Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment: An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking.

Background: Walking dysfunction is reported by two-thirds of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Assistive devices are frequently recommended to improve walking; however, it is uncommon to consider their psychosocial impact, although many users abandon their assistive devices. The psychosocial impact, walking, balance, and fatigue associated with three assistive devices were compared to guide clinical decision making.

Effect of a rapid clinical protocol to the conversion from central venous hemodialysis catheter to arteriovenous access.

Purpose: Evaluation of the rapid conversion protocol that includes an ambulatory dialysis access center (DAC), and a three-step clinical pathway, to the conversion rate from central venous hemodialysis (HD) catheter to functioning arteriovenous (AV) access.

Methods: Prospective data were collected on 97 consecutive catheter-dependent HD patients. DAC is defined as an ambulatory unit, able to accommodate clinic visits, ultrasound examinations, surgical, interventional and hybrid procedures.

Role of CTLA-4, IL-18 and IL-10 on the Induction of Low Dose Oral Tolerance.

Oral Tolerance is the temporary loss of systemic immunological responsiveness to a specific soluble antigen after ingestion of that antigen. Results from our lab and others indicated that CTLA-4 and lack of IL-12 played a role in the induction of low dose oral tolerance at the Th1 cell level. Previous literature suggested that IL-18 also played a role in preventing oral tolerance induction while the cytokine IL-10 had been shown to be a factor contributing to suppressed immune responses.