Staging the use of teaching aids in the development of manipulation skill

Skill development in manual therapies is influenced by a number of factors. The effects of the training program organization, mentor coaching, feedback in various forms, and electromechanical training aids are factors that have been studied. A significant gap exists in understanding when teaching aids might be most effective within a defined curriculum structure. This project used the ratio of instructional theory and laboratory practice to define the learning context. An electromechanical training aid (Dynadjust™) was introduced at different stages (year 2 and year 4) of training for high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation. Learners were assigned to either the Aid group or the NoAid group. Independent assessment of skill was evaluated before and after 6 weeks by means of recording force–time profiles of HVLA performance. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) evaluated change scores in the force amplitude and rate of rise in force. Program features were dominated by a low ratio of laboratory practice to didactic foundational education components. Use of the aid was not associated with any measurable gains for participants when used in year 2. Later participation in year 4 suggested enhanced development in rate of rise for force (p < 0.0597) and for peak force (p < 0.0303). Careful attention should be given to the sequencing of content and laboratory work in designing curricula for training programs. For programs using lower ratios of laboratory contact hours, teaching aids to augment practice may result in better performance gains when introduced later than if added early in the curriculum.     

Vitamin C aspirin interactions in laboratory animals.

Ascorbic acid concentration has been determined in samples of plasma, leucocytes, urine, faeces and adrenal glands of guinea-pigs after administration of (i) 10, 25 or 100 mg ascorbic acid, (ii) 10 mg ascorbic acid plus 10, 25 or 50 mg aspirin and (iii) 25 mg aspirin and 25, 50 or 100 mg ascorbic acid. When the dose of aspirin was 25 mg or more, the transport of ascorbic acid into leucocytes was inhibited, the plasma concentration of vitamin C was elevated significantly and the excretion of ascorbic acid in the urine was increased in direct proportion to the aspirin dose. Ascorbic acid concentration in the adrenal glands was not significantly elevated after 3 h. When a constant dose of 25 mg of aspirin was given along with increasing doses of ascorbic acid both plasma and leucocyte ascorbic acid levels were elevated but not significantly after 2, 3 and 24 h. Urine ascorbic acid levels did not show any changes with the same doses.     

Metabolism and disposition of amifloxacin in laboratory animals.

Sprague-Dawley rats received [14C]amifloxacin mesylate either orally or intravenously at 20 mg (base equivalent) per kg. Blood radioactivity peaked at 0.5 h after oral administration and was equivalent to 7.54 micrograms/ml for males and 6.73 micrograms/ml for females. After intravenous administration to rats, 52.5% of the dose was recovered in the urine of males and 45.3% in the urine of females within 72 h. The corresponding values after oral administration were 50.8% for males and 37.2% for females. The remainder of the dose was recovered in the feces. After intravenous administration of [14C]amifloxacin mesylate at 10 mg (base equivalent) per kg to female rhesus monkeys, 80.3% of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine at 24 h. The apparent first-order terminal elimination half-life of intact amifloxacin in plasma was 2.3 h; radioactivity in plasma was eliminated more slowly. Male rats excreted 26.2% of the dose in the urine as amifloxacin and 17.8% as the piperazinyl-N-oxide derivative of amifloxacin after intravenous administration. The corresponding amounts for female rats were 29.0% as amifloxacin and 7.8% as the piperazinyl-N-oxide metabolite. Similar excretion profiles were observed after oral administration. After intravenous administration, female monkeys excreted 54.5% of the dose in the urine as amifloxacin, 12.9% as the piperazinyl-N-desmethyl metabolite, and 5.6% as the piperazinyl-N-oxide during the first 12 h. In contrast, there was no evidence of the piperazinyl-N-desmethyl metabolite in rats.     

The use of immunocompromised animals as models for human septic shock

Although it is generally understood that no single animal model truly reflects human sepsis, the study of sepsis in immunocompromised animals is highly relevant to human sepsis research. The majority of patients with severe sepsis have significant underlying diseases that may alter innate immune defenses, disrupt microbial clearance mechanisms, and complicate the pathophysiology of human sepsis. Septic shock itself has significant effects upon the innate and adaptive host immune responses that may contribute to a state of sepsis-induced immune dysregulation. A number of animal models of sepsis displaying an array of immunocompromised states are now available. Most of these systems are small animal models with genetically defined defects of immune defenses or acquired defects from receipt of immunosuppressive or myeloablative agents. Greater emphasis should be placed on preclinical models of immunocompromised animals in the future to assess the potential clinical utility of novel drugs for human septic shock.     

The use of technical aids among community-based elderly

The growing elderly population will increase the need for assistive technology in the form of technical aids and housing adaptations to facilitate independence in activities of daily living. In this study, which was undertaken to facilitate a better understanding of the life-styles of the disabled elderly and the role of technical aids, 57 disabled persons over 74 years of age were studied. All of the subjects were residents of a rural Swedish community. The subjects had a total of 422 aids, an average of 7.4 per person. Seventy-five percent of the aids were being used, and 42 persons had at least one aid that granted autonomy. This finding illustrates the importance of technical aids in home care. It is recommended, therefore, that information about assistive technology be disseminated to personnel at all levels of community-based care.     

The use and benefits of compression stocking aids

An exploratory study was undertaken to trial various stocking aids designed for use with compression and antiembolic hosiery. Their features were identified and assessed by professionals for ease of use. Factors affecting the choice of stocking aids were the style and grade of stockings and the physical ability of users.     

Activity of terbinafine in experimental fungal infections of laboratory animals.

The allylamine derivative terbinafine is the first antifungal agent with primary fungicidal properties against dermatophytes which acts systemically after oral application as well as locally after topical application. Comparative oral studies carried out with griseofulvin and ketoconazole in model infections such as guinea pig trichophytosis and microsporosis revealed terbinafine to be superior to the reference compounds both clinically and mycologically. An excellent antimycotic activity of terbinafine was also demonstrable after topical treatment of guinea pig dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Microsporum canis. Results of comparative chemotherapeutic studies carried out with econazole and tolnaftate demonstrated superior efficacy of terbinafine in the treatment of both trichophytosis and microsporosis. Skin infections of guinea pigs caused by Candida albicans and vaginal candidiasis in rats proved to be responsive to a topical application of terbinafine also. However, the reference compounds, clotrimazole and miconazole, exhibited activity superior to that of terbinafine in both models.     

The effectiveness of laboratory vs written examinations in an anatomy course

This paper reports a two-year study on the methods used to evaluate 63 junior occupational therapy students in a musculo-skeletal anatomy course offered at the University of Florida. Laboratory learning processes were not significantly different compared to class learning processes as shown by test results. There was also no significant difference between laboratory and written examination scores in anatomy when compared with final grades in subsequent courses with both laboratory and lecture components. This study was undertaken because of the varying attitudes of students and faculty and their knowledge about the most efficient and productive manner in which to conduct the course. Very little research on educational methods has been completed in our profession and the validation of current methods is needed.     

Pharmacokinetic studies of norfloxacin in laboratory animals

Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted with norfloxacin administered by the oral and subcutaneous routes to mice and rats, and by the oral route to rhesus monkeys. The compound was moderately well absorbed following oral dosing in these animal species. Serum levels in monkeys ranged from 1.0 to 2.35 micrograms/ml after an oral drug dose of 25 mg/kg of animal body weight and were similar to those in mice. Serum half-life of norfloxacin in rodents and monkeys was similar to that in humans. Concentrations of norfloxacin in tissues of mice, rats and monkeys were greater than those in serum suggesting a large volume of distribution for the drug.     

Defining, measuring, and interpreting stress in laboratory animals.

One basis of scientific research with animal subjects is consistency of subject physiology, physical parameters, and behavior. Ideally, selected experimental variables account for primary differences measured between test and control groups. One intangible variable to control is stress experienced by the animals. In common parlance, the word stress is often used to indicate a negative experience. However, stress is not inherently bad, and a stress response should not be assumed to indicate an experience of distress or pain. This paper examines ways in which research animal stress may be defined, measured, and interpreted.     

The ADL ability and use of technical aids in persons with late effects of polio.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe functional performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and the use of technical aids among persons with late effects of polio. METHOD: Abilities in ADL of 150 participants 20 to 82 years of age were assessed with the Sunnaas Index of ADL, and the participants' use of technical aids was recorded. RESULTS: The activities in which most participants were independent were eating, daily hygiene, and communication. Many needed technical aids, adaptation of their homes, or both to perform mobility-related activities and to dress or undress, take a bath or shower, cook, or manage toilet visits. In total, 86 (57%) used mobility aids such as canes, crutches, and walkers. Thirty-one (21%) used wheelchairs within or outside the home. Bath and shower aids were the most commonly used technical aids other than mobility aids. The activity where most participants depended on others was housework. CONCLUSION: In spite of their disabilities, most participants performed well in many ADL, functioning independently by using technical aids and by living in an adapted environment.     

Antibodies as antigens. The use of mouse monoclonal antibodies to focus human T cells against selected targets

We found that three tumor patients treated with mouse mAbs have T cells that recognize processed mouse Ig on autologous APC in a class II-restricted fashion, and we have shown that mouse mAbs directed against various cell surface molecules can be used as antigens to focus these T cells on an MHC class II-positive target of choice.     

临床实验室不合格标本的特点和原因分析

目的探讨近年来我院临床实验室不合格标本的特点及产生原因,提高我院标本采集的合格率,加强分析前质量控制。方法回顾性分析我院南医疗区检验科2004~2007年不合格标本的特点和原因,计算其标本不合格率。结果2004~2007年本科标本总数为203185份,不合格标本数为2411份,标本不合格率为1.19%;每年的标本不合格率分别为1.95%、1.56%、0.99%和0.75%,显示呈逐年降低趋势。结论实验室要想为临床提供准确、及时、可靠的检验结果,就必须加强分析前质量控制,加强与临床的沟通和合作,采取积极有效的措施,提高标本合格率。