Introdução: Fadiga é uma manifestação clínica importante na artrite reumatoide (AR). Atualmente, a avaliação de fadiga em AR é realizada através de questionários subjetivos, incluindo aspectos emocionais e sociais. No entanto, sabe-se que a fadiga pode estar acentuada no plano periférico e esta abordagem é pouco estudada nestes pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre a percepção de fadiga e fadiga muscular em pacientes com artrite reumatoide. Métodos: Trinta e oito pacientes do sexo feminino com AR foram incluídos. Os pacientes foram estratificados por DAS-28 e por três grupos etários (grupo I: 32-48 anos; grupo II: 49-54 anos de idade, e grupo III: 55-65 anos de idade). A fadiga muscular [avaliado por mudanças na magnitude (root mean square-RMS) e freqüência (média de freqüência-MDF) de ativação muscular durante os 60s do teste de força de quadríceps] e percepção de fadiga (FACIT-F) foram avaliadas. Além disso, dados demográficos [duração idade e doença, calculado pelo tempo decorrido a partir de diagnóstico], hemoglobina (g/ dL), DAS-28, HAQ, qualidade de vida (SF-36) e International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, versão longa) foram medidos. A significância foi assumida quando p≤0.05. Resultados: Nenhuma associação foi observada quando os pacientes foram estratificados por DAS-28 e quando os pacientes foram estratificados por idade no grupo III. Moderada correlações estatisticamente significativas entre MDF e FACIT-F e FACIT-TOI (r = 0,6; p = 0,03 e r = 0,5; 0,04, respectivamente) foram encontrados no grupo I. No grupo II foram encontradas moderadas correlações estatisticamente significativas entre FACIT-TOTAL e RMS e MDF (r = 0,6; p = 0,01 e r = -0,5; p = 0,04, respectivamente). Conclusão: Moderada relação entre fadiga muscular e percepção de fadiga sugere que ambas as estratégias de avaliação podem ser complementares e têm um efeito benéfico sobre comorbidades AR. / Introduction: Fatigue is a major clinical manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Actually, the assessment of fatigue in RA is realized through to subjective questionnaires, including emotional and socials aspects. However, known to that fatigue may be sharp in peripheral plane and this approach is little studied in these patients. Objective: To assess the relationship between perception of fatigue and muscle fatigue in patients with RA. Methods: Thirty eight female patients with RA were included. Patients were stratified by DAS-28 and by three age groups (group I: 32-48 years old; group II: 49-54 years old; group III: 55-65 years old). Muscle fatigue [assessed by changes in magnitude (i.e. root mean square-RMS) and frequency (i.e. median frequency-MDF) of muscle activation during a 60-s quadriceps strength test] and perception of fatigue (FACIT-F) were assessed. In addition, demographic data [age and disease duration, calculated by elapsed time from diagnostic], hemoglobin (Hb-g/dL), DAS-28, HAQ, quality of life (SF-36) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, long version) were measured. Significance was assumed when p≤0.05. Results: No association was observed when patients were stratified by DAS-28 and when patients were stratified by age in group III. Moderate statistically significant correlations between MDF and FACIT-F e FACIT-TOI (r=0.6;p=0.03 and r=0.5;0.04, respectively) were found in group I. In group II moderate statistically significant correlations were found between FACIT-TOTAL and RMS and MDF (r=0.6;p=0.01 and r=-0.5;p=0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Moderate relationship between muscle fatigue and perception of fatigue suggests that both evaluation strategies can be complementary and have a beneficial effect on RA comorbidities.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-08-19T12:29:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese - Hildson Dornelas - Doutorado em Genética.pdf: 1858452 bytes, checksum: 4316ac97c9fa83b7550daecee991807e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T12:29:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese - Hildson Dornelas - Doutorado em Genética.pdf: 1858452 bytes, checksum: 4316ac97c9fa83b7550daecee991807e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-19 / A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória, crônica e autoimune com manifestações articulares e sistêmicas, e atinge cerca de 1% da população mundial. Fatores genéticos, ambientais e imunológicos estão envolvidos na sua patogênese. Assim, investigamos a possível associação entre polimorfismos de base única (SNP): IL-6 (rs180079518), IL-12B (rs3212227) IL-17A (rs2275913), IL-17F (rs763780), IL-18 (rs549908), IL23R (rs10889677), TNF-α (rs1800629), IFN-γ (rs2430561), com características clínicas e susceptibilidade à AR. Para tal, realizamos um estudo de caso-controle com 90 pacientes e 189 controles saudáveis. A genotipagem foi realizada através da reação de polimerização em cadeia - polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmentos de restrição (PCR-RFLP). Nossos resultados mostraram que a média de início da doença foi de 45 anos com predominância feminina (9:1). A atividade da doença estava aumentada em 50% dos pacientes, enquanto 71% e 65% foram positivos para o fator reumatoide (FR) e para o anticorpo contra peptídeos citrulinados cíclicos (anti-CCP), respectivamente. Observamos associação entre o risco para AR com polimorfismos nos genes IL-18 (OR=3.77, p<0.0001) e IL-23R (OR=3.46, p<0.001). Além disso, foi observada também associação entre SNPs nos genes IL-17F com DAS28 (OR=5.44, p=0.031), IL-6 com FR (OR=4.47, p=0.0038) e anti-CCP (OR=3.91, p=0.0057). Nosso estudo mostrou associações entre polimorfismos em genes de importantes citocinas envolvidas na AR com a sua susceptibilidade e características clinicas desta doença na população do interior do Estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil. / Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with articular and systemic manifestations and affects about 1% of adults worldwide. Genetic, environmental and immunological factors are observed in the pathogenesis of this disease. Thus, our study investigated the possible association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP): IL-6 (rs180079518), IL-12B (rs3212227) IL-17A (rs2275913), IL-17F (rs763780), IL-18 (rs549908), IL23R (rs10889677), TNF-α (rs1800629), IFN-γ (rs2430561), with the clinical features and RA susceptibility. For this, we conducted a case-control study with 90 patients and 189 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed by Polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Our results showed that the onset of RA had a mean age of 45 years with predominance of women (9:1). About 50% of RA patients had high degree of disease activity, while 71% and 65% were rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positive, respectively. It was observed associated between the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and the polymorphisms in genes IL-18 (OR=3.77 (IC=2.01-7.05), p<0.0001) and IL-23R (OR=3.46 (IC=1.96-6.09), p<0.001). Furthermore, was observed relationship of the SNPs in genes, IL-17F with DAS28 (OR=5.44 (IC=1.29-22.85) and IL-6 with RF (OR=4.47 (IC=1.69-11.79), p=0.0038) and ACPA (OR=3.91(IC=1.56-9.78), p=0.0057). Our study presents evidence of associations between polymorphisms in genes of important cytokines involved in RA with susceptibility to RA and their clinical characteristics in population in the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil.

Orientador: Arlete Maria Valente Coimbra / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T18:16:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Falsarella_GlauciaRegina_M.pdf: 1971232 bytes, checksum: d2166302be1edbdaaa70b45429e1b7e5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: As doenças reumáticas representam condição multifatorial, responsável pela limitação funcional, pelo alto custo para o paciente e sociedade, o que compromete a Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde (QVRS), tendo, portanto, grande relevância para a saúde pública. O presente estudo, na área da saúde e qualidade de vida na velhice, tem em sua composição dois artigos, que apresentam como objetivo determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados às doenças reumáticas e aos sintomas articulares crônicos, bem como suas repercussões sobre a QVRS. Este estudo transversal, com caráter epidemiológico envolveu 2209 idosos (?60 anos) do município de Amparo-SP. Foram avaliados os dados sociodemográficos, as doenças reumáticas, os sintomas articulares, as condições de saúde, os sintomas depressivos pela GDS-15 e a qualidade de vida pelo SF-36. Para investigar a associação entre doenças reumáticas/sintomas articulares e fatores de risco foram utilizadas a regressão logística univariada e a multivariada. Para determinar a relação entre as condições reumáticas e a QVRS empregou-se tanto a Análise de Variância Multivariada (MANOVA) como a Análise de Variância Univariada (ANOVA). As doenças reumáticas atingiram 22.7% dos idosos e associaram-se significativamente com: sexo feminino (Odds Ratio - OR 1.91), renda familiar 3-9.9 salários mínimos (SM) (OR 1.29), ?10 SM (OR 2.34), doença cardiovascular (OR 1.42), catarata (OR 1.39), glicocorticóides (OR 5.24), outros anti-inflamatórios (OR 2.24), dor (OR 0.983). Após ajuste para glicocorticóides e diabetes identificou-se OR=1.42 para catarata. Os sintomas articulares acometeram 45.6% da amostra e apresentaram a seguinte relação: mulheres (OR 1.40), Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) 18.5-24.9 kg/m² (OR 2.29), 25.0-29.9 kg/m² (OR 2.55), ?30.0 kg/m² (OR 3.31), capacidade funcional (OR 0.990), estado geral de saúde (OR 0.993) e dor (OR 0.981). Após ajuste para glicocorticóides e diabetes identificou-se OR=1.30 para catarata. Ao investigar o impacto das doenças reumáticas sobre a QVRS verificou-se o comprometimento relativo da: capacidade funcional (F=10.9) e dor (F=34.77). Os sintomas articulares repercutiram: capacidade funcional (F=10.9); aspectos físicos (F=72.61); dor (F=164.29); estado geral de saúde (F=71.95); vitalidade (F=55.78); aspectos sociais (F=73.14); aspectos emocionais (F=49.09); saúde mental (F=44.72). A identificação destas características possibilita determinar o impacto das alterações osteoarticulares nos diversos domínios da saúde, maior entendimento dos processos fisiopatológicos, além de auxiliar nas medidas preventivas precoces e eficientes. / Abstract: Rheumatic diseases represent a multifactorial condition responsible for functional limitations and high cost to the patient and society, undermining health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The present study considered two articles on health and quality of life in old age, aiming to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with rheumatic diseases and chronic joint symptoms, as well as their impact on HRQOL. The following questionnaires were applied in this cross-sectional study comprising 2,209 elderly (?60 years): self-reported medical diagnosis of rheumatism and chronic joint symptoms, sociodemographic, health status, ADL, IAVD, GDS-15 and SF-36. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate association between rheumatic diseases/chronic arthritis symptoms and selected factors. To determine the relationship between rheumatism conditions and HRQOL was employed MANOVA e ANOVA, with p?0.05. The prevalence of arthritis was 22.7%. Multivariate analysis showed significant arthritis: female sex (OR 1.91); family income ?10 minimum wages (mw) (OR 2.34); cardiovascular disease (OR 1.42); cataract (OR 1:39); glucocorticoids (OR 5.24); pain (OR 0.983). A significant association between cataract and arthritis was detected even after adjusting for use of glucocorticoids and diabetes (OR 1.42). The prevalence of chronic joint symptoms was 45.6%. Multivariate regression results for joint symptoms included: female gender (OR 1.40); BMI ?30.0 kg/m² (OR 3.31); functional capacity (OR 0.990); general health (OR 0.993) and pain (OR 0.981). A significant association between cataract and joint pain was detected after adjusting for the use of glucocorticoids and diabetes (OR 1.42). It was found impairment when investigating the impact of rheumatic diseases on HRQOL: physical functioning (F = 10.9) and pain (F = 34.77). The joint symptoms caused the following problems: functional (F=10.9), physical problems (F=72.61), pain (F=164.29), general health (F=71.95), vitality (F=55.78), social (F=73.14), emotional (F= 49.09), mental health (F= 44.72). The identification of these characteristics will allow determining the impact of osteoarticular changes on the various health fields, providing a better understanding of pathophysiological processes, as well as contributing to early and effective preventive measures. / Mestrado / Gerontologia / Mestre em Gerontologia

Orientador: Claudio Aparecido Casatti / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T10:06:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Viscaino_SilviaAndreiaTesser_D.pdf: 2469627 bytes, checksum: 33207aa915fc45fcab040fd29693f443 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: O óxido nítrico é um radical livre com atividade moduladora no sistema nervoso central. Nos últimos anos, inúmeros trabalhos têm relacionado o óxido nítrico com o mecanismo central da hiperalgesia durante processos inflamatórios desencadeados em órgãos-alvo. No presente estudo, foi analisada, por métodos imunohistoquímicos e de ensaio radiométrico (mensurada pela capacidade de conversão da L-arginina em L-citrulina triciadas), uma possível modulação das isoenzimas óxido nítrico sintases no subnúcleo caudal do núcleo espinal do nervo trigêmeo (Sp5C), durante artrite induzida por carragenina na articulação temporomandibular de rato. A análise imunohistoquímica revelou que o número de perfis neuronais nucleados que exibem imunorreatividade à enzima óxido nítrico sintase neuronal (nNOS) é elevado nas lâminas superficiais do Sp5C e aumentou bilateralmente nos grupos com artrite aguda, crônica e crônica-agudizada quando comparado com seus respectivos grupos pseudo-operados, entretanto sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes. A análise imunohistoquímica restrita à população de neurônios nNOS ativados durante a artrite, detectados pela expressão da proteína Fos, também não revelou diferenças estatísticas. A expressão da isoenzima óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS) não foi detectada no Sp5C. A atividade da isoenzima NOS Ca+2-dependente aumentou significantemente na fase crônica quando comparada com o seu respectivo grupo pseudo-operado (teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis e post-test de Dunns, P<0,01), com o grupo da fase artrite aguda (P<0,01) e com o grupo da fase crônica-agudizada (P<0,05). A atividade da isoenzima NOS Ca+2-independente (iNOS) foi insignificante e permaneceu inalterada. Em síntese, os neurônios imunorreativos a nNOS posicionados nas lâminas superficiais do Sp5C do rato devem exercer um importante papel no processamento nociceptivo, em condições de normalidade. Na evolução da artrite, a alteração na atividade da NOS Ca+2-dependente demonstra uma possível influência do óxido nítrico no mecanismo nociceptivo central do Sp5C durante injúrias inflamatórias crônicas que acometem a articulação temporomandibular do rato / Abstract: Nitric oxide has been implicated in hyperalgesia modulation accompanying peripheral inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the effects of carrageenan-induced arthritis (CIA) in the unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on immunoreactivity and activity of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the caudal part of the rat spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5C) during the acute, chronic and chronic-active phases. In addition, double immunohistochemistry was used to verify Fos induction in nNOS neurons. The number of nNOS-like immunoreactive (nNOS-LI) neurons in the Sp5C was elevated and we observed a slight bilaterally increase in numbers of these neurons in the acute, chronic and chronic-active phases of CIA when compared to the respective sham groups, although the difference was less than statistically significant. A discrete percentage of nNOS-LI neurons expressed Fos immunoreactivity in all experimental groups. In addition, Ca2+-dependent NOS activity in the ipsilateral Sp5C was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the chronic phase than in the acute phase, chronic-active phase or in the sham group animals. In conclusion, since there was a large population of nNOS-LI neurons in the rat Sp5C, nitric oxide seems to play an important role in nociceptive processing under normal conditions. Furthermore, changes in Ca2+-dependent NOS activity in chronic arthritis show that NOS may play a role in the Sp5C central nociceptive mechanism during long-term TMJ arthritis / Doutorado / Anatomia / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Orientador : Vitor Baranauskas / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-29T02:00:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guerino_MarceloRenato_D.pdf: 16707408 bytes, checksum: f510ea4730bed4c37a782d27bb313981 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001 / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta os efeitos da radiação 1aserno processo de cura da inflamação induzida por injeção intra-articular de adjuvante de Freund incompleto na cartilagem articular do joelho de cobaias. A radiação dos animais foi feita a partir do quinto dia da indução, com doses de 0,5, 7,0 e 50 J/cm2 (laser de HeNe) e de 1,0, 5,0 e 25,0 J/cm2 (1aser de GaAs). As cartilagens foram analisadas 7, 14 e 21 dias após a indução, através da Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Microscopia de Força Atômica (MFA), teor de hidroxiprolina e Testes Mecânicos (rigidez). A MEV mostrou evidências de melhor organização na reparação da cartilagem articular dos animais tratados com o 1asers de HeNe e GaAs em relação aos animais inflamados sem tratamento. As doses mais eficientes foram: 7,0 J/cm2(ReNe) e: 1,0 J/cm2 (GaAs). O tratamento de HeNe, na MFA pôde identificaruma melhor organização das moléculas de colágeno, formação de feixes mais espessos, melhor direcionalidadee maior agrupamento das fibrilas que indicamuma atuação positiva do laser sobre o colágeno. Em relação ao teor de hidroxiprolina, o 1aserde HeNe pareceu ter efeito excitatório nas doses maiores e inibitório nas doses menores. Os maiores aumentos no teor de hidroxiprolina foram encontrados com a dose de 50,0 J/cm2 (HeNe). Entretanto o laser de GaAs produziu efeito inibidor no processo de sintese de colágeno em quase todas etapas. O teste de indentação mecânica demonstrou uma tendência a aumento da rigidez pelos lasers quando comparados aos animais inflamados sem tratamento. A dose mais adequada foi de 7,0 J/cm2com o laser de HeNe / Abstract: This work presents the effects of 1aserirradiationon the curing process of inf1ammationinduced in the articular cartilage of Gufuea Pigs's knee. The int1ammationwas induced by intra-articular injection of incomplete Freund's Adjuvant. Irradiation of the animaIswas undertaken irom the fifth day of induction, with doses of 0.5, 7.0 and 50 J/crrl-(HeNe) and of 1.0, 5.0 and 25.0 J/cm2 (GaAs). The cartilages were analysed at 7, 14 and 21 days after induction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), concentration of Hidroxyprolyne and Mechanical Tests (rigidity). SEM showed evidence of better organization in the repair of the articular cartilage ofthe animals treated with the HeNe and GaAs 1asersin relation to the untreated animals. The most efficient doses were: 7.0 J/cm2 (HeNe) and 1.0 J/cm2 (GaAs). Following the laser treatment of ReNe, AFM better organization of the molecules of collagen, fonnation of thicker bunches, better direction and larger grouping ofthe fibrils,which indicate the positive effect of the 1aser on the collagen. In relation to the hidroxyprolyne concentration, the HeNe laser seemed to have a stirnulating effect great doses and an inlu'bitory effect in smaller doses. The largest increases in the hydroxiprolyne concentration were found with the dose of 50.0 J/crrl- (HeNe). However, the laser of GaAs produced an inhibitory effect the process of synthesis of collagen in almost alI of stages. The mechanical indentation test, showed a tendency of increasing rigidity of the treated tissue, compared with the animaIs inflamed without treatment. The most effective dose was of 7.0 J/crrl- (HeNe) / Doutorado / Engenharia Eletrica / Doutor em Engenharia Elétrica

Methotrexate (MTX), as a pharmaceutical, is frequently used in tumor chemotherapy and is also a part of the established treatment of a number of autoimmune inflammatory disorders. Radiolabeled MTX has been studied as a tumor-diagnostic agent in a number of published studies. In the present study, the potential use of technetium-99m-labelled MTX (Tc-99m-MTX) as a radiotracer was investigated for the identification of inflammatory target sites. The labelling of MTX was carried out via a Tc-99m-gluconate precursor. Evaluation studies included in vitro stability, plasma protein binding assessment, partition-coefficient estimation, in vivo scintigraphic imaging and ex vivo animal experiments in an animal inflammation model. MTX was successfully labelled with Tc-99m, with a radiochemical purity of >95%. Stability was assessed in plasma, where it remained intact up to 85% at 4 h post-incubation, while protein binding of the radiotracer was observed to be similar to 50% at 4 h. These preclinical ex vivo and in vivo studies indicated that Tc-99m-MTX accumulates in inflamed tissue, as well as in the spinal cord, joints and bones; all areas with relatively high remodeling activity. The results are promising, and set the stage for further work on the development and application of Tc-99m-MTX as a radiotracer for inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Research on sexual behavior in late life is limited but is growing. Despite ageist stereotypes associating old age with asexuality, older adults continue to desire and engage in sexual behavior. Previous studies have examined the relationship between health and the ability to engage in sexual behavior, sexual satisfaction, desire, or interest in sex. Research has yet to examine the potential reverse of this relationship, where sexual behavior may serve as a protective factor against health outcomes. This dissertation examined three research questions to test the relationship between sexual activity or hugging and self-reported health outcomes (e.g., arthritis and diabetes) and biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin (HbA1c)). The first question explored whether sexual activity or hugging is associated health outcomes. The second question explored whether social support modifies the relationship between sexual activity or hugging and health outcomes. The final question explored whether sexual activity or hugging and demographic or health variables interact as moderators to health outcomes. This study examined data of older adults between 57 and 85 years, from two waves of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). The subjective health outcomes were self-reported arthritis and self-reported diabetes diagnoses. Objective health measures were analyzed using biomarkers. Both C-reactive protein and HbA1c were collected from dried blood spots. The main independent variables of interest were sexual activity and hugging. Sexual activity was assessed by combining participant responses to frequency of intercourse, foreplay and masturbation in the last 12 months. Hugging was assessed by participant responses to frequency of close physical contact over the last 12 months. Results from question one indicated at wave 1, engaging in hugging was associated with higher likelihood of self-reported arthritis (OR = 1.23, p = 0.029), while sexual activity was associated with decreased likelihood of diabetes (OR = 0.61, p < 0.001). Examining objective markers of health, sexual activity was associated with 0.25 points lower HbA1c level (p < 0.001). Although some significant results were found at wave 1, none of the associations remained significant when examining change in health at wave 2. The findings from question two examined the interaction of social support and sexual activity or hugging on health outcomes. The interactions between social support and sexual activity or social support and hugging did not significantly influence health at wave 1 or change in health at 2. Question three examined potential moderators of the relationship between sexual activity or hugging and health, including age, race, education, income, gender, and hours of sleep. At wave 1, the findings showed a significant interaction between race and sexual activity associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting arthritis (OR = 0.79, p = 0.021). A significant interaction of age and sexual activity was associated with an increased likelihood of diabetes (OR = 1.04, p = 0.008). At wave 2, a significant interaction between age and hugging was associated with decreased likelihood of arthritis (OR = 0.97, p = 0.006), while the interaction term of sleep and hugging was associated with increased likelihood of diabetes (OR = 1.19, p = 0.015). The results from this study show some support for the exploration of a potential bi-directional pathway between sexual activity or hugging and health. This study provides some evidence indicating the importance of understanding the role of sexual activity or hugging in the lives of older adults, and the possible influence on physical health. Future studies should continue exploring this pathway indicating possible benefits of engaging in sexual activity or hugging on health, and a larger impact on quality of life for older adults who desire to maintain intimate relationships in late life.

Abstract Collagen IX belongs to the superfamily of collagenous proteins and is present on the surface of the heterotypic collagen fibrils that are predominantly composed of collagen II, and also collagen XI. The major sites of expression of collagen IX include the articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, inner ear and the vitreous body of the eye. Previous reports have indicated that mutations in the genes encoding the three polypeptide chains of collagen IX may lead to intervertebral disc disease and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, a chondrodysplasia characterized by early onset osteoarthritis. These observations and results from genetically modified mouse lines suggest that collagen IX is crucial in the maintenance of the long-term integrity of tissues. However, the structure-function relationship as well as detailed information concerning the functional roles of this protein has remained unclear. Recombinant human collagen IX was obtained using an insect cell expression system. Besides full-length molecules, five truncated variants of collagen IX were produced to examine chain association and trimerization. Contrary to previous observations, it was shown that the COL1 and NC1 domains are not essential for trimerization. Instead, they seem to play an important role in the specificity of chain selection. The results also suggest that the N-terminal domains, NC3 or COL3, are required for complete folding and stabilization of collagen IX molecules, implicating cooperativity between different domains in the folding process. Collagen IX was found to mediate cell adhesion and bind efficiently to collagen receptor integrins α1β1, α2β1, α10β1 and α11β1. The binding was found to represent a novel type of mechanism, and the binding site of the integrin I domain was located at the N-terminal end of the COL3 domain in collagen IX. The obtained results suggest that the FACITs may play an important role as mediators of cell adhesion to collagen fibrils. Antibodies binding to human recombinant collagen IX were measured among 53 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These autoantibodies were significantly elevated among the RA patients when compared to the controls, suggesting that autoantibodies to collagen IX show diagnostic potential in early RA. However, no association was found between the antibody levels and outcome.

Master of Science / Department of Kinesiology / Mary A. McElroy / Arthritis is one of the most prevalent and debilitating chronic health conditions for Americans. As no cure exists for arthritis, one emphasis of treatment focuses on the self-management of the disease through regular physical activity. Despite the well known health benefits, low physical activity rates exist among people with arthritis, particularly women. Research needs to focus on what influences decisions to participate in physical activity, one such influence is barriers. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among perceived barrier presence and perceived barrier limitation of 25 general and 16 arthritis-specific barriers and moderate physical activity. Participants were 279 women (M = 48.57years) with arthritis who completed a web-based survey. A hierarchical multiple regression to predict moderate physical activity was significant (p < .001). General barrier limitation contributed the most to predicting total moderate physical activity participation. Education, body mass index, general barrier presence, arthritis-specific barrier presence, and arthritis-specific barrier limitations were also significant independent predictors. Findings suggest that the more general and arthritis-specific barriers identified (barrier presence) and higher extent of limitation (barrier limitation) was associated with lower levels of participation in physical activity. Future research would benefit from including a measurement of frequency of perceived barriers to better understand the impact of barriers to physical activity. A greater understanding of general and arthritis-specific barriers to physical activity may be used as a basis for targeted interventions to help women with arthritis participate in physical activity.

No description available.