1,914 research outputs found
The 8-foot up and go test is the best way to assess physical function in the rheumatoid arthritis clinic
Objectives
RA is characterized by poor physical function, which compromises patients’ quality of life and outcome. Clinical assessment of function is usually performed using self-reported questionnaires, such as the Multi-Dimensional HAQ (MDHAQ) and the Short Form-36 (physical component) (SF36-PC). However, such subjective measures may not accurately reflect real functional status. This study aimed to determine: (i) which clinically practicable objective test best represents overall physical function; and (ii) the extent to which self-reported subjective functional measures reflect objectively assessed function.
Methods
Objective [isometric knee extensor strength, handgrip strength, sit-to-stands in 30 s, 8-foot up and go (8′UG), 50-foot walk (50′W) and estimated aerobic capacity (V̇O2max)] and subjective (MDHAQ and SF36-PC) measures of function were correlated with one another to determine the best overall test of functional status in 82 well-controlled RA patients (DAS28 (S.D.) = 2.8 (1.0)).
Results
In rank order of size, averaged correlations (r) to the other outcome measures were as follows: 8′UG: 0.650; 50′W: 0.636; isometric knee extensor strength: 0.502; handgrip strength: 0.449; sit-to-stands in 30 s: 0.432; and estimated V̇O2max: 0.358. The MDHAQ was weakly (0.361) and the SF36-PC moderately correlated (0.415) with objective measures.
Conclusion
Our results show that the most appropriate measure of objective physical function in RA patients is the 8′UG, followed by the 50′W. We found discordance between objectively and subjectively measured function. In clinical practice, an objective measure that is simple and quick to perform, such as the 8′UG, is advocated for assessing real functional status
The Influence Of Neutron Capture Rates On The Rare Earth Region Of The r-Process Abundance Pattern
We study the sensitivity of the r-process abundance pattern to neutron
capture rates along the rare earth region (A~150 to A~180). We introduce the
concepts of large nuclear flow and flow saturation which determine the neutron
capture rates that are influential in setting the rare earth abundances. We
illustrate the value of the two concepts by considering high entropy conditions
favorable for rare earth peak production and identifying important neutron
capture rates among the rare earth isotopes. We also show how these rates
influence nuclear flow and specific sections of the abundance pattern.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, submitted to PR
The Effect of Body Mass on the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test in Rugby Union Players.
To A) evaluate the difference in performance of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) across four squads in a professional rugby union club in the United Kingdom (UK), and B) consider body mass in the interpretation of the end velocity of the 30-15IFT (VIFT).One hundred and fourteen rugby union players completed the 30-15IFT mid- season.VIFT demonstrated small and possibly lower (ES = -0.33; 4/29/67) values in the Under 16s compared to the Under 21s, with further comparisons unclear. With body mass included as a covariate all differences were moderate to large, and very likely to almost certainly lower in the squads with lower body mass, with the exception of comparisons between Senior and Under 21 squads.The data demonstrate that there appears to be a ceiling to the VIFT attained in rugby union players which does not increase from Under 16s to Senior level. However, the associated increases in body mass with increased playing level suggest that the ability to perform high intensity running is increased with age, although not translated into greater VIFT due to the detrimental effect of body mass on change of direction. . Practitioners should be aware that VIFT is unlikely to improve, however it needs to be monitored during periods where increases in body mass are evident
The Ever Changing Circumstellar Nebula Around UW Centauri
We present new images of the reflection nebula surrounding the R Coronae
Borealis Star, UW Cen. This nebula, first detected in 1990, has changed its
appearance significantly. At the estimated distance of UW Cen, this nebula is
approximately 0.6 ly in radius so the nebula cannot have physically altered in
only 8 years. Instead, the morphology of the nebula appears to change as
different parts are illuminated by light from the central star modulated by
shifting thick dust clouds near its surface. These dust clouds form and
dissipate at irregular intervals causing the well-known declines in the R
Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. In this way, the central star acts like a
lighthouse shining through holes in the dust clouds and lighting up different
portions of the nebula. The existence of this nebula provides clues to the
evolutionary history of RCB stars possibly linking them to the Planetary
Nebulae and the final helium shell flash stars.Comment: To be published in ApJ Letters. 5 pages, 3 figures (2 in color
Innovation, knowledge spending and productivity growth in the UK: interim report for NESTA 'Innovation Index’ project
Working Pape
Constrained Cosmological Simulations of Dark Matter Halos
The formation and structure of dark matter (DM) halos is studied by means of
constrained realizations of Gaussian fields using N-body simulations. A series
of experiments of the formation of a 10^{12} Msun halo is designed to study the
dependence of the density profile on its merging history. We confirm that the
halo growth consists of violent and quiescent phases, with the density well
approximated by the Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) profile during the latter phases.
We find that (1) the NFW scale radius R_s stays constant during the quiescent
phase and grows abruptly during the violent one. In contrast, the virial radius
grows linearly during the quiescent and abruptly during the violent phases. (2)
The central density stays unchanged during the quiescent phase while dropping
abruptly during the violent phase. (3) The value of \rs reflects the violent
merging history of the halo, and depends on the number of violent events and
their fractional magnitudes, independent of the time and order of these events.
It does not reflect the formation time of the halo. (4) The fractional change
in R_s is a nonlinear function of the fractional absorbed kinetic energy within
R_s in a violent event.Comment: 5 pages, 2 postscript figures, ApJ emulator, submitted to ApJ Letter
A Review of FOXI3 Regulation of Development and Possible Roles in Cancer Progression and Metastasis
Development and cancer share a variety of functional traits such as EMT, cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. In addition, many cellular signaling pathways are noted to coordinate developmental processes and facilitate aspects of tumor progression. The Forkhead box superfamily of transcription factors consists of a highly conserved DNA binding domain, which binds to specific DNA sequences and play significant roles during adult tissue homoeostasis and embryogenesis including development, differentiation, metabolism, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Interestingly, various studies have implicated the role of key Fox family members such as FOXP, FOXO, and FOXA during cancer initiation and metastases. FOXI3, a member of the Forkhead family affects embryogenesis, development, and bone remodeling; however, no studies have reported a role in cancer. In this review, we summarize the role of FOXI3 in embryogenesis and bone development and discuss its potential involvement in cancer progression with a focus on the bone metastasis. Moreover, we hypothesize possible mechanisms underlying the role of FOXI3 in the development of solid tumor bone metastasis
A randomised controlled trial of Schwartz Rounds: an intervention to reduce psychological distress for staff in Children's Services
A randomised controlled trial of Schwartz Rounds: An intervention to reduce psychological distress for staff in children's services
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