Hip joint moments in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic people with mild radiographic hip osteoarthritis

Our primary objective was to examine external hip joint moments during walking in people with mild radiographic hip osteoarthritis (OA) with and without symptoms and disease-free controls. Three groups were compared (symptomatic with mild radiographic hip OA, n = 12; asymptomatic with mild radiographic hip OA, n = 13; OA-free controls, n = 20). Measures of the external moment (peak and impulse) in the sagittal, frontal and transverse plane during walking were determined. Variables were compared according to group allocation using mixed linear regression models that included individual gait trials, with group allocation as fixed effect and walking speed as a random effect. Participants with evidence of radiographic disease irrespective of symptoms walked 14–16% slower compared to disease-free controls (p = 0.002). Radiographic disease without symptoms was not associated with any altered measures of hip joint moment compared to asymptomatic OA-free controls once speed was taken into account (p ≥ 0.099). People with both mild radiographic disease and symptoms had lower external peak hip adduction moment (p = 0.005) and lower external peak internal rotation moment (p < 0.001) accounting for walking speed. Among angular impulses, only the presence of symptoms was associated with a reduced hip internal rotation impulse (p = 0.002) in the symptomatic group. Collectively, our observations suggest that symptoms have additional mechanical associations from radiographic disease alone, and provide insight into potential early markers of hip OA. Future research is required to understand the implications of modifying walking speed and/or the external hip adduction and internal rotation moment in people with mild hip OA.     

Lignin degradeation by white rot fungi

Abstract. The wood-degrading white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium , has been the subject of intensive research in recent years and, based upon isolation of the extracellular enzyme ligninase, major advances have now been made toward elucidating the mechanism by which this fungus degrades lignin. From these developments, a model emerges which could explain the process by which wood-degrading fungi in general, attack lignin.     

Algesia and local responses induced by neurokinin A and substance P in human skin and temporal muscle

Neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP) and the two peptides combined (SP + NKA) were injected intracutaneously on the forearm and into the temporal muscle of healthy volunteers. Pain intensity, cutaneous wheal and flare responses and tenderness of the temporal muscle were quantitated. SP but not NKA induced cutaneous pain. This relates the algesic effect of SP to the specific N-terminal amino acid sequence of the peptide, not shared by NKA. NKA, however, potentiated the algesic effect of SP as SP + NKA induced a significantly prolonged cutaneous pain sensation. Both peptides induced wheals, but only SP induced flare. These results confirm previous studies relating wheal formation to the identical C-terminal amino acid sequence of the two peptides and flare reaction to the N-terminal part of SP. Injections into the temporal muscle did not cause pain or tenderness.     

Observations on the reduction of non-activated carboxylates by Clostridium formicoaceticum with carbon monoxide or formate and the influence of various viologens

Crude extracts or supernatants of broken cells of Clostridium formicoaceticum reduce unbranched, branched, saturated and unsaturated carboxylates at the expense of carbon monoxide to the corresponding alcohols. The presence of viologens with redox potentials varying from E ₀=-295 to-650 mV decreased the rate of propionate reduction. The more the propionate reduction was diminished the more formate was formed from carbon monoxide. The lowest propionate reduction and highest formate formation was observed with methylviologen. The carbon-carbon double bond of E-2-methyl-butenoate was only hydrogenated when a viologen was present. Formate as electron donor led only in the presence of viologens to the formation of propanol from propionate. The reduction of propionate at the expense of a reduced viologen can be followed in cuvettes. With respect to propionate Michaelis Menten behavior was observed. Experiments are described which lead to the assumption that the carboxylates are reduced in a non-activated form. That would be new type of biological reduction.Non-standard abbreviations glc Gas liquid chromatography - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - RP reverse phase; Mediators (the figures in parenthesis of the mediators are redox potentials E ₀ in mV) - CAV²⁺ carbamoylmethylviologen, 1,1-carbamoyl-4,4-dipyridinium dication (E ₀=-296 mV) - BV²⁺ benzylviologen, 1,1-dibenzyl-4,4-dipyridinium dication (E ₀=-360 mV) - MV methylviologen, 1,1-dimethyl-4,4-dipyridinium-dication (E ₀=-444 mV) - DMDQ²⁺ dimethyldiquat, 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-dipyridino-1,1-ethylendication (E ₀=-514 mV) - TMV²⁺ tetramethylviologen, 1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-4,4-dipyridinium dication (E ₀=-550 mV) - PDQ²⁺ propyldiquat, 2,2-dipyridino-1,1-propenyl dication (E ₀=-550 mV) - DMPDQ²⁺ dimethylpropyldiquat, 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-dipyridino-1,1-propenyl dication (E ₀=-656 mV) - PN productivity number=mmol product (obtained by the uptake of one pair of electrons) x (biocatalyst (dry weight) kg)^-1×h^-1     

Taurine Levels in Discrete Brain Nuclei of Rats

Concentrations of taurine have been measured in 44 microdissected rat brain nuclei or areas. Taurine is ubiquitously present and distributed unevenly in the rat brain: the ratio of the highest (pyriform cortex) to lowest (midbrain reticular formation) concentrations is 4.7:1. High taurine levels were found in cerebral cortical areas, caudate-putamen, cerebellum, median eminence, and supraoptic nucleus. Acute pain stress reduced taurine levels in the hypothalamus and the lower brainstem nuclei but not in cortical areas. Increased locomotor and behavioral activities following a high dose of amphetamine elevated taurine concentrations significantly in the substantia nigra and locus ceruleus.     

Basic and Regulatory Mechanisms of In Vitro Release of Met-Enkephalin from the Dorsal Zone of the Rat Spinal Cord

Abstract: Under control conditions, superfused slices of the dorsal half of the lumbar enlargement from adult rats released Met-enkephalin-like material (MELM) that behaved as authentic Met-enkephalin under two different chromatographic procedures (Bio-gel filtration, HPLC). MELM release increased markedly on exposure of slices to batrachotoxin (0.5 μ M ) or to an excess of K⁺ (28 and 56 m M instead of 5.6 m M ). The K ⁺ -evoked release was totally dependent on the presence of Ca²⁺ in the super-fusing fluid whereas the spontaneous efflux of MELM was only partially Ca²⁺-dependent. Further experiments performed with tissues of polyarthritic rats indicated that the increase in their MELM levels was associated with a lower fractional rate constant of MELM release, therefore suggesting that spinal Met-enkephalin turnover might be reduced in chronically suffering animals. Examination of the possible modulation of MELM release by various neuroactive compounds present within the dorsal horn revealed that cholecystokinin (10 μ M ), but not its desulphated derivative, substance P-sulphoxide (10 μ M ), and to a lesser extent substance P, enhanced the K⁺-evoked MELM release. In contrast, γ-aminobutyric acid (10 μ M ) and (–)-baclofen (1 μ M ) partially prevented the stimulatory effect of K⁺ on MELM release. Other compounds such as serotonin, somatostatin, and neurotensin altered neither the spontaneous nor the K⁺-evoked release of MELM.     

Therapeutic Potential of Clove Essential Oil in Diabetes: Modulation of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators,Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Enzyme Activities

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency due to the destruction of pancreatic β cells, leading to hyperglycemia, which in turn induces vascular complications. In the current study, we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal administration of clove essential oil (CEO: 20 mg/kg body weight) on certain oxidative stress and glucose metabolism enzymes, as well as the expression of proinflammatory mediators. Administration of CEO to diabetic rats showed a significant decline in blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, and xanthine oxidase, compared to the streptozotocin group. Furthermore, these treated rats elicited a notable attenuation in the levels of lipid peroxides, and thiols groups in both liver and brain tissues. The activities of antioxidant and metabolic enzymes were reverted to normality in diabetic upon CEO administration. In addition to its protective effects on red blood cell hemolysis, CEO is a potent α-amylase inhibitor with an IC₅₀=298.0±2.75 μg/mL. Also, treatment of diabetic rats with CEO significantly reduced the iNOS expression in the spleen. Our data showed that CEO has potential beneficial effects on diabetes, which can possibly prevent the pathogenesis of diabetic micro- and macrovascular complications.     

中老年肩痛患者疼痛及肩关节功能恢复的影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探究分析中老年肩痛患者疼痛及肩关节功能恢复的影响因素分析。方法：采用便利抽样法,随机抽取2020年9月至2022年9月期间于我院门诊就诊的2010名中老年患者作为调查对象,对患者进行筛查、复查、确诊、随访等。并对所搜集信息进行疼痛及肩关节功能恢复单因素与多因素Logistic回归分析。结果：单因素分析显示,年龄（x²=15.274, P＜0.001）、性别（x²=10.401, P=0.001）、病程（x²=16.410, P＜0.001）和是否进行功能锻炼（x²=6.293, P=0.012）为影响中老年肩痛患者肩关节功能恢复的主要因素;年龄≥70岁（OR=1.292, 95%CI 0.953-1.750）、女性（OR=1.672, 95%CI 1.348-2.074）、病程＞1个月（OR=1.470, 95%CI 1.021-2.116）和未进行功能锻炼（OR=1.844, 95%CI 1.175-2.894）为影响中老年肩痛患者肩关节功能恢复的独立危险因素。结论：年龄≥70岁、女性、病程＞1个月和未进行功能锻炼为影响中老年肩痛患者肩关节功能恢复的独立危险因素,根据上述因素尽早快速甄别高风险患者,及早给予合理有效的康复治疗措施,可显著改善肩痛患者肩关节功能的预后。     

肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵对支气管哮喘患儿肺功能、炎症介质和免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵对支气管哮喘患儿肺功能、炎症介质和免疫功能的影响。方法：选择2021年2月~2022年3月期间我院小儿内科接收的76例支气管哮喘患儿。根据信封抽签法将患儿分为对照组（n=38,布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵治疗）和研究组（n=38,肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵治疗）。对比两组患儿疗效、肺功能、炎症介质和免疫功能,同时记录两组治疗期间的用药安全性状况。结果：研究组的临床总有效率较对照组明显升高（P<0.05）。治疗2周后,研究组第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力呼气流量（PEF）、用力肺活量（FVC）高于对照组同期（P<0.05）。治疗2周后,研究组白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、C反应蛋白（CRP）低于对照组,干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗2周后,研究组CD8⁺低于对照组,CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺较对照组高（P<0.05）。不良反应发生率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：肺力咳合剂辅助布地奈德和复方异丙托溴铵治疗支气管哮喘患儿,可有效改善患儿的肺功能和免疫功能,降低炎症介质水平,疗效可靠。     

针刺运动疗法联合早期康复训练对急性踝关节扭伤患者踝关节功能、血清炎症因子和致痛物质水平的影响

摘要 目的：观察针刺运动疗法联合早期康复训练对急性踝关节扭伤患者踝关节功能、血清炎症因子和致痛物质水平的影响。方法：选取湖南中医药大学第一附属医院2019年5月~2022年1月期间收治的116例急性踝关节扭伤患者。按照随机数字表法分为对照组（早期康复训练,n=58）和研究组（针刺运动疗法联合早期康复训练,n=58）。观察两组治疗前、治疗4周后的疗效、量表评分[视觉模拟评分（VAS）、美国足与踝关节协会（AOFAS）踝-后足功能评分]、踝关节功能、血清炎症因子[白细胞介素（IL）-1β、IL-6和肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）]和致痛物质[神经肽（NPY）、P物质（SP）]水平。结果：研究组的临床总有效率为96.55%,高于对照组的77.59%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗4周后,研究组的AOFAS评分高于对照组（P<0.05）,VAS评分低于对照组（P<0.05）,血清IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β水平低于对照组（P<0.05）,踝关节背伸活动度、踝关节跖屈活动度大于对照组（P<0.05）,血清NPY、SP水平低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：急性踝关节扭伤患者经针刺运动疗法联合早期康复训练干预后,可有效降低其血清致痛物质和炎症因子水平,有利于疼痛症状的缓解及踝关节功能的恢复。