Articles: function.
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The AO Spine PROST (Patient Reported Outcome Spine Trauma) was developed for people with spine trauma and minor or no neurological impairment. The purpose is to investigate health professionals' perspective on the applicability of the AO Spine PROST for people with motor-complete traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), using a discussion meeting and international survey study. ⋯ Health professionals found the AO Spine PROST generally applicable for people with motor-complete traumatic or non-traumatic SCI. This study provides further evidence for the use of the AO Spine PROST in spine trauma care, rehabilitation and research, as well as suggestions for its further development.
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Neuronal N-type (Ca V 2.2) voltage-gated calcium channels are essential for neurotransmission from primary afferent terminals in the dorsal horn. In this study, we have used a knockin mouse containing Ca V 2.2 with an inserted extracellular hemagglutinin tag (Ca V 2.2_HA), to visualise the pattern of expression of endogenous Ca V 2.2 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and their primary afferents in the dorsal horn. We examined the effect of partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) and found an increase in Ca V 2.2_HA only in large and medium dorsal root ganglion neurons and also in deep dorsal horn synaptic terminals. ⋯ We also found that following PSNL, there is patchy loss of glomerular synapses immunoreactive for Ca V 2.2_HA and CGRP or IB4, restricted to the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. This reduction is not dependent on α 2 δ-1 and likely reflects partial deafferentation of C-nociceptor presynaptic terminals. Therefore, in this pain model, we can distinguish 2 different events affecting specific DRG terminals, with opposite consequences for Ca V 2.2_HA expression and function in the dorsal horn.
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Vitamin D deficiency is involved in the etiology of a broad range of diseases. Recently, some studies have shown a link between vitamin D and susceptibility to the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation and irreversible airway obstruction. ⋯ Vitamin D exerts beneficial effects and exhibits anti-inflammatory actions. Vitamin D deficiency in COPD patients affects inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment and can generate the development of skeletal atrophy. This systematic review offers a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking vitamin D deficiency to COPD and muscle weakness, and aims to establish whether vitamin D supplementation could be useful to mitigate inflammation in COPD patients.
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Pulmonary injury can occur during liver transplantation in patients with prior liver surgery, infection, or hepatocellular carcinoma treatments. Compromise of gas exchange during liver transplantation mandates rapid, multidisciplinary decision-making. ⋯ Since oxygenation and pH were stable, we proceeded with liver transplantation to minimize graft ischemic time, followed by thoracic repair. The postoperative course was notable for adequate early liver function and discharge after prolonged postoperative ventilation and tube thoracostomy drainage.
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Many studies have found that viral infections affect different tissues, including the inner ear. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral infection, is a significant health problem worldwide. Prestin is a motor protein with important functions both in the outer hair cells of the inner ear and in cardiac tissue. In addition, prestin is promising as an early biomarker in the detection of ototoxicity. To determine the severity of infection in COVID-19 patients and to determine whether other tissues are affected by the infection, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), biochemical markers such as ferritin and D-dimer are used. This study aimed to compare prestin levels in patients with COVID-19 and healthy volunteers. ⋯ The levels of prestin, a motor protein in inner ear outer hair cells and cardiac myocytes, were found to be higher in COVID-19 patients than in healthy volunteers. It also showed a positive correlation with CRP and D-dimer. This may be associated with systemic dysfunction.