Stromal cell-derived factor 1 gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to adverse long-term allograft outcomes in non-diabetic kidney transplant recipients.

Although the genetic polymorphism of Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1 (SDF-1) is associated with higher mortality of liver allograft recipients, the role of SDF-1 in the modulation of renal allograft outcomes is unclear. Between March 2000 and January 2008, we recruited 252 non-diabetic renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Baseline characteristics and blood chemistry were recorded. Genomic DNA extraction with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was utilized to analyze the genetic polymorphisms of SDF-1 (rs1801157). The influence of SDF-1 on an adverse renal allograft outcome, defined as either a doubling of serum creatinine, graft failure, or patient death was evaluated. Sixteen patients with the SDF-1 AA/AG genotype and nine with the SDF-1 GG genotype reached an adverse outcome. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients carrying the SDF-1 AA/AG genotype or A allele showed a significantly higher risk of reaching an adverse outcome than those carrying the SDF-1 GG genotype or G allele (p=0.041; p=0.0051, respectively; log rank test). Stepwise multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis revealed that patients carrying the SDF-1 AA/AG genotype and A allele had a 2.742-fold (95% CI. 1.106-6.799, p=0.03) and 2.306-fold (95% CI. 1.254-4.24, p=0.008) risk of experiencing an adverse outcome. The SDF-1 AA/AG genotype and A allele have a detrimental impact on the long-term outcome of RTRs.

A Meta-analysis of Clinical Effects of Low-level Laser Therapy on Temporomandibular Joint Pain.

[Purpose] Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is a symptom of TMJ disease. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is often used in the clinical treatment of TMJ pain. The aim of this study was to review the effective parameters of LLLT for TMJ pain. [Methods] This study was a systematic review in which electronic databases were searched for the period of January 2005 to January 2010. We selected reports of randomized controlled trials and calculated the effect size (ES) of the pain relief to evaluate the effect of LLLT. [Results] Seven reports are found to meet the inclusion criteria and discussed. Based on the calculation results, the pooled ES was -0.6, indicating a moderate effect of pain relief. In addition, the dosages and treatments with wavelengths of 780 and 830 nm can cause moderate and large pain relief effects. [Conclusion] Use of LLLT on the masticatory muscle or joint capsule for TMJ pain had a moderate analgesic effect. The optimal parameters for LLLT to treat TMJ pain have not been confirmed. However, our results can be a vital clinical reference for clinical physicians in treatment of patients with TMJ pain.

Expression of adenylyl cyclase isoforms in neutrophils.

In the present study, we have identified the expression of adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms in rat neutrophils according to the mRNA analysis and the distinct mode of regulation of isoform activity. Agarose gel electrophoresis of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-amplified products resulted in a single band of the expected size for each product with nucleotide sequences corresponding to AC1 to AC9. AC1 was abundant, while AC2, 6 and 9 were of moderate expression among the AC isoforms in neutrophils based on the quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis. Exposure of neutrophils to Ca(2+) ionophore A23187, isoproterenol and forskolin stimulated cellular cyclic AMP accumulation. EDTA and the calmodulin (CaM) antagonist, trifluoperazine, prevented the A23187-induced response. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) inhibited the alpha(2)-adrenergic agonist, UK14304-induced cellular cyclic AMP elevation. In addition, UK14304 augmented the cyclic AMP elevation when cells were stimulated by isoproterenol. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) attenuated the augmentation response of UK14304 and isoproterenol. Treatment of the membrane preparations from rat neutrophils with Ca(2+)/CaM, forskolin, isoproterenol, GTPgammaS or Gbetagamma all increased cyclic AMP production. The addition of protein kinase C (PKC) catalytic fragment and Gbetagamma augmented the Ca(2+)/CaM- and isoproterenol-stimulated AC activity, respectively. However, forskolin and the activated protein kinase A (PKA) attenuated the GTPgammaS- and isoproterenol-stimulated AC activity, respectively. KT5720, a PKA inhibitor, reversed the inhibition by PKA. Taken together, these data suggest the presence of four groups of AC isoforms in rat neutrophils.

Changes in blood pressure and related autonomic function during cervical traction in healthy women.

Cervical traction is a physical therapy procedure frequently used to treat cervical disk lesions, cervical spondylosis, and cervical facet joint lesions. We have observed rare cases of side effects in elderly patients, but not in women younger than 30 years.In this pilot study, 96 young women were randomly divided into 3 groups to study the effect of cervical traction with different traction weights on blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, and correlated autonomic adjustment. Cervical traction weight used was 10% of the patient's body weight in group A (n=32), 20% in group B (n=32), and 30% in group C (n=32). Assessments of blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, percentage of high- and low-frequency signals, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio were performed before, during, and 20 minutes after traction. We found that systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate variability elevated during cervical traction and returned nearly to original levels immediately after traction in group C, but not in groups A or B. There were no significant changes in heart rate, percentage of high- or low-frequency signals, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio in all 3 groups during or after cervical traction.Cervical traction with a traction weight approximately 10% to 20% of body weight can be safely provided without significant compromise of cardiovascular function. However, heavy traction weight (30% of body weight) should be avoided, especially for a patient with cardiovascular disease.