Increased postural stiffness in patients with knee osteoarthritis who are highly sensitized

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the effect of widespread pain sensitization on postural stability during quiet standing tasks in patients with knee osteoarthritis.MethodsPatients (56) stood quietly on a force platform for 1 min in 4 conditions (each repeated 3 times): (i) firm surface (FS) with open eyes (OE), (ii) FS with closed eyes (CE), (iii) soft foam surface (SS) with OE, and (iv) SS with CE. Postural stability was quantified by Center of Pressure (CoP) variables extracted from the force platform. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), were assessed bilaterally with a handheld pressure algometer (1 cm2 probe) at: (i) four sites in the knee region (3 cm medial to the midpoint of the medial edge of the patella; 2 cm proximal to the superior edge of the patella; 3 cm lateral to the mid-point of the lateral edge of the patella; and centre of the patella), (ii) tibialis anterior muscle, and (iii) extensor carpi radialis longus muscle. The PPT values from tibialis anterior and extensor carpi radialis longus muscles were used to divide the patients in high and low sensitization groups (two-steps clustering).ResultsPPT values at bilateral knees sites were lower in the high sensitivity [median (range) of all sites: 423 (153, 1129) kPa] compared with low sensitivity group [822 (305, 2051) kPa] (P < 0.05). CoP range in the anterior–posterior direction was reduced in high sensitivity group (41±16 mm) compared with the low sensitivity group (51±16 mm) during the SS with CE (P < 0.05) condition.ConclusionsThe lower CoP Range suggests stiffer postural strategy in patients with higher widespread pain sensitivity compared with low sensitivity patients during sensory restrictions. The lack of mobility found in high sensitivity patients under such restrictions might be related to the impaired integration of sensory information due to the parallel processing of the nociceptive information.

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Associations of pain sensitisation with tender and painful joint counts in people with hand osteoarthritis: results from the Nor-Hand study

RMD Open ◽

10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001774 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e001774

Author(s):

Marthe Gløersen ◽

Pernille Steen Pettersen ◽

Tuhina Neogi ◽

Barbara Slatkowsky-Christensen ◽

Tore K Kvien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Finger Joint ◽

Hand Osteoarthritis ◽

Widespread Pain ◽

Central Sensitisation ◽

Painful Joint ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Total Body ◽

Body Joint ◽

Pain Sensitisation

ObjectiveTo examine associations of pain sensitisation with tender and painful joint counts and presence of widespread pain in people with hand osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsPressure pain thresholds (PPT) at a painful finger joint and the tibialis anterior muscle, and temporal summation (TS) were measured in 291 persons with hand OA. We examined whether sex-standardised PPT and TS values were associated with assessor-reported tender hand joint count, self-reported painful hand and total body joint counts and presence of widespread pain using linear and logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, education and OA severity.ResultsPeople with lower PPTs at the painful finger joint (measure of peripheral and/or central sensitisation) had more tender and painful hand joints than people with higher PPTs. PPT at tibialis anterior (measure of central sensitisation) was associated with painful total body joint count (beta=−0.82, 95% CI −1.28 to –0.35) and presence of widespread pain (OR=0.57, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.77). The associations between TS (measure of central sensitisation) and joint counts in the hands and the total body were statistically non-significant.ConclusionThis cross-sectional study suggested that pain sensitisation (ie, lower PPTs) was associated with joint counts and widespread pain in hand OA. This knowledge may be used for improved pain phenotyping of people with hand OA, which may contribute to better pain management through more personalised medicine. Further studies are needed to assess whether a reduction of pain sensitisation leads to a decrease in tender and painful joint counts.

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Second harmonic generation correlation spectroscopy for characterizing translationally diffusing protein nanocrystals

Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology ◽

10.1107/s205979831600841x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 72 (7) ◽

pp. 849-859

Author(s):

Ximeng Y. Dow ◽

Christopher M. Dettmar ◽

Emma L. DeWalt ◽

Justin A. Newman ◽

Alexander R. Dow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Second Harmonic Generation ◽

Harmonic Generation ◽

Unit Volume ◽

Second Harmonic ◽

Incident Beam ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Correlation Spectroscopy ◽

Optical Process ◽

Active Nanoparticles ◽

Low Sensitivity

Second harmonic generation correlation spectroscopy (SHG-CS) is demonstrated as a new approach to protein nanocrystal characterization. A novel line-scanning approach was performed to enable autocorrelation analysis without sample damage from the intense incident beam. An analytical model for autocorrelation was developed, which includes a correction for the optical scattering forces arising when focusing intense, infrared beams. SHG-CS was applied to the analysis of BaTiO3nanoparticles ranging from 200 to ∼500 nm and of photosystem I nanocrystals. A size distribution was recovered for each sample and compared with the size histogram measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Good agreement was observed between the two independent measurements. The intrinsic selectivity of the second-order nonlinear optical process provides SHG-CS with the ability to distinguish well ordered nanocrystals from conglomerates and amorphous aggregates. Combining the recovered distribution of particle diameters with the histogram of measured SHG intensities provides the inherent hyperpolarizability per unit volume of the SHG-active nanoparticles. Simulations suggest that the SHG activity per unit volume is likely to exhibit relatively low sensitivity to the subtle distortions within the lattice that contribute to resolution loss in X-ray diffraction, but high sensitivity to the presence of multi-domain crystals.

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Postural Stability and Proprioception Abnormalities in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11041469 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1469

Author(s):

Luciana Labanca ◽

Giuseppe Barone ◽

Stefano Zaffagnini ◽

Laura Bragonzoni ◽

Maria Grazia Benedetti

Keyword(s):

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Functional Score ◽

Functional Abilities ◽

Knee Score ◽

Knee Oa ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Ongoing Assessment ◽

And Training

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) leads to the damage of all joint components, with consequent proprioceptive impairment leading to a decline in balance and an increase in the risk of falls. This study was aimed at assessing postural stability and proprioception in patients with knee OA, and the relation between the impairment in postural stability and proprioception with the severity of OA and functional performance. Thirty-eight patients with knee OA were recruited. OA severity was classified with the Kellgren–Lawrence score. Postural stability and proprioception were assessed in double- and single-limb stance, in open- and closed-eyes with an instrumented device. Functional performance was assessed using the Knee Score Society (KSS) and the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB). Relationships between variables were analyzed. Postural stability was reduced with respect to reference values in double-limb stance tests in all knee OA patients, while in single-stance only in females. Radiological OA severity, KSS-Functional score and SPPB were correlated with greater postural stability impairments in single-stance. Knee OA patients show decreased functional abilities and postural stability impairments. Proprioception seems to be impaired mostly in females. In conclusion, clinical management of patients with OA should include an ongoing assessment and training of proprioception and postural stability during rehabilitation.

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Losing touch: age-related changes in plantar skin sensitivity, lower limb cutaneous reflex strength, and postural stability in older adults

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00339.2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (4) ◽

pp. 1848-1858 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Ryan M. Peters ◽

Monica D. McKeown ◽

Mark G. Carpenter ◽

J. Timothy Inglis

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Quiet Standing ◽

Detection Thresholds ◽

Cutaneous Reflex ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

Age-related changes in the density, morphology, and physiology of plantar cutaneous receptors negatively impact the quality and quantity of balance-relevant information arising from the foot soles. Plantar perceptual sensitivity declines with age and may predict postural instability; however, alteration in lower limb cutaneous reflex strength may also explain greater instability in older adults and has yet to be investigated. We replicated the age-related decline in sensitivity by assessing monofilament and vibrotactile (30 and 250 Hz) detection thresholds near the first metatarsal head bilaterally in healthy young and older adults. We additionally applied continuous 30- and 250-Hz vibration to drive mechanically evoked reflex responses in the tibialis anterior muscle, measured via surface electromyography. To investigate potential relationships between plantar sensitivity, cutaneous reflex strength, and postural stability, we performed posturography in subjects during quiet standing without vision. Anteroposterior and mediolateral postural stability decreased with age, and increases in postural sway amplitude and frequency were significantly correlated with increases in plantar detection thresholds. With 30-Hz vibration, cutaneous reflexes were observed in 95% of young adults but in only 53% of older adults, and reflex gain, coherence, and cumulant density at 30 Hz were lower in older adults. Reflexes were not observed with 250-Hz vibration, suggesting this high-frequency cutaneous input is filtered out by motoneurons innervating tibialis anterior. Our findings have important implications for assessing the risk of balance impairment in older adults.

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Differential Contribution of the Medial and the Lateral Side of the Joint to Symptoms in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Radiographic and Laboratory Analysis in the Nagahama Study

Cartilage ◽

10.1177/19476035211025817 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194760352110258

Author(s):

Kazuya Nigoro ◽

Hiromu Ito ◽

Tomotoshi Kawata ◽

Shinichiro Ishie ◽

Yugo Morita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Knee Pain ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Radiographic Evaluation ◽

Radiographic Feature ◽

Lateral Side ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medial Side

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the differences of the medial and lateral sides of the knee joint and precise radiographic abnormalities in contribution to the knee pain and clinical outcomes. Design: Participants 60 years or older who underwent radiographic evaluation were included. Knee radiography was assessed using grading systems of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas. The Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) was evaluated as clinical outcomes. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was used to evaluate systemic inflammation. We divided the participants into normal, medial-, lateral-, and medial & lateral-OA types and compared their JKOM using an analysis of covariance. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between the knee pain and stiffness of JKOM and the grading of each radiographic feature using a multiple regression model. Results: Lateral- and medial & lateral-OA groups had a significantly worse symptoms in the total and the pain score, especially in movement subscales, in JKOM score. Lateral-OA groups had higher hsCRP than medial-OA group. Multivariate analysis showed that medial joint space narrowing (JSN), and lateral femoral and tibial osteophytes significantly affected knee pain (adjusted odds ratios: 1.73, 1.28, and 1.55, respectively). The radiographic changes are associated with pain more in JSN in the medial side and osteophytes in the lateral side. Conclusion: Lateral- and medial & lateral-OA groups showed worth symptom. In addition, medial JSN and lateral osteophytes have potent effects on the knee pain.

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Influence of Irrational Beliefs and Sensitivity to a Person on Future Psychology Students’ Propensity to Coercion or Nonviolence

Sibirskiy psikhologicheskiy zhurnal ◽

10.17223/17267081/81/7 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 143-165

Author(s):

V.G. Maralov ◽

◽

V.A. Sitarov ◽

Keyword(s):

Irrational Beliefs ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Psychology Students ◽

State Universities ◽

Low Level ◽

Level Of Understanding ◽

Low Sensitivity ◽

High Level ◽

Dependent Type

The relevance of the problem is due to the importance of identifying factors that determine the propensity of students to coercion or nonviolence, creating psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of the socionomic sphere of nonviolent competencies for future specialists at universities. The theoretical basis of the study was the position of nonviolence as a daily practice of interaction, by which we understand the ability of a person to choose from a number of possible alternatives that carry the least charge of coercion. The aim of the work was to study the influence of irrational beliefs and sensitivity to a person (interest, empathy, understanding and assistance) on the students’ tendency to coercion, manipulation, non-violence and non-interference in the processes of interaction with people. The hypothesis was tested that the tendency of students to coercion, manipulation, and noninterference will be due to expressed irrational beliefs and low level of sensitivity to a person and the tendency to non-violence will be explained by the absence of irrational beliefs and a high level of sensitivity to a person. The study involved 125 students of pedagogical and psychological faculties of the Moscow Humanitarian and Cherepovets State universities. The authors used questionnaires to identify the positions of interaction among students and sensitivity to a person, as well as a list of irrational beliefs proposed by A. Beck and A. Freeman. It is established that the tendency to both coercion and manipulation are determined by the beliefs of anti-social type and low sensitivity to the person. The tendency to manipulate the narcissistic beliefs, high interest in people and understanding them, at the same time the tendency to non-violence and non-interference are determined by beliefs of avoidant and dependent types with a low level of understanding people. And a tendency to non-interference is determined by beliefs of dependent type with unexpressed orientation on helping. The tendency to nonviolence is determined by the high sensitivity to a person and the absence of irrational beliefs of antisocial, passive-aggressive and narcissistic types. As a result, the conclusion is made about the need to form purposefully the ability to nonviolent interaction among students, which should include the work on awareness and overcoming irrational beliefs and the development of sensitivity to a person. The obtained results can be used in practical work with students on the formation of their nonviolent competencies.

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A Novel High Sensitivity Type II Collagen Blood-Based Biomarker, PRO-C2, for Assessment of Cartilage Formation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19113485 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (11) ◽

pp. 3485 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yunyun Luo ◽

Yi He ◽

Ditte Reker ◽

Natasja Gudmann ◽

Kim Henriksen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Type Ii Collagen ◽

Cartilage Explants ◽

Type Ii ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Human Cartilage ◽

Cartilage Formation

N-terminal propeptide of type II collagen (PIINP) is a biomarker reflecting cartilage formation. PIINP exists in two main splice variants termed as type IIA and type IIB collagen NH2-propeptide (PIIANP, PIIBNP). PIIANP has been widely recognized as a cartilage formation biomarker. However, the utility of PIIBNP as a marker in preclinical and clinical settings has not been fully investigated yet. In this study, we aimed to characterize an antibody targeting human PIIBNP and to develop an immunoassay assessing type II collagen synthesis in human blood samples. A high sensitivity electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, hsPRO-C2, was developed using a well-characterized antibody against human PIIBNP. Human cartilage explants from replaced osteoarthritis knees were cultured for ten weeks in the presence of growth factors, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) or recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 (rhFGF-18). The culture medium was changed every seven days, and levels of PIIBNP, PIIANP, and matrix metalloproteinase 9-mediated degradation of type II collagen (C2M) were analyzed herein. Serum samples from a cross-sectional knee osteoarthritis cohort, as well as pediatric and rheumatoid arthritis samples, were assayed for PIIBNP and PIIANP. Western blot showed that the antibody recognized PIIBNP either as a free fragment or attached to the main molecule. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that PIIBNP was predominately located in the extracellular matrix of the superficial and deep zones and chondrocytes in both normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage. In addition, the hsPRO-C2 immunoassay exhibits acceptable technical performances. In the human cartilage explants model, levels of PIIBNP, but not PIIANP and C2M, were increased (2 to 7-fold) time-dependently in response to IGF-1. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between PIIBNP and PIIANP levels when measured in knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and pediatric serum samples. Serum PIIBNP was significantly higher in controls (KL0/1) compared to OA groups (KL2/3/4, p = 0.012). The hsPRO-C2 assay shows completely different biological and clinical patterns than PIIANP ELISA, suggesting that it may be a promising biomarker of cartilage formation.

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The effect of Tai Chi exercises on postural stability and control in older patients with knee osteoarthritis

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies ◽

10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.09.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 594-598 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elham Ghandali ◽

Saeed Talebian Moghadam ◽

Mohammad Reza Hadian ◽

Gholamreza Olyaei ◽

Shohreh Jalaie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Older Patients ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Stability And Control ◽

And Control

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Predicting Response to Total Neoadjuvant Treatment (TNT) in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Based on Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Retrospective Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-120616/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ganlu Ouyang ◽

Xibiao Yang ◽

Xiangbing Deng ◽

Wenjian Meng ◽

Yongyang Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Rectal Cancer ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Neoadjuvant Treatment ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Advanced Rectal Cancer ◽

Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Low Sensitivity

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the potential value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting response relevance to total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) in locally advanced rectal cancer.Methods: We analyzed MRI of 71 patients underwent TNT from 2015 to 2017 retrospectively. We categorized the response of TNT as CR (complete response) and non-CR, and high, moderate and low sensitivity. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the best predictors of response. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver - operating characteristic curve analysis.Results: Post–ICT (induction chemotherapy) ∆TL (tumor length), post-CRT (concurrent chemoradiotherapy) ∆LNN (the numbers of lymph node metastases), post–CCT (consolidation chemotherapy) ∆SDWI (maximum cross-sectional area of tumor on diffusion-weighted imaging), post-CCT ADCT (the mean apparent diffusion coefficient values of tumor) and post-CCT ∆LNV (volume of lymph node) were the best CR predictors. Post-CRT EMVI (extramural vascular invasion) and post-CCT ∆ST2 (S on T2-weight) were the best significant factors for high sensitivity. Conclusions: Post-ICT ∆TL and post-CRT EMVI may an early predictor of CR and high sensitivity to TNT, respectively. The grouping scheme of CR and non–CR was more suitable for predicting response by MRI parameters than high, moderate and low sensitivity.Trial registration: retrospectively registered

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Dynamic Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity as Assessed by Roller Pressure Algometry in Episodic Cluster Headache

January 2018 - Pain Physician ◽

10.36076/ppj.2020/23/219 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2;23 (4;2) ◽

pp. 219-227

Author(s):

César Fernández-de-las-Peñas

Keyword(s):

Cluster Headache ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Static Pressure ◽

Dynamic Pressure ◽

Pressure Algometry ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Key Words Cluster Headache ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Preventive Medication ◽

Pressure Algometer

Background: A method for assessing dynamic muscle hyperalgesia (dynamic pressure algometry) has been developed and applied in tension-type and migraine headaches. Objectives: To investigate differences in dynamic pressure pain assessment over the trigeminal area between men with cluster headache (CH) and headache-free controls, and the association between dynamic and static pressure pain sensitivity. Study Design: A case-control study. Setting: Tertiary urban hospital. Methods: Forty men with episodic CH and 40 matched controls participated. Dynamic pressure pain sensitivity was assessed with a dynamic pressure algometry set consisting of 8 rollers with different fixed levels (500, 700, 850, 1,350, 1,550, 2,200, 3,850, and 5,300 g). Each roller was moved at a speed of 0.5 cm/sec over a diagonal line covering the temporalis muscle from an anterior to posterior direction. The dynamic pressure threshold (DPT; load level of the first painful roller) and the pain intensity perceived at the DPT level (roller-evoked pain) were assessed. Static pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were also assessed with a digital pressure algometer applied statically over the mid-muscle belly of the temporalis. Patients were assessed in a remission phase, at least 3 months from the last cluster attack, and without preventive medication. Results: Side-to-side consistency between DPTs (r = 0.781, P < 0.001), roller-evoked pain on DPT (r = 0.586; P < 0.001), and PPTs (r = 0.874; P < 0.001) were found in men with CH. DPT was moderately, bilaterally, and side-to-side associated with PPTs (0.663 > r > 0.793, all P < 0.001). Men with CH had bilateral lower DPT and PPT and reported higher levels of rollerevoked pain (all P < 0.001) than headache-free controls. Limitations: Only men with episodic CH were included. Conclusions: This study supports that a dynamic pressure algometry is as valid as a static pressure algometry for assessing pressure pain sensitivity in patients with CH. Assessing both dynamic and static pain sensitivity may provide new opportunities for differentiated diagnostics. Key words: Cluster headache, dynamic pressure pain, pressure pain threshold

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