Oral administration of Hsp65-producing Lactococcus lactis attenuates allergic asthma in a murine model.

AIMS: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by a Th2-type immune response pattern. The development of nonspecific immunotherapy is one of the primary goals for the control of this disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of Lactococcus lactis-producing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (LLHsp65) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma model. OVA-challenged BALB/c mice were orally administrated with LLHsp65 for 10 consecutive days. The results demonstrate that LLhsp65 attenuates critical features of allergic inflammation, like airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus production. Likewise, the treatment decreases the pulmonary eosinophilia and the serum level of OVA-specific IgE. In addition to deviating immune responses towards Th1-cytokine profile, increase regulatory T cells, and cytokine levels, such as IL-6 and IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that the mucosal immunotherapy of LLHsp65 significantly reduces the overall burden of airway allergic inflammation, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma treatment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This research reveals new perspectives on nonspecific immunotherapy based on the delivery of recombinant proteins by lactic acid bacteria to treat of allergic disorders.

The sensitivity of the sole of the foot in patients with Morbus Parkinson.

The sensory input of the foot has an important influence on balance. In patients with Morbus Parkinson (PD-patients) balance control is often impaired. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the sensitivity of the plantar foot in PD-patients. Five sites of the plantar foot were examined in 24 PD-patients and in 20 controls using Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments for touch pressure and a vibration-exciter (30 Hz) for vibration. The results show significantly higher thresholds in PD-patients. For each tested location (except the heel) the thresholds are at least twice as high as in controls. Moreover, this study proved the correlation between motor and somatosensory systems: the stronger the motor deficiencies in PD-patients (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating System score) the higher the sensitivity thresholds for vibration. In conclusion, reduced sensitivity of the plantar foot may contribute to impaired balance control.

Transfer of tennis racket vibrations onto the human forearm.

One of several factors suspected in the development of lateral epicondylitis, often referred to as tennis elbow, is the impact-induced vibration of the racket-and-arm system at ball contact. Using two miniature accelerometers at the wrist and the elbow of 24 tennis players, the effects of 23 different tennis racket constructions were evaluated in a simulated backhand stroke situation. The influences of body weight, skill level, and tennis racket construction onto the magnitude of vibrations at wrist and elbow were investigated. Amplitudes, integrals, and fourier components were used to characterize arm vibration. More than fourfold reductions in acceleration amplitude and integral were found between wrist and elbow. Off-center as compared with center ball impacts resulted in approximately three times increased acceleration values. Between subjects, body weight as well as skill level were found to influence arm vibration. Compared with proficient players, a group of less skilled subjects demonstrated increased vibration loads on the arm. Between different racket constructions, almost threefold differences in acceleration values could be observed. Increased racket head size as well as a higher resonance frequency of the racket were found to reduce arm vibration. The vibration at the arm after ball impact showed a strong inverse relationship (r = -0.88) with the resonance frequency of tennis rackets.

[Lithium in the prevention of manic-depressive and schizo-affective psychoses]. / Il litio nella profilassi delle psicosi maniaco-depressiva e schizoaffettiva.

The brilliant results obtained with lithium carbonate in the prophylactic treatment of manic-depressive (MDP) and schizoaffective (SAP) psychoses over almost five years are reported. The series includes 53 patients, 46 of them suffering from MDP and 7 from SAP. In the majority of cases, the lithium dose used was 900 mg/die and lithaemia was 0.564 +/- 0.0632 mEq/1. The parameters considered were the number of attacks, their intensity and duration; therapy, if any, with traditional psychodrugs (neuroleptics and antidepressants); the number of hospitalizations and their duration. Results were valuated by comparing an equal period of time before and during therapy with lithium. In MDP the number of attacks fell 74.25% and their duration by 83.14%; severe attacks responded better to treatment, with a reduction of 94%. The quantity of traditional psychodrugs used was reduced by 66.42%. The number of hospitalizations fell 75% and days admitted by 80%. In SAP the results were even better: the number of attacks fell by 87.5% and their duration by 94.7%; serious attacks disappeared completely and the quantity of traditional psychodrugs used fell by 57.06%. The number of admittances fell 75% and days in hospital by 97%.

Pressure distribution measurements for evaluation of running shoe properties.

The loading of individual foot structures which may play an important role in the occurrence of overuse injuries can be determined by using pressure distribution devices. In-shoe pressure measurements are of special interest as they provide information about the changes in foot to ground interactions with footwear modifications. Several studies have investigated the magnitudes of plantar in-shoe pressures at different running velocities. The first ray of the foot, composed of first metatarsus and hallux, was identified as one of the main load bearing structures during the push-off phase. Low correlations were found for the relationships of plantar pressures to ground reaction force or shock related variables. Pressure measurements provide a unique insight into the interaction between the human body, footwear and the ground. Substantial differences can be found in the peak pressure and relative load patterns due to different shoe constructions. It was also shown that plantar pressure measurement can be employed to identify changes of footwear properties with use. Although in-shoe pressure data offer detailed information about the loading behavior of the foot in various activities, at present conclusions for medical implications are still speculative.

Measurements of rearfoot motion during running.

Excessive rearfoot motion is an important factor that has been linked to the development of injuries in running. Therefore, extensive research has been performed that to investigate the movement of the foot and factors that influence the degree of rearfoot motion. Several methodological procedures are available that indirectly determine the degree of rearfoot movement. High-speed film, high-speed video and opto-electric techniques have been used to analyse the posterior aspect of the heel counter of the shoe in the frontal plane to determine rearfoot motion at ground contact on a treadmill or during overground running. Recent studies used invasive pin methods to determine rearfoot motion during running under different conditions. Using a non-invasive approach, electrogoniometers have been used to quantify rearfoot motion. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of an in-shoe electrogoniometric method to investigate rearfoot motion during running in different running shoes. The results showed that rearfoot motion variables were lower using the in-shoe goniometer compared to a heel counter method. This confirms previous bone pin studies where significant lower eversion and eversion velocity values were revealed by the bone pins compared to the shoe counter markers. Thus, external measurements seem to overestimate rearfoot motion significantly. On the other hand, the in-shoe measurements revealed slightly lower GRF related values. As with any other shoe insert, an in-shoe device elevates the foot slightly and thus may influence the mechanical behaviour of the shoe.

[The tripod support of the foot. An analysis of pressure distribution under static and dynamic loading]. / Die Dreipunktunterstützung des Fusses. Eine Druckverteilungsanalyse bei statischer und dynamischer Belastung.

A "tripod" loading of the human foot, as it is mentioned in some textbooks, was not found in a pressure distribution study with 111 adults. For bipedal standing as well as walking peak pressures beneath the 3rd metatarsal head were substantially higher than under the metatarsal heads I and V. Correlation analyses demonstrated that the pressure distribution during standing reveals only little information about the dynamic loads under the foot during gait. Gender differences in the load bearing behavior of the foot as well as significant correlations of peak pressures towards body weight and foot contact area were found.

[Analysis of pressure distribution for the evaluation of gait in patients with hallux valgus surgery]. / Druckverteilungsanalyse zur Beurteilung des Abrollverhaltens bei operierten Hallux valgus-Patienten.

Peak pressures and regional impulses were determined under the feet of 58 patients treated by a Keller/Brandes surgery. The values were taken in walking by means of a capacitance pressure distribution platform and compared to the pressure values of a normal collective (n = 111). 95% of the patients were satisfied with the surgery. A shift of the pressure and the regional impulse from the hallux to the metatarsal heads, especially to the III. metatarsus could be found.

Dynamic plantar pressure distribution measurements in hemiparetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: A comparison of plantar pressure distribution of hemiparetic patients with a control group was performed to determine quantitative, objective and reproducible criteria for better assessment of hemiparetic gait. DESIGN: This empirical, descriptive study used a clinical sample of 18 hemiparetic patients and compared the data to previously published data from 111 healthy persons. BACKGROUND: Several biomechanical methods have been used in the past to evaluate and classify hemiplegic gait, for example kinetic, cinematographic, or electromyographic systems, but plantar pressure distribution measurement has not been studied. METHODS: Peak pressures were determined under the feet of 18 hemiparetic patients during stance phase using a capacitive pressure distribution platform (EMED-F01 system, Novel GmbH). RESULTS: Hemiparetic patients showed considerably lower peak pressures under all anatomical structures and an unexpected medial load shift in the forefoot. CONCLUSIONS: The grade of spasticity seems to be the most important cause for expression of the medial load shift. Individual pressure distribution gait analysis, as shown in an example, may improve assessment and therapy of hemiparetic patients. RELEVANCE: Plantar pressure distribution data from hemiparetic patients can be used for an analysis of lower extremity dysfunctions. This method may also be employed to assess objectively the success of drug treatment and/or other rehabilitation processes. In particular, individual plantar pressure data from patients will provide additional clinical information for rehabilitation physicians, therapists, and engineers.