Dynamic Scapular Movement Analysis: Is It Feasible and Reliable in Stroke Patients during Arm Elevation?

Knowledge of three-dimensional scapular movements is essential to understand post-stroke shoulder pain. The goal of the present work is to determine the feasibility and the within and between session reliability of a movement protocol for three-dimensional scapular movement analysis in stroke patients with mild to moderate impairment, using an optoelectronic measurement system. Scapular kinematics of 10 stroke patients and 10 healthy controls was recorded on two occasions during active anteflexion and abduction from 0° to 60° and from 0° to 120°. All tasks were executed unilaterally and bilaterally. The protocol’s feasibility was first assessed, followed by within and between session reliability of scapular total range of motion (ROM), joint angles at start position and of angular waveforms. Additionally, measurement errors were calculated for all parameters. Results indicated that the protocol was generally feasible for this group of patients and assessors. Within session reliability was very good for all tasks. Between sessions, scapular angles at start position were measured reliably for most tasks, while scapular ROM was more reliable during the 120° tasks. In general, scapular angles showed higher reliability during anteflexion compared to abduction, especially for protraction. Scapular lateral rotations resulted in smallest measurement errors. This study indicates that scapular kinematics can be measured reliably and with precision within one measurement session. In case of multiple test sessions, further methodological optimization is required for this protocol to be suitable for clinical decision-making and evaluation of treatment efficacy.     

Hyperelastic Material Properties of Mouse Skin under Compression

The skin is a dynamic organ whose complex material properties are capable of withstanding continuous mechanical stress while accommodating insults and organism growth. Moreover, synchronized hair cycles, comprising waves of hair growth, regression and rest, are accompanied by dramatic fluctuations in skin thickness in mice. Whether such structural changes alter skin mechanics is unknown. Mouse models are extensively used to study skin biology and pathophysiology, including aging, UV-induced skin damage and somatosensory signaling. As the skin serves a pivotal role in the transfer function from sensory stimuli to neuronal signaling, we sought to define the mechanical properties of mouse skin over a range of normal physiological states. Skin thickness, stiffness and modulus were quantitatively surveyed in adult, female mice (Mus musculus). These measures were analyzed under uniaxial compression, which is relevant for touch reception and compression injuries, rather than tension, which is typically used to analyze skin mechanics. Compression tests were performed with 105 full-thickness, freshly isolated specimens from the hairy skin of the hind limb. Physiological variables included body weight, hair-cycle stage, maturity level, skin site and individual animal differences. Skin thickness and stiffness were dominated by hair-cycle stage at young (6–10 weeks) and intermediate (13–19 weeks) adult ages but by body weight in mature mice (26–34 weeks). Interestingly, stiffness varied inversely with thickness so that hyperelastic modulus was consistent across hair-cycle stages and body weights. By contrast, the mechanics of hairy skin differs markedly with anatomical location. In particular, skin containing fascial structures such as nerves and blood vessels showed significantly greater modulus than adjacent sites. Collectively, this systematic survey indicates that, although its structure changes dramatically throughout adult life, mouse skin at a given location maintains a constant elastic modulus to compression throughout normal physiological stages.     

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D and the Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism Apa1 Influence Bone Mineral Density in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Objective

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D are the most important hormones regulating calcium metabolism. In primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) excessive amounts of PTH are produced. Bone turnover is enhanced, leading to reduced bone mineral density and elevated levels of serum calcium. The aim of this study was to investigate relations between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D) and bone mineral density, as well as known genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and enzymes metabolising vitamin D in patients with PHPT.

Design/Subjects

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 52 patients with PHPT.

Results

Mean level of 25(OH)D was 58.2 nmol/L and median 1,25(OH)₂D level was 157 pmol/L. Among our patients with PHPT 36.5% had 25(OH)D levels below 50 nmol/L. Serum 1,25(OH)₂D was inversely correlated to bone mineral density in distal radius (p = 0.002), but not to bone mineral density at lumbar spine or femoral neck. The vitamin D receptor polymorphism Apa1 (rs7975232) was associated with bone mineral density in the lumbar spine.

Conclusions

The results suggest that PHPT patients with high blood concentrations of 1,25(OH)₂D may have the most deleterious skeletal effects. Randomized, prospective studies are necessary to elucidate whether vitamin D supplementation additionally increases serum 1,25(OH)₂D and possibly enhances the adverse effects on the skeleton in patients with PHPT.     

Cockroach allatostatin-immunoreactive neurons and effects of cockroach allatostatin in earwigs

A monoclonal antibody to allatostatin I of the cockroach Diploptera punctata was used to demonstrate the presence of allatostatin-immunoreactive cells and fiber tracts in the neuroendocrine system of the earwig Euborellia annulipes. The corpora cardiaca cells were not immunoreactive, nor were the neurosecretory endings of fiber tracts from the brain to the corpora cardiaca. No immunoreactive material was detected in the corpus allatum, although the corpus allatum contained neurosecretory endings, and some cells of the brain, including medial and lateral protocerebral cells, showed immunoreactivity. In addition, the recurrent and esophageal nerves were allatostatin-positive. The last abdominal ganglion contained immunoreactive somata, and immunoreactive axons of the proctodeal nerve innervated the rectum, anterior intestine, and posterior midgut. We did not detect reactive endocrine cells in the midgut. Allatostatin I at concentrations of 10^–5 and 10^–7 M did not inhibit juvenile hormone biosynthesis by E. annulipes corpora allata in vitro. This was true for glands of low activity from 2-day females and brooding females, as well as for relatively high activity glands from 10-day females. In contrast, 10^–7 M allatostatin I significantly and reversibly decreased hindgut motility. Motility was decreased in hindguts of high endogenous motility from 2-day females and in those of relatively low activity from brooding females. These results support the notion that a primary function of allatostatin might be to reduce gut motility. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 38:155–165, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fine mapping of the Autosomal Dominant Split Hand/Split Foot Locus on Chromosome 7, Band q21.3-q22.1

Split hand/split foot (SHFD) is a human developmental defect characterized by missing digits, fusion of remaining digits, and a deep median cleft in the hands and feet. Cytogenetic studies of deletions and translocations associated with this disorder have indicated that an autosomal dominant split hand/split foot locus (gene SHFD1) maps to 7q21-q22. To characterize the SHFD1 locus, somatic cell hybrid lines were constructed from cytogenetically abnormal individuals with SHFD. Molecular analysis resulted in the localization of 93 DNA markers to one of 10 intervals surrounding the SHFD1 locus. The translocation breakpoints in four SHFD patients were encompassed by the smallest region of overlap among the SHFD-associated deletions. The order of DNA markers in the SHFD1 critical region has been defined as PON–D7S812–SHFD1–D7S811–ASNS. One DNA marker, D7S811, detected altered restriction enzyme fragments in three patients with translocations when examined by pulsed-field gel electro-phoresis (PFGE). These data map SHFD1, a gene that is crucial for human limb differentiation, to a small interval in the q21.3-q22.1 region of human chromosome 7.     

Modification of the 5' terminus of Sindbis virus genomic RNA allows nsP4 RNA polymerases with nonaromatic amino acids at the N terminus to function in RNA replication

We have previously shown that Sindbis virus RNA polymerase requires an N-terminal aromatic amino acid or histidine for wild-type or pseudo-wild-type function; mutant viruses with a nonaromatic amino acid at the N terminus of the polymerase, but which are otherwise wild type, are unable to produce progeny viruses and will not form a plaque at any temperature tested. We now show that such mutant polymerases can function to produce progeny virus sufficient to form plaques at both 30 and 40 degrees C upon addition of AU, AUA, or AUU to the 5' terminus of the genomic RNA or upon substitution of A for U as the third nucleotide of the genome. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that (i) 3'-UA-5' is required at the 3' terminus of the minus-strand RNA for initiation of plus-strand genomic RNA synthesis; (ii) in the wild-type virus this sequence is present in a secondary structure that can be opened by the wild-type polymerase but not by the mutant polymerase; (iii) the addition of AU, AUA, or AUU to the 5' end of the genomic RNA provides unpaired 3'-UA-5' at the 3' end of the minus strand that can be utilized by the mutant polymerase, and similarly, the effect of the U3A mutation is to destabilize the secondary structure, freeing 3'-terminal UA; and (iv) the N terminus of nsP4 may directly interact with the 3' terminus of the minus-strand RNA for the initiation of the plus-strand genomic RNA synthesis. This hypothesis is discussed in light of our present results as well as of previous studies of alphavirus RNAs, including defective interfering RNAs.     

Comparative effects of cytokines and cytokine combinations on complement component C3 secretion by HepG2 cells

The mechanisms that control complement protein synthesis are incompletely understood. Recent evidence suggests that cytokines are involved in the regulation of hepatic synthesis of circulating complement components. Therefore, we compared the effects of human recombinant IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha individually or in combination, on HepG2 secretion of complement component C3, the major opsonic protein of the complement system. HepG2 cells were incubated with each cytokine alone and with various combinations of the cytokines. At 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of incubation, the C3 and albumin secreted by the HepG2 cells were quantified by a sandwich ELISA. IL-1alpha and IFN-gamma significantly enhanced C3 secretion by the cells (P<0.02 vs. control cells). IL-1beta when combined with either IL-6 or IFN-gamma also increased C3 secretion (P<0.03 vs. control cells). The stimulatory effect on HepG2 cells by the IL-1beta/IL-6 combination was synergistic. With the exception of IL-1alpha, which increased albumin secretion, HepG2 secretion of albumin was not affected by incubation with individual cytokines or the cytokine combinations. Therefore, IL-1alpha, IFN-gamma, and the combination of IL-1beta with IL-6 or IFN-gamma specifically enhanced C3 secretion by HepG2 cells. The greatest magnitude of C3 secretion was induced by the combination of IL-1beta and IL-6.     

Obesity and body fat classification in the metabolic syndrome: Impact on cardiometabolic risk metabotype

Objective:

Obesity is a key factor in the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. We investigated whether obesity classification by BMI and body fat percentage (BF%) influences cardiometabolic profile and dietary responsiveness in 486 MetS subjects (LIPGENE dietary intervention study).

Design and Methods:

Anthropometric measures, markers of inflammation and glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, adhesion molecules, and hemostatic factors were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks of four dietary interventions (high saturated fat (SFA), high monounsaturated fat (MUFA), and two low fat high complex carbohydrate (LFHCC) diets, one supplemented with long chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n‐3 PUFAs)).

Results:

About 39 and 87% of subjects classified as normal and overweight by BMI were obese according to their BF%. Individuals classified as obese by BMI (≥30 kg/m²) and BF% (≥25% (men) and ≥35% (women)) (OO, n = 284) had larger waist and hip measurements, higher BMI and were heavier (P < 0.001) than those classified as nonobese by BMI but obese by BF% (NOO, n = 92). OO individuals displayed a more proinflammatory (higher C reactive protein (CRP) and leptin), prothrombotic (higher plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1)), proatherogenic (higher leptin/adiponectin ratio) and more insulin resistant (higher HOMA‐IR) metabolic profile relative to the NOO group (P < 0.001). Interestingly, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) concentrations were lower post‐intervention in NOO individuals compared with OO subjects (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

In conclusion, assessing BF% and BMI as part of a metabotype may help to identify individuals at greater cardiometabolic risk than BMI alone.     

Ladderane phospholipids in anammox bacteria comprise phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine headgroups

Anammox bacteria present in wastewater treatment systems and marine environments are capable of anaerobically oxidizing ammonium to dinitrogen gas. This anammox metabolism takes place in the anammoxosome which membrane is composed of lipids with peculiar staircase-like 'ladderane' hydrocarbon chains that comprise three or four linearly concatenated cyclobutane structures. Here, we applied high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to elucidate the full identity of these ladderane lipids. This revealed a wide variety of ladderane lipid species with either a phosphocholine or phosphoethanolamine polar headgroup attached to the glycerol backbone. In addition, in silico analysis of genome data gained insight into the machinery for the biosynthesis of the phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine phospholipids in anammox bacteria.