Cystic Fibrosis Mice Develop Spontaneous Chronic Bordetella Airway Infections.

Chronic pulmonary disease and infection is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Though Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is most commonly found in the airways of individuals with CF, there is increasing appreciation for the diversity of the CF microbiome, including other taxa such as Bordetella. Here we describe the identification and impact of Bordetella pseudohinzii infection in CF mice, which previously have not been thought to develop spontaneous airway infections. We determined that CF mice are more susceptible to the B. pseudohinzii infections, and less able to resolve the infection than non-CF mice. Moreover, in both CF and non-CF mice, B. pseudohinzii infections lead to markedly reduced respiratory rates and a CF-specific immune response. These results establish the CF mouse model as an important tool for the study of CF-relevant infection and highlight the potential contribution of Bordetella to CF clinical pathology.

Static and Dynamic Predictors of Foot Progression Angle in Individuals with and without Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Foot progression angle (FPA) is a predictor of elevated regional plantar stresses and loads, which are indicators of dermal injury risk in individuals with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy (DMPN). FPA accounts for 15-45% of the variance in plantar stresses and loads in adults with DMPN. However, the biomechanical factors underlying an "out-toeing" gait pattern in this clinical population have not been examined. The primary purpose of this study was to identify static and dynamic predictors of foot progression angle magnitude in adults with and without DMPN. METHODS: Thirty-three adults with and 12 adults without diabetes mellitus participated. Hip rotation, ankle dorsiflexion, and resting calcaneal stance position were measured using a standard goniometer. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during walking. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Static predictor variables did not significantly predict foot progression angle magnitude using multiple regression analysis. Of the dynamic predictor variables, thigh and shank lateral rotation accounted for 37% of foot progression angle variance (p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that dynamic measures of external rotation of proximal segments (thigh, shank) during gait are strong predictors of foot progression angle. Static measures of limited joint mobility and joint position do not predict foot progression angle. These findings suggest that targeting the thigh and shank rotation using verbal or tactile cueing may be a potential strategy when trying to alter walking movement patterns towards decreasing external (lateral) FPA to minimize risk of elevated regional plantar stresses in adults with DMPN at risk for ulceration.

Intra-cranial manifestations of the neurocutaneous syndromes.

The neurocutaneous syndromes or phakomatoses are a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders primarily involving structures derived from the embryological neuroectoderm. All of the syndromes involve the central nervous system (CNS). Peripheral nerves, skin and other organ systems may also be involved. Twenty to 30 disorders are now classified as neurocutaneous syndromes. This article reviews the intra-cranial imaging features of some of the commonest.

Real-time method for NO(2) flow measurements.

Measurements of NO(2) flows are made without requiring prior experimental calibration of the flow meter. A tapered, variable area flow meter with a diameter ratio scale is used to make the real-time NO(2) flow measurements. The necessary parameters and calculations used to determine the viscosity and density of the flowing N(2)O(4)2NO(2) gas are presented. The limits of error associated with these parameters and errors associated with controlled flow measurement conditions are considered. Disregarding the scale reading error, which depends on the flow meter utilized, the limits of error are found to yield a measurement error less than 7%.