Is low back pain a risk/prognostic factor for the development and/or progression of temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between low back pain (LBP) and painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). METHODS: Systematic review of observational studies. Searches were conducted using OVID MEDLINE, CINHAL, Web of Science and PUBMED databases up to 21 October 2022. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool (QUIPS). RESULTS: Eight studies were included in the present review with meta-analysis. The first onset of TMDs was more likely in patients with previous chronic LBP (hazard ratio (HR) 1.53 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28; 1.83, p < .00001]). In addition, patients with chronic LBP had 3.25 times the odds (OR) [95% CI: 1.94; 5.43, p < .00001] of having chronic TMDs than those who did not have chronic LBP. In addition, the higher the exposure to chronic LBP, the higher the risk of developing a first onset of TMDs. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic LBP can be considered a risk/contributing factor for painful TMDs. Although there is a high certainty in the evidence linking chronic LBP with the risk of a first onset of TMDs, there are insufficient studies to draw definitive conclusions. Furthermore, while an association between chronic LBP and chronic TMDs and a dose-effect was observed between these two conditions, a limited number of studies and evidence exist to support these findings. Future studies are needed to increase the body of evidence.

Terapia en espejo y de observación de la acción en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral: estudio de viabilidad / Mirror and action observation therapy in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a feasibility study

Introducción: La parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral afecta a la función de la extremidad superior. Las terapias en espejo y de observación de la acción domiciliaria pueden ser útiles en su tratamiento. El objetivo ha sido evaluar la viabilidad de programas de terapia de observación de la acción y terapia en espejo combinada con observación de la acción domiciliaria en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral. Sujetos y métodos: El estudio de viabilidad incluyó a niños (6-12 años), asignados aleatoriamente a dos grupos: terapia de observación de la acción y terapia en espejo y observación de la acción. Se realizaron 20 sesiones domiciliarias de una hora, y se incluyeron actividades unimanuales y bimanuales. Se evaluó la viabilidad de las intervenciones y procedimientos, y el uso espontáneo (escala Assisting Hand Assessment) y la funcionalidad (Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test) de la extremidad superior. Resultados: Se reclutaron 25 familias, y 17 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Doce niños (8,75 ± 2,38 años) participaron en el estudio. Todas las familias completaron las intervenciones y no existieron efectos adversos. La dosis total de intervención fue superior al 96%. Tras la intervención, se hallaron cambios clínicamente relevantes en ambos grupos en el uso espontáneo de la extremidad superior, así como en la funcionalidad en el grupo de terapia de observación de la acción. Conclusiones: La terapia de observación de la acción y la terapia en espejo combinada con terapia de observación de la acción se consideran viables para aplicarse en el hogar y dirigidas a niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral.(AU)

Introduction: Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy affects upper extremity function. Mirror and home-based action observation therapies may be useful in its treatment. The aim has been to evaluate the feasibility of action observation therapy and mirror therapy programmes combined with home action observation in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Subjects and methods: The feasibility study included children (6-12 years old), randomly assigned to two groups: action observation therapy and mirror therapy and action observation. Twenty-hour home sessions were conducted, including unimanual and bimanual activities. Feasibility of interventions and procedures, and spontaneous use (Assisting Hand Assessment scale) and functionality (Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test) of the upper extremity were assessed. Results: Twenty-five families were recruited, with 17 meeting the inclusion criteria. Twelve children (8.75 ± 2.38 years) participated in the study. All families completed the interventions, with no adverse effects. The total intervention dose was above 96%. After the intervention, clinically relevant changes were found in both groups in spontaneous use of the upper extremity, as well as in functionality in the action observation therapy group. Conclusions: Action observation therapy and mirror therapy combined with action observation therapy are considered feasible to be applied at home and aimed at children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.(AU)

[Mirror and action observation therapy in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a feasibility study]. / Terapia en espejo y de observación de la acción en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral: estudio de viabilidad.

INTRODUCTION: Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy affects upper extremity function. Mirror and home-based action observation therapies may be useful in its treatment. The aim has been to evaluate the feasibility of action observation therapy and mirror therapy programmes combined with home action observation in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The feasibility study included children (6-12 years old), randomly assigned to two groups: action observation therapy and mirror therapy and action observation. Twenty-hour home sessions were conducted, including unimanual and bimanual activities. Feasibility of interventions and procedures, and spontaneous use (Assisting Hand Assessment scale) and functionality (Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test) of the upper extremity were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-five families were recruited, with 17 meeting the inclusion criteria. Twelve children (8.75 ± 2.38 years) participated in the study. All families completed the interventions, with no adverse effects. The total intervention dose was above 96%. After the intervention, clinically relevant changes were found in both groups in spontaneous use of the upper extremity, as well as in functionality in the action observation therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Action observation therapy and mirror therapy combined with action observation therapy are considered feasible to be applied at home and aimed at children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

TITLE: Terapia en espejo y de observación de la acción en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral: estudio de viabilidad.Introducción. La parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral afecta a la función de la extremidad superior. Las terapias en espejo y de observación de la acción domiciliaria pueden ser útiles en su tratamiento. El objetivo ha sido evaluar la viabilidad de programas de terapia de observación de la acción y terapia en espejo combinada con observación de la acción domiciliaria en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral. Sujetos y métodos. El estudio de viabilidad incluyó a niños (6-12 años), asignados aleatoriamente a dos grupos: terapia de observación de la acción y terapia en espejo y observación de la acción. Se realizaron 20 sesiones domiciliarias de una hora, y se incluyeron actividades unimanuales y bimanuales. Se evaluó la viabilidad de las intervenciones y procedimientos, y el uso espontáneo (escala Assisting Hand Assessment) y la funcionalidad (Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test) de la extremidad superior. Resultados. Se reclutaron 25 familias, y 17 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Doce niños (8,75 ± 2,38 años) participaron en el estudio. Todas las familias completaron las intervenciones y no existieron efectos adversos. La dosis total de intervención fue superior al 96%. Tras la intervención, se hallaron cambios clínicamente relevantes en ambos grupos en el uso espontáneo de la extremidad superior, así como en la funcionalidad en el grupo de terapia de observación de la acción. Conclusiones. La terapia de observación de la acción y la terapia en espejo combinada con terapia de observación de la acción se consideran viables para aplicarse en el hogar y dirigidas a niños con parálisis cerebral espástica unilateral.

The human placenta expresses CYP17 and generates androgens de novo.

INTRODUCTION: The human placenta is believed to have insignificant CYP17 expression, rendering it dependent on the maternal and fetal compartments for the necessary androgenic precursors to yield the high levels of estrogens seen in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze whether the human trophoblast is capable of expressing CYP17 and producing androgens de novo. METHODS: Human trophoblasts from fresh placentas and JEG-3 cells were used for all experiments. CYP17 mRNA analysis was performed via RT-PCR, and protein detection by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. Steroid products were quantified using RIAs. RESULTS: CYP17 mRNA was expressed in both cell types. CYP17 protein was detected by Western blotting and localized by immunostaining mainly to the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblasts. Measurement of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and their aromatized products in the media further demonstrated CYP17 expression and activity in the human trophoblast. Baseline levels of CYP17 steroid products were higher in primary cells and significantly increased in the presence of 22-hydroxycholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated CYP17 mRNA and protein expression and activity in human trophoblasts. Considering the precursor concentration, blood flow, and mass of the placenta, we suggest that its contribution of androgens is an important source of estrogen production in pregnancy.

Conductas sexuales en la adolescencia y su relación con la historia familiar / Sexual behaviours in adolescence and its relationship with the family history

Las diferencias entre normalidad y patología en las conductas adolescentes deben ser pensadas dentro de una problemática individual, familiar y social. Se presenta un caso clínico complejo que nos plantea múltiples diagnósticos y diferentes estrategias terapéuticas. Los significados al aparente hecho traumático irán apareciendo y cobrando sentido a lo largo de la evolución. Los objetivos de este trabajo son: diferenciar experiencias propias del desarrollo emocional adolescente de situaciones patológicas con riesgo devenir traumáticas. Analizar el rol de la familia, su historia, sus mitos, como generadores de hechos traumáticos. Se presenta a M.de 13 años de edad, quien concurre acompañado de sus padres. Los padres refieren que consultan porque "el primo abusó de él". El adolescente dice: "hice algo malo". Los antecedentes de abuso e intentos de suicidio enla familia, ubican a este joven en un lugar del que resulta difícil encontrar una salida. Las conductas de riesgo y los hechos traumáticos que presenta el adolescente no pueden ser comprendidos en forma aislada de su familia y entorno social. ¿Qué significado tienen las relaciones sexuales en este adolescente?¿Cuál sería la capacidad de esta familia, seeramente perturbada de generrar patología?

Deletions in the Ac-iap1 gene of the baculovirus AcMNPV occur spontaneously during serial passage and confer a cell line-specific replication advantage.

The PstI-I region of the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) genome was previously shown to be a frequent target of spontaneous deletions during serial virus passage in TN-368 cells (Kumar and Miller, Virus Res. 7 (1987) 335). Analysis of two of these serial passage mutants showed that a portion of the Ac-iap1 gene was deleted. To directly test the effect of loss of Ac-iap1, three different deletions in Ac-iap1 were introduced into recombinant viruses and the ability of these viruses to replicate was examined in two cell lines, TN-368 and SF-21, as well as in two species of insect larvae, Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera frugiperda. The mutant viruses were indistinguishable from wild type or control revertant virus in their ability to infect larvae of either species. Moreover, no effect was seen on the rate of replication or the overall amounts of budded or occluded virus produced in cultured cells. However, in co-infection experiments using TN-368 cells, it was consistently observed that mutants lacking a functional Ac-iap1 gene out-competed control viruses carrying Ac-iap1. Interestingly, this replication advantage was only evident in the TN-368 cell line, the cell line used for the original serial passage experiments, and not in SF-21 cells.

Immunization of cats against feline infectious peritonitis with anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2s) generated against neutralizing antibodies (Ab1s) specific for feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) were shown to be specific for paratope-associated idiotopes of the Ab1s and not against isotypic determinants. In a study to determine the efficacy of an anti-idiotypic vaccine against feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), cats that were immunized with a pool of monoclonal Ab2s developed Ab3s that recognized the variable regions of the Ab2s as well as the natural antigen. In cats challenged with a lethal dose of virus the control group followed a predictable course of infection ultimately succumbing to FIP. Two immunized cats survived virus challenge and a third cat lived twice as long as the controls. The fourth immunized cat showed no evidence of protection. The ability to induce levels of protection against FIP lends support to the concept of using anti-idiotypic antibodies as a prophylactic vaccine.

[Antibiotic sensitivity of strains of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated recently]. / Sensibilidad a los antibióticos de cepas de estreptococo beta-hemolítico del grupo A aisladas recientemente.

The present study investigated the sensitivity of 35 group A beta-hemolytic streptococci strains, isolated from clinical samples in 1988 and 1989, to 12 antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of each antibiotic were measured by the agar dilution method. All strains were sensitive to penicillin G, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefazolin, cefotaxime, erythromycin, clindamycin, vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. It was concluded that, in our area, Streptococcus pyogenes still has an excellent sensitivity to penicillin G and to other antibiotics which may be a therapeutic alternative in allergic patients or an empiric treatment in infections likely to be produced, among other organisms, by S. pyogenes.