Systematic review of correlates and determinants of physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis

Publication date: Available online 2 January 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): René Streber, Stefan Peters, Klaus Pfeifer
ObjectiveTo review the current evidence regarding correlates and determinants of physical activity (PA) in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).Data SourcesPubmed and Scopus (1980 to January 2015) and reference lists of eligible studies.Study SelectionEligible studies (i) include adults with MS, (ii) have a cross-sectional or prospective observational design or (iii) examine the effect of a theory-based intervention trial on PA including a mediation analysis, (iv) apply a quantitative assessment of PA and correlates or proposed mediators and (v) are published in English or German.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias, extracted data and categorized variables according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).Data SynthesisConsistency and the direction of associations were evaluated with a semi-quantitative approach. Fifty-six publications with data from observational studies and two interventional studies provided evidence for 86 different variables. Consistent correlates of PA were the disability level, walking limitations in particular, PA-related self-efficacy and self-regulation constructs as well as employment status and educational level. One interventional study provided evidence for a causal relationship between self-regulation and PA. However, 59 of 86 of all investigated variables in observational studies are based on one or two study findings, and the majority of results stem from cross-sectional designs.ConclusionsBeside the importance of the general disability level and walking limitations, the results highlight the importance of personal factors, such as PA-related self-efficacy, self-regulatory constructs and sociodemographic factors. Limitations and implications of the current review are discussed. Research that is more rigorous is needed to better understand what affects PA in pwMS.



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Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Salvia fruticosa: An HPLC Determination of Phenolic Contents

Objectives. Salvia fruticosa Mill. (S. fruticosa) is widely used in folk medicine. Accordingly, the present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of S. fruticosa, and to determine the phenolic constituents of its extracts. Methods. The antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl assay. Total phenolic contents were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, and high-performance liquid chromatography was performed to identify phenolic constituents. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema was determined plethysmographically. Key Findings. Different plant extracts demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity, where the ethyl acetate extract had the highest value in the roots and the lowest in the aerial parts. This antioxidant activity was correlated to the total phenolic content of different extracts, where rutin and luteolin were the most abundant constituents. Interestingly, both the roots and aerial parts revealed a significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to diclofenac. Conclusions. This study is the first to demonstrate pharmacologic evidence of the potential anti-inflammatory activity of S. fruticosa. This activity may partly be due to the radical scavenging effects of its polyphenolic contents. These findings warrant the popular use of the East Mediterranean sage and highlight the potential of its active constituents in the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Ethnomedical Knowledge of Plants Used for the Treatment of Tuberculosis in Johor, Malaysia

This study documented ethnomedical knowledge of plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and its related symptoms as practiced by the Jakun community of Kampung Peta, situated in Endau Rompin Johor National Park, Johor, Malaysia. Eight key informants were selected by snowball sampling technique and data about medicinal plants were collected by semistructured interviews, participatory observations, and focus group. Qualitative analysis was undertaken using thematic analysis. There were 23 species of plants (22 genera, 20 families) documented and herbarium specimens were deposited at the UTHM Herbarium. Dipterocarpus sublamellatus was recorded for the first time with ethnomedical uses while other species were previously reported. The qualitative approach employed in this study demonstrates the emic perspective in terms of perceptions on traditional herbal medicine, transfer of knowledge, significant taboos related with medicinal plants, and their conservation efforts. Local and biomedical terminology in treatment of TB showed substantial correspondence. The outcomes obtained in the study are worth being further investigated for conservation strategies and are worthy of verifying their ethnomedical claims scientifically.

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Atypical location of the hypoglossal nerve and its implications: a case report

Abstract

Introduction

Successful surgery in the neck is dependent on reliable anatomical relationships between nerves, vessels, and muscles. These landmarks and planes are also essential to avoiding undue morbidity and mortality. Anatomic variants of the hypoglossal nerve are rare, and their incidences are unknown.

Methods

We describe a case of a hypoglossal nerve found coursing superficial to the internal jugular vein in a 52-year-old woman treated with bilateral selective neck dissection for metastatic thyroid malignancy.

Results

The vulnerable nerve was protected, and she maintained excellent speech and swallow function post-operatively.

Conclusions

The variant course of the nerve may pose higher risk for injury in neck surgery. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of aberrant anatomy in this region and exercise extra caution to avoid nerve injury.

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Anatomical and histological study to determine the border of sole skin

Abstract

Purpose

Transfer of a free skin graft from the submalleolar or plantar instep area to the palmoplantar area and finger defects is widely performed; however, the sites and the border of plantar skin have yet to be examined in detail. The aim of this study was to determine the border of sole skin.

Methods

Twelve paraformaldehyde-fixed cadavers were examined. Skin specimens were harvested from an area from the top of the medial malleolus extending to the top of the lateral malleolus of the right foot. The paraffin-embedded skin specimens were analyzed using histological (hematoxylin and eosin, Fontana-Masson, and elastica van Gieson stains) and immunohistochemical (cytokeratin 9) techniques.

Results

CK9-positive cells were present at the points between 21 and 78 % of the intermalleolar distance measured from the tops of the medial and lateral malleoli. The melanin index abruptly changed at the points 25 ± 7.1 and 75 ± 4.2 %. The skin thickness and amount of elastic fibers changed greatly at the points between 20 and 30 % and between 70 and 80 % of the intermalleolar distance.

Conclusions

Submalleolar skin is quite different from sole skin. The border of sole skin lies at the points between 20 and 25 % of the intermalleolar distance from the medial malleolus, which macroscopically corresponds to the border of skin maceration. It would be better to use the submalleolar area for grafts for the dorsum of the fingers or toes, and the plantar instep area for the ventral areas of the fingers or toes.

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Galanin microinjection into the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter produces paradigm-dependent anxiolytic effects

Publication date: Available online 2 January 2016
Source:Brain Research Bulletin
Author(s): F.R.C. Soares, G.P. Silote, A.F. Almeida-Santos, D.C. Aguiar, L.C. Schenberg, V. Beijamini
Galanin is a peptide that is present in the central nervous system in mammals, including rodents and humans. The actions of galanin are mediated by three types of metabotropic receptors: GAL1, GAL2, and GAL3. GAL1 and GAL3 increase K⁺ efflux, and GAL2 increases intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. The distribution of galanin and its receptors suggests its involvement in fear and/or anxiety. The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is a key mediator of defensive behaviors that is both targeted by galaninergic projections and supplied with GAL1 receptors and, less markedly, GAL2 receptors. We examined the effects of galanin microinjections in the dorsal PAG (dPAG) on the performance of rats in different models of anxiety. Male Wistar rats (n=7–12) were implanted with guide cannulae in the dPAG. They received microinjections of either galanin (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0nmol) or vehicle and were tested in the Vogel conflict test (VCT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and elevated T-maze (ETM). Rats that were tested in the ETM were further evaluated for exploratory activity in the open field test (OFT). Galanin microinjections had no effects on anxiety-like behavior in the EPM or VCT or exploratory activity in the EPM or OFT. In the ETM, however, microinjections of 3nmol galanin impaired learned anxiety (i.e., avoidance of the open arms) without changing unconditioned fear (i.e., escape from the open arms). The present data suggest that galanin transmission in the dPAG inhibits the acquisition of anxiety-like responses in the ETM.



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Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Anthraquinone-2-Carboxylic Acid

Anthraquinone compounds are one of the abundant polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the activity of anthraquinones using acute inflammatory and nociceptive experimental conditions. Anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, AQCA), one of the major anthraquinones identified from Brazilian taheebo, ameliorated various inflammatory and algesic symptoms in EtOH/HCl- and acetylsalicylic acid- (ASA-) induced gastritis, arachidonic acid-induced edema, and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing without displaying toxic profiles in body and organ weight, gastric irritation, or serum parameters. In addition, AQCA suppressed the expression of inflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2 in stomach tissues and lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated RAW264.7 cells. According to reporter gene assay and immunoblotting analyses, AQCA inhibited activation of the nuclear factor- (NF-) κB and activator protein- (AP-) 1 pathways by suppression of upstream signaling involving interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK1), p38, Src, and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Our data strongly suggest that anthraquinones such as AQCA act as potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components in vivo, thus contributing to the immune regulatory role of fruits and herbs.

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