Time of day effect on balance performance,functional capacities and risk of fall in women with rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study explored the time of day effect of balance performance, functional capacities and risk of fall in three different times in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the association between these variations and those of RA symptoms.

Methods: A “discontinual” protocol, composed of three test sessions, carried out at 6 am, 2 pm and 10 pm was set up, in order to investigate the time of day effect of balance performance, functional capacities, risk of fall, stiffness, range of motion, swollen and painful joints in women with RA.

Results: Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), Functional Reach Test (FRT) and tinetti test scores were significantly higher (p < .01) at 6 am and at 10 pm compared to 2 pm. Stiffness, range of motion, swollen and painful joints values were significantly higher (p < .01) at 6 am and at 10 pm compared to 2 pm. A significant difference was observed on the stiffness, range of motion and swollen joints values between 6 am and 10 pm that were higher at 6 am (p < .05).

Using Pearson’s coefficient, correlations were found between RA symptom values; and TUGT, FRT and Tinetti test scores.

Conclusion: Results showed a time of day effect of balance performance, functional capacities and risk of falls in women with RA. This variation indicates an alteration of performance at 6 am and 10 pm. Fluctuations of stiffness, limited range of motion, swollen and painful joints noted are concomitant to those of balance performance, functional capacities, and risk of fall.

Abbreviations: RA: rheumatoid arthritis; H&O questionnaire: Horne and Ostberg questionnaire; PSQI: Pittsburgh sleep quality index; HAQ: health assessment questionnaire; SF-36: the short form-36; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; TUGT: Time Up and Go Test; FRT: Functional Reach Test     

Storage and reproductive strategy of the carpet-shell clam,Ruditapes decussatus in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)

In this study, the variations of glycogen concentrations in Ruditapes decussatus from Sfax coasts (Tunisia) were described in relation to the reproductive cycle. Separate analyses were made of gonad, adductor muscle and ‘remainder’. The timing of gametogenic development and spawning was evaluated using qualitative histology associated with image analysis including (1) the estimation of the gonadal occupation index (GOI), (2) surface area occupied by reserve tissues and (3) variation in oocyte diameter. The reproductive cycle of R. decussatus exhibited partial asynchronization between sexes, the major difference being observed in the duration of the spawning period. Contrary to previous studies, we observed continuous partial spawning (e.g. 50% of ripe oocytes still subsisted at the partial spawning stage). During the gametogenic cycle, GOI varied significantly in males and in females. Most oocytes were ripe and ready to spawn when their diameter reached or exceeded 45?µm. The expansion of gonad was inversely proportional to the development of the foot tissue. Glycogen concentration showed significant temporal variations between tissues, indicating the clear differentiation in energy storage between the clam organs.     

Autophagy and senescence: A new insight in selected human diseases

Senescence and autophagy play important roles in homeostasis. Cellular senescence and autophagy commonly cause several degenerative processes, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere shortening, and oncogenic stress; hence, both events are known to be interrelated. Autophagy is well known for its disruptive effect on human diseases, and it is currently proposed to have a direct effect on triggering senescence and quiescence. However, it is yet to be proven whether autophagy has a positive or negative impact on senescence. It is known that elevated levels of autophagy induce cell death, whereas inadequate autophagy can trigger cellular senescence. Both have important roles in human diseases such as aging, renal degeneration, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the relevance of senescence and autophagy in selected human ailments through a summary of recent findings on the connection and effects of autophagy and senescence in these diseases.     

Optimization and biochemical characterization of a bacteriocin from a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain 14B for biocontrol of Agrobacterium spp. strains

Aims:  The identification of a new compound active against Agrobacterium tumefaciens .
Methods and Results:  The culture conditions of a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain, designed 14B, were optimized, as a first step, to produce its bacteriocin (termed Bac 14B) for the biocontrol of Agrobacterium spp., the causal agents of the crown gall disease. Bac 14B was then partially purified and biochemically characterized. Bacillus subtilis 14B was observed to produce an antibacterial compound having a protinaceous nature. As estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the semi-purified bacteriocin substance was found to be a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 21 kDa. While the latter's antimicrobial activity was completely stable during exposure to a temperature range of up to 100°C for 2 h, its initial activity was totally lost at 121°C for 20 min. The maximum bacteriocin production (4096 AU ml⁻¹) was recorded after 96 h-incubation in an optimized Luria Bertani medium supplemented with 10 g l⁻¹ glucose, 15 g l⁻¹ K₂HPO₄ and 5 g l⁻¹ MgSO₄ 7H₂O at 30°C in a shaking flask culture. Interestingly, the B. subtilis 14B culture supernatant that contained the bacteriocin under study was proved efficient in reducing both the percentage of galled plants and the number of galls in tomato.
Conclusion:  The findings revealed that B. subtilis 14B and its bacteriocin are efficient in reducing the percentage of infections in plants caused by Ag. tumefaciens .
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The results could be useful for the nurserymen who are particularly interested in the biocontrol of the crown gall disease.     

Genetic Similarity Among Tunisian Olive Cultivars and Two Unknown Feral Olive Trees Estimated Through SSR Markers

We used eight informative microsatellite markers for fingerprinting and evaluation of genetic similarity among 15 Tunisian olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars and two feral unknown trees named Soulela 1 and Soulela 2. Thirty-one alleles were revealed, and the number of alleles per SSR varied from 2 (UDO12) to 6 (GAPU71A). Cluster analysis grouped cultivars into three main clusters. The two unknown varieties could not be reliably classified into any of these cultivar groups. SSR analysis indicated the presence of three erroneous denominations of cultivars. We resolved two synonymy cases (Zalmati and Chemlali; Rkhami and Chetoui) and one case of homonymy (Chemlali Tataouine). Genetic analyses of DNA extracted from leaves, oils, and embryos of the two unknown cultivars and the two major Tunisian olive cultivars (Chemlali and Chetoui) were also studied. We conclude that the reliable identification of these two feral cultivars needs to be addressed by a larger set of markers.     

Transgenic Mice Expressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Immune Cells Develop a Severe AIDS-Like Disease

We have constructed transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the entire human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coding sequences in cells targeted by HIV-1 infection in humans. These Tg mice developed a severe AIDS-like disease leading to early death (<1 month). They developed muscle wasting, severe atrophy and fibrosis of lymphoid organs, tubulointerstitial nephritis, and lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis. In addition the expression of RANTES was increased in various tissues of these Tg mice relative to that in the normal controls. Disease appearance was correlated with the levels of transgene expression. The numerous pathologies observed in these mice are remarkably similar to those observed in human AIDS and, more specifically, in pediatric AIDS.     

Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil reduces oxidative stress in human skin explants caused by hydrogen peroxide

We investigated the efficacy of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil (PLFO) for protecting human skin from damage due to oxidative stress. PLFO contains natural antioxidants including polyphenols, sterols and tocopherols. We compared the antioxidant potential of PLFO with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Explants of healthy adult human skin were grown in culture with either PLFO or EVOO before adding hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). We also used cultured skin explants to investigate the effects of PLFO on lipid oxidation and depletion of endogenous antioxidant defense enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) one day after 2 h exposure to H₂O₂. We found that PLFO scavenged radicals and protected skin against oxidative injury. PLFO exhibited greater antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity than EVOO. Skin explants treated with PLFO inhibited H₂O₂ induced MDA formation by inhibition of lipid oxidation. In addition, the oil inhibited H₂O₂ induced depletion of antioxidant defense enzymes including GPx, SOD and CAT. We found that treatment with PLFO repaired skin damage owing to its antioxidant properties.     

Evaluation of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">in silico</Emphasis> predicted specific and immunogenic antigen from the OmcB protein for the serodiagnosis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia trachomatis</Emphasis> infections

Background  

The OmcB protein is one of the most immunogenic proteins in C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae infections. This protein is highly conserved leading to serum cross reactivity between the various chlamydial species. Since previous studies based on recombinant proteins failed to identify a species specific immune response against the OmcB protein, this study evaluated an in silico predicted specific and immunogenic antigen from the OmcB protein for the serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infections.     

Association analysis of interleukin gene polymorphisms in autoimmune thyroid diseases in the Tunisian population

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves' disease (GD) and autoimmune hypothyroidism (AH), are inherited as complex traits. Among the genes contributing to AITDs susceptibility are genes of the IL-1 family. IL-1 regulates T and B lymphocyte maturation, including the induction of several cytokines and cytokine receptors. Therefore, disturbances of this balance may not only play a role in inflammation but also in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. In order to investigate genetic association of IL-1 gene polymorphisms with AITDs, we performed both a familial study in a large Tunisian pedigree with high prevalence of AITDs (64 patients and 176 controls), and a case-control study (131 GD unrelated patients and 225 healthy controls). PCR and PCR-RFLP methods were used to analyse respectively a VNTR in the IL-1RN gene and three SNPs in both IL-1B genes (-511 C/T and +3954 C/T) and IL-1A (-889 C/T). The family-based association study showed an association of the IL-1B+3954 C/T polymorphism (p=0.02) and two haplotypes IL-1RN*3/C/T/T and IL-1RN*1/C/T/T (p=0.009 and p=0.047 respectively) with AITDs. The case-control study is the first study revealing a significant association of the IL-1A-889 C/T polymorphism (chi2=10.23; p=0.0014) with susceptibility to GD. Our data suggest that the IL-1 gene cluster may harbour susceptibility genes for AITDs and GD pathogenesis in the Tunisian population.     

Influence of stent configuration on cerebral aneurysm fluid dynamics

Embolic coiling is the most popular endovascular treatment available for cerebral aneurysms. Nevertheless, the embolic coiling of wide-neck aneurysms is challenging and, in many cases, ineffective. Use of highly porous stents to support coiling of wide-neck aneurysms has become a common procedure in recent years. Several studies have also demonstrated that high porosity stents alone can significantly alter aneurysmal hemodynamics, but differences among different stent configurations have not been fully characterized. As a result, it is usually unclear which stent configuration is optimal for treatment. In this paper, we present a flow study that elucidates the influence of stent configuration on cerebral aneurysm fluid dynamics in an idealized wide-neck basilar tip aneurysm model. Aneurysmal fluid dynamics for three different stent configurations (half-Y, Y and, cross-bar) were first quantified using particle image velocimetry and then compared. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were also conducted for selected stent configurations to facilitate validation and provide more detailed characterizations of the fluid dynamics promoted by different stent configurations. In vitro results showed that the Y stent configuration reduced cross-neck flow most significantly, while the cross-bar configuration reduced velocity magnitudes within the aneurysmal sac most significantly. The half-Y configuration led to increased velocity magnitudes within the aneurysmal sac at high parent-vessel flow rates. Experimental results were in strong agreement with CFD simulations. Simulated results indicated that differences in fluid dynamic performance among the different stent configurations can be attributed primarily to protruding struts within the bifurcation region.