Effects of using assistive devices on the components of the modified instrumented timed up and go test in healthy subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of the changes in gait spatiotemporal parameters and functional mobility with using assistive devices (ADs) would provide useful information and mutual assistance when prescribing such ambulatory devices. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal gait and functional mobility parameters in healthy adults when walking using different ADs. METHODS: A group of healthy subjects participated in the study. The instrumented modified Timed Up and Go test (iTUG) was used to investigate the impact of different types of ADs on spatiotemporal and functional mobility parameters. RESULTS: Subjects showed a significant difference in the gait task performance (P = .001) in stride velocity, stride length, and cadence when walking with and without ADs. A significant difference was also found in the performance of the turn-to-sit task (P = .001) in both velocity and duration when walking with and without ADs. The time to complete sit-to-stand was significantly slower when using a walker (98.3 ± 22.3°/sec, P = .004) and a cane (78.2 ± 21.9°/sec, P = .004) compared to walking without an AD (78.2 ± 21.8°/sec). No significant difference was found between walking with a cane group versus walking with a four-wheeled walker group (P = .94). CONCLUSION: ADs altered gait and functional mobility parameters differently in healthy subjects. Using a four-wheeled walker showed a tendency to increase stride velocity, cadence, stride length, and slow sit-to-stand velocity compared to using a cane. The findings highlight using more caution clinically when prescribing ADs and providing gait training.

Utilization of a mouse/human chimeric model for long term metabolic testing of human skin.

Until now, ex vivo human skin explant utilization in tissue culture has consisted of limited short-term studies (less than a week). This short timeframe does not allow for the investigation of metabolic responses of complex tissues to specific molecules or compounds. Here, we aim to develop an improved mouse transplantation model that maintains the viability, structure and functionality of the human skin explants for prolonged periods of time. Healthy human skin explants derived from biopsies were grafted onto nude mice and used to perform a toxicological study of the reactivity and functionality of grafted skin explants after one month. Histological observations suggest that the tissue properties and phenotype of the human skin graft are conserved as a result of re-vascularization upon tissue integration. The toxicological test performed shows that the human skin graft reacts to systemic exposure of a xenobiotic metabolic inducer when applied to this mouse model. This mouse/human chimeric model can be effective for the long-term study of human skin reactivity to chemicals as well to study in vivo responses to complex co-exposures.

[Attitudes and knowledge about smoking among Moroccan physicians looking after patients with tuberculosis]. / Attitudes et connaissances des pneumo-phtisiologues marocains vis-à-vis du tabagisme chez leurs patients tuberculeux.

Cigarette smoking is known to be a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis; the management of the disease offers a good opportunity for smoking prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate attitudes and knowledge of Moroccan respiratory physicians towards smoking in the management of patients with tuberculosis and the feasibility of integrating anti-smoking interventions into the national anti-TB program (PNLAT). A questionnaire was administered using a phone interview to Moroccan respiratory physicians practicing at the Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diagnostic Centre (CDTMR). 75 respiratory physicians answered the questionnaire representing 83.3% of all those approached. The rate of smoking in medical doctors was 10.7%. 66.7% of those interviewed considered that smoking increases the incidence of tuberculosis while 96% believed that smoking would worsen the pathology. More than 84% inquired about the smoking habits of their patients. Only 5.3% believed that they were well trained to help smokers to stop. 78.7% recognized the desirability of integrating a systematic smoking cessation program into the national anti-TB strategy. The rate of smoking among patients with TB is considered high by Moroccan doctors caring for the condition. However, they do not feel that they are sufficiently trained in smoking cessation techniques to help their patients. Therefore, education on smoking cessation needs to be integrated into the national anti-TB strategy.