Academic literature on the topic 'Arthritica helmsi'

The densities of two common intertidal/shallow subtidal bivalves, Soletellina alba and Arthritica helmsi, were sampled in vegetated and unvegetated habitats of the Hopkins River estuary on three occasions during the autumn/winter 1995. Winter flooding coincided with mass mortalities of the infaunal bivalve S. alba, but not A. helmsi. Mortalities were apparent for individuals living deeper in the sediment (≈35 cm) in vegetated and unvegetated habitats, but small S. alba (<1 mm) were less susceptible to mortality than larger individuals (>1 mm). Mortalities were similar across different habitat types and sediment depths, and at multiple sites within close proximity to the estuary mouth.

Background:Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease (CTD) most frequently associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon – RP (96%), followed by mixed CTD (MCTD) (86%), systemic lupus erythematosus – SLE (31%), undifferentiated CTD (30%), rheumatoid arthritis – RA (22%) and Sjogren’s disease – SD (13%)1. RP can manifest as a classical triple-colour change with pallor (ischaemic phase) followed by cyanosis (deoxygenation) and erythema (reperfusion)2,1. However, this triple-colour change only occurs in 19% of cases2,3. Majority of patients report an episodic double-colour change, consisting of pallor and cyanosis, pallor and erythema or cyanosis and erythema2. In a 4.8-year follow-up, 37.2% of RP patients developed rheumatic diseases (RD), 8.1% had other causes, in 54,7% RP remained primary4.Objectives:To study the incidence and manifestations of secondary RP in RD.Methods:A questionnaire survey conducted in 230 patients with RD.Results:RP was detected in 45.6% of RD patients (n=105), 54.4% of patients with RD had no RP (n=125). RP was 4 times more frequent in females than in males (F:M 4:1). In RP group, 87 patients (82%) had autoimmune RD: SSc (55.2%), SLE (17.1%), RA (6%),dermatomyositis (3.8%), cross syndrome (3.8%), MCTD (1.9%), SD (0.9%).Only 84% of RP patients had positive answers to all three questions that characterizeRP (1. Is there an unusual sensitivity of fingers to cold? 2. Do fingers change colorwhen exposed to cold? 3. Do they turn white and/or bluish?). Biphasic color changes (whitening-blueness; whitening-redness; blue-redness) were observed in 33 (31.4%) patients with RP, three-phase changes – in 32 patients (30.5%). Blueness of fingers to cold was more frequent in SLE than in SSc (p=0.027).Redness of fingers to cold occurred more often in cross syndrome, MCTD, SD, RA, vasculitis than in SSc (p<0.001) and in vasculitis than in SLE (p=0.035). In SSc patients, whitening of fingers to cold was more common than redness (p=0.037) and two-/three-phase changes of fingers color in the cold were more frequent than single-phase changes (p<0.001).The frequency of RP attacks was detected more than once a day in 44 (42%) patients. In 73% of cases, RP did not show signs of deep digital ischemia. Digital ulcers (active) were observed in 13 (12.3%) patients, fractures in a finger area – 23 (21.9%), digital scars – 15 (14.2%), phalange amputations – 7 (6.6%).Conclusion:Patients with RD and secondary RP most often have SSC (55%), less often – SLE (17%), RA (6%), DM (3%). In SSc and SLE patients, Raynaud’s reddening of fingers to cold is less common than in other RD. In SSc, two-/three-phase changes of fingers color in the cold are more frequent than single-phase changes. In SLE, fingers turn blue in the cold more often than in SSc.References:[1]Prete M, Fatone MC, Favoino E, Perosa F. Raynaud’s phenomenon: from molecular pathogenesis to therapy.Autoimmun Rev2014;13:655–67.[2]Linnemann B, Erbe M. Raynaud’s phenomenon – assessment and differential diagnoses.Vasa2015;44:166–77.[3]Heidrich H, Helmis J, Fahrig C, Hovelmann R, Martini N. Clinical characteristics of primary, secondary and suspected secondary Raynaud’s syndrome and diagnostic transition in the long-term follow-up. A retrospective study in 900 patients.Vasa2008;37 (Suppl. 73):3–25.[4]Pavlov–Dolijanovic S, Damjanov NS, VujasinovicStupar NZ, Radunovic GL, Stojanovic RM, Babic D. Late appearance and exacerbation of primary Raynaud’s phenomenon attacks can predict future development of connective tissue disease: a retrospective chart review of 3035 patients.RheumatolInt2013;33:921–6.Acknowledgments:Professor LP. Anan’eva, Professor RT. AlekperovDisclosure of Interests:Ilshat Gaisin Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, KRKA, Berlin-Chemie Menarini, Sanofi, Zukhra Bagautdinova: None declared, Rosa Valeeva: None declared, Nikolay Maximov Speakers bureau: Pfizer, KRKA, Oxana Desinova: None declared, Rushana Shayakhmetova: None declared, Irina Sabelnikova: None declared, Anna Tukmacheva: None declared, Larisa Gibadullina: None declared, Natalya Burlaeva: None declared, Elena Agareva: None declared, Yulia Ochkurova: None declared, Tatyana Bragina: None declared, Ksenia Alexandrova: None declared, Elvira Reutova: None declared

BACKGROUND: - Despite being highly prevalent and highly studied autoimmune disease, the etiology for the autoimmunity in Rheumatoid arthritis is not known. One of the recent advances being the role of gut microbiota. The primary objective of this study is to explore the association of Prevotella copri species in the gut microbiota in untreated Rheumatoid arthritis patients. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:-To study the association of Prevotella copri in the gut microbiota in untreated Rheumatoid Arthritis patients MATERIALAND METHODS: Stool samples were collected from controls and new onset, untreated Rheumatoid arthritis patients in reduced transport fluid (RTF) and were subjected to anaerobic culture in Kanamycin-Vancomycin blood agar to identify Prevotella species based on colony morphology and biochemical tests. Inoculated plates were incubated anaerobically by gas pak method for 72 hours. Also, broadband PCR was run on stool samples collected in RTF for detection of 16S RNA of Prevotella species and the samples which test positive were further subjected to specific PCR with another set of internal primers to detect 16S RNA of Prevotella copri. HiPurATM Stool DNA Purification Kit (#MB544 HIMEDIA) was used for extraction of bacterial genome. Separation of genomic DNAwas done using agarose gel electrophoresis. 2 sets of primers were used among which one is universal primer for bacterial species i.e., 16S rDNA to validate the sample or DNA for bacterial genomic study. Another primer mix specific to Prevotella copri was procured from Helini Biosciences along with positive control for Prevotella copri to identify samples positive for Prevotella copri. RESULTS:- Stool samples were collected from 30 cases and 25 healthy controls and were subjected to PCR and culture. Anaerobic culture showed no growth of Prevotella. PCR studies showed 19(63%) cases being positive for Prevotella copri nucleic acid whereas only 7(28%) samples were positive in controls. CONCLUSION: - Intestinal Prevotella copri was found in significant number of cases of Rheumatoid arthritis compared to controls (p value: 0.009) indicating the alteration in gut microbiota in cases, which could be the reason for priming of autoimmunity in Rheumatoid arthritis

Background and aim: As an experienced paediatric nurse I have recognised that adolescents with persistent chronic childhood diseases fall between two chairs. International studies support this recognition. Norwegian adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are no exception. Chronic arthritis from childhood might have far-reaching consequences for the growth and development of the child, and for the family and community. The fact that a considerable proportion of children with JIA continue to have active disease and disease residua through adolescence into adulthood underlines the importance of illuminating the situation in a public-health perspective. Through this study I aim at exploring physical and psychosocial health among young adults with JIA in a life-span perspective from childhood and adolescence into adult life. Methods: The thesis has a qualitative and a quantitative approach. Study I had an abductive explorative design. The experiences and perceptions of health-care transition were explored by focus-group interviews with young people with JIA and related health professionals respectively. Qualitative content analysis was utilised. Study II had an abductive explorative design with qualitative interviews to explore young adults’ experiences of living with JIA in a life-span perspective. Qualitative content analysis was utilised. Study III had a longitudinal deductive design. The standardised questionnaires of Health Assessment Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire version 30, and Visual Analogue Scales of pain, fatigue, and illness were utilised to explore physical ability, psychosocial health, pain, fatigue, and illness in a cohort of patients with JIA 18.3 years after symptom-onset. Comparisons with baseline and first follow-up were performed. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and non parametric tests. Study IV had a cross-sectional deductive design. In addition to the questionnaires utilised in study III, the questionnaire of SF-36 Health Survey and data on education, employment, need of assistive equipment at work, and use of health services the previous year were employed. Comparisons with Norwegian population- based data were performed. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, and parametric and non parametric tests. Findings: In study I, ability to live a meaningful and responsible adult life seemed to be a common goal. Obstacles for the young people were the nature of the disease, a lack of focus on transition processes, and overprotective parents and health professionals. Obstacles for the health professionals were lack of inter-professional and inter-institutional formal co-operation and agreed practice, and lack of competence on adolescent development and health. Study II demonstrates that living with JIA implies a constant oscillation between struggle and adjustment to an insecure everyday life and an unpredictable life course. This was expressed as bodily experiences of limitation and freedom, interpersonal experiences of being included or set on the sidelines, and intrapersonal perceptions of insecurity and confidence. Of the 55 young adults with JIA in study III, 21 reported physical disability, and 12 reported psychiatric distress within the clinical range. Furthermore, 26 patients reported illness, 27 pain, and 33 fatigue above 10 on the VAS scale (0-100). Significant correlations were found between physical disability, pain, illness and fatigue, and between psychiatric distress, pain, and fatigue. Comparisons from first to second follow-up of the cohort showed no significant changes in physical or psychosocial functioning, pain, or fatigue. In study IV, physical ability and pain were significant predictors of the average variation of physical health while psychiatric distress and female gender were significant predictors of the average variation of mental health. Impaired physical health was associated with low rates of psychiatric distress. As compared to the general Norwegian population, impaired HRQL in the physical domain was found, but not in the mental domain, and a higher level of education, but similar employment rate. Conclusion: The four studies demonstrate complementary findings. Discrepancies between interviews and inquiries indicate that the interviews illuminate a depth and breadth of life with JIA in a life-span perspective that not is possible to unveil solely by standardised inquiries. Although persistent favourable outcomes are found physically and psychosocially from first to second follow-up, young adults with JIA reveal that life with JIA encompasses struggle and adjustment to an insecure life situation physically, psychologically, and socially.
Bakgrunn og mål: Mange års erfaring som pediatrisk sykepleier har vist meg at unge mennesker med kroniske barnesykdommer faller mellom to stoler i overgangen til voksent liv. Internasjonale studier støtter denne erfaringen, og norske ungdommer med juvenil idiopatisk artritt er ikke noe unntak. Kronisk barneleddgikt kan ha vidtrekkende konsekvenser for barnets vekst og utvikling, for familien og samfunnet for øvrig. Det faktum at mange barn fortsetter å ha aktiv sykdom og senvirkninger av sykdommen gjennom ungdomsårene og inn i voksent liv, understreker betydningen av å belyse de unges helse og livssituasjon i et folkehelseperspektiv. Gjennom denne avhandlingen ønsker jeg å undersøke fysisk, psykisk og sosial helse blant unge voksne med barneleddgikt i et livsløpsperspektiv. Metode: Avhandlingen har en kvantitativ og en kvalitativ tilnærming. Studie I hadde en abduktiv eksplorerende design. Gjennom fokusgruppeintervjuer med respektivt unge mennesker med barneleddgikt og helsepersonell innen revmatologi ble opplevelser og erfaringer med overgangen til voksenhelsetjenesten undersøkt. Kvalitativ innholdsanalyse ble benyttet. Studie II hadde også en abduktiv eksplorerende design med kvalitative intervjuer for å utforske livet med barneleddgikt blant unge voksne i et livsløpsperspektiv. Kvalitativ innholdsanalyse ble benyttet også her. Studie III hadde en longitudinell deduktiv design. Standardiserte spørreskjemaer om fysisk funksjon (Health Assessment Questionnaire), psykososial helse (General Health Questionnaire versjon 30), og sykdomsfølelse, smerte og trøtthet (Visual Analogue Scales) ble anvendt for å undersøke selvvurdert helse blant kohorten 18.3 år etter symptomdebut. Sammenligning med baselinestudien og første oppfølging ble gjort. Deskriptiv statistikk og non parametriske tester ble benyttet i dataanalysen. Studie IV var en deduktiv tverrsnittsstudie. I tillegg til spørreskjemaene som ble benyttet i studie III, ble spørreskjemaet SF-36 Health Survey benyttet for å undersøke selvvurdert helserelatert livskvalitet. Data fra telefonintervjuet om utdanning, yrkesaktivitet, behov for hjelpemidler på jobb, og behov for helsetjenester siste året ble inkludert. Sammenligninger ble gjort med norske normdata. Deskriptiv statistikk, parametriske og non parametriske tester ble benyttet i dataanalysen. Funn: Studie I viste at det å være i stand til å leve et meningsfylt og ansvarsbevisst voksenliv var et felles mål. Hindringer for de unge viste seg å være sykdommens natur, manglende fokus på overgangsprosessen, og overbeskyttende foreldre og helsepersonell. Hindringer blant helsepersonell var mangel på formelt samarbeid og omforent praksis på tvers av profesjoner og institusjoner, og mangel på kompetanse om ungdoms helse og utvikling. Studie II viste at livet med barneleddgikt innebærer en konstant veksling mellom kamp og tilpasning til et usikkert dagligliv og et uforutsigbart livsløp. Dette kom til uttrykk i erfaringer om kroppslige begrensninger eller frihet, interpersonlige opplevelser av å bli inkludert eller satt til side, og intrapersonlige opplevelser av usikkerhet eller trygghet. Blant de 55 unge voksne med barneleddgikt i studie III rapporterte 21 fysiske funksjonshemninger og 12 psykiatrisk distress. Videre rapporterte 26 pasienter sykdomsfølelse, 27 smerter, og 33 trøtthet med en skåring på 10 eller mer på VAS-skalaene (0-100). Signifikante korrelasjoner ble funnet mellom fysisk funksjonshemning, smerter, sykdomsfølelse og trøtthet, og mellom psykiatrisk distress, smerter og trøtthet. Sammenligninger fra første til andre oppfølging av kohorten viste ingen signifikante endringer i fysisk eller psykisk funksjonsevne, smerter eller trøtthet. Studie IV viste at fysisk funksjons-hemning og smerter var signifikante prediktorer for den gjennomsnittlige variasjonen i fysisk helse, mens psykiatrisk distress og kvinnelig kjønn var signifikante prediktorer for den gjennomsnittlige variasjonen i mental helse. Sviktende fysisk helse var ikke assosiert med psykiatrisk distress. Sammenlignet med norske normdata fant vi sviktende helserelatert livskvalitet i det fysiske domene, men ikke i det mentale domene, og høyere utdanningsnivå, men ingen forskjell i yrkesaktivitet. Konklusjon: Funnene fra de fire delstudiene kompletterer hverandre. Diskrepansen mellom funnene fra intervjuene og spørreskjemaene belyser en bredde og dybde i opplevelsene avlivet med barneleddgikt som det ikke er mulig å avdekke bare gjennom bruk av standardiserte spørreskjemaer. Selv om funnene viser vedvarende positive utfall av sykdommen både fysisk og psykososialt fra første til andre oppfølging, viser unge mennesker med barneleddgikt at livet innebærer kamp og tilpasning til en usikker livssituasjon fysisk, psykisk og sosialt.

As European land clearance and the installation of engineering controls of water flow (such as locks and barrages) have altered many estuarine ecosystems from their natural state, the range of natural variability of hydrological conditions is often poorly understood. As the instrumental record of climate and environmental monitoring in Australia is short (approximately 120 years), palaeoenvironmental archives inform our understanding of past conditions and can be useful in informing management and conservation efforts in venerable hydrological ecosystems. The geochemistry of bivalve shells preserved in sediments provides one possible archive of past hydrological conditions, though modern calibration studies are necessary prior to palaeoenvironmental applications. This thesis investigates the controls on the composition of trace elements (Sr, Mg and Ba) and stable oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) in the waters of the Coorong Lagoons, South Australia, alongside the incorporation of these elements and stable isotope ratios into shells of the bivalve Arthritica helmsi. The findings of these studies of modern populations were then applied to shells from the sediments of the Coorong South Lagoon to reconstruct hydroclimate variability for the past 1750 years. The trace elemental ratios Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca in waters of the Coorong Lagoons were significantly correlated to salinity. In particular, the relationship between Mg/Ca was found to be consistent across different hydrological regimes and could therefore be a target as a salinity proxy in carbonate archives. However, the partitioning of trace elemental ratios into A. helmsi carbonate was not found to correlate with the temperature, salinity, pH, or elemental concentrations of water, indicating that biological effects likely control the incorporation of elements this species. The δ18O of contemporary waters was mostly controlled by evaporation, though water mixing also had an influence. Oxygen isotope ratios in A. helmsi were significantly related to both the temperature and δ18O of waters resulting in the development of a temperature-dependent fractionation equation. A δ18O record spanning 1750 years was developed from shells from sediments of the Coorong South Lagoon. This record indicates that the Coorong South Lagoon has been a highly evaporated closed system for at least the past 1750 years and that the marine dominated modern North Lagoon is not an analogue for past conditions in the South Lagoon. Furthermore multi-decadal periods of high and low precipitation/evaporation balance indicated by the δ18O record are consistent with regional hydroclimate reconstructions suggesting a common driver for hydroclimate in southeastern Australia. The outcomes of this thesis are a significant contribution to the knowledge of bivalve geochemistry as a proxy for palaeoenvironmental change, as well as past hydroclimate in the Coorong South Lagoon and surrounding region, with potential implications for modern hydrological management.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2021

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This study investigates the stable isotope and trace elemental geochemistry of the bivalve Arthritica helmsi with the aim to investigate its uses as a palaeoclimate archive. Firstly, stable isotopes and trace elements were measured on composite shell samples to create a long-term record of climate variability throughout the past 2500 years. Secondly, the seasonal variations within these multicentennial records was analysed through high-resolution trace elemental analyses on individual shells in addition to high replicate stable isotope analyses. These results show variation in the hydroclimate of the Southern Coorong Lagoon in response to freshwater flow and evaporation. A period of reduced moisture from 2200-1800 cal B.P and periods indicating more fresh conditions from 2500-2250 cal B.P and 1800-1300 cal B.P are in agreement with several other regional records suggesting a coherent regional climate signal. Increases in seasonality coincide with dry climates and indicate that summer climate variability is the main influence on Coorong palaeohydrology. A. helmsi exhibits significant potential as a palaeoclimate tracer, subject to further research into its contemporary biology and geochemistry.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2015

Chapter 127 discusses US scanning for rheumatologic diseases. US is increasingly being used in patients with rheumatologic diseases for initial diagnostic evaluation and to objectively monitor disease course and treatment response. US findings of synovitis and erosive disease can help identify and monitor inflammatory arthritis, in particular rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with greater sensitivity and specificity than radiography. Evaluation of target joints for the different rheumatologic diseases helps expedite the examinations. US findings of enthesopathy may help differentiate psoriatic and reactive arthritis from RA. The US findings associated with gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) arthropathy can also help in differentiating these entities from other inflammatory arthritides.

Lymphedema may be caused by dysfunction of the lymphatic system due to damage, block, hypoplasia due to genetic causes or by lymph overload. Lymphatic Filariasis is most prevalent and among the leading causes of disability. This chapter describes the improvements in three yoga protocols of integrative treatment, for lower limb, upper limb, and genital lymphedema. There are two sessions of yoga in our treatment protocol. Yoga helps to drain lymph through various mechanisms. Asanas focus on the dermal stretch, joint movement, muscle pumps, and muscle stretch and pranayamas on lung expansion. Joint movements and muscle contractions are designed to mimic nodal drainage. The yoga protocol also provides knee strengthening, gait correction, shoulder joint strengthening. Yoga asanas for comorbidities like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis and joint surgeries with movement restrictions are customized in the revised protocol. Yoga is an effective treatment in lymphedema and considerably improves the patient's quality of life.

Human body functions as a network of mechanically coupled parts (components) that work together to form a complete system; these body components can experience failure when in service. Specifically, failure such as arthritis may be caused by articulations at the hip and knee joints. One of such solutions to this failure is the total hip replacement. Materials used in this prosthesis, therefore play an important role in the success of the implant. One of the most commonly used implant material in modern day arthroplasty is the Ti6Al4V alloy, because of its excellent resistance to wear and corrosion in the human body environment. In reality, such implant in service may be subjected to impact loading (at a velocity of about 250–1000m/s), leading to deformation. Typical, examples include an implanted patient involved in an automobile crash and a golf ball hitting an implanted patient at the point of implantation. In this study, the wear and tear resistance property of Ti6Al4V alloy is determined by performing simulation on the high strain rate deformation behavior of IN718 super alloy material and Ti6Al4V plated Inconel material. The maximum stress localized within the plated Inconel material is lesser than that in the unplated material. This shows that Ti6Al4V alloy prevents the localization of stress in the parent Inconel material and is therefore a good wear prevention material, under impact conditions. Also, the impact characterization behavior of Ti6Al4V material is performed in this research in order to determine the maximum stress allowable in the titanium alloy before ultimate failure. Simulation of the high strain rate behavior of the Ti6Al4V alloy is performed at velocities in the range 9–20m/s. It is observed that the localized stress within the Ti6Al4V alloy increases with increased impact velocity. A maximum localized stress is observed in the material beyond which the Ti6Al4V alloy experiences failure. The result of the simulation process helps in determining the maximum impact which an implanted patient can therefore be exposed to and the preventive measures that can be taken in order to guarantee safety of the implanted patient.