Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents.

Study Design: Cochrane systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of bracing in adolescent patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: AIS is a 3-dimensional deformity of the spine.

Brachial artery endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation identifies early-stage endothelial dysfunction in systemic sclerosis and correlates with nailfold microvascular impairment.

Objective: To assess possible correlations between endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Evidence has shown that vascular impairment in SSc may be a sign of endothelial dysfunction involving both microvascular and macrovascular systems, although the pathological mechanisms of the dysfunction are poorly understood.

Methods: Forty-three consecutive patients (mean age 51 +/- 11 yrs) with SSc were studied.

The role of AIRE polymorphisms in melanoma.

Polymorphisms of AIRE, a transcription factor that up-regulates intrathymic expression of tissue-specific antigens including melanoma-associated antigens (MAAs), may variably affect the selection of MAAs-specific thymocytes, generating T-cell repertoires protecting or predisposing individuals to melanoma. We found that AIRE single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1055311, rs1800520 and rs1800522 were significantly more frequent in healthy subjects than in melanoma patients, independently from sex, age and stages of melanoma. The presence of these SNPs was associated with increased frequency of two T-cell clonotypes specific for MAGE-1 linking their protective effect to selection/expansion of MAA-specific T cells.

Lipocalin-2 controls the expression of SDF-1 and the number of responsive cells in bone.

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a member of the lipocalin family, small secreted proteins functioning as modulators of many different physiological processes including cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. LCN2 expression is also up-regulated in several pathological conditions, including inflammation and cancer. LCN2 synthesis has been described in epithelia, bone and cells of the immune system.

EJPRM systematic continuous update on Cochrane reviews in rehabilitation: news from the 4th Issue 2009.

Background: Since 2007 we focused our attention as EJPRM to the best available clinical evidence offered by the Cochrane Collaboration. Due to the absence of a specific Rehabilitation Group (only a field exists), reviews of PRM interest are in different groups and not easy to find. Consequently, the EJPRM lists and presents all these reviews systematically.

Introduction to the "Scoliosis" Journal Brace Technology Thematic Series: increasing existing knowledge and promoting future developments.

Bracing is the main non-surgical intervention in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth, in hyperkyphosis (and Scheuermann disease) and occasionally for spondylolisthesis; it can be used in adult scoliosis, in the elderly when pathological curves lead to a forward leaning posture or in adults after traumatic injuries. Bracing can be defined as the application of external corrective forces to the trunk; rigid supports or elastic bands can be used and braces can be custom-made or prefabricated. The state of research in the field of conservative treatment is insufficient and while it can be stated that there is some evidence to support bracing, we must also acknowledge that today we do not have a common and generally accepted knowledge base, and that instead, individual expertise still prevails, giving rise to different schools of thought on brace construction and principles of correction.

Genomic instability--an evolving hallmark of cancer.

Genomic instability is a characteristic of most cancers. In hereditary cancers, genomic instability results from mutations in DNA repair genes and drives cancer development, as predicted by the mutator hypothesis. In sporadic (non-hereditary) cancers the molecular basis of genomic instability remains unclear, but recent high-throughput sequencing studies suggest that mutations in DNA repair genes are infrequent before therapy, arguing against the mutator hypothesis for these cancers.

Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents.

Background: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. While AIS can progress during growth and cause a surface deformity, it is usually not symptomatic. However, in adulthood, if the final spinal curvature surpasses a certain critical threshold, the risk of health problems and curve progression is increased.

Effect of obesity and low back pain on spinal mobility: a cross sectional study in women.

Background: obesity is nowadays a pandemic condition. Obese subjects are commonly characterized by musculoskeletal disorders and particularly by non-specific chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, the relationship between obesity and cLBP remains to date unsupported by an objective measurement of the mechanical behaviour of the spine and its morphology in obese subjects.

EJPRM systematic continuous update on Cochrane reviews in rehabilitation: news from the 3rd Issue 2009.

Aim: Since 2007 we have been focusing our attention to EJPRM as the best available clinical evidence as offered by the Cochrane Collaboration. Due to the absence of a specific Rehabilitation Group (only a Field does exist), some reviews in the field of PRM are not easy to find. Consequently, the EJPRM lists and presents all these reviews systematically.

Review of rehabilitation and orthopedic conservative approach to sagittal plane diseases during growth: hyperkyphosis, junctional kyphosis, and Scheuermann disease.

An increase of the physiological kyphosis during growth is defined hyperkyphosis (HK) and, according to the level where the apex of the curve can be retrieved, we can distinguish a thoracic HK and a thoraco-lumbar one, also called junctional kyphosis. Since these conditions can cause pain and esthetics impairments, lead in adulthood to an higher incidence of spinal and shoulder pain, and evolve during growth, it is important to manage this deformity. The aim of this paper was to present the state of the art about HK and its treatment.

Methodology of evaluation of morphology of the spine and the trunk in idiopathic scoliosis and other spinal deformities - 6th SOSORT consensus paper.

Background: Comprehensive evaluation of the morphology of the spine and of the whole body is essential in order to correctly manage patients suffering from progressive idiopathic scoliosis. Although methodology of clinical and radiological examination is well described in manuals of orthopaedics, there is deficit of data which clinical and radiological parameters are considered in everyday practise. Recently, an increasing tendency to extend scoliosis examination beyond the measure of the Cobb angle can be observed, reflecting a more patient-oriented approach.

sHLA-I contaminating molecules as novel mechanism of ex vivo/in vitro transcriptional and posttranscriptional modulation of transforming growth factor-beta in CD8+ T lymphocytes and neutrophils after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.

Background: Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to explain the beneficial action of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders. Among others' data, an in vitro increase of intracellular TGF-beta expression when culturing CD4+ T lymphocytes in the presence of IVIG has been reported. As IVIG infusion involves administration of soluble contaminants likewise all hemoderivative preparations, we hypothesized that, besides several other immunomodulatory proposed mechanisms, the clinical effects of IVIG therapy might be, at least partly, due to contaminating soluble HLA Class I (sHLA-I) molecules capable to exert pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects among which TGF-beta(1) modulation.

Soluble HLA-I-mediated secretion of TGF-beta1 by human NK cells and consequent down-regulation of anti-tumor cytolytic activity.

Soluble HLA class I (sHLA-I) molecules can regulate survival of NK cells and their anti-tumor killing activity. Herein, we have analysed whether interaction of sHLA-I with CD8 and/or different isoforms of killer Ig-like receptors (KIR) induced secretion of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. CD8+KIR- NK cell clones secreted TGF-beta1 upon the interaction of sHLA-I with CD8 molecule.

Immunoglobulin production pattern is allergen-specific in polysensitized patients.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by Th2 polarized immune response, such as increased IL-4 and reduced IFN-gamma production, and by a functional defect of T regulatory cells. This impaired immune response profile influences the pattern of immunoglobulin production in allergic patients. Therefore, the aim of this study is firstly to investigate the allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4, and IgA serum level pattern in polysensitized AR patients with the same skin prick test positivity to some pollen allergens.

EJPRM systematic continuous update on Cochrane reviews in rehabilitation: news from the second issue 2009.

The aim of the present paper is to systematically review all the new rehabilitation papers published in the second issue of 2009 from the Cochrane Library in order to provide to physicians involved in the field a summary of the best evidence nowadays available. The authors systematically searched all the new papers of rehabilitative interest from the second issue 2009 of the Cochrane Library. The retrieved papers are then divided in subgroups according to their topic.

Effectiveness of complete conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (bracing and exercises) based on SOSORT management criteria: results according to the SRS criteria for bracing studies - SOSORT Award 2009 Winner.

Background: The SRS criteria give the methodological reference framework for the presentation of bracing results, while the SOSORT criteria give the clinical reference framework for an appropriate bracing treatment. The two have not been combined in a study until now. Our aim was to verify the efficacy of a complete, conservative treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)according to the best methodological and management criteria defined in the literature.

How to improve aesthetics in patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): a SPoRT brace treatment according to SOSORT management criteria.

Background: Aesthetics is a main goal of both conservative and surgical treatments in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Previously, we developed and validated a clinical scale - the Aesthetic Index (AI)--in order to measure aesthetic impairment and changes during treatment.

Aim: To verify the efficacy of bracing on aesthetics in AIS.

TGF-beta and IL-17 serum levels and specific immunotherapy.

Two new T cell subsets may be involved in allergic rhinitis (AR) pathogenesis: Th17 and T regulatory cells, mainly producing IL-17 and TGF-beta respectively. Successful Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) induces relevant immunological changes, thus the aim of this study was to evaluate serum IL-17 and TGF-beta levels in AR patients treated with SLIT for 2 years. Patients' blood samples were collected before initiating SLIT (baseline), three months after the end of the first pre-seasonal SLIT course, and at the end of the second pre-seasonal course.

The European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in 2008: a year in a paper.

Background: In 2007, the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM) established the European Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Journal Network (EPRMJN) with a view to increase scientific knowledge among physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) specialists and to foster collaboration among the national, regional (multinational) and European PRM journals. In this connection, this paper gives the readers of national and regional, and European PRM journals a complete overview of the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (EJPRM), the official ESPRM journal, and a review of the papers published in 2008.

Methods: The evolution of the EJPRM in the last five years was analyzed, and the papers published in 2008 were systematically reviewed and classified by content and discussed.

EJPRM systematic continuous update on Cochrane reviews in rehabilitation: news from the first issue 2009.

The aim of the present paper is to systematically review all the new rehabilitation papers published in the first issue of 2009 by the Cochrane Library in order to provide to physicians involved in the field a summary of the best evidence nowadays available. The author systematically searched all the new papers of rehabilitative interest from the 1st issue 2009 of the Cochrane Library. The retrieved papers have been then divided in subgroups on the base of the topic.

Two year sublingual immunotherapy affects serum leptin.

Background: It has been demonstrated that serum leptin is elevated in females with allergic rhinitis. Recently, it has been reported that one course of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) does not affect serum leptin levels.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum leptin levels in a cohort of patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, before and after two pre-seasonal SLIT courses.

Specific exercises performed in the period of brace weaning can avoid loss of correction in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients: Winner of SOSORT's 2008 Award for Best Clinical Paper.

Background: Exercises are frequently performed in order to improve the efficacy of bracing and avoid its collateral effects. Very frequently there is a loss of correction during brace weaning in AIS treatment.

Aim: To verify the efficacy of exercises in reducing correction loss during brace weaning.