The impact of stroke: are people with aphasia different to those without?

Purpose. Stroke rehabilitation programmes aim to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. This study explored long-term outcomes in a cohort of people admitted to two acute stroke units with stroke. Comparisons were drawn between people with aphasia (PWA) and people without aphasia. Methods. People admitted to hospital with a first stroke were assessed at 2-weeks, 3-months and 6-months post-stroke. Measures included: the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, the General Health Questionnaire-12 for emotional well-being and the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39g. Extended ADL and social support were also measured at 3 and 6 months, with the Frenchay Activities Index and the Social Support Survey, respectively. Results. Of 126 eligible participants, 96(76%) took part and 87(69%) were able to self-report. Self-report data are reported here. Although outcomes improved significantly across time, at 6 months people continued to experience substantial functional limitations (16% aphasic; 32% dependent on basic ADL); participation limitations (79% ≤30 on the FAI); high psychological distress (45%) and compromised quality of life (54% ≤4 on the SAQOL-39g). Levels of social support remained relatively stable. Though at 3-months post-stroke PWA were significantly more likely to experience high psychological distress (93% versus 50% for those without), across time, there were no significant differences between PWA and those without on psychological distress and also ADL and social support. There were, however, significant differences on extended ADL (F(1,68) = 7.80, p < 0.01) and quality of life (F(1,69) = 6.30, p < 0.05). Conclusion. PWA participated in fewer activities and reported worse quality of life after stroke than people without aphasia, even when their physical abilities, well-being and social support were comparable. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed

PET/CT Imaging of c-Myc Transgenic Mice Identifies the Genotoxic N-Nitroso-Diethylamine as Carcinogen in a Short-Term Cancer Bioassay

Background: More than 100,000 chemicals are in use but have not been tested for their safety. To overcome limitations in the cancer bioassay several alternative testing strategies are explored. The inability to monitor non-invasively onset and progression of disease limits, however, the value of current testing strategies. Here, we report the application of in vivo imaging to a c-Myc transgenic mouse model of liver cancer for the development of a short-term cancer bioassay. Methodology/Principal Findings: mCT and 18 F-FDG mPET were used to detect and quantify tumor lesions after treatment with the genotoxic carcinogen NDEA, the tumor promoting agent BHT or the hepatotoxin paracetamol. Tumor growth was investigated between the ages of 4 to 8.5 months and contrast-enhanced mCT imaging detected liver lesions as well as metastatic spread with high sensitivity and accuracy as confirmed by histopathology. Significant differences in the onset of tumor growth, tumor load and glucose metabolism were observed when the NDEA treatment group was compared with any of the other treatment groups. NDEA treatment of c-Myc transgenic mice significantly accelerated tumor growth and caused metastatic spread of HCC in to lung but this treatment also induced primary lung cancer growth. In contrast, BHT and paracetamol did not promote hepatocarcinogenesis. Conclusions/Significance: The present study evidences the accuracy of in vivo imaging in defining tumor growth, tumor load, lesion number and metastatic spread. Consequently, the application of in vivo imaging techniques to transgeni

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

Effects of catecholamines on adrenergic neuroeffector interaction in isolated cutaneous veins

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Effect of naturally occurring catecholamines on adrenergic neuroeffector interaction in the canine saphenous vein

Experiments were performed to compare the effects of dopamine, epinine and norepinephrine on peripheral adrenergic neurotransmission. Helical strips of dog's saphenous veins were incubated in solutions containing 3H-norepinephrine and mounted for superfusion and determination of 3H-norepinephrine and metabolites in the superfusate. In control strips, but not in veins treated with cocaine, the catecholamines increased the efflux of 3H-norepinephrine and its deaminated metabolites, indicating intraneuronal displacement of transmitter. Equipotent doses (ED50 for activation of alpha receptors on the smooth muscle cells) of norepinephrine, but not of epinine and dopamine, reduced slightly the release of 3H-norepinephrine during electrical stimulation. In strips treated with cocaine, norepinephrine reduced the 3H-norepinephrine release evoked by nerve stimulation by 61.4, epinine by 44.1 and dopamine by 28.5%. The inhibitory effect of the three catecholamines was abolished by phentolamine. These experiments suggest that (1) prejunctional alpha receptors have a different affinity than postjunctional alpha receptors; (2) in the dog's saphenous vein alpha-receptor mediated feedback inhibition of norepinephrine release can be demonstrated best when neuronal uptake is inhibited. © 1979.link_to_subscribed_fulltex