Histamine Intolerance: Clinical Characterization and Determination of Serum Diamine Oxidase (Dao) in a Series of Cases and Controls

Abstract Introduction. Histamine intolerance (HIT) is a pathology with an estimated prevalence of 1% in which there is an imbalance between the intake of histamine via the digestive tract and the body's ability to degrade it. This results in an excessive accumulation of histamine that determines the appearance of gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory and neurological symptoms. The enzyme responsible for degrading histamine in the extracellular space is diamine oxidase (DAO); therefore, HIT is caused due to a deficit in the concentration and/or in the activity of this enzyme. Because histamine is the main mediator of the classic symptoms of IgE-mediated allergic reactions, it is difficult to differentiate a true allergy from HIT since it has basically the same clinical manifestations. Objectives. The objective of this study was to perform a clinical characterization of patients with HIT and to determine the usefulness of quantifying serum DAO concentration in the diagnosis of HIT. Method: Twenty-two patients over the age of 18 with a history of histamine intolerance were recruited, in whom IgE-mediated food allergy was ruled out, and 22 healthy patients. Both groups were surveyed and serum DAO concentration was determined. Results: Middle-aged women predominated in the population with HIT. They described a wide variety of symptoms, with a dominance of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, flushing, urticaria, itching, headache and dysmenorrhea. When comparing the average serum DAO concentration in the population with HIT (10.686 U/ml) with the average obtained in the control population (20.664 U/ml), there was a significant difference (p < 0.003). Conclusion. The determination of serum DAO concentration is a useful tool for the diagnosis of HIT.

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Clinical and molecular epidemic characterization of rotavirus infection among children under five years old in Shandong province, China.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-419348/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shixiao Dong ◽

Deyu Huang ◽

Zheng Wang ◽

Guanyou Zhang ◽

Fengjuan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Incidence ◽

Age Groups ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Shandong Province ◽

Rotavirus Infection ◽

National Immunization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

And Control

Abstract Rotavirus was the an important causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in children. In China, rotavirus was positive in approximately 30% of the diarrhea children and become a serious public problem. This study was carried out to investigate the clinical and molecular epidemic characterization of rotavirus infection among children under 5 years old with acute diarrhea in Shandong province, China. From July 2017 to June 2018, a total of 1211 fecal specimens were detected and the prevalence of rotavirus infection was 32.12%. The mean age of positive children was 12.2 ± 10.9 months and the highest infection rate was observed in children aged 7–12 months with a rate of 41.64%. G9P[8] (76.61%) was the most prevalent combinations followed by G2P[4] (7.20%), G3P[8] (3.60%) and G9P[4] (2.06%). In addition to diarrhea, vomiting, fever and dehydration were the most common accompanied symptoms. In general, there was no significant difference in clinical manifestations among different age groups. However, the clinical manifestations between vaccinated and unvaccinated children were significantly different. Vaccinated children showed lower incidence and frequency of vomiting, lower incidence and degree of dehydration, lower incidence of severe cases than unvaccinated children. The findings suggested necessary to continue rotavirus strains surveillance in order to monitor the change of prevalent genotype. Moreover, introducing vaccine into national immunization program to prevent and control rotavirus infections is needed in China.

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FIBRINOGEN BIRMINGHAM; A NEW CONGENITAL HETERODIMERIC DYSFIBRINOGENEMIA WITH DEFECTIVE FIBRINOPEPTIDE A RELEASE (Aα 16 Arg→His)

10.1055/s-0038-1643338 ◽

1987 ◽

Author(s):

K R Siebenlist ◽

J T Prchal ◽

M W Masesson

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Amino Acid Analysis ◽

Hplc Analysis ◽

Biochemical Characterization ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Severe Bleeding ◽

Fibrinopeptide A ◽

History Of ◽

Bleeding Episodes

Aα 16 Arg→His substitutions are common forms of congenital dysfibrinogenemias. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to moderate hemorrhagic tendencies. Biochemical characterization of one such heterozygotic individual (Fibrinogen Louisville, Galanakis, etal. Ann NY Acad Sci 408:644,1983) indicated that only homodimeric fibrinogen molecules (i.e., containing either normal or abnormal Aα chains) were present. We isolated fibrinogen from the plasma of a 23 year old patient with a history of easy bruising and several recent moderate to severe bleeding episodes. Coagulability with reptilase was 677 (65-70%; n=5) whereas with thrombin (Ha) it approached 100%, depending directly upon the time of incubation with enzyme. HPLC analysis of Ila-induced fibrinopeptide release demonstrated the presence of an abnormal A-peptide (A*), amounting to 50% of the total, which was released more slowly than the normal A-peptide (A). Amino acid analysis of A* demonstrated the absence of Arg and the presence of His. Carboxypeptidase digestion confirmed the structure of A* as Aα 16 Arg-→ His. The clot and the soluble clot liquor resulting from reptilase treatment were separated and each was then further treated with Ilato release A*. HPLC analysis indicated that 31% of the total A* present in the sample was associated with the reptilase clot and 697 remained in the clot liquor. This distribution of A* suggests that Fibrinogen Birmingham, unlike Fibrinogen Louisville, contains heterodimeric molecules that are incorporated into the reptilase clottable fraction. This finding is consistent with a process of random hepatic assembly of dimeric fibrinogen molecules in a heterozygotic individual.

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Levels of TB-IGRA may help to differentiate between intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn’s disease in patients with positive results

Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology ◽

10.1177/1756284820922003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 175628482092200

Author(s):

Yujie Zhao ◽

Meilin Xu ◽

Liang Chen ◽

Zhanju Liu ◽

Xiaomin Sun

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Crohn’S Disease ◽

Crohn's Disease ◽

Intestinal Tuberculosis ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

Diagnosis Criteria

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of positive tuberculosis interferon gamma release assay (TB-IGRA) in the differential diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, and to find a suitable threshold to help distinguishing CD from tuberculosis (TB), so as to provide better recommendations for clinical treatment. Methods: A retrospective study was performed including 484 patients who underwent TB-IGRA testing for suspected CD or ITB treated in the Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University between January 2015 and May 2018. According to the diagnostic criteria, 307 patients, including 272 CD and 35 ITB patients, were recruited for the final analysis. We comprehensively and systematically collected their clinical manifestations, and analyzed the influence of TB-IGRA values referring to diagnosis criteria, and the possible causes of false positives. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and the cut-off value were applied to distinguish between ITB and CD patients. Results: Of the 56 patients with suspected CD enrolled, 23 were finally diagnosed with CD and 33 with ITB. In patients with TB-IGRA ⩾ 100 pg/ml, 4 cases were CD and 29 cases were ITB, while 19 cases were CD and 4 cases were ITB in patients with TB-IGRA < 100 pg/ml ( p < 0.05). TB-IGRA ⩾ 100 pg/ml indicated a high possibility of TB infection, with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 74%. Three out of the four CD patients with TB-IGRA ⩾ 100 pg/ml had a history of tuberculosis, while only 1 of the 19 CD patients with TB-IGRA < 100 pg/ml had a history of tuberculosis ( p < 0.05). The average duration of ITB was 7 months, and that of CD was 46.8 months, thus a significant difference ( p < 0.05) was observed. Perianal lesions such as anal fistula or abscess were found in all CD patients. Among ITB patients, 8 out of 15 patients with TB-IGRA ⩾ 400 pg/ml experienced weight loss, while only 1 out of 18 patients with TB-IGRA < 400 pg/ml underwent weight loss ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with CD have longer duration of disease, and perianal lesions are more common in CD. ITB patients with TB-IGRA ⩾ 400 pg/ml experience weight loss more readily, which indicates that TB-IGRA value may be correlated positively with the severity of ITB. In patients with CD and ITB, TB-IGRA = 100 pg/ml may be a cut-off value of TB-IGRA. For patients with TB-IGRA ⩾ 100 pg/ml, it is recommended to use diagnostic anti-TB treatment first. Comprehensive analysis and judgment are required for patients with TB-IGRA from 14 pg/ml to 99 pg/ml. TB-IGRA false positivity may occur in patients with a history of TB infection.

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Characterization of the zeolitic tuff from the “Igros-Vidojevici” deposit regarding geological and technological aspects

Hemijska industrija ◽

10.2298/hemind170428015k ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 29-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vladan Kasic ◽

Slavica Mihajlovic ◽

Dragana Zivotic ◽

Vladimir Simic ◽

Jovica Stojanovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clay Fraction ◽

Xrd Analysis ◽

Blue Dye ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Magnetic Impurities ◽

Zeolitic Tuff ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Central Deposit

This study presents investigations of zeolitic tuff samples from the ?Igros- -Vidojevici? deposit. The aim of the research was to determine the quality of samples taken from all deposit parts. Thus, samples were taken from the footwall (?Zeolit 1?), and four samples from the central deposit part (?Zeolit 2?, ?Zeolit 3?, ?Zeolit 4? and ?Zeolit 5?). Characterization of the samples included chemical analysis, determination of the adsorption coefficient for methylene blue dye and cation-exchange capacity (CEC), X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA and TGA), and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopic analysis (FTIR). Results have shown that the footwall consists mostly of clays, whereas zeolite minerals dominate in the rest of the deposit. XRD analysis of the ?Zeolit 1? sample confirmed presence of smectite and kaolinite clays, while zeolite of analcime type and quartz are present as smaller fractions. Chemical composition analysis and determination of heavy metal contents showed a significant amount (7.58%) of Fe2O3 in this sample. Therefore, further research can be pursued to find a method for removal of magnetic impurities in this deposit portion in order to utilize the clay fraction. On the other hand, according to XRD, FTIR, DTA/TGA and SEM/EDS analyses, samples which belong to the central deposit part (?Zeolit 2?5?) consist of clinoptilolite zeolite type, while clays are present in less than 10%. Thus, clays (smectites and kaolinite) accompanied with analcime and quartz are the most abundant footwall minerals while central deposit parts contain predominantly clinoptilolite accompanied with small amounts of clays. Mineragenetically, zeolites are most abundant in the ?Zeolit 2? and ?Zeolit 3? samples. The smallest value of CEC was determined for the ?Zeolit 1? sample (46.98 mmol/100g). According to CEC values determined for ?Zeolit 2? and ?Zeolit 3? (141.99 and 121.01 mmol/100 g, respectively) these samples are of the best quality, and could be utilized as adsorbents of inorganic pollutants from contaminated waters. Moreover, they could be potentially used for removal of mycotoxins from cattle feed. ?Zeolit 4? and ?Zeolit 5? samples have shown slightly lower CEC values (89.48 and 83.75 mmol/100 g, respectively), which implies lower quality, and, therefore, could be used for soil quality improvement. Finally, determination of the external CEC has revealed a significant difference between ?Zeolit 1? and ?Zeolit 5? samples (17.9 and 5.31 mmol/100 g, respectively).

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Proteomic and Metabolomic Characterization of Metabolically Healthy Obesity: A Descriptive Study from a Swedish Cohort

Journal of Obesity ◽

10.1155/2021/6616983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

J. Korduner ◽

P. M. Nilsson ◽

O. Melander ◽

M. J. Gerl ◽

G. Engström ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interleukin 1 ◽

Principal Component ◽

Metabolically Healthy Obesity ◽

Established Risk Factor ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Metabolite Profiles ◽

History Of ◽

Metabolically Healthy

Background/Aims. Obesity is a well-established risk factor for the development of numerous chronic diseases. However, there is a small proportion of obese individuals that seem to escape these aforementioned conditions—Metabolically Healthy Obesity (MHO). Our aim was to do a metabolic and biomarker profiling of MHO individuals. Method. Associations between different biomarkers (proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics) coupled to either MHO or metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) individuals were analyzed through principal component analysis (PCA). Subjects were identified from a subsample of 416 obese individuals, selected from the Malmö Diet and Cancer study—Cardiovascular arm (MDCS-CV, n = 3,443). They were further divided into MHO (n = 143) and MUO (n = 273) defined by a history of hospitalization, or not, at baseline inclusion, and nonobese subjects (NOC, n = 3,027). Two distinctive principle components (PL2, PP5) were discovered with a significant difference and thus further investigated through their main loadings. Results. MHO individuals had a more metabolically favorable lipid and glucose profile than MUO subjects, that is, lower levels of traditional blood glucose and triglycerides, as well as a trend of lower metabolically unfavorable lipid biomarkers. PL2 (lipidomics, p = 0.02 ) showed stronger associations of triacylglycerides with MUO, whereas phospholipids correlated with MHO. PP5 (proteomics, p = 0.01 ) included interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and leptin with positive relations to MUO and galanin that correlated positively to MHO. The group differences in metabolite profiles were to a large extent explained by factors included in the metabolic syndrome. Conclusion. Compared to MUO individuals, corresponding MHO individuals present with a more favorable lipid metabolic profile, accompanied by a downregulation of potentially harmful proteomic biomarkers. This unique and extensive biomarker profiling presents novel data on potentially differentiating traits between these two obese phenotypes.

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The Abnormal Imaging of SARS-CoV-2: A Predictive Measure of Disease Severity

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.694754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Shangwen Pan ◽

Huaqing Shu ◽

Yaxin Wang ◽

Ruiting Li ◽

Ting Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Left Lung ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Chloride Ions ◽

Lesion Area ◽

Fourth Level ◽

Radiographic Score ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

Critical Patients ◽

First Time

To investigate the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and evaluate whether CT scans, especially at a certain CT level, could be used to predict the severity of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. In total 118 confirmed patients had been enrolled. All data including epidemiological, clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and images were collected and analyzed when they were administrated for the first time. All patients were divided into two groups. There were 106 severe/critical patients and 12 common ones. A total of 38 of the patients were women. The mean age was 50.5 ± 11.5 years. Overall, 80 patients had a history of exposure. The median time from onset of symptoms to administration was 8.0 days. The main symptoms included fever, cough, anorexia, fatigue, myalgia, headaches, and chills. Lymphocytes and platelets decreased and lactate dehydrogenase increased with increased diseased severity (P < 0.05). Calcium and chloride ions were decreased more significantly in severe/critical patients than in common ones (P < 0.05). The main comorbidities were diabetes, chronic cardiovascular disease, and chronic pulmonary disease, which occurred in 47 patients. In all 69 patients had respiratory failure, which is the most common SARS-CoV-2 complication, and liver dysfunction presented in 37 patients. Nine patients received mechanical ventilation therapy. One patient received continuous blood purification and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EMCO) treatments. The average stay was 18.1 ± 10.8 days. Four patients died. The median of the radiographic score was four in common, and five in the severe/critical illness, which was a significant difference between the two groups. The radiographic score was in negative correlation with OI (ρ = −0.467, P < 0.01). The OI in severe/critically ill cases decreased significantly as the disease progressed, which was related to the lesion area in the left lung and right lungs (ρ = 0.688, R = 0.733). OI, the lesion area in the left lung and right lungs, lymphocytes, etc. were associated with different degrees of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (P < 0.05). The lesion area in both lungs were possible predictive factors for severe/critical cases. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia showed obvious clinical manifestations and laboratory result changes. Combining clinical features and the quantity of the lesion area in the fourth level of CT could effectively predict severe/critical SARS-CoV-2 cases.

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Risk Factors for Clinical Manifestations in Patients with Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin Gene Mutations.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.4090.4090 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 4090-4090

Author(s):

Maria Teresa De Sancho ◽

Nickisha Berlus ◽

Jacob H. Rand

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Family History ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Gene Mutations ◽

Factor V Leiden ◽

Factor V ◽

Female Hormones ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

Abstract Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A gene mutations are the most prevalent hereditary thrombophilias (HT). Carriers of these HT are at greater risk for developing thromboembolic events (TEE) and/or pregnancy complications (PC) compared to non-carriers, but not all carriers develop clinical manifestations. We retrospectively analyzed the risk factors (RF) for clinical manifestations of all subjects who tested positive for FVL and/or PG20210A gene mutations in our hematology clinic between January 2000 and July 2006. Symptomatic carriers (cases) and asymptomatic carriers (controls) were compared. Cases were defined as having had a TEE (venous and/or arterial) or a PC (pregnancy loss (PL), preeclampsia, abruption placenta and intrauterine growth restriction). Data analyzed included secondary RF for thrombosis, use of female hormones (FH), family history of thrombosis (FHT), and the presence of other thrombophilias. During the study period, 197 subjects were fully evaluable; 9 were excluded due to insufficient data. The clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Of the 85 venous thromboses (VT), 59 (69%) had DVT and/or PE, 10 (12%) had superficial thrombophlebitis, 9 (11%) intra-abdominal thrombosis, 2 (2%) cerebral VT, 2 (2%) had retinal VT and 3 (4%) had > 1 site of VT. Of the 25 arterial thromboses (AT), 11 (44%) were CVA, 7 (28%) had TIA, 6 (24%) had other AT, and 1 (4%) had an MI. Of the 52 cases with PL, 27 (52%) were early recurrent 1st trimester PL, 8 (15%) were 2nd or 3rd trimester PL, 4 (8%) had infertility and 13 (25%) had both PL and infertility. Of the 5 PC, 3 were abruption placenta, 1 preeclampsia and 1 had > 1 PC. The most common RF was the presence of > 1 secondary RF (Table 2). There was no significant difference between cases and controls regarding the use of FH, FHT, and presence of other thrombophilias. Fertility medications were used by 12 (10%) of cases vs. 1 (2%) of controls. Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody-positivity was the most prevalent concurrent thrombophilic factor and occurred in 18 of cases (12%) vs. 2 (4%) of controls. Cases and controls were similar regarding gender, age, family history of thrombosis, and presence of other thrombophilias. In summary, fertility medications and aPL antibodies appear to be significant risk factors for clinical manifestations in cases. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to identify additional RF in carriers of these HT. Clinical Characteristics Cases (n=145) Controls (n=52) *85 heterozygous, 6 homozygous, **29 heterozygous, 2 homozygous, ***37 heterozygous, 2 homozygous, ****100% heterozygous Mean Age, yr [+/−SD] 44+/−13 42+/−13 Gender, female 115 (79%) 42 (81%) FVL 91 (63%)* 31 (60%)** PG20210A 39 (27%)*** 18 (35%)**** FVL + PG20210A 15 (10%) 3 (6%) VT 85 (59%) --- AT 25 (17%) --- PC and infertility (female carriers, n=115) 57 (50%) --- Risk Factors Cases (n=145) Controls (n=52) p value Includes obesity, postoperative period, pregnancy, puerperium, long airplane flight, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and immobilization; **oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators, progesterone OC, fertility medications Secondary RF* 74 (51%) 15 (29%) 0.265 NS Use of female hormones**, n=115 59 (51%) 21 (50%) 0.478 NS Family history of thrombosis 73 (50%) 34 (65%) 0.252 NS Other thrombophilias 60 (41%) 21 (40%) 0.232 NS

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Potential Markers of Arterial and/or Venous Thromboses and their Complications in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Journal of Medical Biochemistry ◽

10.2478/v10011-007-0031-7 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 259-268

Author(s):

Mirjana Bećarević ◽

Nada Majkić-Singh

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Recurrent Abortions ◽

Venous Thromboses

Potential Markers of Arterial and/or Venous Thromboses and their Complications in Primary Antiphospholipid SyndromeAntiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by venous or arterial thromboses and/or recurrent abortions accompanied by antiphospholipid antibodies and it can be primary (PAPS) or secondary (SAPS) to another disease. Arterial thromboses are less common than venous and most frequently they manifest as ischemia or infarction. Venous thromboses are usually multiple and bilateral and the most common complication of venous thromboses are pulmonary emboli. Considering that laboratory diagnosis of PAPS is currently based on persistently positive aCL, aβ2gpl and/or LA tests, and that neither one of those tests can discriminate between PAPS patients with arterial or venous thromboses or their complications, the aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostical significance of the determination of apo(a), oxLDL, anti-oxLDL antibodies, antianxA5 antibodies, hsCRP, C3 and C4 complement components and HPT for discrimination between PAPS patients with diverse clinical manifestations. Considering that elevated oxLDL and anti-oxLDL antibodies concentrations were found in PAPS patients, and also in subgroups of PAPS patients with MI or PE, it can be concluded that those parameters represent additional risk factors which together with other factors may lead to thromboses and their complications in PAPS. Regarding the fact that C3 and C4 concentrations were decreased in PAPS patients and that a positive correlation was found between hsCRP and C3 concentrations, this finding could indicate potential roles of these parameters as markers of atherosclerosis, which represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. HPT and apo(a) concentrations are not independent risk factors for MI in PAPS because lower levels were found in those patients in comparison to MI survivors without PAPS. No significant correlation of anti-anxA5 antibodies and the presence of arterial or venous thromboses or their complications was found, but increased concentrations of the IgG isotype of those antibodies could be a marker for recurrent abortions in PAPS, although this finding should be further investigated on a larger number of patients with this clinical finding. Determination of hsCRP in PAPS patients could not be an adequate parameter which would provide discrimination between patients with increased risk for development and/or recurrence of venous and/or arterial thromboses, nor for their complications, because no statistically significant difference in concentrations of this parameter was found among PAPS, IM, PE and SLE patients who were included in this study.

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Comparison of Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Conditions on Knee Joint Reposition Sense

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.6.4.327 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 327-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michael J. Higgins ◽

David H. Perrin

Keyword(s):

Weight Bearing ◽

Previous History ◽

Chain Condition ◽

Position Sense ◽

Joint Position Sense ◽

Open Chain ◽

Closed Chain ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

In this study, joint reposition sense of the knee in a non-weight-bearing (NWB) state and that in a weight-bearing (WB) state were compared, and it was determined whether a significant relationship existed between knee displacement (KD) and joint reposition sense. The dominant knees of 8 male and 12 female subjects (age 19–26 years, M ±SD= 21.5 ± 2.06) who had no previous history of knee dysfunction were tested for accuracy of angular reproduction in the WB and NWB states. There was a significant difference in the accuracy of angular repositioning between the two conditions, with the WB test having less deviation from the predetermined angle. There was a weak relationship between KD and the ability to reproduce specific angles of the knee. These results suggest that the WB or closed chain state of the knee was more accurate in the determination of joint position sense than the NWB or open chain condition.

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Philosophical Practice as Self-modification: An Essay on Michel Foucault’s Critical Engagement with Philosophy

Foucault Studies ◽

10.22439/fs.v25i2.5573 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 8

Author(s):

Sverre Raffnsøe ◽

Morten Thaning ◽

Marius Gudmand-Høyer

Keyword(s):

Truth Telling ◽

Philosophical Practice ◽

Cartesian Meditation ◽

Early Modernity ◽

Collège De France ◽

The Enlightenment ◽

History Of ◽

To Come

This essay argues that what makes Michel Foucault’s oeuvre not only stand apart but also cohere is an assiduous philosophical practice taking the form of an ongoing yet concrete self-modification in the medium of thought. Part I gives an account of three essential aspects of Foucault’s conception of philosophical activity. Beginning with his famous characterization of philosophy in terms of ascēsis, it moves on to articulate his characterization of philosophical practice as a distinct form of meditation, differing from both Cartesian meditation and Hegelian meditation, as it aims to stand vigil for the day to come and operates as a preface to transgression. Part II begins the articulation of crucial traits left implicit in this understanding of philosophy by turning to Foucault’s in-depth investigation of philosophy in Antiquity during his lectures at the Collège de France in the 1980s. First, it develops how philosophy here begins to constitute and distinguish itself by establishing itself as an activity that has a privileged relationship to truth and truth-telling as an unremitting, existentially determining challenge for the philosopher. Further, it instantiates how Platonism elaborates the need for a sustained ‘auto-ascetic’ ethical non-compliant differentiation as the condition of possibility for accessing and stating truth, and then describes how the assertion of an ethical differentiation and attitude in Cynicism takes the form of an insistent combat for another world in this world. Finally, it underlines how the ethical-practical philosophical work upon oneself in Antiquity is developed in an ongoing critical and political exchange with others. Part III indicates how ethical differentiation according to Foucault remains an essential precondition for the practice of philosophy and is further developed in the modern age. This is particularly perspicuous in Kant’s determination of the Enlightenment, in the attitude of modernity exemplified by Baudelaire, and in the history of revolt since the beginning of early Modernity. On this background, Part IV develops how philosophy as an ongoing meditative practice of self-modification leads to an affirmative critique, confirming the virtuality of this world in order to investigate the potentiality in the examined. In this manner, the essay presents Foucault’s philosophical practice as well as an outline of the history of ideas of a seemingly alternate, yet still agenda-setting conception of philosophical practice today.

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