Jurnal Fakultas Ekonomi UM Metro (Universitas Muhammadiyah)
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Description of an early cognitive behavioral intervention (UPFRONT-intervention) following mild traumatic brain injury to prevent persistent complaints and facilitate return to work
No full textPurpose:Many patients with mild traumatic brain injury do not fully return to work owing to persistent posttraumatic complaints. Research suggests that preventing chronic complaints might be prevented by giving cognitive behavioral therapy early after injury. Therefore, a new cognitive behavioral intervention (UPFRONT-intervention) was developed to not only prevent chronic complaints but to also establish a more successful return to work. The intervention is currently being evaluated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial design (trial number ISRCTN86191894) in mild traumatic brain injury patients who are at-risk of negative outcomes (patients with high numbers of early complaints). Two case examples are presented to demonstrate the application of the intervention.Rationale:Psychological factors, like cognitive appraisal and coping, play an important role in the persistence of posttraumatic complaints. Some patients are less able to adapt and thus to cope with the injury and its initial consequences than others. Dealing with the injury in a passive, avoidant way, focusing on negative feelings, will hamper recovery and is therefore a valuable target for an intervention.Theory into practice:The UPFRONT intervention is a short cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for patients that are at-risk of developing persistent posttraumatic complaints. Patients will undergo five sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy within 4–10 weeks after trauma. The intervention aims to enhance patients’ feeling of competency of dealing with the consequences of mild traumatic brain injury by providing psycho-education, identifying and challenging unrealistic illness perceptions and improving coping style (decreasing maladaptive coping and enhancing adaptive coping)
Characterization and comparison of osteoblasts derived from mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells
No full textNew developments in stem cell biology offer alternatives for the reconstruction of critical-sized bone defects. One of these developments is the use of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. These stem cells are similar to embryonic stem (ES) cells, but can be generated from adult somatic cells and therefore do not raise ethical concerns. Proper characterization of iPS-derived osteoblasts is important for future development of safe clinical applications of these cells. For this reason, we differentiated mouse ES and iPS cells toward osteoblasts using osteogenic medium and compared their functionality. Immunocytochemical analysis showed significant expression of bone markers (osteocalcin and collagen type I) in osteoblasts differentiated from ES and iPS cells on days 7 and 30. An in vitro mineralization assay confirmed the functionality of osteogenically differentiated ES and iPS cells. Gene expression arrays focusing on osteogenic differentiation were performed in order to compare the gene expression pattern in both differentiated and undifferentiated ES cells and iPS cells. We observed a significant upregulation of osteogenesis-related genes such as Runx2, osteopontin, collagen type I, Tnfsf11, Csf1, and alkaline phosphatase upon osteogenic differentiation of the ES and iPS cells. We further validated the expression of key osteogenic genes Runx2, osteopontin, osteocalcin, collagen type I, and osterix in both differentiated and undifferentiated ES and iPS cells by means of quantified real-time polymerase chain reaction. We conclude that ES and iPS cells are similar in their osteogenic differentiation capacities, as well as in their gene expression patterns.</p
In vivo evaluation of [C-11]preladenant positron emission tomography for quantification of adenosine A(2A) receptors in the rat brain
No full text[(11)C]Preladenant was developed as a novel adenosine A2A receptor positron emission tomography radioligand. The present study aims to evaluate the suitability of [(11)C]preladenant positron emission tomography for the quantification of striatal A2A receptor density and the assessment of striatal A2A receptor occupancy by KW-6002. Sixty- or ninety-minute dynamic positron emission tomography imaging was performed on rats. Tracer kinetics was quantified by the two-tissue compartment model, Logan graphical analysis and several reference tissue-based models. Test-retest reproducibility was assessed by repeated imaging on two consecutive days. Two-tissue compartment model and Logan plot estimated comparable distribution volume (VT) values of ∼10 in the A2A receptor-rich striatum and substantially lower values in all extra-striatal regions (∼1.5-2.5). The simplified reference tissue model with midbrain or occipital cortex as the reference region proved to be the best non-invasive model for quantification of A2A receptor, showing a striatal binding potential (BPND) value of ∼5.5, and a test-retest variability of ∼5.5%. The brain metabolite analysis showed that at 60-min post injection, 17% of the radioactivity in the brain was due to radioactive metabolites. The ED50 of KW-6002 in rat striatum for i.p. injection was 0.044-0.062 mg/kg. The study demonstrates that [(11)C]preladenant is a suitable tracer to quantify striatal A2A receptor density and assess A2A receptor occupancy by A2A receptor-targeting molecules.</p
Behaviour of streams in angle and frequency spaces in different potentials
No full textWe have studied the behaviour of stellar streams in the Aquarius fully cosmological N-body simulations of the formation of Milky Way haloes. In particular, we have characterised the streams in angle and frequency spaces derived using an approximate but generally well-fitting spherical potential. We have also run several test-particle simulations to understand and guide our interpretation of the different features we see in the Aquarius streams. Our goal is both to establish which deviations of the expected action-angle behaviour of streams exist because of the approximations made on the potential, but also to derive to what degree we can use these coordinates to model streams reliably.We have found that many of the Aquarius streams wrap in angle space along relatively straight lines, and distribute themselves along linear structures also in frequency space. On the other hand, from our controlled simulations we have been able to establish that deviations from spherical symmetry, the use of incorrect potentials and the inclusion of self-gravity lead to streams in angle space to still be along relatively straight lines but also to depict wiggly behaviour whose amplitude increases as the approximation to the true potential becomes worse. In frequency space streams typically become thicker and somewhat distorted. Therefore, our analysis explains most of the features seen in the approximate angle and frequency spaces for the Aquarius streams with the exception of their somewhat "noisy" and "patchy" morphologies. These are likely due to the interactions with the large number of dark matter subhaloes present in the cosmological simulations. Since the measured angle-frequency misalignments of the Aquarius streams can largely be attributed to using the wrong (spherical) potential, the determination of the mass growth history of these haloes will only be feasible once (and if) the true potential has been determined robustly.</p
The selection, optimization, and compensation model in the work context:A systematic review and meta-analysis of two decades of research
No full textOver the past two decades, the selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) model has been applied in the work context to investigate antecedents and outcomes of employees’ use of action regulation strategies. We systematically review, meta-analyze, and critically discuss the literature on SOC strategy use at work and outline directions for future research and practice. The systematic review illustrates the breadth of constructs that have been studied in relation to SOC strategy use, and that SOC strategy use can mediate and moderate relationships of person and contextual antecedents with work outcomes. Results of the meta-analysis show that SOC strategy use is positively related to age (rc= .04), job autonomy (rc= .17), self-reported job performance (rc= .23), non-self-reported job performance (rc= .21), job satisfaction (rc= .25), and job engagement (rc= .38), whereas SOC strategy use is not significantly related to job tenure, job demands, and job strain. Overall, our fi ndings underline the importance of the SOC model for the work context, and they also suggest that its measurement and reporting standards need to be improved to become a reliable guide for future research and organizational practice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Clinical, biomarker, and genetic predictors of specific types of atrial fibrillation in a community-based cohort:Data of the PREVEND study
No full textAims Atrial fibrillation (AF) may present variously in time, and AF may progress from self-terminating to non-self-terminating AF, and is associated with impaired prognosis. However, predictors of AF types are largely unexplored. We investigate the clinical, biomarker, and genetic predictors of development of specific types of AF in a community-based cohort.Methods We included 8042 individuals (319 with incident AF) of the PREVEND study. Types of AF were compared, and multivariate multinomial regression analysis determined associations with specific types of AF.Results Mean age was 48.5 +/- 12.4 years and 50% were men. The types of incident AF were ascertained based on electrocardiograms; 103(32%) were classified as AF without 2-year recurrence, 158(50%) as self-terminating AF, and 58(18%) as non-self-terminating AF. With multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis, advancing age (P <0.001 for all three types) was associated with all AF types, male sex was associated with AF without 2-year recurrence and self-terminating AF (P = 0.031 and P = 0.008, respectively). Increasing body mass index and MR-proANP were associated with both self-terminating (P = 0.009 and P, 0.001) and non-self-terminating AF (P = 0.003 and P <0.001). The only predictor associated with solely self-terminating AF is prescribed anti-hypertensive treatment (P = 0.019). The following predictors were associated with non-self-terminating AF; lower heart rate (P = 0.018), lipid-lowering treatment prescribed (P = 0.009), and eGFR,60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = 0.006). Three known AF-genetic variants (rs6666258, rs6817105, and rs10821415) were associated with self-terminating AF.Conclusions We found clinical, biomarker and genetic predictors of specific types of incident AF in a community-based cohort. The genetic background seems to play a more important role than modifiable risk factors in self-terminating AF.</p
Two-year effects and cost-effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in mild pelvic organ prolapse:a randomised controlled trial in primary care
No full textOBJECTIVE: To compare effects and cost-effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and watchful waiting in women with pelvic organ prolapse.DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial.SETTING: Dutch general practice.POPULATION: Women (≥55 years) with symptomatic mild prolapse, identified by screening.METHODS: Linear multilevel analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was change of pelvic floor symptoms (Pelvic-Floor-Distress-Inventory-20 [PFDI-20]) during 24 months. Secondary outcomes were condition-specific and general quality of life, costs, sexual functioning, prolapse stage, pelvic floor muscle function and women's perceived improvement of symptoms.RESULTS: PFMT (n = 145) resulted in a 12.2-point (95% CI 7.2-17.2, P < 0.001) greater improvement in PFDI-20 score during 24 months compared with watchful waiting (n = 142). Participants randomised to PFMT more often reported improved symptoms (43% versus 14% for watchful waiting). Direct medical costs per person were €330 for PFMT and €91 for watchful waiting but costs for absorbent pads were lower in the PFMT group (€40 versus €77). Other secondary outcomes did not differ between groups. Post-hoc subgroup analysis demonstrated that PFMT was more effective in women experiencing higher pelvic floor symptom distress at baseline.CONCLUSION: PFMT resulted in greater pelvic floor symptom improvement compared with watchful waiting. The difference was statistically significant, but below the presumed level of clinical relevance (15 points). PFMT more often led to women's perceived improvement of symptoms, lower absorbent pads costs, and was more effective in women experiencing higher pelvic floor symptom distress. Therefore, PFMT could be advised in women with bothersome symptoms of mild prolapse.TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Pelvic floor muscle training can be effective in women with bothersome symptoms of mild prolapse.</p
The Formalization of <i>Critical Discussion</i>
No full textThis paper makes an independent start with formalizing the rules for the argumentation stage of critical discussions (van Eemeren and Grootendorst A systematic theory of argumentation: The pragma-dialectical approach, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004, Ch. 6). It does not deal with the well-known code of conduct consisting of ten rules (the "ten commandments") but with the system consisting of fifteen (or seventeen) rules on which the code of conduct is based. The rules of this system are scrutinized and problems they raise are discussed. Then a formal dialectical system is defined that reflects most of the contents of these rules. The aim is to elucidate the way the rules work and to show how a formal approach can be useful to achieve this. It is also shown how the present method can be used to study the nature of circular argumentation. While, generally, the formalization follows closely the original rules for the argumentation stage of critical discussions, there will also be proposed some modifications of the original protocol.</p
Drug Target Validation Methods in Malaria - Protein Interference Assay (PIA) as a Tool for Highly Specific Drug Target Validation
No full textThe validation of drug targets in malaria and other human diseases remains a highly challenging process. In the vast majority of cases, highly specific small molecule tools to inhibit a proteins function in vivo are simply not available. Additionally, the use of genetic tools in the analysis of malarial pathways is challenging. These issues result in difficulties in specifically modulating a hypothetical drug target's function in vivo. Thus, new approaches to identify a protein's function in vivo are required to provide target validation in the drug discovery process. Oligomerisation is the assembly of two or more copies of a single protein into one object and this self-assembly is present in approximately one third of all protein structures. Thus, oligomerisation plays a central role in the generation of functional biomolecules. A key feature of oligomerisation is that the oligomeric interfaces between the individual parts of the final assembly are highly specific. However, these interface regions of essential plasmodial proteins have not yet been systematically explored or exploited as a method to dissect biochemical pathways in vivo. This mini review will describe initial efforts to exploit oligomerisation surfaces in drug target validation.</p