The contribution to the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep with special focus on the survival of infective larvae in winter conditions

Tracer tests conducted over a 3-year period were aimed at measuring the level and species nematode composition of survival on pastures with a special focus on winter months. The survival of infective larvae in chilly conditions is not significantly affected by Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Chabertia ovina. On the contrary, the number of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Nematodirus filicollis significantly increased in milder winter conditions. The results confirmed an epidemiological strategy of overwintering in the arrested stage for Teladorsagia circumcincta and Nematodirus filicollis; the epidemiological strategy of genus Trichostrongylus used both strategies—in particular the tolerance of free-living stages to cold conditions. Part of the population overwintered in the arrested stage as well.     

Stem cells and cancer

The cell of origin of cancer has been a strongly debated topic through out the history of cancer research. This review provides a historic framework and a synopsis of how the theories of cancer initiation and progression evolved from early times to the present day. We present the concept of a cancer stem cell, and review for you the literature supporting the existence of cancer stem cells in addition to a brief discussion on our own work supporting a bone marrow-derived source for the cancer stem cell, as well as cells of the cancer stroma.     

Daytime vigilance and quality of life in epileptic patients treated with vagus nerve stimulation

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine if vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has any effect on daytime vigilance and perceived sense of well-being. METHODS: Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLTs) were performed and visual reaction times (VRTs) obtained in eight epileptic patients before and during treatment with VNS. Prior to VNS initiation patients' baseline MSLT and VRT scores were recorded. Six months after VNS was initiated, treatment MSLT and VRT scores were obtained. A group of 12 age-matched healthy subjects served as controls. In addition, there was a global evaluation of well-being at baseline and during a follow-up of 6 months. RESULTS: As expected, patients evaluated both at baseline and during VNS showed more sleepiness than controls. In this group, baseline sleep latencies on the MSLT were significantly shorter, while VRT latencies were significantly longer than those of controls. After 6 months of VNS, MSLT scores in the eight patients did not change significantly with respect to baseline. However, if the single patient treated with relatively high stimulus intensities (1.75 mA) was excluded from the group and only the seven patients treated with low stimulus intensities (相似文献   

Relationship between combat related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS)

The interrelation between chronic stress and multiple sclerosis (MS) has always been known, but the biological foundation for this phenomenon has not yet been proven. Our case-study of 5 patients, both diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and PTSD, attempts to demonstrate various dimensions of interrelation between these two diseases. We have also tried to point out the problems and possible complications doctors might encounter during the treatment of an MS patient who is suffering from chronic stress. Our findings show the need for a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of patients with chronic PTSD and co morbid multiple sclerosis, which will optimize treatment and result in more cost-effective care. Appropriate identification and optimal pharmacological interventions for both disorders might modify further chronicity of these disorders and thus achieve better outcome.     

Scoping review on communication systems used by adults with severe/profound intellectual disability for functional communication

Background

Adults with severe/profound intellectual disability typically face poor communication outcomes as they are often nonverbal and need their supporters to provide for their communication needs. This review aimed to identify studies focused on the communication resources people with severe/profound intellectual disability use for functional communication, and the enablers and barriers to functional communication.

Methods

Nine databases were systematically reviewed with keywords pertaining to the functional communication of adults with severe/profound intellectual disability. Out of 3427 identified articles, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Hand searches and ancestral searches identified another 4 articles. Out of the 16 articles, two did not meet the quality assessment criteria and were excluded. Thus, 14 articles were included in this review.

Results

The findings revealed that picture exchange communication systems is the most common communication system used to support the development of functional communication. The most common functions enabled by the communication systems were choice-making and making requests. Several barriers (e.g., individual factors related to adults with severe/profound intellectual disability, others' attitudes, behaviour and knowledge) to and enablers (e.g., accessibility and availability of the communication system, training for those supporting adults with severe/profound intellectual disability) of functional communication were identified.

Conclusions

Removing the barriers and enabling functional communication is essential to developing the functional communication of adults with severe/profound intellectual disability.     

Middle School Student Intentions to Play with Peers with Disabilities in Physical Education: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

The purpose of the study was to develop a scale measuring intentions of children without disabilities to play with a hypothetical peer with a physical disability in general physical education using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50:179–211, 1991) and to provide evidence of reliability, content validity, and initial factor structure. A background questionnaire and a pilot version of the Children’s Intentions to Play with Peers with Disabilities in Middle-School Physical Education (CIPPD-MPE) were administered to a convenience sample of 250 middle school students. Content validity of CIPPD-MPE was established by seven content experts. Findings revealed four factors (behavioral beliefs, control beliefs, behavioral intention, and normative beliefs), which explained 58% of the variance. Internal consistency ranged between .65 and .92. All factors were significantly correlated with intention, indicating the potential of CIPPD-MPE to predict intention of children without disabilities to play with a hypothetical peer with a physical disability in GPE.