terminal sequence analyses show that KLK9 and 10 exhibit low hydrolytic activities towards all of the 15 pro-KLK sequences, while KLK15 exhibits significant activity towards both Arg- and Lys-containing KLK pro-sequences. The ability of KLK15 to activate pro-KLK8, 12, and 14 is confirmed using recombinant pro-KLK proteins, and shown to be significant for activation of pro-KLK8 and 14, but not 12. These additional data for KLK9, 10, and 15 now permit a completed KLK activome profile, using a KLK pro-peptide fusion-protein system, to be described. The results suggest that KLK15, once activated, can potentially feed back into additional pro-KLK activation pathways. Conversely, KLK9 and 10, once activated, are unlikely to participate in further pro-KLK activation pathways, although similar to KLK1 they may activate other bioactive peptides.
Determination of three amino acids causing alteration of proteolytic activities of staphylococcal glutamyl endopeptidases
Authors: Nemoto Takayuki K. , Ono Toshio , Shimoyama Yu , Kimura Shigenobu , Ohara-Nemoto Yuko
Published: December 2008

Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus warneri secrete glutamyl endopeptidases, designated GluV8, GluSE, and GluSW, respectively. The order of their protease activities is GluSE<GluSW<<GluV8. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism that causes these differences. Expression of chimeric proteins between GluV8 and GluSE revealed that the difference is primarily attributed to amino acid residues 170–195, which define the intrinsic protease activity, and additionally to residues 119–169, which affect the proteolytic sensitivity. Among nine substitutions present in residues 170–195 of the three proteases, the substitutions at positions 185, 188, and 189 were responsible for the changes in their activities, and the combination of W185, V188, and P189, which naturally occurs in GluV8, exerts the highest protease activity. W185 and P189 were indispensable for full activity, but V188 could be replaced by hydrophobic amino acids. These three amino acid residues appear to create a substrate-binding pocket together with the catalytic triad and the N-terminal V1, and therefore define the K
m values of the proteases. We also describe a method to produce a chimeric form of GluSE and GluV8 that is resistant to proteolysis, and therefore possesses 4-fold higher activity than the wild-type recombinant GluV8.
The assembly and activation of kinin-forming systems on the surface of human U-937 macrophage-like cells
Authors: Barbasz Anna , Kozik Andrzej
Published: December 2008

A complex of three plasma proteins, including the high molecular mass kininogen (HK), prekallikrein (PK), and factor XII (FXII), is known to assemble on cell surfaces to release bradykinin-related proinflammatory peptides (kinins). Only recently, the binding of HK to human macrophages was described in the U-937 cell line model. In the present study, the adsorption of the other components of plasma kinin-generating system to these cells was characterized. FXII was found to tightly bind to U-937 cells and was also shown to partially compete with HK for the same binding sites on the macrophage surface. The Mac-1 and gC1qR proteins were found to be receptors for FXII on the cell surface. PK indirectly docked to the macrophages via the cell-bound HK and FXII. Within the complex of these proteins assembled on the macrophage, PK could be activated by FXII/FXIIa or independently of this factor, and the active PK effectively released kinins from HK. The cell surface-bound HK could also be the substrate for tissue kallikrein approaching the cell from the bulk fluid. The kinins released at the surface are suggested to induce secondary responses in the macrophages, leading to further propagation of the inflammatory state.
Attention Enhances the Neural Processing of Relevant Features and Suppresses the Processing of Irrelevant Features in Humans: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of the Stroop Task
Authors: Polk Thad A. , Drake Robert M. , Jonides John J. , Smith Mason R. , Smith Edward E.
Published: December 2008

We present a functional MRI experiment investigating the neural basis of feature-based attention in humans using the Stroop task. Cortical areas specifically involved in color processing and word reading were first identified in individual participants using independent tests. These areas were then probed during the Stroop task (in which participants must selectively attend to the font color of a word while ignoring the word itself). We found that activation in functionally defined color areas increased during the task relative to a neutral color-naming task while activation in functionally defined word areas decreased. These results are consistent with a biased competition model of feature-based attention in which the processing of attended features is enhanced and the processing of ignored features is suppressed.
Region-Specific Spike-Frequency Acceleration in Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons Mediated by Kv1 Subunits
Authors: Miller Mark N. , Okaty Benjamin W. , Nelson Sacha B.
Published: December 2008

Separation of the cortical sheet into functionally distinct regions is a hallmark of neocortical organization. Cortical circuit function emerges from afferent and efferent connectivity, local connectivity within the cortical microcircuit, and the intrinsic membrane properties of neurons that comprise the circuit. While localization of functions to particular cortical areas can be partially accounted for by regional differences in both long range and local connectivity, it is unknown whether the intrinsic membrane properties of cortical cell types differ between cortical regions. Here we report the first example of a region-specific firing type in layer 5 pyramidal neurons, and show that the intrinsic membrane and integrative properties of a discrete subtype of layer 5 pyramidal neurons differ between primary motor and somatosensory cortices due to region- and cell-type-specific Kv1 subunit expression.
Stable Membrane Expression of Postsynaptic CaV1.2 Calcium Channel Clusters Is Independent of Interactions with AKAP79/150 and PDZ Proteins
Authors: Di Biase Valentina , Obermair Gerald J. , Szabo Zsolt , Altier Christophe , Sanguesa Juan , Bourinet Emmanuel , Flucher Bernhard E.
Published: December 2008

In neurons L-type calcium currents contribute to synaptic plasticity and to activity-dependent gene regulation. The subcellular localization of CaV1.2 and its association with upstream and downstream signaling proteins is important for efficient and specific signal transduction. Here we tested the hypothesis that A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) or PDZ-proteins are responsible for the targeting and anchoring of CaV1.2 in the postsynaptic compartment of glutamatergic neurons. Double-immunofluorescence labeling of hippocampal neurons transfected with external HA epitope-tagged CaV1.2 demonstrated that clusters of membrane-incorporated CaV1.2-HA were colocalized with AKAP79/150 but not with PSD-95 in the spines and shafts of dendrites. To disrupt the interactions with these scaffold proteins, we mutated known binding sequences for AKAP79/150 and PDZ proteins in the C terminus of CaV1.2-HA. Unexpectedly, the distribution pattern, the density, and the fluorescence intensity of clusters were similar for wild-type and mutant CaV1.2-HA, indicating that interactions with AKAP and PDZ proteins are not essential for the correct targeting of CaV1.2. In agreement, brief treatment with NMDA (a chemical LTD paradigm) caused the degradation of PSD-95 and the redistribution of AKAP79/150 and α-actinin from dendritic spines into the shaft, without a concurrent loss or redistribution of CaV1.2-HA clusters. Thus, in the postsynaptic compartment of hippocampal neurons CaV1.2 calcium channels form signaling complexes apart from those of glutamate receptors and PSD-95. Their number and distribution in dendritic spines is not altered upon NMDA-induced disruption of the glutamate receptor signaling complex, and targeting and anchoring of CaV1.2 is independent of its interactions with AKAP79/150 and PDZ proteins.
Frontal Cortex Subregions Play Distinct Roles in Choices between Actions and Stimuli
Authors: Rudebeck Peter H. , Behrens Timothy E. , Kennerley Steven W. , Baxter Mark G. , Buckley Mark J. , Walton Mark E. , Rushworth Matthew F. S.
Published: December 2008

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) has been implicated in reinforcement-guided decision making, error monitoring, and the reversal of behavior in response to changing circumstances. The anterior cingulate cortex sulcus (ACCS), however, has also been implicated in similar aspects of behavior. Dissociating the unique functions of these areas would improve our understanding of the decision-making process. The effect of selective OFC lesions on how monkeys used the history of reinforcement to guide choices of either particular actions or particular stimuli was studied and compared with the effects of ACCSlesions. Both lesions disrupted decision making, but their effects were differentially modulated by the dependence on action– or stimulus–value contingencies. OFC lesions caused a deficit in stimulus but not action selection, whereas ACCSlesions had the opposite effect, disrupting action but not stimulus selection. Furthermore, OFC lesions that have previously been found to impair decision making when deterministic stimulus–reward contingencies are switched were found to cause a more general learning impairment in more naturalistic situations in which reward was stochastic. Both OFC and ACCSare essential for reinforcement-guided decision making rather than just error monitoring or behavioral reversal. The OFC and ACCSare both, however, more concerned with learning and making decisions, but their roles in selecting between stimulus and action values are distinct.
Cortically Evoked Long-Lasting Inhibition of Pallidal Neurons in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Dystonia
Authors: Chiken Satomi , Shashidharan Pullanipally , Nambu Atsushi
Published: December 2008

Dystonia is a neurological disorder characterized by sustained or repetitive involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal postures. To understand the pathophysiology of dystonia, neurophysiological analyses were performed on hyperkinetic transgenic mice generated as a model of DYT1 dystonia. Abnormal muscle activity, such as coactivation of agonist and antagonist muscles and sustained muscle activation, was frequently observed in these mice. Recording of neuronal activity in the awake state revealed reduced spontaneous activity with bursts and pauses in both the external and internal segments of the globus pallidus. Motor cortical stimulation evoked responses composed of excitation and subsequent long-lasting inhibition in both pallidal segments, which were never observed in the normal mice. In addition, the somatotopic arrangements in both pallidal segments were disorganized. Long-lasting inhibition induced by cortical inputs in the internal pallidal segment may disinhibit thalamic and cortical activity, resulting in the motor hyperactivity observed in the transgenic mice.
Dendrites of Mammalian Neurons Contain Specialized P-Body-Like Structures That Respond to Neuronal Activation
Authors: Cougot Nicolas , Bhattacharyya Suvendra N. , Tapia-Arancibia Lucie , Bordonné Remy , Filipowicz Witold , Bertrand Edouard , Rage Florence
Published: December 2008

Intracellular mRNA transport and local translation play a key role in neuronal physiology. Translationally repressed mRNAs are transported as a part of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles to distant dendritic sites, but the properties of different RNP particles and mechanisms of their repression and transport remain largely unknown. Here, we describe a new class of RNP-particles, the dendritic P-body-like structures (dlPbodies), which are present in the soma and dendrites of mammalian neurons and have both similarities and differences to P-bodies of non-neuronal cells. These structures stain positively for a number of P-body and microRNP components, a microRNA-repressed mRNA and some translational repressors. They appear more heterogeneous than P-bodies of HeLa cells, and they rarely contain the exonuclease Xrn1 but are positive for rRNA. These particles show motorized movements along dendrites and relocalize to distant sites in response to synaptic activation. Furthermore, Dcp1a is stably associated with dlP-bodies in unstimulated cells, but exchanges rapidly on neuronal activation, concomitantly with the loss of Ago2 from dlP-bodies. Thus, dlP-bodies may regulate local translation by storing repressed mRNPs in unstimulated cells, and releasing them on synaptic activation.
Amyloid Pathology Is Associated with Progressive Monoaminergic Neurodegeneration in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Liu Ying , Yoo Mi-Jeong , Savonenko Alena , Stirling Wanda , Price Donald L. , Borchelt David R. , Mamounas Laura , Lyons W. Ernest , Blue Mary E. , Lee Michael K.
Published: December 2008

β-Amyloid (Aβ) pathology is an essential pathogenic component in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the significance of Aβ pathology, including Aβ deposits/oligomers and glial reactions, to neurodegeneration is unclear. In particular, despite the Aβ neurotoxicity indicated byin vitrostudies, mouse models with significant Aβ deposition lack robust and progressive loss of forebrain neurons. Such results have fueled the view that Aβ pathology is insufficient for neurodegenerationin vivo. In this study, because monoaminergic (MAergic) neurons show degenerative changes at early stages of AD, we examined whether theAPPswe/PS1ΔE9mouse model recapitulates progressive MAergic neurodegeneration occurring in AD cases. We show that the progression forebrain Aβ deposition in theAPPswe/PS1ΔE9model is associated with progressive losses of the forebrain MAergic afferents. Significantly, axonal degeneration is associated with significant atrophy of cell bodies and eventually leads to robust loss (∼50%) of subcortical MAergic neurons. Degeneration of these neurons occurs without obvious local Aβ or tau pathology at the subcortical sites and precedes the onset of anxiety-associated behavior in the mice. Our results show that a transgenic mouse model of Aβ pathology develops progressive MAergic neurodegeneration occurring in AD cases.
Prenatal to Early Postnatal Nicotine Exposure Impairs Central Chemoreception and Modifies Breathing Pattern in Mouse Neonates: A Probable Link to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Authors: Eugenín Jaime , Otárola Marcelo , Bravo Eduardo , Coddou Claudio , Cerpa Verónica , Reyes-Parada Miguel , Llona Isabel , von Bernhardi Rommy
Published: December 2008

Nicotine is a neuroteratogen and is the likely link between maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Osmotic minipumps were implanted in 5–7 d CF1 pregnant mice to deliver nicotine bitartrate (60 mg Kg−1day−1) or saline (control) solutions for up to 28 d. Prenatal to early postnatal nicotine exposure did not modify the number of newborns per litter or their postnatal growth; however, nicotine-exposed neonates hypoventilated and had reduced responses to hypercarbia (inhalation of air enriched with 10% CO2for 20 min) and hypoxia (inhalation of 100% N2for 20 s) at postnatal days 0–3 (P0–P3). In contrast, at postnatal day 8, nicotine-exposed neonates were indistinguishable from controls. Isolated brainstem–spinal cord preparations obtained from P0 to P3 nicotine-exposed neonates showed fictive respiration with respiratory cycles longer and more irregular than those of controls, as indicated by high short- and long-term variability in Poincaré plots. In addition, their responses to acidification were reduced, indicating compromise of central chemoreception. Furthermore, the cholinergic contribution to central chemosensory responses switched from muscarinic receptor to nicotinic receptor-based mechanisms. No significant astrogliosis was detectable in the ventral respiratory group of neurons with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that nicotine exposure affects the respiratory rhythm pattern generator and causes a decline in central chemoreception during early postnatal life. Consequently, breathing would become highly vulnerable, failing to respond to chemosensory demands. Such impairment could be related to the ventilatory abnormalities observed in SIDS.
Interleukin-6 Mediates the Increase in NADPH-Oxidase in the Ketamine Model of Schizophrenia
Authors: Behrens M. Margarita , Ali Sameh S. , Dugan Laura L.
Published: December 2008

Adult exposure to NMDA receptor antagonists, such as ketamine, produces psychosis in humans, and exacerbates symptoms in schizophrenic patients. We recently showed that ketamine activates the innate immune enzyme NADPH-oxidase in brain, and that the superoxide produced leads to dysfunction of a subset of fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons expressing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV). Here we show that neuronal production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) is necessary and sufficient for ketamine-mediated activation of NADPH-oxidase in brain. Removal of IL-6 in neuronal cultures by anti-IL-6 blocking antibodies, orin vivoby use of IL-6-deficient mice, prevented the increase in superoxide by ketamine and rescued the interneurons. Accumulating evidence suggests that schizophrenia patients suffer from diminished antioxidant defenses, and a recent clinical trial showed that enhancing these defenses may ameliorate symptoms of the disease. Our results showing that ketamine-induced IL-6 is responsible for the activation of NADPH-oxidase in brain suggest that reducing brain levels of this cytokine may protect the GABAergic phenotype of fast-spiking PV-interneurons and thus attenuate the propsychotic effects of ketamine.
Dopamine Enhances Fast Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in the Extended Amygdala by a CRF-R1-Dependent Process
Authors: Kash Thomas L. , Nobis William P. , Matthews Robert T. , Winder Danny G.
Published: December 2008

A common feature of drugs of abuse is their ability to increase extracellular dopamine levels in key brain circuits. The actions of dopamine within these circuits are thought to be important in reward and addiction-related behaviors. Current theories of addiction also posit a central role for corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and an interaction between CRF and monoaminergic signaling. One region where drugs of abuse promote robust rises in extracellular dopamine levels is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a CRF-rich component of the extended amygdala. We find that dopamine rapidly enhances glutamatergic transmission in the BNST through activation of a combination of D1- and D2-like receptors. This enhancement is activity-dependent and requires the downstream action of CRF receptor 1 (CRF-R1), suggesting that dopamine induces CRF release through a local network mechanism. Furthermore, we found that bothin vivoandex vivococaine induced a dopamine receptor and CRF-R1-dependent enhancement of a form of NMDA receptor-dependent short-term potentiation in the BNST. These data highlight a direct and rapid interaction between dopamine and CRF systems that regulates excitatory transmission and plasticity in a brain region key to reinforcement and reinstatement. Because a rise in extracellular dopamine levels in the BNST is a shared consequence of multiple classes of drugs of abuse, this suggests that the CRF-R1-dependent enhancement of glutamatergic transmission in this region may be a common key feature of substances of abuse.
Overexpressed Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 3 Ion Channels in Skin Keratinocytes Modulate Pain Sensitivity via Prostaglandin E2
Authors: Huang Susan M. , Lee Hyosang , Chung Man-Kyo , Park Una , Yu Yin Yin , Bradshaw Heather B. , Coulombe Pierre A. , Walker J. Michael , Caterina Michael J.
Published: December 2008

The ability to sense changes in the environment is essential for survival because it permits responses such as withdrawal from noxious stimuli and regulation of body temperature. Keratinocytes, which occupy much of the skin epidermis, are situated at the interface between the external environment and the body's internal milieu, and have long been appreciated for their barrier function against external insults. The recent discovery of temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) ion channels in keratinocytes has raised the possibility that these cells also actively participate in acute temperature and pain sensation. To address this notion, we generated and characterized transgenic mice that overexpress TRPV3 in epidermal keratinocytes under the control of the keratin 14 promoter. Compared with wild-type controls, keratinocytes overexpressing TRPV3 exhibited larger currents as well as augmented prostaglandin E2(PGE2) release in response to two TRPV3 agonists, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) and heat. Thermal selection behavior and heat-evoked withdrawal behavior of naive mice overexpressing TRPV3 were not consistently altered. Upon selective pharmacological inhibition of TRPV1 with JNJ-7203212, however, the keratinocyte-specific TRPV3 transgenic mice showed increased escape responses to noxious heat relative to their wild-type littermates. Coadministration of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, with the TRPV1 antagonist decreased inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia in transgenic but not wild-type animals. Our results reveal a previously undescribed mechanism for keratinocyte participation in thermal pain transduction through keratinocyte TRPV3 ion channels and the intercellular messenger PGE2.
The Thai Version of Effort‐Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Thai ERIQ): A Study of Psychometric Properties in Garment Workers
Authors: Buapetch Aporntip , Lagampan Sunee , Faucett Julia , Kalampakorn Surintorn
Published: December 2008

The Thai Version of Effort‐Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Thai ERIQ): A Study of Psychometric Properties in Garment Workers: Aporntip Buapetch, et al. Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand—This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Effort‐Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (T‐ERIQ). The English version of the 23‐item ERIQ was translated and back‐translated. Content validity was examined by five experts and face validity was examined by twelve key informants before being tested for construct validity with 828 workers from six garment factories. Predictive validity was assessed through the relationship between the ERI constructs and psychological health outcomes including psychosomatic symptoms, state of anxiety, depression, and job satisfaction. The internal consistency of the Thai ERIQ was tested using the first survey (n=828), and test‐retest stability was examined 2 to 4 wk later with a subsample (n=408). The results show that 2% of workers reported effort‐reward imbalance (ERI ratio≥1). The Thai ERIQ has good content validity with a Content Validity Index of 0.95. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the effort, reward, and overcommitment scales were 0.77, 0.81, and 0.66, respectively. The 2–4 wk stability of these three constructs was moderate (r=0.496–0.576, p<0.001). Overall, the factorial validity was demonstrated as the best model fit, with high values of the goodness‐of‐fit indices, using confirmatory factor analysis, indicating accordance with the theoretical constructs of the ERI model. Logistic regression analyses supported significant associations of reward with all psychological health outcomes (p<0.05). The findings suggest that the Thai ERIQ has adequate reliability and validity to investigate the psychosocial work environment. The Thai ERIQ can be applied to the Thai working population, particularly industrial manufacturing workers.
A Comparison of Cardiac Strain among Drillers of Two Different Age Groups in Underground Manual Coal Mines in India
Authors: Saha Ratnadeep , Dey Netai Chandra , Samanta Amalendu , Biswas Rajib
Published: December 2008

A Comparison of Cardiac Strain among Drillers of Two Different Age Groups in Underground Manual Coal Mines in India: Ratnadeep Saha, et al. Department of Physiology, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Nepal—Cardiac strain was evaluated in terms of working heart rate (WHR), relative cardiac cost (RCC), net cardiac cost (NCC) and other recovery indices among six younger (mean age 34.2 ± 2.7 yr) and sixteen older (mean age 48.9 ± 5.4 yr) drillers working in a manual underground coal mine over two spells of work. The mean WHR was within the range of 117–132 beats / min with corresponding mean relative cardiac cost between 44–48% of heart rate reserve for the younger group and 53–55% for their older counterparts. The mean NCC was above 50 beats/min for both age groups. It was seen that the workers surpassed the recommended limits of cardiac strain indices. The intensity of workload indicates the job to be “heavy” to “extremely heavy” in accordance with the heaviness scales based on WHR, NCC and recovery heart rates. Heat stress prevailing in the workplace in terms of effective temperature (ET) and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), was above the recommended limits as per the guidelines proposed by WHO and ACGIH. High physiological demands of the job which requires predominate static muscular exertions coupled with high heat stress were found to hinder the recovery process and may prove deleterious particularly for the older workers. Therefore, in the present context, the need of ergonomic interventions for job organization and quick reparation of environmental condition are strongly indicted.
Study of smoking behavior and smoking-related attitudes among preclinical medical students
Authors: Pikó Bettina
Published: December 2008

Ma már köztudott, hogy a megelőzhető halálozás legfontosabb oka a dohányzás, ennek ellenére a fiatal populáció dohányzásának megelőzése ma sem megoldott népegészségügyi probléma. Az orvostanhallgatók dohányzása azért is érdemel kiemelt figyelmet, mert az egészségügyi szakemberek dohányzáshoz való viszonyulása szerepmodellként érvényesül a betegek körében.
Célkitűzés:
A jelen kutatás célja a szegedi preklinikai (első- és másodéves) orvostanhallgatók dohányzói státusának, dohányzási gyakoriságának és a dohányzással kapcsolatos attitűdjeinek megismerése volt.
Módszer:
Összesen 212 hallgatót vontak be az elemzésbe, az évfolyamok mintegy 50%-a adott információt a dohányzásról, illetve a dohányzással kapcsolatos vélekedéseikről. Az attitűdök megismeréséhez a The Students’ Health and Lifestyle Study, The University of Western Ontario (Kanada) skálájának 20 állítását alkalmazták, amelyek adaptálása már korábban megtörtént.
Eredmények:
Kimutatták, hogy az 1990-es évek kutatási eredményeihez viszonyítva a dohányosok száma nem csökkent, sőt némi emelkedést figyelhettek meg. Sem az első, sem a második évfolyamon nem volt különbség a férfi és női hallgatók között a dohányzói státus szerint. Több nem dohányzó hallgató fogadja el saját modellszerepét.
Következtetések:
Az addikciókat érintő interdiszciplináris kurzusok mellett szükség van olyan gyakorlatorientált, betegcentrikus kurzusokra is, ahol a dohányzásról való leszoktatás módszereinek alapjait is elsajátíthatják a hallgatók. Emellett szükség van a dohányzó orvostanhallgatók számára olyan programra, amely segíti a leszokást.
The role of osteocalcin in the connection of bone and glucose metabolism in humans
Authors: Buday Barbara , Kulcsár Enikő , Literáti Nagy Botond , Horváth Tünde , Vitai Márta , Vecsei Istvánné , Bezzegh Katalin , Kiss József , Péterfai Éva , Koltay László , Korányi László
Published: December 2008

Egerekben az osteocalcin hiányakor csökken a pancreas β-sejtjeinek proliferációja, és bennük azinzulin, a zsírsejtekben pedig azadiponektingénexpressziója.Módszer:Az inzulinérzékenység, a csontállapot, illetve az osteocalcin kapcsolatát 45 egészséges (nő: 20, férfi: 25) és 92 glükózintoleráns (nő: 51, férfi: 41) egyén esetében vizsgálták. Nemenként elkülönítve mérték a testösszetételt, a csontok denzitását, a csontbontás és a csontépítés markereit és hyperinsulinaemiás-normoglykaemiás teszttel az inzulinérzékenységet tükröző cukorfelhasználást.Eredmények:Az osteocalcinszintek a két nemben hasonlóak voltak, de a glükózintoleráns férfi betegek osteocalcinszintje alacsonyabb volt, mint az egészségeseké (24,5±11 vs. 18,1±9 ng/ml,p< 0,05). Az egészséges csoportban, mindkét nemben pozitív volt a korreláció az osteocalcin és az izomszövet cukorfelhasználása között (M-érték: nők:r= +0,319,p< 0,05, férfiak:r= 0,481,p< 0,01), de a glükózintoleráns csoportokban ez a kapcsolat eltűnt. Az osteocalcin egyik nemben sem mutatott korrelációt az adiponektinszinttel. Többváltozós lineáris regresszió alapján az osteocalcin szignifikáns független prediktoraaz összes nőesetében az éhomi vércukor, a teljes test és az izomtömeg cukorfelhasználása, a cukorfelhasználás sebessége, az ösztradiol és az LDL-koleszterin-vérszint (92%-os determináció), míg azösszes férfiesetében a szérumkalcium, az OGTT során mért glükózszintek görbe alatti területe, a szabadzsírsav-szint, az inzulogenikus index, a HOMA-IR és a has/csípő körfogat (95%-os determináció) volt. A csontbontást-csontépítést jellemző BMU-index csak nők esetében korrelált szignifikánsan az M-értékekkel.Következtetés:Vizsgálatunk egészségesek esetében megerősítette az inzulinérzékenység–osteocalcin kapcsolatot emberi vonatkozásban is, de a csontanyagcsere–energia-háztartás közötti kapcsolatban jelentős nemi különbséget talált, amely nem az osteocalcin szintjén alakult ki.
A randomized clinical trial of oral steroids for ulnar neuropathy in type 1 and type 2 leprosy reactions
Authors: Garbino José Antonio , Virmond Marcos da Cunha Lopes , Ura Somei , Salgado Manoel Henrique , Naafs Bernard
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND: Steroids regimens in leprosy neuropathies are still controversial in botth types of reactions. METHOD: For this trial, 21 patients with ulnar neuropathy were selected from 163 leprosy patients, 12 with type 1 reaction (T1R) and nine with type 2 (T2R). One experimental group started with prednisone 2 mg/kg/day and the control group with 1 mg/kg/day. A clinical score based on tests for spontaneous pain, nerve palpation, sensory and muscle function was used. Neurophysiological evaluation consisted on the motor nerve conduction of the ulnar nerve in three segments. Student "t" test for statistical analysis was applied on the results: before treatment, first week, first month and sixth month, between each regimen and types of reaction. CONCLUSION: In both reactions during the first month higher doses of steroids produced better results but, earlier treatment with lower dose was as effective. Short periods of steroid, 1 mg/Kg/day at the beginning and,tapering to 0,5 mg/Kg/day or less in one month turned out to be efficient in T2R.
A utilização do grupo focal como metodologia qualitativa na promoção da saúde
Authors: lervolino Solange Abrocesi , Pelicioni Maria Cecilia Focesi
Published: December 2008

O presente trabalho procura demonstrar a importância para a promoção em saúde da utilização de uma técnica de pesquisa qualitativa para diagnóstico denominada grupo focal. É uma técnica de diagnóstico rápida e de baixo custo, utilizada para completar in formações, conhecer atitudes, opiniões, percepções e comportamentos relativos à saúde; para desenvolvimento de programas e para avaliar recursos audiovisuais. A utilização desta metodologia têm se mostrado muito adequada para a fase de diagnóstico e outros eventos de Promoção da Saúde, conforme experiências relatadas que foram vivenciadas pelos autores.
O método funcional na prática da enfermagem abordado através da dinâmica de grupo: relato de uma experiência
Authors: Spagnol Carla Aparecida , Fernandes Márcia Simoni , Flório Maria Cristina Simões , Barreto Regiane Ap. S. S. , Sant'Ana Roberta P de M. , Carvalho Viviane T. de
Published: December 2008

Este estudo discute o método funcional na enfermagem, abordado através de uma dinâmica de grupo desenvolvida com mestrandos da EERP-USP, sendo divididos em três grupos. Após a dinâmica, responderam um questionário com 04 perguntas. As respostas do grupo I mostraram desvantagens da modalidade funcional que interferem no trabalho como: relações impessoais, fragmentação de tarefas e centralização das decisões, gerando insatisfação no trabalhador. Os grupos II e III apontaram algumas vantagens quando o trabalho é baseado em equipe, das quais destacamos a troca de experiências, o planejamento participativo e as decisões compartilhadas, sendo estes, fatores que levam à satisfação no trabalho.
O cidadão com transtorno psíquico: reflexões sobre os direitos humanos e os direitos do paciente
Authors: Chamma Rita de Cássia , Forcella Hideko Takeuchi
Published: December 2008

Considerando, as transformações sócio-político-econômicas que vem ocorrendo, a construção da história da Enfermagem Psiquiátrica, bem como as modificações no ensino de enfermagem pela nova Lei de Diretrizes e Bases e, ainda, a preocupação existente por parte de algumas facções no que se refere ao cumprimento e ao respeito aos Direitos Humanos e Direitos do Paciente, este estudo propõe reflexões sobre as condutas éticas de profissionais de enfermagem em relação ao paciente internado em hospital psiquiátrico, ressaltando o respeito pela dignidade humana. A discussão se dá à luz da Cartilha dos Direitos do Paciente, proposta pela Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Governo do Estado de São Paulo e da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos. Dá destaque à responsabilidade da área do ensino no tocante ao processo de mobilização para a transformação de preconceitos sobre a loucura, buscando a prática efetiva regida pelos princípios de igualdade, democracia, liberdade e exercício da cidadania.
Treinamento em solução de problemas: intervenção em mulheres com de pressão
Authors: Cade Nágela Valadão , Prates José Gilberto
Published: December 2008

Estudo exploratório, descritivo, que objetivou, a partir do Treinamento em Solução de Problemas, realizado em 12 sessões de grupo com mulheres internadas por depressão, avaliar o efeito desta intervenção. Para a avaliação, utilizou-se o Inventário de Depressão de BECK, Inventário de Ansiedade - Estado de SPILBERGER, Lista de Problema de MC KAY, Exercício de simulação por escrito sobre enfrentamento em cinco situações e entrevista sobre a percepção em participarem do grupo. Concluiu-se que o treinamento teve efeitos positivos sobre as pacientes, tanto pela técnica, como pela comunicação estabelecida e pelos fatores terapêuticos grupais que surgiram neste cenário.
Reflexões sobre o cuidar de mulheres que sofrem violência conjugal em uma perspectiva heideggeriana do mundo da técnica
Authors: Corrêa Maria Suely Medeiros , Lopes Regina Lúcia Mendonça , Diniz Normélia Maria Freire
Published: December 2008

Trata-se de um texto reflexivo que aborda a questão do cuidado a mulheres que sofrem violência conjugal em uma perspectiva analítica do mundo da técnica, desenvolvido a partir de concepções e conceitos de Martin Heidegger, filósofo contemporâneo da fenomenologia. O cuidar de mulheres em situação de violência conjugal surge como envolvendo valores, decisão, confiança para cuidar, conhecimento e ações de cuidado e suas conseqüências.
História oral de vida: buscando o significado da hemodiálise para o paciente renal crônico
Authors: Lima Antônio Fernandes Costa , Gualda Dulce Maria Rosa
Published: December 2008

Este artigo tem como objetivo mostrar a utilização da história oral de vida como referencial metodológico para obtenção de dados qualitativos, buscando compreender o significado da hemodiálise e o impacto desta modalidade terapêutica na vida de pacientes do serviço de Hemodiálise do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo.