Minimally Invasive Optical Biopsy for Oximetry

The study of localised oxygen saturation in blood vessels can shed light on the etiology and progression of many diseases with which hypoxia is associated. For example, hypoxia in the tendon has been linked to early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune inflammatory disease. Vascular oximetry of deep tissue presents significant challenges as vessels are not optically accessible. In this paper, we present a novel multispectral imaging technique for vascular oximetry, and recent developments made towards its adaptation for minimally invasive imaging. We present proof-of-concept of the system and illumination scheme as well as the analysis technique. We present results of a validation study performed in vivo on mice with acutely inflamed tendons. Adaptation of the technique for minimally invasive microendoscopy is also presented, along with preliminary results of minimally invasive ex vivo vascular oximetry

Meloidogyne duytsi n. sp. (Nematoda : Heteroderidae), a root-knot nematode from Dutch coastal foredunes

Un nématode galligène, #Meloidogyne duytsi n. sp., parasitant #Elymus farctus (Viv.) Melderis croissant sur les avant-dunes côtières hollandaises, est décrit et illustré. Cette nouvelle espèce est caractérisée par : femelle ayant un stylet long de 13,3 micromètres, légèrement incurvé dorasalement, boutons basaux grands et transversalement ovoïdes, bien séparés de la hampe ; empreinte périnéale asymétrique avec arche dorsale relativement basse, stries épaisses et lignes latérales indistinctes ; queue pointue. Mâle : région céphalique haute et séparée du reste du corps ; disque labial légèrement proéminent ; secteurs latéraux labiaux réduits ; queue conique à extrémité arrondie. Juvéniles de deuxième stade : longueur moyenne de 424 mircomètres ; hémizonide antéieur au pore excréteur ; queue longue de 70,4 micromètres, effilée, légèrement incurvée ventralement à partie hylaine terminale distincte et longue de 11,3 micromètres. Un profil nouveau pour la malate deshydrogénase et une bande estérasique de type lent ont été détectés. #M. duytsi n. sp. a également été collecté en mélange avec #M. maritima Jepson, 1987 sur #Ammophila areanaria$ (L.) Link. (Résumé d'auteur

Towards criteria and symptoms of constipation in people with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities:A Delphi study

Background: Chronic constipation is common in people with intellectual disabilities, and seems to be highly prevalent in people with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (SPIMD). However, there is no current widely accepted definition for the constipation experienced by these individuals.Aim: This Delphi study aims to compile a list of operationalized criteria and symptoms of constipation in people with SPIMD based on practical experiences of and consensus between experts supporting them.Methods: A two-round Delphi study with an intermediate evaluation and analyses was conducted. Parents and relatives of persons with SPIMD and support professionals were included. The panel answered statements and open questions about symptoms and criteria of constipation. They were also requested to provide their opinion about classifying criteria and symptoms into domains. Answers to statements were analysed separately after both rounds with regard to consensus rate and displayed qualitatively; answers to open questions were analysed deductively.Results: In the first Delphi round (n = 47), consensus was achieved on criteria within the domains 'Defecation’ and 'Physical features', that were assigned to broader categories. Symptoms retrieved within the domain ‘Behavioural/Emotional’ were brought back to the panel as statements. After the second Delphi round (n = 38), consensus was reached on questions about domains, and for eight criteria (domain ‘Defecation’ n = 5; domain ‘Physical features n = 3). Within the domain ‘Behavioural/Emotional’, consensus was achieved for five symptoms. Criteria and symptoms with consensus >70% were considered ‘generic’ and <70% as ‘personal’. Symptoms mentioned in the text boxes were used to operationalize categories.Discussion and conclusion: It was possible to compile a list of generic criteria related to the domains ‘Defecation’ (n = 5) and ‘Physical features’ (n = 3) supplemented with generic symptoms related to the domain ‘Behavioural/Emotional’ (n = 5). We propose using both generic as well as personal criteria and symptoms resulting in a personal profile for an individual with SPIMD. Based on the current results, we recommend follow-up research to develop a screening tool to be used by relatives and professional caregivers, and a definition of constipation. This may support reciprocal collaboration and lead to timely identification of constipation in people with SPIMD

A valuable burden? The impact of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities on family life

Background: This study analysed parents' positive and negative appraisals of the impact of raising children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) on family life. Method: Mothers (n = 52) and fathers (n = 27) of 56 children with PIMD completed a questionnaire focused on their positive and negative appraisals of the impact of childhood disability on family life. Scale means (ranging from 10 to 40) were calculated, as was the relationship between the two subscales. Results: Mothers and fathers indicated that their children affect family life both positively (M = 31.4 and 32.8, respectively) and negatively (M = 31.3 and 28.5, respectively). Only fathers showed a positive significant relationship between the positive and negative subscales. Conclusions: Parents' positive and negative appraisals co-occur. Although parents positively appraise the impact on family life, their substantial negative appraisals demand tailored support for families raising children with PIMD with a strong focus on practical support