Video based analysis of dynamic midfoot function and its relationship with Foot Posture Index scores.

INTRODUCTION: Various studies have demonstrated significant as well as non-significant relationships between static evaluation of foot posture and injury likelihood. Therefore, the relationship of static and dynamic measures needs to be established as in clinical settings time consuming dynamic methods are often not feasible. PURPOSE: Assess reliability of a new method to quantify midfoot movement and validate the use of Foot Posture Index (FPI) classification as predictor of dynamic foot function during walking. METHOD: Foot type was classified using FPI in 280 randomly selected adult participants (mean age 43.4 years). A Video Sequence Analysis (VSA) system was used to quantify midfoot kinematics during walking. Navicula drop (DeltaNH) and minimal navicula height (NHL) were compared with FPI. RESULTS: The Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) for DeltaNH and NHL ranged from 0.65 to 0.95 with a coefficient of repeatability of 1.4 mm for DeltaNH and 4.5 mm for NHL. System precision was estimated at 0.99 mm for DeltaNH and 3.18 mm for NHL. DeltaNH was significantly positively correlated with FPI scores while NHL decreased with increasing FPI. However, the FPI model predicted only 13.2% of the variation in DeltaNH and 45% of the variation in NHL during walking (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The VSA was proven as a reliable and precise method to quantify midfoot kinematics. FPI scores and individual components of the FPI show strong statistical relationships to dynamic measures but individual predictions remain questionable. Dynamic midfoot measures are recommended for clinical foot assessments.

Perspectives for clinical measures of dynamic foot function-reference data and methodological considerations.

Several studies have investigated if static posture assessments qualify to predict dynamic function of the foot showing diverse outcomes. However, it was suggested that dynamic measures may be better suited to predict foot-related overuse problems. The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability for dynamic measures of longitudinal arch angle (LAA) and navicular height (NH) and to examine to what extent static and dynamic measures thereof are related. Intra-rater reliability of LAA and NH measures was tested on a sample of 17 control subjects. Subsequently, 79 subjects were tested while walking on a treadmill. The ranges and minimum values for LAA and NH during ground contact were identified over 20 consecutive steps. A geometric error model was used to simulate effects of marker placement uncertainty and skin movement artifacts. Results demonstrated the highest reliability for the minimum NH (MinNH), followed by the minimum LAA (MinLAA), the dynamic range of navicular height (DeltaNH) and the range of LAA (DeltaLAA) while all measures were highly reliable. Marker location uncertainty and skin movement artifacts had the smallest effects on measures of NH. The use of an alignment device for marker placement was shown to reduce error ranges for NH measures. Therefore, DeltaNH and MinNH were recommended for functional dynamic foot characterization in the sagittal plane. There is potential for such measures to be a suitable predictor for overuse injuries while being obtainable in clinical settings. Future research needs to include such dynamic but simple foot assessments in large-scale clinical studies.

Eosinophilia in the upper gastrointestinal tract is not a characteristic feature in cow's milk sensitive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Measurement by two methodologies.

BACKGROUND: An association between cow's milk hypersensitivity (CMH) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in childhood has been reported in the past decade. AIM: To assess whether biopsies from the upper gastrointestinal tract of children with cow's milk sensitive GERD have a specific allergic inflammatory pattern, and to compare two different techniques for measuring inflammatory cells in gastrointestinal biopsies. METHODS: GERD was diagnosed by means of endoscopy and oesophageal pH monitoring. Hypersensitivity to cow's milk was determined by an elimination diet and cow's milk challenge. Allergic inflammatory cells in upper gastrointestinal biopsies were identified by immunohistochemistry and their numbers were assessed by two different methods-counting the number of cells/high power field and using the computerised Cast-Grid system. RESULTS: Cow's milk sensitive GERD was identified in 10 of 17 children with severe GERD (median age, 7.8 years). Biopsies from children with endoscopic oesophagitis had significantly increased numbers of mast cells and T cells. No differences in the number of eosinophils, mast cells, or T cells were found between children with CMH and those with primary GERD. Several differences were found between the two different histological quantification methods. CONCLUSIONS: CMH was found not only in infants but also in school age children with GERD. Histology did not identify the cow's milk sensitive GERD subgroup. The computerised histological method provides a more complete evaluation based upon total biopsy area, and helped to limit the bias of uneven biopsy size.

Severe gastroesophageal reflux disease and cow milk hypersensitivity in infants and children: disease association and evaluation of a new challenge procedure.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and cow milk hypersensitivity are frequent disorders of infancy. A possible causative association between these two entities has been suggested. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to elucidate whether a causative relationship between the two entities could be established in a population of infants and children. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether cow milk challenge during esophageal pH monitoring is useful as an objective method to identify this subgroup of patients. METHODS: Upper endoscopy followed by a 48-hour esophageal pH monitoring with cow's milk elimination diet at day 1 and challenge at day 2. Cow milk hypersensitivity was later verified by elimination diet and a second open (in patients < 3 years of age) or double-blind placebo-controlled (in patients > or = 3 years of age) challenge. Skin prick test, specific serum immunoglobulin E and skin patch test were used as supplementary procedures. Follow-up endoscopy and pH monitoring were performed after 3 months of treatment (omeprazole versus elimination diet dependent on evidence of food hypersensitivity). RESULTS: Eighteen of 42 investigated patients had severe GERD, defined as endoscopic esophagitis and/or a reflux index > 10%. Among these patients, a group of 10 patients with GERD and cow milk hypersensitivity was identified. This group had a significantly higher reflux index compared with children with primary GERD. No significant increase was noted in reflux index during simultaneous pH monitoring and milk challenge. CONCLUSIONS: An association between GERD and cow milk hypersensitivity was observed in both infants and children with severe GERD. Simultaneous cow milk challenge and pH monitoring had limited value as a method to identify this subgroup.

[Diagnostic benefit of gastrointestinal endoscopy in infants under one year of age--a two-year survey]. / Diagnostisk udbytte ved gastrointestinal endoskopi hos børn under et år--en toårs opgørelse.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal endoscopy in children is a well-established procedure. We reviewed our experience of endoscopy in infants below one year of age to evaluate indications, endoscopic findings, histology, and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight infants were studied over a two-year period. Of these, 18 underwent upper endoscopy, six recto/sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and four both procedures. RESULTS: The most common indication (10/22) for upper endoscopy was vomiting and suspicion of gastrooesophageal reflux disease. In these infants, 24-hour continuous monitoring of the oesophageal pH followed the procedure. Indications for lower endoscopy were rectal bleeding (n = 6) and intractable diarrhoea (n = 4). There were no complications to anaesthesia, endoscopy, or biopsy. Overall, there were endoscopic abnormalities in 82% and histological abnormalities in 75% of the infants. The diagnostic findings included rare disorders, such as eosinophilic gastroenteritis, microvillous inclusion disease, and chylomicron retention disease. Diagnosis of these diseases requires gastrointestinal biopsy. DISCUSSION: Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe procedure, which is a valuable part of the diagnostic work-up in a selected group of infants with long-lasting or severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

[Transurethral treatment of seminal vesicle abscess]. / Transuretral behandling af vesicula seminalis-absces.

An 83-year old male with a seminal vesicle abscess is presented. Initially, cancer of the prostate was suspected and the findings of the transrectal ultrasound scan were misinterpreted. The diagnosis was made by CT-scan. When drainage failed the patient was treated successfully with transurethral unroofing.

Absorption in rats of rapeseed, soybean, and sunflower oils before and following moderate heating.

Rapeseed, soybean, and sunflower oil were heated for 15 min in a 5-mm oil layer in a pan at 180 degrees C. The fatty acid composition was almost unaffected by heating, while the polymer content rose slightly and the tocopherol content decreased, except in soybean oil. The absorption of oils before and after heating was investigated in lymph-cannulated rats. Oils were administered as emulsions through a gastrostomy tube and lymph was collected during the next 24 h. The highest accumulated lymphatic transport of total fatty acids was observed after administration of rapeseed oil, and the lowest after heated sunflower oil. The accumulated transport was similar for all unheated oils. The transport of fatty acids was significantly lower in rats receiving heated oil compared to those receiving the corresponding unheated oil. Small increases in polymers may have contributed to the decreased lymphatic transport of oil following heating, although this probably does not fully explain the effect. The absorption of sunflower oil was more affected by heating than the absorption of soybean or rapeseed oil. Furthermore, the largest decrease in total activity of tocopherols following heating was observed in sunflower oil. Overall, these results demonstrate that the absorption of vegetable oils is affected by moderate heating.

Analytical and clinical performance characteristics of Tandem-MP Ostase, a new immunoassay for serum bone alkaline phosphatase.

The performance characteristics of the Tandem-MP Ostase assay, a new microplate immunoassay for bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP; EC 3.1.3.1) in human sera, are described. Bone ALP is bound to streptavidin-coated microwells by a single biotinylated anti-bone ALP monoclonal antibody. Antigen is detected by the addition of p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The assay is performed at room temperature in <90 min. Imprecision was 2.3-6.1% with a detection limit of 0.6 microg/L. Method comparison of bone ALP measurements with the Tandem-MP Ostase assay and the mass-based Tandem-R Ostase assay (n = 285) indicated regression statistics of Tandem-MP Ostase = 1.03 Tandem-R Ostase + 0.22 microg/L, S(y/x) = 4.0 microg/L, r = 0.97. Serum bone ALP values in apparently healthy men and in pre- and postmenopausal women were also similar between the two Ostase assay formats. Liver ALP reactivity determined using the slope and heat inactivation methods was similar in both Ostase assays. Liver ALP reactivity ranged from 3 microg/L (heat inactivation) to 6 microg/L (slope method) per 100 U/L of liver ALP activity, whereas bone ALP reactivity was 37 microg/L per 100 U/L of bone ALP activity, indicating a liver ALP relative reactivity of 8.1-16.2%. Similar results were obtained with the Alkphase-B bone ALP immunoassay. The Tandem-MP Ostase bone ALP assay demonstrated increased concentrations of serum bone ALP in conditions where bone metabolism is increased and showed a rapid, temporal decrease in serum bone ALP in Paget disease patients on bisphosphonate therapy. In conclusion, the Tandem-MP Ostase assay for serum bone ALP is a rapid, simple, robust nonisotopic alternative to the Tandem-R Ostase immunoradiometric assay that provides an accurate and sensitive assessment of bone turnover.

Correlation of electrophoretic mobilities from capillary electrophoresis with physicochemical properties of proteins and peptides.

Excellent correlation was observed for the electrophoretic mobilities measured by capillary zone electrophoresis versus q/MW2/3, where q is the calculated charge and MW is the molecular weight. Mobilities of a set of 33 diverse peptides from enzymatic digests and 10 intact proteins were measured for separations at pH 2.35, 8.0, and 8.15 with constant ionic strength, temperature, and viscosity. The correlation suggests that the frictional drag is proportional to the surface area of a sphere that has a volume proportional to the MW. The correlation of electrophoretic mobility with physicochemical properties will facilitate the elucidation of optimum separation strategies for protein and peptide mixtures.

Separation of antibody-antigen complexes by capillary zone electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography.

The separation of antibody-antigen complexes by free-solution capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been demonstrated. The antigen, a monoclonal antibody specific for the antigen, and the complex were well resolved. The entire separation was achieved in less than 10 min using on-column UV detection. The pI values for the three species were estimated separately by isoelectric focusing (IEF) experiments on polyacrylamide gels. Reasonably good agreement was found between the relative migration times measured by CZE and the pI values. Both IEF and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography of the antibody-antigen mixtures confirmed the formation of the complexes observed by CZE. This study demonstrates the utility of CZE as a new and complementary technique for the characterization of antibody-antigen complexes.

Method optimization in capillary zone electrophoretic analysis of hGH tryptic digest fragments.

The mobile phase composition was optimized for the separation of tryptic digest fragments of human growth hormone by capillary zone electrophoresis. The effect of pH (pH 2.4, 6.1, 8.1 and 10.4) was evaluated since pH determines the relative charge of species, the prime contributor to selectivity; pH 8.1 was selected for the optimization studies. Tricine (buffer), sodium chloride (ionic strength adjustor), and morpholine (mobile phase additive) concentrations were systematically varied a pH 8.1. All three exhibited major effects on the electroosmotic flow velocity and current, and minor effects on selectivity. Tricine was the most crucial for good resolution, although addition of morpholine helped to resolve closely eluting species. The optimum separation conditions were found to be pH 8.1 with 0.1 M tricine, 0.02 M morpholine and no salt.

Capillary zone electrophoresis of peptide fragments from trypsin digestion of biosynthetic human growth hormone.

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was applied to the separation of the 19 peptide fragments produced by enzymatic digestion of human growth hormone (hGH). The fragments of hGH produced by trypsin digestion under non-reducing conditions were identified in the electropherogram. Almost all of the fragments were resolved by CZE in less than 15 min. There is a marked difference in selectivity between reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and CZE. CZE is demonstrated to be a powerful complement to RP-HPLC for routine identification of hGH using trypsin digests.

Application of free-solution capillary electrophoresis to the analytical scale separation of proteins and peptides.

The application of free solution capillary electrophoresis (FSCE) to the separation of protein and peptide mixtures is presented. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of FSCE separations are considered. In addition, a brief introduction describing the separation principle behind FSCE separations and a discussion of electrophoretic mobility are included. The applications were chosen in order to highlight the selectivity of FSCE separations and to demonstrate applications of potential practical interest to the bioanalytical chemist. Comparison of FSCE relative to traditional analytical separation alternatives is stressed throughout. The examples are presented in three broad categories: protein separations, peptide separations, and the application of both to the analysis of recombinant protein products. In the first section, FSCE separations of peptide mixtures are presented which demonstrate the suitability of FSCE for the analysis of the purity of peptide samples, the homogeneity of peptide samples prior to sequencing, the identity of peptides by using electrophoretic mobility values, and the reduction of an intrachain disulfide bridge. In the second section, protein separations are presented that show the resolution of glycoproteins having the same primary structure and the separation of immune complexes from free unreacted antibody and antigen. In the final section, highly purified and well-characterized samples of biosynthetic human insulin (BHI), biosynthetic human growth hormone (hGH), and their derivatives were used to evaluate FSCE as a complement and/or alternative to conventional analytical separation techniques for the determination of purity and identity of biosynthetic human proteins. In addition, the quantitative aspects of FSCE analysis such as linearity of response, precision, and limit of detection were examined.

Capillary zone electrophoresis of insulin and growth hormone.

The separation power of capillary zone electrophoresis was examined using highly purified and well-characterized biosynthetic human insulin, growth hormone, their derivatives, and related proteins. Mixtures of proteins were chosen to illustrate practical applications of this technique. Proteins differing slightly in structure, but equivalent in net charge, were not completely separated. Degradation of insulin by dilute acid treatment was followed by capillary zone electrophoresis, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Excellent correlation was observed between these techniques. Simple equipment requirements and analysis times on the order of 10 min make capillary zone electrophoresis attractive for analytical protein separations.

Characterization of adsorption on the stationary phase using high-performance immunoaffinity chromatography.

Low-level adsorption on the stationary phase has been studied using immunochemical reagents. An immunoaffinity column has been evaluated using affinity-purified radioisotope-labeled monoclonal antibodies. Recovery experiments including continuous immunosorbent monitoring have been performed. Proper characterization of an immunoaffinity separation can result in the recovery of immunologically active material in high yield.