Pharmaceutical targeting of OTUB2 sensitizes tumors to cytotoxic T cells via degradation of PD-L1.

PD-1 is a co-inhibitory receptor expressed by CD8+ T cells which limits their cytotoxicity. PD-L1 expression on cancer cells contributes to immune evasion by cancers, thus, understanding the mechanisms that regulate PD-L1 protein levels in cancers is important. Here we identify tumor-cell-expressed otubain-2 (OTUB2) as a negative regulator of antitumor immunity, acting through the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in various human cancers. Mechanistically, OTUB2 directly interacts with PD-L1 to disrupt the ubiquitination and degradation of PD-L1 in the endoplasmic reticulum. Genetic deletion of OTUB2 markedly decreases the expression of PD-L1 proteins on the tumor cell surface, resulting in increased tumor cell sensitivity to CD8+ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity. To underscore relevance in human patients, we observe a significant correlation between OTUB2 expression and PD-L1 abundance in human non-small cell lung cancer. An inhibitor of OTUB2, interfering with its deubiquitinase activity without disrupting the OTUB2-PD-L1 interaction, successfully reduces PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and suppressed tumor growth. Together, these results reveal the roles of OTUB2 in PD-L1 regulation and tumor evasion and lays down the proof of principle for OTUB2 targeting as therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Individual perceptions on the relationship between migraine and neck pain.

BACKGROUND: Despite neck pain being a common complaint for people with migraine, little is known about how individuals perceive the relationship between their migraine and neck pain. Exploring their beliefs and perceptions could provide valuable understanding to improve overall management and reduce the burden of migraine and neck pain. OBJECTIVES: To investigate individual perspectives on how migraine and neck pain relate. METHODS: A retrospective qualitative study was performed. Seventy participants (mean age 39.2, 60 female) were recruited via community and social media advertisements, and interviewed by an experienced physiotherapist using a semi-structured interview framework. An Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the responses. RESULTS: Five themes were identified from the interviews: (i) the timing of neck pain and migraine, (ii) causality beliefs, (iii) burden of neck pain and migraine, (iv) experiences with treatment and (v) mismatched perspectives. Diverse views emerged, revealing links between the first two themes of timing and causality, showing increased burden in those suffering from both neck pain and migraine, and providing insights into apparently ineffective or even aggravating treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Valuable insights for clinicians emerged. Due to the complex relationship, clinicians should discuss the aetiology of neck pain in migraine with patients. For some individuals, neck treatment may not produce long-term relief and may even aggravate migraine, but the value of short-term relief in a chronic condition must be considered individually. Clinicians are ideally placed to have discussions with patients individually to tailor individual decisions about management.

Subgrouping individuals with migraine associated neck pain for targeted management.

INTRODUCTION: Neck pain is one of the most common and burdensome symptoms associated with migraine. Many individuals with migraine and neck pain seek neck treatment, but evidence for such treatment is limited. Most studies have treated this population as a homogenous group, providing uniform cervical interventions that have yet to show clinically important effects. However, different neurophysiological and musculoskeletal mechanisms can underlie neck pain in migraine. Targeting treatment to specific underlying mechanisms may therefore be the key to improving treatment outcomes. Our research characterised neck pain mechanisms and identified subgroups based on cervical musculoskeletal function and cervical hypersensitivity. This suggests that specific management aimed towards addressing mechanisms relevant to each subgroup might be beneficial. PURPOSE: This paper explains our research approach and findings to date. Potential management strategies for the identified subgroups and future research directions are discussed. IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should perform skilled physical examination with the aim of identifying if patterns of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction and or hypersensitivity are present in the individual patient. There is currently no research into treatments differentiated for subgroups to address specific underlying mechanisms. It is possible that neck treatments addressing musculoskeletal impairments may be most beneficial for those subgroups where neck pain is primarily due to musculoskeletal dysfunction. Future research should define treatment aims and select specific subgroups for targeted management to determine which treatments are most effective for each subgroup. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Biochar alleviating heavy metals phytotoxicity in sludge-amended soil varies with plant adaptability.

Recycling sewage sludge (SS) to soil potentially causes soil heavy metal (HM) pollution and plant phytotoxicity. Biochar plays an important role in alleviating HM phytotoxicity, and responses vary with the feedstocks and usage of biochar. However, the effect of plant adaptability on biochar-mediated alleviation is poorly understood. Here, SS-derived biochar (SB) and rice straw-derived biochar (RB) applied at rates of 1.5% and 3% (W/W, SB1.5, SB3, RB1.5, and RB3) were used to improve the properties of soil amended with SS at 50% (W/W). Alleviation of phytotoxicity by biochar was further analyzed with SS-sensitive plant Monstera deliciosa and SS-resistant plant Ruellia simplex. Results revealed that both SB and RB significantly decreased the soil's bulk density and increased water retention. They also changed soil organic matter content and HMs fractionation. The addition of SB or RB alleviated the SS phytotoxicity, and they significantly promoted the growth and the root morphology and physiological index of M. deliciosa. But for R. simplex, these significant changes only synchronously occurred in SB3 treatment. The alleviation in M. deliciosa was more prominent and more closely connected with soil property changes than in R. simplex. Also, more soil property predictors were observed to play an important role in M. deliciosa growth than in R. simplex growth. These results indicated that biochar alleviating HMs phytotoxicity in SS-amended soil is associated with the changes of soil property. Moreover, the alleviation varies more prominently with plant adaptability than with biochar feedstocks and usage.

The Neck Disability Index Reflects Allodynia and Headache Disability but Not Cervical Musculoskeletal Dysfunction in Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a self-rated disability tool originally developed for whiplash-associated disorders and validated in cervical musculoskeletal conditions. It is now commonly used to assess neck disability in migraine, but it is unknown whether NDI scores relate to migraine and hypersensitivity, cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction, or both. This single-blinded observational study aimed to determine whether the presence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction, migraine features, and hypersensitivity predict NDI scores and whether alternate versions of the NDI (NDI-physical, NDI-8, NDI-5) relate more to cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. METHODS: Migraine and neck pain features, the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), NDI, Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC12), and pressure pain thresholds were assessed in 104 participants with migraine and neck pain, 45 previously identified with cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction and 59 without. The NDI score was regressed on the presence or absence of cervical dysfunction, migraine features, HIT-6, total pressure pain threshold, and ASC12 while accounting for neck pain features. The presence of cervical dysfunction was regressed on the scores of NDI versions. RESULTS: The ASC12 (standardized ß = 0.20) and HIT-6 (standardized ß = 0.18) were significantly predictive of total NDI score, as were neck pain intensity (standardized ß = 0.32) and frequency (standardized ß = 0.44). No scores from alternate NDI versions related to cervical dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The NDI score is a complex measure of neck disability influenced by migraine disability and hypersensitivity beyond the presence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. This has implications for the clinical interpretation of NDI scores in patients with migraine. IMPACT: Many patients with migraine and neck pain report neck disability; therefore, it is important to understand if migraine impacts neck disability. The results of this study indicate that clinicians need to consider migraine-related disability and hypersensitivity when managing neck disability in this population.

A potent neutralizing and protective antibody against a conserved continuous epitope on HSV glycoprotein D.

Infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) remain a serious global health issue, and the medical countermeasures available thus far are limited. Virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (NAbs) are crucial tools for studying host-virus interactions and designing effective vaccines, and the discovery and development of these NAbs could be one approach to treat or prevent HSV infection. Here, we report the isolation of five HSV NAbs from mice immunized with both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Among these were two antibodies that potently cross-neutralized both HSV-1 and HSV-2 with the 50% virus-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) below 200 ng/ml, one of which (4A3) exhibited high potency against HSV-2, with an IC50 of 59.88 ng/ml. 4A3 neutralized HSV at the prebinding stage and prevented HSV infection and cell-to-cell spread. Significantly, administration of 4A3 completely prevented weight loss and improved survival of mice challenged with a lethal dose of HSV-2. Using structure-guided molecular modeling combined with alanine-scanning mutagenesis, we observed that 4A3 bound to a highly conserved continuous epitope (residues 216 to 220) within the receptor-binding domain of glycoprotein D (gD) that is essential for viral infection and the triggering of membrane fusion. Our results provide guidance for developing NAb drugs and vaccines against HSV.

The temporal behaviour of migraine related neck pain does not inform on the origin of neck pain: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians seek to identify associations between pain behaviours to understand if symptoms are related or separate conditions. This study determined whether the temporal behaviour of migraine related neck pain related to i) the presence of cervical musculoskeletal function or ii) migraine hypersensitivity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of migraineurs with neck pain (n = 110). Participants reported daily for one month via an online survey, on migraine and other headaches, neck symptoms, location of onset and self-identified triggers. Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC12), Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), and presence or absence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction were also assessed. RESULTS: The temporal behaviours of neck pain in 92 participants (46 migraine only, 46 migraine plus another headache) were categorised as: i) ictal only (n = 42), ii) ictal and infrequent interictal (n = 26), iii) ictal and frequent interictal (n = 17), and iv) undecipherable (n = 7). Cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction was present in 43%. Temporal behaviours of neck pain were not associated with cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction (p = 1.00 and 0.21), nor related to ASC12, PPTs, headache triggers, neck pain, nor region of symptom onset, whether migraine only or migraine and another headache was reported (p = 0.29 to 0.97). CONCLUSION: Individuals with migraine present with varied behaviours of neck pain in relation to the headache. As temporal behaviour is not informative, a physical examination is needed to negate or confirm a cervical source of neck pain in migraine.

Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine.

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is common and disabling amongst individuals with migraine. Cervical musculoskeletal interventions are often sought but there is currently no evidence to support such interventions for this population. Improved understanding of how cervical musculoskeletal impairments present in migraine can elucidate neck pain mechanisms and guide clinicians and researchers in the management of patients with migraine and neck pain. MAIN BODY: Migraine hypersensitivity is a major consideration when assessing for cervical impairments as it can aggravate migraine and confound findings. Current evidence of cervical impairments in migraine is limited by disregard for the different underlying causes of neck pain and possible influence of hypersensitivity. Findings of cervical musculoskeletal impairments are mixed within and across studies, indicating that different forms of neck pain are present in migraine. Some migraineurs have neck pain that is part of the migraine symptom complex and therefore exhibit little or no cervical musculoskeletal impairment. Others have a cervical source of neck pain and therefore exhibit a pattern of cervical musculoskeletal impairments akin to that of cervical disorders. The presence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction may or may not be related to migraine but knowledge of this is currently lacking which impacts decision making on management. Cervical musculoskeletal interventions may be indicated for migraineurs with identified cervical dysfunction but other factors requiring further clarification include determination of i) patient specific outcomes, ii) impact of co-existing migraine referred neck pain, and iii) potential moderating effects of migraine hypersensitivity on treatment efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapists should seek a combination of cervical impairments through skilful assessment to identify if cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction is present or not in individual patients. The relevance of cervical dysfunction to migraine and influence of co-existing migraine referred neck pain need to be established through detailed evaluation of pain behaviours and further research. Future clinical trials should define expected treatment outcomes and select individuals with cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction when investigating the efficacy of cervical musculoskeletal interventions.

Neck pain associated with migraine does not necessarily reflect cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To identify how frequently the neck pain associated with migraine presents with a pattern of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction akin to cervical musculoskeletal disorders, and to determine if pain hypersensitivity impacts on cervical musculoskeletal function in persons with migraine. BACKGROUND: Many persons with migraine experience neck pain and often seek local treatment. Yet neck pain may be part of migraine symptomology and not from a local cervical source. If neck pain is of cervical origin, a pattern of musculoskeletal impairments with characteristics similar to idiopathic neck pain should be present. Some individuals with migraine may have neck pain of cervical origin, whereas others may not. However, previous studies have neglected the disparity in potential origins of neck pain and treated persons with migraine as a homogenous group, which does not assist in identifying the origin of neck pain in individuals with migraine. METHODS: This cross-sectional, single-blinded study was conducted in a research laboratory at the University of Queensland, Australia. Persons with migraine (total n = 124: episodic migraine n = 106, chronic migraine = 18), healthy controls (n = 32), and persons with idiopathic neck pain (n = 21) were assessed using a set of measures typically used in the assessment of a cervical musculoskeletal disorder, including cervical movement range and accuracy, segmental joint dysfunction, neuromuscular and sensorimotor measures. Pain hypersensitivity was assessed using pressure pain thresholds and the Allodynia Symptom Checklist. People with migraine with diagnoses of comorbid neck disorders were excluded. Cluster analysis was performed to identify how participants grouped on the basis of their performance across cervical musculoskeletal assessments. Post hoc analyses examined the effects of pain hypersensitivity on musculoskeletal function, and if any symptoms experienced during testing were related to musculoskeletal function. RESULTS: Two distinct clusters of cervical musculoskeletal function were found: (i) neck function similar to healthy controls (n = 108) and (ii) neck dysfunction similar to persons with neck pain disorders (n = 69). Seventy-six of the individuals with migraine (62 with neck pain and 14 without neck pain) were clustered as having normal cervical musculoskeletal function, whereas the remaining 48 with neck pain had cervical dysfunction comparable with a neck disorder. Musculoskeletal dysfunction was not related to pain hypersensitivity or symptoms experienced during testing. CONCLUSIONS: Neck pain when present with migraine does not necessarily indicate the existence of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. Skilled assessment without reliance only on the person reporting symptoms is needed to identify actual cervical dysfunction. Treatments suitable for neck musculoskeletal disorders would seem inappropriate for the individuals without cervical dysfunction. Future studies evaluating any potential effects of such treatments should only select participants with neck pain of cervical origin.

Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Understanding jaw muscle activity changes in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is crucial to guide clinical management. The nature of these changes is currently unclear. Explore changes in jaw muscle activity in TMD. Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane) and bibliographies were searched from inception to 9 July 2020 for eligible studies, including grey literature. Case-control and interventional studies reporting time-domain and frequency-domain electromyographic measures of jaw muscle activity in TMD and control groups were included. SIGN checklist for case-control studies was used to evaluate risk of bias. Results were pooled for meta-analysis using random-effects model. Confidence in cumulative evidence was established using American Academy of Neurology guidelines. Forty-five studies were included. Most were rated moderate risk of bias. Activity of four muscles (masseter, temporalis, lateral pterygoid, suprahyoids) was assessed across six domains (resting, clenching, chewing, swallowing, concentrating, resisted mandibular movements), with partial meta-analysis scope. Masseter and temporalis activity were significantly higher at rest (P = .05, P < .0001), but lower during brief maximal clenching (P = .005, P = .04) in TMD vs controls. Insufficient data precluded meta-analysis of remaining outcomes and subgroup analysis. Confidence in cumulative evidence ranged from moderate to very low. Changes in jaw muscle activity exist in TMD, which are both task-specific and muscle-specific. It remains unclear whether jaw muscle activity changes vary between TMD subgroups. Muscle function should be considered in clinical management of TMD. Insufficient subgroup data highlight future direction for research.

Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The nature of certain musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is unclear. Understanding impairments within TMD subgroups is important to guide management. OBJECTIVES: Characterise local musculoskeletal impairments in adults with persistent TMD. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 12 January 2020. Bibliographies were searched for additional articles, including grey literature. Case-control and interventional studies reporting temporomandibular range of motion (ROM), muscle function (MF) or proprioception in TMD and control groups were included. Risk of bias was assessed using SIGN checklist for case-control studies. Results were pooled using random-effects model. Confidence in cumulative evidence was determined using American Academy of Neurology guidelines. RESULTS: Sixty-six studies were included, most rated moderate risk of bias. Twelve primary outcomes were assessed, with partial scope for meta-analysis. Significant reductions were found for active maximal mouth opening (P < .00001, MD=-4.65 mm), protrusion (P < .0001, MD=-0.76 mm) and maximum bite force (P < .00001) in TMD versus controls. Subgroup analysis scope was limited. Reduced AMMO was found in myogenic TMD subgroups versus controls (P = .001, MD= -3.28 mm). Few studies measured proprioception, with high methodological variability. Confidence in cumulative evidence ranged from high to very low. CONCLUSION: ROM and bite force impairments accompany TMD. Insufficient data were available to investigate impairments within TMD subgroups. IMPLICATIONS: Several musculoskeletal impairments have been identified, which may guide clinical management of TMD. Lack of subgroup data, and data for proprioception and MF, highlights future direction for research. PROSPERO: CRD42020150734.

Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension type headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Neck pain is common in migraine and tension type headache (TTH). This review aimed to examine the evidence for cervical musculoskeletal impairments in these headaches. METHODS: Databases PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 2018. Observational studies using a comparator group were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. Results were pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Level of evidence for each outcome was assigned based on risk of bias, consistency of results and magnitude of difference between participants with headache and controls. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42018083683). RESULTS: Of 48 studies included, the majority were rated moderate risk of bias due to possible confounding influences. In total, 17 cervical outcomes were assessed, with confidence in findings ranging from very low to moderate levels. Compared to controls, participants with TTH had greater forward head posture (FHP) (MD = -6.18°, 95% CI [-8.18°, -4.18°]) and less cervical range of motion (ROM) (greatest difference transverse plane MD = -15.0°, 95% CI [-27.7°, -2.3°]. Participants with migraine demonstrated minimally reduced cervical ROM (greatest difference sagittal plane MD = -5.4°, 95% CI [-9.9°, -0.9°]. No differences presented in head posture, strength, craniocervical flexion test performance or joint position error between migraineurs and controls. CONCLUSIONS: TTH presented with more findings of cervical musculoskeletal impairments than migraine however levels of confidence in findings were low. Future studies should differentiate episodic from chronic headache, identify coexisting musculoskeletal cervical disorders, and describe neck pain behaviour in headache.

Efficacy and Safety of Zhenyuan Capsule for Coronary Heart Disease with Abnormal Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) and abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism are closely associated and generally coexist. The Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome is a common disease pattern encountered in traditional Chinese medicine. We designed a protocol to determine the effectiveness and safety of Zhenyuan capsules for CHD with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial was designed in accordance with the CONSORT. We will recruit 200 eligible male patients aged 45-75 years from three participating centers and randomly assign them to treatment and control groups (1 : 1). The primary indicators are glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and triglyceride levels. The secondary indicators are the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, TCM symptom indicators, ultrasonic cardiography finding, coagulation indicator, and P-selectin level. Measurements will be performed at baseline (T0), the end of the run-in period (T1), and weeks 4 (T2), 8 (T3), and 12 (T4) of the treatment period. Adverse events will be monitored during the trial. DISCUSSION: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Zhenyuan capsules in patients with CHD and abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. The results will provide critical evidence of the usefulness of the Chinese herbal medicine for CHD with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry, with identifier number ChiCTR-TRC-14004639, May 4, 2014.

Neck musculature fatigue affects specific frequency bands of postural dynamics during quiet standing.

Proprioceptive input from the neck is important for maintenance of upright standing. Although neck musculature fatigue has been demonstrated to impair standing balance, there is limited understanding of the underlying postural mechanisms. This study aimed to further examine the effects of neck musculature fatigue on standing by using modern analysis of center of pressure (CoP) data. Forty-eight young healthy adults stood quietly on a balance board for 1 min before and after performing repeated weight-resisted scapular elevation exercises. In a supplementary study on 20 participants, we examined (i) the effects of visual deprivation and (ii) the test-retest reliability of the traditional and wavelet-based CoP measures. Test-retest reliability of the CoP measures was moderate to good (intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.58 to 0.94). With neck muscle fatigue or without vision, traditional measures of CoP velocity and standard deviation increased monotonically. Wavelet analysis revealed that CoP velocity within the ultralow (<0.10 Hz) and moderate (1.56-6.25 Hz) frequency bands increased post-fatigue. Without vision, CoP velocity increased in all but the ultralow frequency band. Our data suggest that post-fatigue, vision may be the main compensatory postural mechanism for altered neck proprioception. In conclusion, our findings reveal more nuances than the simple assertion that neck musculature fatigue increased postural sway and they advocate the use of wavelet analysis in examining postural mechanisms associated with neck proprioception.

Association between seated postural control and gait speed in knee osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in patients with knee osteoarthritis, whether seated postural control is a multivariate predictor of gait speed, after adjusting for the effects of conventional knee impairments. Sixty-seven patients with knee osteoarthritis awaiting total knee replacement participated. To measure seated postural control, patients sat on a balance board, and the centre-of-pressure (COP) measures calculated in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions were standard deviation (SD) and mean frequency (MF). Isometric knee extensor strength was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer; knee flexion range-of-motion, an extendable goniometer; and knee pain intensity, a numeric pain rating scale. Fast-pace gait speed was assessed by the 10-m walk test and a poor gait speed was defined at a cutoff value of 1.0m/s. At the univariate level, the seated COP measures, with the exception of AP-MF, discriminated between patients with and without poor gait speed; however, only ML-MF retained its predictive value in multivariable analyses adjusted for demographic, anthropometric, and knee impairment measures. These findings suggest that seated postural control may be an important correlate of physical function in patients with knee OA and that greater emphasis in the assessment of trunk control may be warranted in this population.

Bacillus ginsengisoli sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field.

A novel bacterial strain DCY53(T) was isolated from a soil sample from a ginseng field and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming and motile with flagella. The strain was aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 30-37 °C and 6.0-7.5, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain DCY53(T) was shown to belong to the genus Bacillus and the closest phylogenetic relatives were Bacillus pocheonensis KCTC 13943(T) (98.3 %), Bacillus bataviensis LMG 21833(T) (98.0 %), Bacillus soli LMG 21838(T) (97.9 %), Bacillus drentensis LMG 21831(T) (97.8 %), Bacillus niacini DSM 2923(T) (97.8 %), Bacillus novalis LMG 21837(T) (97.7 %), Bacillus vireti LMG 21834(T) (97.6 %) and Bacillus fumarioli LMG 17489(T) (97.3 %). The DNA G+C content was 43.6 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA-DNA relatedness with closest relatives was below 55 %. The results of the genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that DCY53(T) represented a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which we propose the name Bacillus ginsengisoli. The type strain is DCY53(T) ( = KCTC 13945(T) = JCM 17335(T)).

Associations of knee extensor strength and standing balance with physical function in knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Knee extensor strength is an important correlate of physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis; however, it remains unclear whether standing balance is also a correlate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional associations of knee extensor strength, standing balance, and their interaction with physical function. METHODS: One hundred four older adults with end-stage knee osteoarthritis awaiting a total knee replacement (mean ± SD age 67 ± 8 years) participated. Isometric knee extensor strength was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Standing balance performance was measured by the center of pressure displacement during quiet standing on a balance board. Physical function was measured by the self-report Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and by the 10-meter fast-pace gait speed test. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic and knee pain variables, we detected significant knee strength by standing balance interaction terms for both SF-36 physical function and fast-pace gait speed. Interrogation of the interaction revealed that standing balance in the anteroposterior plane was positively related to physical function among patients with lower knee extensor strength. Conversely, among patients with higher knee extensor strength, the standing balance-physical function associations were, or tended to be, negative. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that although standing balance was related to physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, this relationship was complex and dependent on knee extensor strength level. These results are of importance in developing intervention strategies and refining theoretical models, but they call for further study.

Molecular authentication of Panax ginseng and ginseng products using robust SNP markers in ribosomal external transcribed spacer region.

Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius are the most widely used Panax species, but they are known to have different properties and medicinal values. The aim of this study is to develop a robust and accurate DNA marker for identifying P. ginseng and the origins of ginseng products. Two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites specific to P. ginseng were exploited from nuclear ribosomal external transcribed spacer (ETS) region. Based on the SNP sites, two specific primers were designed for P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius respectively. P. ginseng can be easily discriminated from P. quinquefolius by amplifying the two specific alleles using multiplex allele-specific PCR. Favorable results can also be obtained from commercial ginseng products. The established method is highly sensitive and can detect 1% of intentional adulteration of P. quinquefolius into P. ginseng down to the 0.1ng level of total DNA. Therefore this study provides a reliable and simple DNA method for authentication of the origins and purities of ginseng products.