3D matrix adhesions mediating mechanostranduction in hMSC-collagen constructs

The current study aims to identify the type of cell-matrix adhesions of hMSCs in 3D collagen constructs and to investigate the effects of dynamic compression on the type, morphology and composition of cell-matrix adhesions, particularly to observe whether the compression stimulates the maturation or evolvement of 3D matrix adhesion in hMSC-collagen constructs. Preliminary results demonstrated the colocalization of integrin α 5 β 1 and fibronectin in cell-matrix adhesions in loaded constructs, partially fulfilling the requirements for 3D matrix adhesion to evolve. In addition, fibronectin was shown to be organized into tiny-dotted adhesions in loaded constructs in a loading duration dependent way, suggesting dynamic compression may be able to mature adhesions in the constructs, hopefully into 3D matrix adhesions. It was also demonstrated that hMSCs plated onto their own cell-derived matrices form elongated adhesions which are similar to 3D matrix adhesions formed by fibroblasts. Further characterization on the cell-matrix adhesions of hMSCs in 3D collagen constructs and identification of differences in adhesions between loaded and unloaded constructs are underway. © 2010 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe IEEE 4th International Conference on Nano/Molecular Medicine and Engineering (NANOMED 2010), Hong Kong/Macau, China, 5-9 December 2010. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on NANOMED, 2010, p. 34-3

Spinal cord stimulation for chronic non-cancer pain: a review of current evidence and practice

Spinal cord stimulation provides analgesia through electrical stimulation of the dorsal column of the spinal cord via electrode leads placed into the epidural space. In traditional tonic stimulation, a painful sensation is replaced with paraesthesia. Spinal cord stimulation is effective in reducing neuropathic pain, enhancing function, and improving quality of life in different chronic pain conditions. Currently, there is most evidence to support its use for failed back surgery syndrome when multidisciplinary conventional management is unsuccessful. Temporary trial leads are inserted in carefully selected patients to test their responsiveness prior to permanent implantation. Newer neuromodulation modalities are now available. These include burst stimulation, high-frequency stimulation, and dorsal root ganglion stimulation. Results are encouraging to date, and they may provide superior analgesia and cover for deficiencies of traditional tonic stimulation. Although complications are not uncommon, they are rarely life threatening or permanently disabling. Nonetheless, device removal is occasionally needed.link_to_OA_fulltex

Mild Reinforcement Learning Deficits in Patients With First-Episode Psychosis

Numerous studies have identified reinforcement learning (RL) deficits in schizophrenia. Most have focused on chronic patients with longstanding antipsychotic treatment, however, and studies of RL in early-illness patients have produced mixed results, particularly regarding gradual/procedural learning. No study has directly contrasted both rapid and gradual RL in first-episode psychosis (FEP) samples. We examined probabilistic RL in 34 FEP patients and 36 controls, using Go/NoGo (GNG) and Gain vs Loss-Avoidance (GLA) paradigms. Our results were mixed, with FEP patients exhibiting greater impairment in the ability to use positive, as opposed to negative, feedback to drive rapid RL on the GLA, but not the GNG. By contrast, patients and controls showed similar improvement across the acquisition. Finally, we found no significant between-group differences in the postacquisition expression of value-based preference in both tasks. Negative symptoms were modestly associated with RL measures, while the overall bias to engage in Go-responding correlated significantly with psychosis severity in FEP patients, consistent with striatal hyperdopaminergia. Taken together, FEP patients demonstrated more circumscribed RL impairments than previous studies have documented in chronic samples, possibly reflecting differential symptom profiles between first-episode and chronic samples. Our finding of relatively preserved gradual/procedural RL, in briefly medicated FEP patients, might suggest spared or restored basal ganglia function. Our findings of preserved abilities to use representations of expected value to guide decision making, and our mixed results regarding rapid RL, may reflect a lesser degree of prefrontal cortical functional impairment in FEP than in chronic samples. Further longitudinal research, in larger samples, is required.postprin

Sexualidade da pessoa com deficiência intelectual - Atitudes de pais e profissionais

Dissertação de Mestrado em Psicologia Educacional, apresentada ao ISPA - Instituto UniversitárioTendo em conta que as atitudes dos pais e profissionais face à sexualidade das pessoas com deficiência intelectual têm um papel preponderante na disponibilização de oportunidades de vivências e experiências sexuais e na passagem de informação correcta acerca da sexualidade (Brown & Pirtle, 2008), o presente estudo pretende conhecer e analisar as atitudes e necessidades que ambos têm, bem como verificar se existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre elas. Tendo sido utilizada uma abordagem mista através da utilização do questionário ASQ-ID- Attitudes to Sexuality Questionnaire (Individuals with an Intellectual Disability) e de uma entrevista semi-estruturada, o presente estudo contou com uma amostra de 130 participantes (80 profissionais e 50 pais), dos quais três mães e três profissionais foram entrevistados. Os resultados obtidos confirmaram a nossa hipótese de que existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas atitudes dos pais e profissionais, demonstrando que os profissionais têm atitudes mais liberais. Através das entrevistas, verificámos que os profissionais têm necessidades de formação no que toca à capacidade para intervirem de forma adequada nas várias manifestações sexuais dos seus clientes, tendo sido enfatizada a necessidade do envolvimento da família neste processo, a consideração das diferenças individuais e a promoção de contextos favoráveis nas instituições para as vivências e experiências sexuais desta população. Por fim, atestou-se ainda através do discurso dos inquiridos, a falta de um consenso dentro das instituições acerca daquilo que devem fazer em situações onde os clientes necessitam de resposta.ABSTRACT: Given that the attitudes of parents and professionals towards sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities have a role in providing opportunities for experiences and sexual experiences and pass correct information about sexuality (Brown & Pirtle, 2008), this study seeks to examine and analyze the attitudes and needs that both have and see if there are statistically significant differences between them. Having used a mixed approach by using the questionnaire ASQ-ID-Attitudes to Sexuality Questionnaire (Individuals with an Intellectual Disability) and a semi-structured interview, this study involved a sample of 130 participants (80 professionals and 50 parents), of which three mothers and three professionals were interviewed. The results confirmed our hypothesis that there are significant differences in the attitudes of parents and professionals, demonstrating that professionals have more liberal attitudes. Through the interviews, we found that professionals have training needs in relation to the ability to intervene appropriately in various sexual manifestations of its customers, having emphasized the need to involve the family in this process, consideration of individual differences and promoting favorable contexts in institutions for sexual experiences and the experiences of this population. Finally, it is also attested by the discourse of the respondents, the lack of consensus within institutions about what they should do in situations where customers need to be answered

Opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain: guidelines for Hong Kong

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An audit of changes in outcomes of acute pain service: evolution over the last two decades

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3D matrix adhesions mediating mechanotransduction in hMSC collagen constructs

The 2010 GRC (Gordon Research Conference) on Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering, Andover, N.H, USA, 1-6 August 2010

A two-co-ordinated gold(I) loop [Au(dpdo)]ClO4 [dpdo = 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,6-dioxaoctane] as a luminescence light switch for substrate binding reactions

Reaction of [Au(tht)Cl] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) with dpdo [dpdo = 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,6-dioxaoctane] afforded [Au(dpdo)] + 1 which was isolated as a perchlorate salt; binding of a phosphine moiety to 1 in solution triggered a strong photoluminescence.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Rhenium(VI) benzylidyne complexes, Re(≡C-2,4,6-C 6H 2Me 3)(PPh 3)(H 2O)X 3 (X = Cl and Br): Crystal structure and spectroscopic properties

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