Articles: function.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparative clinical, physiological and inflammatory characteristics of elderly subjects with or without asthma and young asthmatics.
Asthma seems to present in the elderly as a specific phenotype that remains to be further described. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to assess the multidimensional aspects of asthma in the elderly. ⋯ Asthma in the elderly presents as a specific phenotype associated with increased airway obstruction and mixed airway inflammation in addition to signs of systemic inflammation.
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Loss-of-function mutations in the enzyme 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase are responsible for the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, in which 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) levels are markedly increased in the plasma and tissues of patients. This increase in 7-DHC is probably associated with the painful and itchy photosensitivity reported by the majority of patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. To identify the molecular targets involved in the activation and photosensitization of primary afferents by 7-DHC, we focused on TRPA1 and TRPV1, two ion channels expressed in nociceptive nerve endings and previously shown to respond to ultraviolet and visible light under pathophysiological circumstances. ⋯ Single-fiber recordings in mouse skin-nerve preparations demonstrate violet light-evoked activation and a sensitization to 7-DHC exposure. Vice versa, 7-DHC pretreatment of the isolated trachea leads to a TRPA1- and TRPV1-dependent increase of the light-induced calcitonin gene-related peptide release. Taken together, our results implicate TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels as potential pharmacological targets to address the 7-DHC-induced hypersensitivity to light in patients.
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Critical care medicine · Dec 2017
Effects of Hyperoxia During Resuscitation From Hemorrhagic Shock in Swine With Preexisting Coronary Artery Disease.
Investigation of the effects of hyperoxia during resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock in swine with preexisting coronary artery disease. ⋯ Hyperoxia during resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock in swine with preexisting coronary artery disease reduced renal dysfunction and cardiac injury, potentially resulting in improved survival, most likely due to increased mitochondrial respiratory capacity and decreased oxidative and nitrosative stress. Compared with our previous study, the present results suggest a higher benefit of hyperoxia in comorbid swine due to an increased susceptibility to hemorrhagic shock.
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The Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a patient reported outcome measure for evaluating upper limb function in people with musculoskeletal conditions. While the DASH has good psychometric properties when used with people with musculoskeletal conditions, it has not been tested with adults after stroke. ⋯ The DASH is considered to have acceptable validity when used with adults following stroke. Test-retest reliability was low but further research is needed to establish whether this is a result of condition-related change or the stability of the measure. Implications for Rehabilitation The DASH questionnaire examines upper limb function in task performance and appears to be a useful tool, which is simple to administer in the clinical setting with adults following stroke. Upper limb function post stroke can be meaningfully assessed using the DASH as it has good internal consistency and moderate concurrent validity. Rasch analysis and factor analysis suggests that the tool appears to consist of three subscales: pain, impact and function. The total score of the DASH may be less meaningful than the totals of these subscales. The test-retest reliability of the DASH requires further research; over a four-week period DASH stability was poor in a group of people with moderate to severe upper limb impairment.