BACKGROUND: Symptoms of a neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) can vary widely among individuals and numerous clinical studies have been performed to identify the natural history and to improve... Show moreBACKGROUND: Symptoms of a neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) can vary widely among individuals and numerous clinical studies have been performed to identify the natural history and to improve treatment. The aim of this study was to identify and describe all outcome measures used in clinical studies on patients with an NBPP and categorize these outcome measures according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).METHOD: Electronic searches of different databases were carried out. All clinical studies describing one or more outcomes of NBPP were selected. Data on outcome measures was systematically extracted and the contents were analyzed and linked to the ICF.RESULTS: A total of 217 full texts were selected and 59 different outcome measures were identified. The 5 most frequently used outcome measures included range of motion of the shoulder (n = 166 studies, 76%), range of motion of the elbow (n = 87 studies, 40%), the Mallet scale (n = 66 studies, 30%), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (n = 37 studies, 17%) and the Medical Research Council motor grading scale (n = 31 studies, 14%). Assessments related to Body functions and Structures were most frequent, whereas assessments associated with Activities and Participation and Environmental Factors were relatively uncommon.CONCLUSION: There was a high variability among the outcome measures used, with measures within the ICF component Body Functions being most common. These results underscore the need for the development and usage of outcome measures representing all domains of health status in patients with NBPP. Show less
Hollander, W. den; Ramos, Y.F.M.; Bos, S.D.; Bomer, N.; Breggen, R. van der; Lakenberg, N.; ... ; Meulenbelt, I. 2014
OBJECTIVE Genetic variation at the type II deiodinase (D2) gene (DIO2) was previously identified as osteoarthritis (OA) risk factor. To investigate mechanisms possibly underlying this association,... Show moreOBJECTIVE Genetic variation at the type II deiodinase (D2) gene (DIO2) was previously identified as osteoarthritis (OA) risk factor. To investigate mechanisms possibly underlying this association, we assessed D2 protein in healthy and OA-affected cartilage and investigated allelic balance of the OA risk polymorphism rs225014 at DIO2 in human OA joints. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of healthy and OA-affected cartilage was performed for D2. We then assessed allelic balance of DIO2 mRNA within OA-affected cartilage both at and away from the lesion, ligaments and subchondral bone. Allelic balance was measured by the amount of alleles 'C' and 'T' of the intragenic OA risk polymorphism rs225014 in heterozygous carriers. RESULTS A markedly higher amount of D2 positive cells and staining intensity was observed in OA cartilage. A significant, 1.3-fold higher presence was observed for the OA-associated rs225014 'C' allele relative to the 'T' allele of DIO2, which was significant in 28 of 31 donors. CONCLUSION In OA cartilage, D2 protein presence is increased. The allelic imbalance of the DIO2 mRNA transcript, with the OA risk allele 'C' of rs225014 more abundant than the wild-type 'T' allele in heterozygote carriers provides a possible mechanism by which genetic variation at DIO2 confers OA risk. Show less
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Chronic inflammation is a profound systemic modification of the cellular microenvironment which could affect survival, repair and maintenance of muscle stem cells. The aim... Show moreABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Chronic inflammation is a profound systemic modification of the cellular microenvironment which could affect survival, repair and maintenance of muscle stem cells. The aim of this study was to define the role of chronic inflammation on the regenerative potential of satellite cells in human muscle. METHODS: As a model for chronic inflammation, 11 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included together with 16 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) as controls. The mean age of both groups was 64 years, with more females in the RA group compared to the OA group. During elective knee replacement surgery, a muscle biopsy was taken from the distal musculus vastus medialis. Cell populations from four RA and eight OA patients were used for extensive phenotyping because these cell populations showed no spontaneous differentiation and myogenic purity greater than 75% after explantation. RESULTS: After mononuclear cell explantation, myogenic purity, viability, proliferation index, number of colonies, myogenic colonies, growth speed, maximum number of population doublings and fusion index were not different between RA and OA patients. Furthermore, the expression of proteins involved in replicative and stress-induced premature senescence and apoptosis, including p16, p21, p53, hTERT and cleaved caspase-3, was not different between RA and OA patients. Mean telomere length was shorter in the RA group compared to the OA group. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we found evidence that chronic inflammation in RA does not affect the in vitro regenerative potential of human satellite cells. Identification of mechanisms influencing muscle regeneration by modulation of its microenvironment may, therefore, be more appropriate. Show less
