The impact of probiotics on gut microbiota in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of probiotics supplementation on the gut microbiota in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy is controversial. Therefore, this review aimed to illustrate changes in the gut microbiota after standard eradication therapy with probiotics supplements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase database was performed up to February 1st, 2022, with English language restriction. The extracted outcomes were analyzed, including gut microbiota, adverse effects, and eradication rate. RESULTS: 13 studies reported data on 777 participants who were finally eligible for this systematic review. All of them are randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of H. pylori eradication with probiotics supplementation therapy on gut microbiota. Probiotics supplementation seems to play a positive role in restoring the gut microbiota during H. pylori eradication therapy. However, the changes in the gut microbiota are still controversial. The included studies had significant heterogeneity in the study population, diagnostic methods of H. pylori infection, and detection techniques of the gut microbiota and probiotics species. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided a basis for the rational selection of probiotics in the H. pylori eradication process. Probiotic supplementation might keep the balance of gut microbiota and reduce the gastrointestinal adverse effects of antibiotics, but whether it could improve the eradication rate or not is a debatable point. Therefore, more research is needed to provide evidence.

Scanning laser-induced endothelial injury: a standardized and reproducible thrombosis model for intravital microscopy.

Vascular injury models are indispensable for studying thrombotic processes in vivo. Amongst the available methods for inducing thrombosis, laser-induced endothelial injury (LIEI) has several unique advantages. However, a lack of methodological standardization and expensive instrumentation remain significant problems decreasing reproducibility and impeding the adoption of LIEI in the wider scientific community. In this, study, we developed a standardized protocol for scanning laser-induced endothelial injury (scanning-LIEI) of murine mesenteric veins using the intrinsic 405 nm laser of a conventional laser scanning confocal microscope. We show that our model produces thrombi with prominent core-shell architectures and minimal radiation-related fluorescence artefacts. In comparison with previous methods, the scanning-LIEI model exhibits reduced experimental variability, enabling the demonstration of dose-response effects for anti-thrombotic drugs using small animal cohorts. Scanning-LIEI using the intrinsic 405 nm laser of a confocal laser scanning microscope represents a new method to induce standardized vascular injury with improved reproducibility of thrombus formation. The reduced need for instrument customisation and user experience means that this model could be more readily adopted in the research community.

A natural recombinant PRRSV between HP-PRRSV JXA1-like and NADC30-like strains.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major economically significant pathogen that has adversely affected China's swine industry. Currently, a novel type 2 PRRSV, called the NADC30-like strain, is epidemic in numerous provinces of China, and commercial vaccines provide limited protection for infected animals. The extensive recombination phenomenon among NADC30-like PRRSVs is identified as a unique molecular characteristic of the virus. However, our understanding of how recombination influences NADC30-like PRRSVs is largely inadequate. In this study, we analysed the genetic characteristics of a recombinant NADC30-like PRRSV (SC-d) and examined its pathogenicity compared with a non-recombinant NADC30-like PRRSV (SD-A19) and a highly pathogenic PRRSV (HuN4). SC-d has three discontinuous deletions in nsp2, consistent with NADC30 isolated from the United States in 2008. Furthermore, we identified four recombination breakpoints in the SC-d genome, which separated the SC-d genome into four regions (regions A, B, C and D). Regions A and C are closely related to the JXA1-like strain, one of the earliest Chinese HP-PRRSV strains, and regions B and D are closely related to the NADC30 strain. Moreover, SC-d inoculated piglets exhibited a persistent fever, moderate weight loss, mild thymus atrophy and obvious microscopic lung lesions. In summary, the recombinant NADC30-like PRRSV SC-d strain displayed a higher pathogenicity than the non-recombinant NADC30-like PRRSV SD-A19 strain; however, the pathogenicity of the NADC30-like PRRSV SC-d was lower compared with the HP-PRRSV HuN4 strain in piglets. Our findings demonstrate that recombination is responsible for the enormous genetic diversity and pathogenicity variance of the NADC30-like PRRSV in China. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing a more reasonable PRRSV control and prevention strategy.

The diagnostic utility of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or intraoperative sub-nipple biopsy in nipple-sparing mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: The necessity of routine sub-nipple biopsy was uncertain, and the role of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting nipple invasion in patients who have been selected for nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) has not been adequately evaluated. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the medical and surgical records of 434 patients with primary operable breast cancer who met the criteria for NSM and underwent breast surgery during the period January 2011 to December 2015. Patients were stratified into three risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) according to tumor size and tumor-to-nipple distance. RESULTS: Among the 434 patients in this study, 29 (6.7%) had occult invasion of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). Sub-nipple biopsy had a sensitivity of 84.6%, a specificity of 100%, a false negative rate of 1.2%, a false positive rate of 0%, and an overall accuracy rate of 98.8% in confirming NAC invasion. The NAC invasion rate was 0% in the low-risk group, 5.1% in the intermediate-risk group, and 19.7% in the high-risk group (P < 0.01). The overall NPV of preoperative MRI for predicting NAC invasion was 94.8%. Cost analysis revealed that the cost of NSM with sub-nipple biopsy was significantly higher than that of NSM alone, with a mean difference in cost of USD 238.5 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The high negative predictive value of MRI for NAC invasion is useful for selection of patients receiving NSM. Sub-nipple biopsy is a reliable procedure to detect occult NAC invasion, however, routine use is not cost-effect for low risk patients.

The expression of inhibitor of growth 4 is reduced in cervical cancer tissues.

OBJECTIVE: Inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) is a candidate tumor suppressor which plays an important role in multiple processes including DNA repair, apoptosis, cell cycle control, tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. However, clinical data about the role of ING4 in the development and progression of cervical cancer are still limited. This study aimed to examine ING4 expression in cervical cancer and analyze its correlation with the progression of the malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were performed to determine ING4 expression in 18 clinical specimens from cervical cancer patients. The correlation of ING4 expression with the clinical-pathological features of the patients was analyzed. Moreover, the correlation between ING4 and HPV E6/E7 transcription level in SiHa cells was analyzed. RESULTS: ING4 expression was decreased significantly at mRNA and protein levels in the tissues of cervical cancer compared with paracarcinoma tissues. Analysis of the subcellular localization of ING4 showed that ING4 expression was decreased in the nucleus of cervical cancer tissues. Ectopic expression of ING4 reduced the proliferation of SiHa cells, accompanied by decreased HPV E6/E7 transcription. CONCLUSIONS: ING4 expression is decreased in human cervical cancer tissues. Reconstitution of ING4 expression in cervical cancer cells is correlated with decreased HPV E6/E7 transcription. These data suggest that ING4 expression has diagnostic and prognostic significance for cervical cancer.

Structural simulation of adenosine phosphate via plumbagin and zoledronic acid competitively targets JNK/Erk to synergistically attenuate osteoclastogenesis in a breast cancer model.

The treatment of breast cancer-induced osteolysis remains a challenge in clinical settings. Here, we explored the effect and mechanism of combined treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA) and plumbagin (PL), a widely investigated component derived from Plumbago zeylanica, against breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis. We found that the combined treatment with PL and ZA suppressed cell viability of precursor osteoclasts and synergistically inhibited MDA-MB-231-induced osteoclast formation (combination index=0.28) with the abrogation of recombinant mouse receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced activation of NF-κB/MAPK (nuclear factor-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways. Molecular docking suggested a putative binding area within c-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (JNK/Erk) protease active sites through the structural mimicking of adenosine phosphate (ANP) by the spatial combination of PL with ZA. A homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay further illustrated the direct competitiveness of the dual drugs against ANP docking to phosphorylated JNK/Erk, contributing to the inhibited downstream expression of c-Jun/c-Fos/NFATc-1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1). Then, in vivo testing demonstrated that the combined administration of PL and ZA attenuated breast cancer growth in the bone microenvironment. Additionally, these molecules prevented the destruction of proximal tibia, with significant reduction of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP)-positive osteoclast cells and potentiation of apoptotic cancer cells, to a greater extent when combined than when the drugs were applied independently. Altogether, the combination treatment with PL and ZA could significantly and synergistically suppress osteoclastogenesis and inhibit tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo by simulating the spatial structure of ANP to inhibit competitively phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (JNK/Erk).

Correlation of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and metabolic profiles in drug-naïve patients with bipolar II disorder after a twelve-week pharmacological intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD) and metabolic syndrome. We investigated the correlation between plasma BDNF with mood symptoms and metabolic indices in patients with BD-II over a 12-week pharmacological intervention. METHOD: Drug-naïve patients with BD-II (n=117) were recruited. Metabolic profiles [cholesterol, triglyceride, HbA1C, fasting serum glucose, body mass index (BMI)] and plasma BDNF wtrun "tblautotrun "tblsctrun "tbl_contere measured at baseline and 2, 8, and 12 weeks after beginning medication. To adjust within-subject dependence over repeated assessments, multiple linear regressions with generalized estimating equation methods were used. RESULTS: Seventy-six (65.0%) patients completed the intervention. Plasma BDNF levels were significantly associated with BMI (P=9.6E-5), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.034) and total (P=0.001) cholesterol, but not with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 and Young Mania Rating Scale scores over the 12-week treatment. CONCLUSION: We found initial evidence of a positive correlation between plasma BDNF levels and BMI, low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol in drug-naïve patients with BD-II. The specific function of BDNF in regulating and maintaining peripheral metabolic health requires additional investigation.

Implications of microRNA-197 downregulated expression in esophageal cancer with poor prognosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of the microRNA miR-197 expression level in relation to clinicopathological factors and prognoses of esophageal cancer (EC). MicroRNA was extracted using the Taqman(®) MicroRNA Assay from 46 EC patients at the same tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, but with different prognoses, who underwent surgery. Paracancerous normal tissues were used as controls. The correlation between miR-197 expression and clinicopathologic features was analyzed, and the significance of miR-197 as a prognostic factor and its relationship with survival was determined. miR-197 expression was lower in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed that the miR-197 expression level is significantly correlated with survival time (P = 0.030), and that patients with higher expression of miR-197 had longer survival times. Cox multi-factor model analysis showed that patient prognosis (P = 0.001), tumor length (P = 0.010) and expression (P = 0.042), and survival time were significantly correlated, with corresponding risks of 9.183, 2.318, and 1.925, respectively. This study supports a role of miR-197 as an anti-oncogene and a biomarker for EC and its relationship with other prognostic factors and survival.

High-coverage sequencing and annotated assemblies of the budgerigar genome.

BACKGROUND: Parrots belong to a group of behaviorally advanced vertebrates and have an advanced ability of vocal learning relative to other vocal-learning birds. They can imitate human speech, synchronize their body movements to a rhythmic beat, and understand complex concepts of referential meaning to sounds. However, little is known about the genetics of these traits. Elucidating the genetic bases would require whole genome sequencing and a robust assembly of a parrot genome. FINDINGS: We present a genomic resource for the budgerigar, an Australian Parakeet (Melopsittacus undulatus) -- the most widely studied parrot species in neuroscience and behavior. We present genomic sequence data that includes over 300× raw read coverage from multiple sequencing technologies and chromosome optical maps from a single male animal. The reads and optical maps were used to create three hybrid assemblies representing some of the largest genomic scaffolds to date for a bird; two of which were annotated based on similarities to reference sets of non-redundant human, zebra finch and chicken proteins, and budgerigar transcriptome sequence assemblies. The sequence reads for this project were in part generated and used for both the Assemblathon 2 competition and the first de novo assembly of a giga-scale vertebrate genome utilizing PacBio single-molecule sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: Across several quality metrics, these budgerigar assemblies are comparable to or better than the chicken and zebra finch genome assemblies built from traditional Sanger sequencing reads, and are sufficient to analyze regions that are difficult to sequence and assemble, including those not yet assembled in prior bird genomes, and promoter regions of genes differentially regulated in vocal learning brain regions. This work provides valuable data and material for genome technology development and for investigating the genomics of complex behavioral traits.

Clinical effect of E-series of prostaglandin receptor 2 and epidermal growth factor receptor signal pathways in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Signal pathways mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and E-series of prostaglandin receptors (EPs) are closely correlated to the pathogenesis of tumor. This experiment was designed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of EP2 and EGFR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Tissue samples were collected reterospectively from 87 patients with ESCC (first diagnosed). The patients were followed up for 5 years after radical surgery. The expression of EP-2 and EGFR were examined by tissue chip technology and immunohistochemistry methods. Clinicopathological and prognostic impact were evaluated. Overexpression of EGFR and EP-2 was more observed in ESCC than the control group (58.6% vs. 13.9%; 52.9% vs. 4.88%, P < 0.001, respectively); which correlated with tumor infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis, and tumor-lymph node-metastasis staging. Both the EP-2 and EGFR overexpression were detected in 39 specimens and exhibited the positive correlation (P < 0.001, r = 0.404). Overexpression of EP2 and EGFR exhibited significant correlation with worse 5-year overall survival than those with negative result (17.6% vs. 27.8%, P = 0.011; 10.9% vs. 34.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). Cox proportional hazard model showed that the T-staging, lymph node metastasis, and EGFR overexpression were the independent risk factors of the prognosis. The present study exhibited that the overexpression of EP2 and EGFR in ESCC tissues might play an important role in carcinogenesis and the progression of ESCC.

Role of DRD2 and ALDH2 genes in bipolar II disorder with and without comorbid anxiety disorder.

The presence of comorbid anxiety disorders (AD) and bipolar II disorders (BP-II) compounds disability complicates treatment, worsens prognosis, and has been understudied. The genes involved in metabolizing dopamine and encoding dopamine receptors, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) genes, may be important to the pathogenesis of BP-II comorbid with AD. We aimed to clarify ALDH2 and DRD2 genes for predisposition to BP-II comorbid with and without AD. The sample consisted of 335 subjects BP-II without AD, 127 subjects BP-II with AD and 348 healthy subjects as normal control. The genotypes of the ALDH2 and DRD2 Taq-IA polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reactions plus restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between DRD2 Taq-I A1/A2 genotype and BP-II with AD (OR=2.231, P=0.021). Moreover, a significant interaction of the DRD2 Taq-I A1/A1 and the ALDH2*1*1 genotypes in BP-II without AD was revealed (OR=5.623, P=0.001) compared with normal control. Our findings support the hypothesis that a unique genetic distinction between BP-II with and without AD, and suggest a novel association between DRD2 Taq-I A1/A2 genotype and BP-II with AD. Our study also provides further evidence that the ALDH2 and DRD2 genes interact in BP-II, particularly BP-II without AD.

Overexpression of Lon contributes to survival and aggressive phenotype of cancer cells through mitochondrial complex I-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species.

Lon protease is a multifunction protein and operates in protein quality control and stress response pathways in mitochondria. Human Lon is upregulated under oxidative and hypoxic stresses that represent the stress phenotypes of cancer. However, little literature undertakes comprehensive and detailed investigations on the tumorigenic role of Lon. Overexpression of Lon promotes cell proliferation, apoptotic resistance to stresses, and transformation. Furthermore, Lon overexpression induces the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) that result from Lon-mediated upregulation of NDUFS8, a mitochondrial Fe-S protein in complex I of electron transport chain. Increased level of mitochondrial ROS promotes cell proliferation, cell survival, cell migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Ras-ERK activation. Overall, the present report for the first time demonstrates the role of Lon overexpression in tumorigenesis. Lon overexpression gives an apoptotic resistance to stresses and induces mitochondrial ROS production through Complex I as signaling molecules to activate Ras and MAPK signaling, giving the survival advantages and adaptation to cancer cells. Finally, in silico and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that Lon is overexpressed specifically in various types of cancer tissue including oral cancer.

Adaptation and generalization to opposing perturbations in walking.

Little is known on how the CNS would select its movement options when a person faces a novel or recurring perturbation of two opposing types (slip or trip) while walking. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine whether young adults' adaptation to repeated slips would interfere with their recovery from a novel trip, and (2) to investigate the generalized strategies after they were exposed to a mixed training with both types of perturbation. Thirty-two young adults were assigned to either the training group, which first underwent repeated-slip training before encountering a novel, unannounced trip while walking, or to the control group, which only experienced the same novel, unannounced trip. The former group would then experience a mix of repeated trips and slips. The results indicated that prior adaptation to slips had only limited interference during the initial phase of trip recovery. In fact, the prior repeated-slip exposure had primed their reaction, which mitigated any error resulting from early interference. As a result, they did not have to take a longer compensatory step for trip recovery than did the controls. After the mixed training, subjects were able to converge effectively the motion state of their center of mass (in its position and velocity space) to a stable and generalized "middle ground" steady-state. Such movement strategies not only further strengthened their robust reactive control of stability, but also reduced the CNS' overall reliance on accurate context prediction and on feedback correction of perturbation-induced movement error.

Expression and clinical significance of glucose transporter 1 mRNA in bronchial brushing liquid-based cytology specimens from patients with and without lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) mRNA expression in bronchial brushing specimens from patients with lung cancer. METHODS: GLUT1 mRNA levels were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in SurePath(TM) liquid-based cytology bronchial brushing specimens from patients with lung cancer (n=76) and benign lung disease (n=154). RESULTS: Compared with patients with benign disease and compared with cytology, GLUT1 mRNA was found significantly more frequently in patients with all carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas and small cell carcinomas, as well as central, peripheral and diffuse carcinomas (P<0.01). Minor differences were noted in GLUT1 mRNA and cytology results between histological types and tumour location but were not statistically significant. The diagnostic performance of RT-PCR analysis of GLUT1 mRNA was significantly higher than cytology in terms of sensitivity (97.4 ± 3.6% versus 65.8 ± 10.7) and negative predictive value (98.6 ± 1.9%, versus 85.6 ± 5.1%) but specificity (90.9 ± 4.5%) and positive predictive value (84.1 ± 7.6%) were lower than cytology (100%). CONCLUSIONS: Using liquid-based cytology, RT-PCR can be performed on bronchial brushing specimens to detect GLUT1 mRNA expression, and may be a useful adjunct to cytology diagnosis. It was more sensitive than cytology but its lower specificity should be taken into account.

Methodology: simplified preparation of a DNA ladder using PCR.

Serving as a DNA molecular weight standard, the DNA ladder has been widely used in molecular biology applications. We developed a simple method for the preparation of a DNA marker, which involves designing primers to amplify 100- to 1000-bp DNA fragments using lambda DNA as a template for polymerase chain reaction, followed by extraction with phenol/chloroform, precipitation with ethanol and mixing. Fragments of 100- to 1000-bp DNA were successfully amplified; the sequences showed 100% identity with lambda DNA. This prepared DNA marker displayed clear bands, indicating that it can be used for molecular studies.

A pilot study evaluating the clinical and immunomodulatory effects of an orally administered extract of Dendrobium huoshanense in children with moderate to severe recalcitrant atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder for which few safe and effective systemic treatments are available. To test the clinical and immunomodulatory effects of a crude polysaccharide fraction isolated from Dendrobium huoshanense for the treatment of AD, we conducted a pilot, uncontrolled case series study. Twenty-seven patients aged 4-18 years (mean∓SD, 10.82±4.4) with AD that had not responded to topical therapy were treated with polysaccharide derived from D. huoshanense for 4 weeks and followed-up for another 4 weeks. Progression of AD was determined with the Lund-Browder chart for children, the Investigator's Global Atopic Dermatitis Assessment (IGADA), and the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8. Serum levels of cytokines were evaluated. Safety was determined with laboratory and clinical tests. The lesion area, IGADA score, total SCORAD result, and score for sleeplessness decreased significantly from weeks 0 to 4, but did not change significantly between weeks 4 and 8. The scores for subjective symptoms and pruritus decreased significantly from week 0 to week 4 and increased significantly from week 4 to week 8. Serum levels of IL-5, IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TGF-beta1 decreased significantly between weeks 0 and 4 and between weeks 0 and 8. No significant difference in the levels of IL-10 was found. The polysaccharide from D. huoshanense reduced the levels of some cytokines associated with AD and had beneficial effects on symptoms. No serious adverse effects occurred when it was administered orally for 4 weeks.

Correlations of serum Interleukin-16, total IgE, eosinophil cationic protein and total eosinophil counts with disease activity in children with atopic dermatitis.

Several laboratory parameters have been investigated for assessing disease activity in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Analyses of the correlation between these parameters and clinical severity can help to choose a convincing tool. This study compared the significance of serum interleukin-16 (IL-16), serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and total eosinophil count (TEC) in reflecting AD severity to order to identify the most relevant objective tool for assessing AD activity and to assess the correlation between these laboratory parameters. The Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD index) was used for the assessment of disease activity in 48 pediatric patients in the acute exacerbation phase and in the maintenance phase after improvement of clinical findings with conventional treatment for 8 weeks. Serum levels of total IgE, ECP, and IL-16 as well as TEC were measured on the same time points and compared with healthy non-atopic controls. The correlation between SCORAD and each laboratory parameter was tested for significance and compared. Serum levels of ECP and IL-16 of AD patients were significantly higher than those of controls. These serum parameters, except TEC, declined significantly after conventional treatment with clinical improvement. There was positive correlation with SCORAD for serum IgE (r=0.317, p=0.028), TEC(r=0.434, p=0.002), IL-16 (r = 0.321, p=0.026) in the acute exacerbation phase and with SCORAD for serum IgE (r=0.510, p<0.001), TEC(r=0.489, p<0.001), serum ECP (r=0.468, p=0.001) in the maintenance phase. Serum levels of total IgE, IL-16, ECP, and TEC correlated with the SCORAD index in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis. Thus, they can serve as serum markers for monitoring disease activity in childhood atopic dermatitis.

Generalization of motor adaptation to repeated-slip perturbation across tasks.

Similar adaptations improve both proactive and reactive control of center-of-mass (COM) stability and limb support against gravity during different daily tasks (e.g., sit-to-stand and walking) as a consequence of perturbation training for resisting falls. Yet it is unclear whether--or to what extent--such similarities actually promote inter-task generalization. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine whether young adults could indeed transfer their adaptive control, acquired from sit-to-stand-slip, to improve their likelihood of a recovery from an unannounced novel slip in walking. Subjects underwent either repeated slips during sit-to-stand before experiencing an unannounced, novel slip during walking (training group, n=20), or they received no prior training before the same gait-slip (control group, n=23). The subjects demonstrated training-induced generalization of their improved proactive control of stability in post-training (unperturbed) gait pattern that was more stable against backward balance loss than was that of their own pre-training pattern as well the gait pattern of the subjects in the control group. Upon the unannounced novel gait-slip, the training group showed significantly lower incidence of both falls and balance loss than that shown by the control, resulting from the improvements in the reactive control of limb support and slip velocity, which directly influenced the control of their COM stability. Such transfer could occur when the subjects' central nervous system recalibrates the non-task-specific, generalized representation of stability limits during the initial training to guide both their feed-forward adjustments and their feedback responses. The findings of the inter-task generalization suggests that behavioral changes induced via the perturbation training paradigm have the potential to prevent falls across the spectrum of cyclic and non-cyclic activities.

Chronic intrathecal infusion of gabapentin prevents nerve ligation-induced pain in rats.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and adjuvant analgesic. It is effective in several pain studies. Neuropathic pain is the most difficult type of pain to treat. In this study, we examined if intrathecal gabapentin could prevent nerve injury-induced pain. METHODS: Under isoflurane anaesthesia, male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) underwent right L5/6 spinal nerve ligation and placement of an intrathecal catheter connected to an infusion pump. After surgery, intrathecal saline or gabapentin (20 µg h(-1)) was given for 7 days (n=8 per group). The right hind paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimuli and withdrawal latency to radiant heat were determined before (baseline) and once daily for 7 days after surgery. Haematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue staining were used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of gabapentin (40 µg h(-1)). RESULTS: Seven days after nerve ligation, the affected paw withdrawal threshold and latency of saline-treated rats decreased from the baseline 11.7 (11.7-22.2) [median (inter-quartile range)] to 1.6 (0.9-3.2) g and 10.8 (10.5-11.2) to 4.3 (4.2-7) s, respectively. Rats receiving gabapentin (20 µg h(-1)) had higher withdrawal threshold [9.9 (9.9-19.3) g] and latency [11.5 (9.7-11.9) s] on day 7 after ligation. No obvious histopathological change or growth retardation was detected after intrathecal gabapentin (40 µg h(-1)) infusion. CONCLUSIONS: We showed a preventative effect of intrathecal gabapentin on the development of nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Our data suggest that continuous intrathecal gabapentin may be considered as an alternative for the prevention of nerve injury-induced pain.

The reproducibility of the virtual organ computer-aided analysis program for evaluating 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography of diffuse thyroid disorders.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- observer and inter-observer reproducibility of 3-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasonography with the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) program for measuring thyroid volume and vascular indices in patients with diffuse thyroid disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with diffuse goiters were examined by 3D ultrasonography from August 2005 to July 2006. The parameters for vascular assessment included the vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), vascularization-flow index (VFI), and thyroid size, and were obtained using the VOCAL program. This program used plane A and a 30 degrees rotational step. Intra-observer and inter-observer repeatability are presented as intra-class correlation coefficient (intra-CC) and inter-class correlation coefficient (inter-CC), with values >0.70 being acceptable. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients in total were enrolled for this study, including 19 patients with simple goiter and 44 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (23 Graves' disease, 21 Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Thyroid volume and 3 vascular indices showed excellent reproducibility in the AITD group (intra- CC>0.9373 and inter-CC>0.8763) and its subgroups. The VI had excellent consistent reproducibility in the simple goiter group (intra-CC>0.8987 and inter-CC>0.8881), but the other parameters did not. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, 3D power Doppler ultrasonography with the VOCAL program is a reliable tool for evaluating diffuse thyroid disorders due to an autoimmune process. The VI is the most reliable parameter.