Feasibility, safety, and preliminary proof of principles of autologous neural stem cell treatment combined with T-cell vaccination for ALS patients.

Uncontrolled activation of the innate immune system promotes the deterioration of neurons in different neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). T-cell vaccination (TCV) was developed by Irun Cohen and coworkers at the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) during the late 1970s and has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for human autoimmune diseases and a regulator of macrophage activation in animal models. We treated seven ALS patients with this cell therapy and were able to slow or stop disease progression in the affected individuals.

Simultaneous and proportional estimation of hand kinematics from EMG during mirrored movements at multiple degrees-of-freedom.

This paper proposes and tests on able-bodied subjects a control strategy that can be practically applied in unilateral transradial amputees for simultaneous and proportional control of multiple degrees-of-freedom (DOFs). We used artificial neural networks to estimate kinematics of the complex wrist/hand from high-density surface electromyography (EMG) signals of the contralateral limb during mirrored bilateral movements in free space. The movements tested involved the concurrent activation of wrist flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, forearm pronation/supination, and hand closing.

The change in deep cervical flexor activity after training is associated with the degree of pain reduction in patients with chronic neck pain.

Objectives: Altered activation of the deep cervical flexors (longus colli and longus capitis) has been found in individuals with neck pain disorders but the response to training has been variable. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between change in deep cervical flexor muscle activity and symptoms in response to specific training.

Methods: Fourteen women with chronic neck pain undertook a 6-week program of specific training that consisted of a craniocervical flexion exercise performed twice per day (10 to 20 min) for the duration of the trial.

(E)-2-[1-(1-Benzothio-phen-2-yl)ethyl-idene]-N-phenyl-hydrazinecarboxamide.

The title compound, C(17)H(15)N(3)OS, crystallizes with two unique mol-ecules, denoted 1 and 2, in the asymmetric unit. The two mol-ecules are closely similar and overlay with an r.m.

Low-frequency oscillations of the neural drive to the muscle are increased with experimental muscle pain.

We investigated the influence of nociceptive stimulation on the accuracy of task execution and motor unit spike trains during low-force isometric contractions. Muscle pain was induced by infusion of hypertonic saline into the abductor digiti minimi muscle of 11 healthy men. Intramuscular EMG signals were recorded from the same muscle during four isometric contractions of 60-s duration at 10% of the maximal force [maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)] performed before injection (baseline), after injection of isotonic (control) or hypertonic saline (pain), and 15 min after pain was no longer reported.

Estimation of grasping force from features of intramuscular EMG signals with mirrored bilateral training.

This study investigates the use of features extracted from intramuscular electromyography (EMG) for estimating grasping force in the ipsilateral and contralateral (mirrored) hand, during bilateral grasping tasks. This is relevant since force estimation using mirror tasks is a potentially useful pathway for the clinical training of unilateral amputees. Bilateral grasping force and intramuscular EMG (wire electrodes) of the right forearm were measured in 10 able-bodied subjects.

Recruitment of motor units in the medial gastrocnemius muscle during human quiet standing: is recruitment intermittent? What triggers recruitment?

The recruitment and the rate of discharge of motor units are determinants of muscle force. Within a motoneuron pool, recruitment and rate coding of individual motor units might be controlled independently, depending on the circumstances. In this study, we tested whether, during human quiet standing, the force of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle is predominantly controlled by recruitment or rate coding.

Neurological syndrome after R-CHOP chemotherapy for a non-Hodgkin lymphoma: what is the diagnosis?

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our Oncology department for management of a follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, stage IV A FLIPI 5. The patient entered chemotherapy following the R-CHOP schedule, and a PET scan after three cycles showed partial remission. One week later he was admitted to our hospital after developing serious pain in his left arm resulting in an impaired function, right facial hemiplegia, and ophthalmoplegia.

Assessment of the electrophysiological properties of the muscle fibers of a transplanted hand.

Background: The muscle fibers in a transplanted hand remain denervated for a long period of time after the transplant. This prolonged inactivity may change the electrophysiological membrane properties of muscle fibers, as observed in long-term denervation. We investigated whether electrophysiological properties of the muscle fibers are preserved in a transplanted hand even after several months of denervation.

Relationship between complex fractionated electrograms (CFE) and dominant frequency (DF) sites and prospective assessment of adding DF-guided ablation to pulmonary vein isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Sites of high DF are potential targets for AF ablation, but it is unknown if addition of DF ablation can improve procedural outcome.

Objectives: We sought to (1) examine the relationship between DF sites and complex fractionated electrograms (CFE) and (2) prospectively assess the long-term outcome of adding DF ablation to pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI) for persistent AF.

Methods: First, 20 patients with persistent AF who underwent previous CFE-guided ablation and who had AF terminate during ablation were studied retrospectively (group I).

Impact of glycemic and blood pressure variability on surrogate measures of cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients.

Objective: The effect of glycemic variability (GV) on cardiovascular risk has not been fully clarified in type 2 diabetes. We evaluated the effect of GV, blood pressure (BP), and oxidative stress on intima-media thickness (IMT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and sympathovagal balance (low frequency [LF]/high frequency [HF] ratio) in 26 type 2 diabetic patients (diabetes duration 4.41±4.

Dietary intakes of arachidonic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are associated with reduced risk of hip fracture in older adults.

PUFA are hypothesized to influence bone health, but longitudinal studies on hip fracture risk are lacking. We examined associations between intakes of PUFA and fish, and hip fracture risk among older adults (n = 904) in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. Participants (mean age ~75 y at baseline) were followed for incident hip fracture from the time they completed the baseline exam (1988-1989) until December 31, 2005.

Reliability and validity of the Impact of Event Scale (IES): version for Brazilian burn victims.

Aims: The aims of this study were to assess the internal reliability (internal consistency), construct validity, sensitivity and ceiling and floor effects of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Impact of Event Scale (IES).

Design: Methodological research design.

Method: The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the IES was applied to a group of 91 burned patients at three times: the first week after the burn injury (time one), between the fourth and the sixth months (time two) and between the ninth and the 12th months (time three).

Somatoform and psychoform dissociation among students.

Recent evidence suggests a relationship between psychoform and somatoform dissociation both in clinical and non clinical samples. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the two forms of dissociation among 947 university students who completed two self-administered questionnaires, the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20) and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). The main result of the study was that the association between somatoform and psychoform dissociation was strong for individuals with moderate level of DES scores (O.

Interferon and alternative activation of monocyte/macrophages in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective: To explore the relationship between biomarkers of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), interferon (IFN)-regulated gene expression, and the alternative activation pathway in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were purified from healthy controls, patients with idiopathic PAH, and SSc patients (classified as having diffuse cutaneous SSc, limited cutaneous SSc [lcSSc] without PAH, and lcSSc with PAH). IFN-regulated and "PAH biomarker" genes were compared after supervised hierarchical clustering.

Muscle fibre conduction velocity during a 30-s Wingate anaerobic test.

Ten male volunteers (age 29.2 ± 5.2 years, mean ± SD) were recruited to test the hypothesis that muscle fibre conduction velocity (MFCV) would decrease with power output during a 30-s Wingate test on a mechanically-braked cycle ergometer.

Umbilical cord insertion into the lower segment of the uterus at 11 to 13 weeks' gestation is associated with maternal serum PAPP-A.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the location of the placental cord insertion (CI) at 11 to 13 weeks' gestation affects the maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A).

Methods: Cohort study was conducted in patients who underwent the first trimester screening including nuchal translucency and blood test. We additionally documented the CI site.

Reliability and validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Burns Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS).

Background: Pain and anxiety are a common problem in all recovery phases after a burn. The Burns Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS) was proposed to assess anxiety in burn patients related to painful procedures.

Objectives: To assess internal consistency, discriminative construct validity, dimensionality and convergent construct validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Burns Specific Pain Anxiety Scale.

Association between intensity of pain and impairment in onset and activation of the deep cervical flexors in patients with persistent neck pain.

Objectives: This study evaluates the relationship between clinical symptoms and the function of the deep cervical flexor muscles in women with persistent neck pain.

Methods: Thirty-two women with a history of neck pain more than 6 months participated in the study. Measures for neck pain area, intensity, duration, and perceived disability were taken.

Practical synthesis of (2'R)-2'-deoxy-2'-C-methyluridine by highly diastereoselective homogeneous hydrogenation.

Diastereoselective hydrogenation of 2'-deoxy-2'-exo-methyleneuridine was carried out under homogeneous conditions using a low loading of a chiral Rh catalyst. This, coupled with improvements in the synthesis of the substrate, allowed the smooth pilot plant preparation of the title compound on >10 kg scale.

Correlation between single photon emission computed tomography, AgNOR count, and histomorphologic features in patients with active mandibular condylar hyperplasia.

Purpose: To analyze the association between nuclear medicine examination (single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]), histology, and Argyrophilic Nuclear Organizer Region (AgNOR) count in patients with active condylar hyperplasia who have undergone condylectomy.

Patients And Methods: Eight patients with a diagnosis of active condylar hyperplasia and evidence of facial asymmetry, with progressive deformation in time and on SPECT studies, were evaluated. The relationship between the rate of technetium Tc 99 intake, cartilage layer thickness, and cellular activity measured by recounting nucleolar organizers with AgNOR was evaluated.

E-Textile platforms for rehabilitation.

This paper focus on SFIT platforms for rehabilitations and FES therapy. Two systems will be described, one developed to support patients during motor therapy, when they are still hospitalized, and after discharge, at home; the other is a sleeve integrating multi-electrodes patches, designed to allow FES therapy and EMG acquisition for patients affected by tremor. These examples prove that it is possible to combine fabric electrodes and biomechanical textile sensors to conceive systems where gesture recognition function can be combined with EMG detection and FES capability.

NMR backbone dynamics studies of human PED/PEA-15 outline protein functional sites.

PED/PEA-15 (phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes/phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes) is a ubiquitously expressed protein and a key regulator of cell growth and glucose metabolism. PED/PEA-15 mediates both homotypic and heterotypic interactions and is constituted by an N-terminal canonical death effector domain and a C-terminal tail. In the present study, the backbone dynamics of PED/PEA-15 via (15)N R(1) and R(2) and steady-state [(1)H]-(15)N NOE measurements is reported.