6 research outputs found
False Advertisement in Nutrition and Its Effects on Society
No full textA Study On the Relationship Between Food Labeling, Consumer Purchases, and Effects on DietSpring 2012 PMAccompanied by video fil
High molecular weight DNA extraction from whole nuclei of Fritillaria affinis for BAC library construction
No full textRecent advances in third-generation sequencing technologies (long-read sequencing) require High Molecular Weight DNA (genomic DNA) of high quality and purity. In this study, the author developed a protocol to isolate Fritillaria affinis nuclei by testing a number of different isolation techniques. Eventually a protocol was identified that allowed for the isolation of intact nuclei in large amounts from Fritillaria leaves. This protocol should be useful for the creation of BAC libraries or for long read DNA sequencing
Virtual reality and robotic based training for the upper limb in the acute and early sub-acute periods post-stroke
No full textBackground
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Functional use of the upper limb, specifically the hand, is essential for independent living. Despite important research efforts, many individuals do not regain long-term upper limb function after sustaining a stroke. Collectively, the work presented here addresses key issues in stroke rehabilition for the upper limb - namely, evaluation of a novel training protocol for persons with severe impairment, determining the effects of a higher dose of upper limb training initiated in the acute and early sub-acute period post-stroke, and assessing the validity and effectiveness of two influential prediction models for stroke.
Methods
All studies were initiated within the first month post-stroke to take advantage of the unique neuroplasticity occurring at that time and were conducted on an inpatient rehabilitation unit. The first study was a longitudinal study which included five individuals with severe hand paresis post-stroke. This study evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of a priming method that utilized mirror visual feedback and contralateral passive range of motion combined with a force modulation task in persons with severe hand impairment. The outcomes included the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UEFMA), the Action Research Arm test (ARAT), maximum pinch force, and bilateral maps of cortical reorganization via Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The second study was a non-randomized, two armed intervention study that evaluated the benefits of eight additional hours of intensive upper limb training with individuals with moderate arm paresis. There were seven subjects in the Virtual Reality(VR)/robotic treatment group, and six in the control group. Outcomes included the Wolf Motor Function Test, the UEFMA, wrist AROM, and maximum pinch force, as well as bilateral maps of cortical organization using TMS. Lastly, the third study evaluated the validity and methodology of two influential prediction models for stroke – the Proportional Recovery Rule and the Predicted Recovery Potential (PREP2) algorithm.
Results
For the first study, results showed feasibility of performing this training so early after stroke, as well as clinically significant long-term gains on all clinical measures in this group. However, without a control group it was not possible to determine how much of these gains were from the additional training or from biological recovery combined with the usual care they were concurrently receiving. The second study showed the feasibility of performing intense hand focused upper limb training and multiple clinical and neurophysiologic tests within the first month post-stroke. Importantly, it also showed that an extra eight hours of intensive VR/robotic based upper limb training led to significantly greater gains in long-term impairment compared to usual care. For the third study, trends showed that additional training initiated within one month post lesion may allow for greater than predicted proportional recovery in persons with functional Corticospinal Tracts. The study results also showed that further evaluation of the method used to determine the presence of motor evoked potentials (an indicator of Corticospinal tract function) for the PREP2 algorithm is justified.
Conclusion
Although preliminary in nature, the results presented here may be useful for future development of effective upper limb training protocols for rehabilitation in the acute and early sub-acute periods for persons at all levels of impairment post-stroke.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference
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Exploring Bela, in Gujarat, India
No full textThis video explores the 3D laser scanning data obtained in Bela, a historic village located in Gujarat, India in 2021. This is part of the AHRC and DCMS funded project: 'A sustainable re-construction method for seismic-prone heritage areas of India based on advanced recording technologies'. In this project, we are using advanced recording technologies and social surveys to develop a sustainable re-construction method for seismic-prone heritage settlements of Gujarat. Capturing the built environment using 3D-laser-scanning-also known as LiDAR-gives an accurate, fast and comprehensive digital data set, measurable and coloured 3D point-cloud with a precision of millimetres, which has been combined with inhabitant’s interviews. This enhanced digital model of the case study, the village of Bela, offers a basis for damage assessments, improving the chances of a rapid and effective response in case of an earthquake, as well as offering a technical platform for risk mitigation measures and community engagement, aiming to increase resilience. The methodology is scalable and applicable to other identified heritage settlements in Gujarat, India. HOW TO CITE: © 3D for Heritage India NTU. 2021-2022. www.3D4heritageindia.wordpress.com Author: Dr Bernadette Devilat (NTU) using the 3D data processed by Dr Felipe Lanuza and obtained on-site by Mrudula Mane and Zeus Pithawalla (CHC CRDF), supported by Dr Jigna Desai from CHC CRDF; Aditya Singh and Tanvi Choudhari from the Hunnarshala Foundation; and Sukrit Sen from ICCROM
Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial
No full textBackgroundEmergency abdominal surgery is associated with poor patient outcomes. We studied the effectiveness of a national quality improvement (QI) programme to implement a care pathway to improve survival for these patients.MethodsStepped-wedge cluster randomised trial of patients aged ≥40 years undergoing emergency open major abdominal surgery. Hospitals were organised into 15 geographical clusters and commenced the QI programme in random order, based on a computer generated random sequence, over an 85-week period. The trial included an ethnographic study in six hospitals. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days of surgery. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary outcome was analysed using a mixed-effects parametric survival model, adjusting for time-related effects.FindingsOf 15,873 eligible patients from 93 NHS hospitals, primary outcome data were analysed for 8482 patients in the usual care group and 7374 in the QI group. The primary outcome occurred in 1393 patients in the usual care group (16%) compared with 1210 patients in the QI group (16%) (HR QI vs usual care: 1.11 [0.96-1.28]). There were only modest overall improvements in processes of patient care following QI implementation. The ethnographic study revealed good QI engagement but limited time and resources to implement change, affecting which processes teams addressed, the rate of change and eventual success.InterpretationThere was no survival benefit from a QI programme to implement a care pathway for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. The success of the QI intervention may have been limited by the time and resources needed to improve patient care.FundingNational Institute for Health Research, Health Services and Delivery Research
