Provisional Designation of the Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R) as a Novel Marker Gene for Exercise Tolerance

Richard Webb(Richard Webb ),Alison Early(Alison Early ),Bethan Scarlett(Bethan Scarlett ),Jack Andrew Clark(Jack Andrew Clark ),Jumo Doran(Jumo Doran ),Daniel Nash(Daniel Nash ),Michael G Hughes(Micha 사피엔시아 2021 Exercise Medicine Vol.5 No.-

Objectives: Genomic markers linked to exercise-associated health benefits and/or sporting performance are increasingly used to guide decision-making in healthcare and sport/exercise science. This project investigated whether the IL-6R SNP “rs2228145” might be provisionally designated a novel physical activity/exercise marker. rs2228145 results in an Aspartate358/Alanine358 change adjacent to the site where the IL-6R protein is cleaved into two fragments, resulting in ~two-fold increases in blood-borne levels of soluble IL-6R [‘sIL-6R’]. Methods: Cohorts of staff/students at Cardiff Metropolitan University donated/completed: [i] finger-prick capillary blood samples (subjected to ELISAs for sIL-6R, the associated signalling protein sgp130, and the IL-6/sIL-6R complex); [ii] cheek-swab samples containing buccal epithelial cell DNA (subjected to PCR-based IL-6R/rs2228145 genotyping assays); [iii] International Physical Activity Questionnaires (to estimate physical activity levels in the week preceding sample donation). Results: As expected, we observed significant genotype-dependent differences in blood-borne sIL-6R levels (CC (44.1±21.7ng/mL) vs. AC (28.6±7.3ng/mL) vs. AA (19.9±6.5ng/mL; P<0.05)); Importantly, AA homozygotes undertook significantly more physical activity than AC heterozygotes (6318±899 v. 3904±2280 MET-mins/week; P<0.01). Genotype was significantly associated with physical activity levels (P<0.05), and sIL-6R (P=0.197) and sgp130 (P=0.160) showed non-significant correlations with physical activity levels. Conclusions: These data suggest that IL-6R/rs2228145 genotype may influence participation in physical activity/exercise, perhaps by impacting on abilities to tolerate activity without experiencing adverse-effects. Although more research is required to confirm these preliminary findings, designation of IL-6R/rs2228145 as a novel marker, and determination of participants’ IL-6R/rs2228145 genotypes, may in future be useful tools to aid exercise-providers in designing personalised exercise programmes matched to clients/patients.

Acupuncture and the Emerging Evidence Base: Contrived Controversy and Rational Debate

Hugh MacPherson,Richard Hammerschlag 사단법인약침학회 2012 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.5 No.4

The rising incidence of chronic disease and stress-related illness in the West, coupled with an expanding awareness of the unwanted side effects of pharmaceutical treatment, has led to an increased utilization of acupuncture as a contemporary health care option. This increase in utilization, in turn, has paralleled a response to the call for evidence, with the result that acupuncture is now supported by a broad range of surveys of safety, clinical trials and basic science studies of physiologic action. The combined impact of these studies is linked to a growing acceptance of this traditional medical practice. The present review takes a wide-angle look at these three major areas of acupuncture research, namely: safety and the risks of serious adverse events; clinical efficacy and effectiveness; and physiologic action. We identify advances in knowledge and present a point counterpoint approach to controversial issues, with the aim of offering clarification if not a measure of resolution.

Fifty Years of Innovation in Plastic Surgery

Richard M Kwasnicki,Archie Hughes-Hallett,Hani J Marcus,Guang-Zhong Yang,Ara Darzi,Shehan Hettiaratchy 대한성형외과학회 2016 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.43 No.2

Background Innovation has molded the current landscape of plastic surgery. However, documentation of this process only exists scattered throughout the literature as individual articles. The few attempts made to profile innovation in plastic surgery have been narrative, and therefore qualitative and inherently biased. Through the implementation of a novel innovation metric, this work aims to identify and characterise the most prevalent innovations in plastic surgery over the last 50 years. Methods Patents and publications related to plastic surgery (1960 to 2010) were retrieved from patent and MEDLINE databases, respectively. The most active patent codes were identified and grouped into technology areas, which were subsequently plotted graphically against publication data. Expert-derived technologies outside of the top performing patents areas were additionally explored. Results Between 1960 and 2010, 4,651 patents and 43,118 publications related to plastic surgery were identified. The most active patent codes were grouped under reconstructive prostheses, implants, instruments, non-invasive techniques, and tissue engineering. Of these areas and other expert-derived technologies, those currently undergoing growth include surgical instruments, implants, non-invasive practices, transplantation and breast surgery. Innovations related to microvascular surgery, liposuction, tissue engineering, lasers and prostheses have all plateaued. Conclusions The application of a novel metric for evaluating innovation quantitatively outlines the natural history of technologies fundamental to the evolution of plastic surgery. Analysis of current innovation trends provides some insight into which technology domains are the most active.

Recent Advances in the Pharmacotherapy of Smoking

Hughes, John R.,Goldstein, Michael G.,Hurt, Richard D.,Shiffman, Saul MediMedia Korea 1999 JAMA-Korea Vol.14 No.5

Fifty Years of Innovation in Plastic Surgery

Kwasnicki, Richard M,Hughes-Hallett, Archie,Marcus, Hani J,Yang, Guang-Zhong,Darzi, Ara,Hettiaratchy, Shehan Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2016 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.43 No.2

Background Innovation has molded the current landscape of plastic surgery. However, documentation of this process only exists scattered throughout the literature as individual articles. The few attempts made to profile innovation in plastic surgery have been narrative, and therefore qualitative and inherently biased. Through the implementation of a novel innovation metric, this work aims to identify and characterise the most prevalent innovations in plastic surgery over the last 50 years. Methods Patents and publications related to plastic surgery (1960 to 2010) were retrieved from patent and MEDLINE databases, respectively. The most active patent codes were identified and grouped into technology areas, which were subsequently plotted graphically against publication data. Expert-derived technologies outside of the top performing patents areas were additionally explored. Results Between 1960 and 2010, 4,651 patents and 43,118 publications related to plastic surgery were identified. The most active patent codes were grouped under reconstructive prostheses, implants, instruments, non-invasive techniques, and tissue engineering. Of these areas and other expert-derived technologies, those currently undergoing growth include surgical instruments, implants, non-invasive practices, transplantation and breast surgery. Innovations related to microvascular surgery, liposuction, tissue engineering, lasers and prostheses have all plateaued. Conclusions The application of a novel metric for evaluating innovation quantitatively outlines the natural history of technologies fundamental to the evolution of plastic surgery. Analysis of current innovation trends provides some insight into which technology domains are the most active.

The Safety and Efficacy of Mesenteric Embolization in the Management of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Ker-Kan Tan,David Hugh Strong,Timothy Shore,Mohammmad Rafei Ahmad,Richard Waugh,Christopher John Young 대한대장항문학회 2013 Annals of Coloproctolgy Vol.29 No.5

Purpose: Mesenteric embolization is an integral part in the management of acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The aim of this study was to highlight our experience after adopting mesenteric embolization in the management of acute lower GI hemorrhage. Methods: A retrospective review of all cases of mesenteric embolization for acute lower GI bleeding from October 2007 to August 2012 was performed. Results: Twenty-seven patients with a median age of 73 years (range, 31 to 86 years) formed the study group. More than half (n = 16, 59.3%) of the patients were on either antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapy. The underlying etiology included diverticular disease (n = 9), neoplasms (n = 5) and postprocedural complications (n = 6). The colon was the most common bleeding site and was seen in 21 patients (left, 10; right, 11). The median hemoglobin prior to the embolization was 8.6 g/dL (6.1 to 12.6 g/dL). A 100% technical success rate with immediate cessation of hemorrhage at the end of the session was achieved. There were three clinical failures (11.1%) in our series. Two patients re-bled, and both underwent a successful repeat embolization. The only patient who developed an infarcted bowel following embolization underwent an emergency operation and died one week later. There were no factors that predicted clinical failure. Conclusion: Mesenteric embolization for acute lower GI bleeding can be safely performed and is associated with a high clinical success rate in most patients. A repeat embolization can be considered in selected cases, but postembolization ischemia is associated with bad outcomes.

Functionally-Based Rehabilitation Robotics: A Next Step?

Susan E. Fasoli,Hermano I. Krebs,Richard Hughes,Joel Stein,Neville Hogan 동국대학교 정보융합기술원 2006 International Journal of Assistive Robotics and Sy Vol.7 No.2

Functionally-Based Rehabilitation Robotics - A Next Step?

Susan E,Fasoli,Hermano I,Krebs,Richard Hughes,Joel Stein,Neville Hogan 한국과학기술원 인간친화 복지 로봇 시스템 연구센터 2006 International Journal of Assistive Robotics and Me Vol.7 No.2

A desired outcome of many stroke survivors is reduced impairment in motor functions of the paretic arm, such as strength and coordination, as well as improved functional use of that limb during daily life activities. Previous studies with MIT-MANUS emphasized reductions in motor impairment after stroke, with no specific attempts to help the person link the motor actions practiced during robotic therapy to real-life movement tasks. Herein, we present our first attempt to blend components of robot-assisted movement therapy with task-oriented training during functionally-based reaching and grasping tasks. The integration of robotic technology with more conventional task-oriented therapy is challenging. We predict that continued work in this area will lead to more effective, functionally-based interventions for stroke survivors that are widely accepted by the rehabilitation community.