Effects of visual deprivation on gait dynamic stability.

Vision can improve bipedal upright stability during standing and affect spatiotemporal parameters during walking. However, little is known about the effects of visual deprivation on gait dynamic stability. We have tested 28 subjects during walking under two different visual conditions, full vision (FV) and no vision (NV), measuring their upper body accelerations.

Comparison of three different methods for the evaluation of IL28 and ITPA polymorphisms in patients infected with HCV.

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) upstream of the IL28 gene (rs12979860) has been reported to predict sustained virological response to peginterferon-ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV patients. In addition, two functionally deficient variants (rs1127354 and rs7270101) of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) were shown to protect against ribavirin (RBV) - induced hemolytic anemia during early stages of treatment. In this study, three methods for detecting IL28 and ITPA mutations were compared to evaluate accuracy, sensitivity costs and turn-around time.

Impact of participation on rehabilitation results: a multivariate study.

Background: Participation in inpatients is commonly considered as a relevant factor influencing rehabilitation results, but its effects are still not exhaustively investigated.

Aim: To clarify and quantify the impact of level of participation in rehabilitation on functional outcome in inpatients.

Design: Prospective, observational multivariate study.

Performance of genotypic tropism testing on proviral DNA in clinical practice: results from the DIVA study group.

Objective: The DIVA study is aimed at setting up a standardized genotypic tropism-testing on proviral-DNA for the routine clinical diagnostic-laboratory.

Methods: Twelve local centres and 5 reference centres (previously cross-validated) were identified. For inter-center validation-procedure, 60 peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) aliquots from 45 HAART-treated patients were randomly chosen for population V3 sequencing on proviral-DNA at local HIV centre and at reference-laboratory.

Altered cerebral vasoregulation predicts the outcome of patients with partial anterior circulation stroke.

Background And Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between cerebral hemodynamic changes and the evolution of neurological deficit after stroke.

Methods: We included 65 patients with non-lacunar stroke admitted to a rehabilitation hospital within 4 weeks from the event. An evaluation of cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia was performed with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography using the breath-holding index (BHI).

Discovery of the first small molecule inhibitor of human DDX3 specifically designed to target the RNA binding site: towards the next generation HIV-1 inhibitors.

Efficacy of currently approved anti-HIV drugs is hampered by mutations of the viral enzymes, leading invariably to drug resistance and chemotherapy failure. Recent data suggest that cellular co-factors also represent useful targets for anti-HIV therapy. Here we describe the identification of the first small molecules specifically designed to inhibit the HIV-1 replication by targeting the RNA binding site of the human DEAD-Box RNA helicase DDX3.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 B and non-B subtypes with the same drug resistance pattern respond similarly to antiretroviral therapy.

We analysed the 12-week virological response to protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) therapy in 1108 patients carrying B or non-B human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 subtypes with matched resistance mutation patterns. Response rates were not significantly different for non-B and B subtypes stratified for treatment status (51.5% vs.

Phylogeographical footprint of colonial history in the global dispersal of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 group A.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) emerged in West Africa and has spread further to countries that share socio-historical ties with this region. However, viral origins and dispersal patterns at a global scale remain poorly understood. Here, we adopt a Bayesian phylogeographic approach to investigate the spatial dynamics of HIV-2 group A (HIV-2A) using a collection of 320 partial pol and 248 partial env sequences sampled throughout 19 countries worldwide.

Who may have durable benefit from robotic gait training?: a 2-year follow-up randomized controlled trial in patients with subacute stroke.

Background And Purpose: Robotic-assisted walking training after stroke aims to enhance the odd of regaining independent gait. Recent studies have suggested that this approach is more effective than conventional therapy alone only in severely affected patients. We determined whether these results persist at long-term follow-up.

Functional taping applied to upper limb of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a pilot study.

Functional taping with elastic bandages and adhesive tapes could limit the action of upper limb spastic muscles and sustain that of weaker muscles in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). 16 young children with CP (3±2 years old) were enrolled in this pilot study including 5 months of taping in conjunction with conventional physical therapy, followed by 7 months of physical therapy alone (taping wash-out), and other 5 months of taping plus therapy. Large improvements in the Melbourne assessment score were found in the first period in which taping was used (+15.

The PDZ-ligand and Src-homology type 3 domains of epidemic avian influenza virus NS1 protein modulate human Src kinase activity during viral infection.

The Non-structural 1 (NS1) protein of avian influenza (AI) viruses is important for pathogenicity. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized tandem PDZ-ligand (TPL) domain in the extreme carboxy terminus of NS1 proteins from a subset of globally circulating AI viruses. By using protein arrays we have identified several human PDZ-cellular ligands of this novel domain, one of which is the RIL protein, a known regulator of the cellular tyrosine kinase Src.

Psychological features and outcomes of the Back School treatment in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. A randomized controlled study.

Background: Low back pain is a worldwide health problem, affecting up to 80% of adult population. Psychological factors are involved in its development and maintenance. Many clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of different interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain.

Stability and harmony of gait in children with cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the stability and harmony of gait in children with cerebral palsy. Seventeen children with spastic hemiplegia due to cerebral palsy (5.0±2.

What do we need to know about speciation?

Speciation has been a major focus of evolutionary biology research in recent years, with many important advances. However, some of the traditional organising principles of the subject area no longer provide a satisfactory framework, such as the classification of speciation mechanisms by geographical context into allopatric, parapatric and sympatry classes. Therefore, we have asked where speciation research should be directed in the coming years.

Effects of walking endurance reduction on gait stability in patients with stroke.

Control of gait is usually altered following stroke, and it may be further compromised by overexertion and fatigue. This study aims to quantitatively assess patients' gait stability during six-minute walking, measuring upper body accelerations of twenty patients with stroke (64 ± 13 years old) and ten age-matched healthy subjects (63 ± 10 years old). Healthy subjects showed a steady gait in terms of speed and accelerations over the six minutes.

Efficacy of perceptive rehabilitation in the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain through a new tool: a randomized clinical study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a perceptive rehabilitative approach, based on a new device, with regard to pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Design: Single blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: An outpatient academic hospital.

Walking there: environmental influence on walking-distance estimation.

In a dark environment, when vision is excluded, humans are usually able to walk towards a target the position of which was previously memorized. Changes in spatio-temporal gait parameters, the presence of obstacles on the ground or pathway tilt can affect their performances. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the environment on this ability.

Toward the discovery of novel anti-HIV drugs. Second-generation inhibitors of the cellular ATPase DDX3 with improved anti-HIV activity: synthesis, structure-activity relationship analysis, cytotoxicity studies, and target validation.

A hit optimization protocol applied to the first nonnucleoside inhibitor of the ATPase activity of human DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX3 led to the design and synthesis of second-generation rhodanine derivatives with better inhibitory activity toward cellular DDX3 and HIV-1 replication. Additional DDX3 inhibitors were identified among triazine compounds. Biological data were rationalized in terms of structure-activity relationships and docking simulations.

Update on emergence of HIV-1 resistance to antiretroviral drug classes in an Italian national database: 2007-2009.

We analysed trends of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) drug resistance during 2007-2009 in the Italian national HIV drug resistance database 'ARCA'. Prevalence of resistance in each year was examined on the basis of the presence of major International AIDS Society-2009 mutations. Predictors of resistance were analysed by multivariable logistic regression.

Quality of life improved by multidisciplinary back school program in patıents with chronic non-specific low back pain: a single blind randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: A three and six months follow-up in a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Back School has become a widespread exercise program for low back pain (LBP), since its introduction in 1969. Back School could improve quality of life (QoL), but there are controversial data regarding its effectiveness.

Driving electromechanically assisted Gait Trainer for people with stroke.

Electromechanically assisted gait training is a promising task-oriented approach for gait restoration, especially for people with subacute stroke. However, few guidelines are available for selecting the parameter values of the electromechanical Gait Trainer (GT) (Reha-Stim; Berlin, Germany) and none is tailored to a patient's motor capacity. We assessed 342 GT sessions performed by 20 people with stroke who were stratified by Functional Ambulatory Category.

Mental health experiences and needs among primary care providers treating OEF/OIF veterans: preliminary findings from the Geisinger Veterans Initiative.

This study describes the results of the Reaching Rural Veterans Initiative (RRVI) funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Government. The purpose of this project was to address the needs of veterans and their family members in rural communities who were seen by non-VA primary care providers. As part of this project, an assessment of healthcare providers' knowledge and awareness of mental health-related issues and experiences with veterans' healthcare services was conducted.

Active ankle dorsiflexion and the Mingazzini manoeuvre: two clinical bedside tests related to prognosis of postural transferring, standing and walking ability in patients with stroke.

Background: Lower limb paresis is one of the main determinants of postural transferring, standing and walking disability in patients with stroke. Early prognosis of recovery of lower limb function and of related functional disability is an important issue in neurorehabilitation clinical practice.

Aim: Aim of this study was to assess the relationship between active ankle dorsiflexion and the Mingazzini manoeuvre with the prognosis of lower limb function and of postural transferring, standing and walking ability in patients with stroke.

HIV integrase variability and genetic barrier in antiretroviral naïve and experienced patients.

Background: HIV-1 integrase (IN) variability in treatment naïve patients with different HIV-1 subtypes is a major issue. In fact, the effect of previous exposure to antiretrovirals other than IN inhibitors (INI) on IN variability has not been satisfactorily defined. In addition, the genetic barrier for specific INI resistance mutations remains to be calculated.