Archives - Nov. 13, 2008

PEDro: this well-known, unknown. Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2008 Dec;44(4):477-80 Authors: Giglia E The aim of this contribution is to present some unknown features of the already well-known Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) with some useful skills to make your search more effective. PMID: 19002099 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine)

Conclusions   The hand-held dynamometer is a reliable and valid measurement tool to detect strength differences between people with HD and a matched control group. There is significant reduction in lower limb muscle strength in HD which does not appear to have been described previously. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONDOI 10.1007/s00415-008-0964-xAuthors M. E. Busse, Cardiff University, Ty Dewi Sant, Heath Park Dept. of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare Studies Cardiff CF14 4XN UKG. Hughes, Cardiff University, Ty Dewi Sant, Heath Park Dept. of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare Studies Cardiff CF14 4XN UKC. M. Wiles, Cardiff University Heath Park Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine Cardiff CF14 4XN UKA. E. Rosser, Cardiff University He...

The objective of this study was to investigate whether low level laser therapy (LLLT) could reduce bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) modulating the metabolism of inositol phosphate (IP) in bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs). The study was on 28 Wistar rats, randomly divided into four groups. Irradiation (1.3 J/cm2) was administered 5 min and 4 h after bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) had been suspended in TNF-α baths, and the contractile response-induced calcium ion (Ca2+) sensitization was measured. The BSMCs were isolated, and the IP accumulation was measured before and after TNF-α immersion in the groups that had been irradiated or not irradiated. BSM segments significantly increased contraction 24 h after TNF...

Amedica Corporation, an orthopedic implants company focused on silicon nitride ceramic technologies, announced that it has received a CE (Conformite Europeene) mark for its Valeo(TM) family of ceramic spinal intervertebral spacers. This family includes Valeo - C and Valeo - TL spacers made using Amedica's novel silicon nitride ceramic for surgical correction or stabilization of the spine.

Cuts to Medicare reimbursement of DXA undermine efforts to properly diagnose and treat osteoporosis and diminish quality of patient care According to a paper published in the November issue of the Springer journal Osteoporosis International, Medicare reimbursement for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has been cut to levels substantially below the cost to perform the procedure.