Immersion in Water Between 20-30oC Mediated Inflammations Marker to Reduced Pain Among Indonesian With Gout Arthritis: A Community-Based Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Gout is triggered by high urate levels and causes inflammation, pain, and an impaired quality of life. Immersion in water at 20-30°C reduces inflammation and pain in arthritis. Yet, relationships of immersion in water at 20-30°C with urate levels and the nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1) inflammasome have never been clarified. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effects of immersion in water at 20-30°C on urate levels, the NLRP1 inflammasome, pain, and quality of life among acute gout patients. METHODS: A community-based randomized control trial design was used with 2 parallel-intervention groups: immersion in water at 20-30°C (20 min/day for 4 weeks) group and a control group. In total, 76 eligible participants in Tomohon City, Indonesia, were assigned using block randomization. We analyze the results (coef. ß) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a generalized estimating equation model. We analyzed mediating effects using a path analysis. RESULTS: Significant pain alleviation (ß = -2.06 [95% CI = -2.67∼-1.45]; ß = -2.42 [95% CI = -2.97∼-1.87]) and improved quality of life (ß = 5.34 [95% CI = 3.12-7.57]; ß = 9.93 [95% CI = 7.02-12.83]) were detected at 2 and 4 weeks of follow-up compared to the pre-test and control group. Urate levels (ß = -0.34 [95% CI = -0.52∼-0.16]) were reduced at the 2-week follow-up, but there was no significant change in the NLRP1 inflammasome compared to the pre-test and control group after immersion in water at 20-30°C. Both the NLRP1 inflammasome (ß = -0.48 [95% CI = -0.63∼-0.34]); water 0.01) and urate levels (ß = -0.11 [95% CI = -0.24∼-0.03]; p < 0.01) had partial indirect (mediating) effects on the link between immersion in water at 20-30°C and pain at the 4-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Immersion in water at 20-30°C significantly decreased pain and increased the quality of life. Immersion in water at 20-30°C mediated NLRP1 and urate levels to decrease pain, although it had no significant effect on the NLRP1 inflammasome concentration after 4 weeks of follow-up and reduced urate levels only at 2 weeks after immersion in water at 20-30°C.

Zebrafish rgs4 is essential for motility and axonogenesis mediated by Akt signaling.

The schizophrenia susceptibility gene, Rgs4, is one of the most intensively studied regulators of G-protein signaling members, well known to be fundamental in regulating neurotransmission. However, little is known about its role in the developing nervous system. We have isolated zebrafish rgs4 and shown that it is transcribed in the developing nervous system. Rgs4 knockdown did not affect neuron number and patterning but resulted in locomotion defects and aberrant development of axons. This was confirmed using a selective Rgs4 inhibitor, CCG-4986. Rgs4 knockdown also attenuated the level of phosphorylated-Akt1, and injection of constitutively-activated AKT1 rescued the motility defects and axonal phenotypes in the spinal cord but not in the hindbrain and trigeminal neurons. Our in vivo analysis reveals a novel role for Rgs4 in regulating axonogenesis during embryogenesis, which is mediated by another schizophrenia-associated gene, Akt1, in a region-specific manner.

The ocular biometric and corneal topographic characteristics of high-anisometropic adults in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the difference of ocular biometric and corneal topographic characteristics between the two eyes in high anisometropes with difference of 4 D or more in spherical component. METHODS: Fifty-one young anisometropic men were collected. Detailed ocular examinations, including cycloplegic autorefraction, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, A-scan, and Orbscan topography were done and recorded. The comparisons between two eyes were performed and the correlations between different ocular parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean axial length in the more myopic/less hyperopic eye was longer than that in the less myopic/more hyperopic eye [difference 1.8 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.0 mm, p < 0.001]. The mean thinnest corneal thickness in the more myopic/less hyperopic eye was an average of 4.0 µm thicker than that in the other eye (95% CI 1.2-6.8 µm, p = 0.007). The mean anterior chamber depth in the more myopic/less hyperopic eye was an average of 0.05 mm (95% CI 0.02-0.07 mm, p < 0.001) more than that in the other eye. The curvature and size of cornea were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The anterior chamber depth is deeper, axial length is longer, and thinnest corneal thickness is thicker in the more myopic/less hyperopic eye of high-anisometropic patients. Anisometropic eyes provide the chance to understand the biometric changes of eyeball with different refractive statuses in the same person. Such information is helpful for us to calculate the intraocular lenses power in cataract surgery and to do the surgical planning for corneal refractive surgery in eyes of different refractive power.

Treatment course of recurrent malignant glaucoma monitoring by ultrasound biomicroscopy: a report of two cases.

To study the mechanism underlying malignant glaucoma examined by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) combined with axial scan and to observe the course of cilio-lens block in living eyes in real time, when malignant glaucoma occurs and remises, two cases of malignant glaucoma are reviewed. The two cases have common characteristics, such as short axial length, pseudophakia, and patent peripheral iridotomy. Both cases eventually achieved intraocular pressure control without surgical intervention during their management courses. UBM and axial scan were used for early detection, to confirm the diagnosis of these cases, and to observe the course of treatment. This method allows patients at risk for the disease to be identified and successfully treated before irreversible damage to the nerve occurs. These cases accentuate the importance of cycloplegic drugs in long-term malignant glaucoma treatments.