Proposal for a clinic based model of physical therapist consultation in a geriatric outpatient clinic

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the role of a certified geriatric physical therapist (PT) in a geriatric outpatient clinic. Methods: This pilot study used a model in which a geriatric certified doctor of physical therapy (DPT) provided consultations one afternoon a week for patients in the Outpatient Geriatric Clinic at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Data collection included reason for referral, DPT’s interventions, and clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions. Results: Over 7 months, the DPT consulted on 25 male patients ranging from 65 to 91 years, with a mean age of 80. The majority of patients were classified into the neuromuscular category (64%) and received a home exercise program (60%). The addition of the PT consult service in the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic was well received by the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: In addition to their traditional roles, physical therapists now have an opportunity to engage directly in primary care. The model described serves as an example of autonomous practice and the net result is increased quality of care, improved patient satisfaction, and increased knowledge about the profession of physical therapy on behalf of the referring clinician. The findings from this study provide support for the use of this model in settings other than the VAMC’s managed care setting

Dietary effects of Algerian sodium bentonite on growth performance and biochemical parameters in broiler chickens

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing poultry feed with graded levels of Algerian sodium bentonite (Na-B) on growth performance and the development of villus height in jejunum and some biochemical parameters during 50 days in broiler chickens. A number of 420 one-day old broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were obtained from a commercial hatchery. The birds were randomly allocated into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). The treatments were 0 (control), 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of Algerian Na-B levels. The results obtained indicate clearly that weight gain in the chickens fed treatments containing 4% Na-B had greater weight gain than the chickens fed different treatments (0, 1%, 2%, 3% and 5% Na-B). Feed conversion rate (FCR) was lower birds supplemented with Na-B 4% (2.45) than control group (3.06). Maximum feed consumption was observed in the birds’ control (5,655.3 g), while the lowest was noted in the chickens with diet added 4% Na-B (5,009.5 g) (p< 0.05). The weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was decreased for the Algerian Na-B supplemented group, compared with the control group. The villus height was affected by dietary treatments (1%, 2%, 3% and 5%) on days 18 and 50 (p< 0.05). Feeding the supplemented graded levels Na-B resulted in an increase in plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL concentrations at 50 days of age, compared with the control group. These results showed clearly that the Na-B from Algeria can improve the growth performance in broiler chickens. Thus, dietary inclusion of Na-B had positive effect on plasma triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL values in broiler chickens at the end experiment

Phenotypic Characterization According to The Feather Color of Indigenous Muscovy Ducks Bred in The Back Yard in Brazzaville, The Congo

Abstract.  In Congo, waterfowl genetic resources are constituted by native population of Muscovy ducks that play an important role in food security. The present study aimed to identify and to characterize strains bred in the back yard in the households in Brazzaville. A sample of 154 households drawn over seven districts of Brazzaville was enrolled in the survey. Adults ducks found in the households were identified, pictured by a key of determination and then compared by using the multi resolution analysis image method. The survey recorded 13 strains in which four were considered as newly since they have never been reported elsewhere. These strains received temporally the name of the districts where they have been identified for the first time Makelékélé 1 (0.34%, n=6), Makélékélé 2 (0.11%, n =2), Poto poto 1  (0.28%, n=5) and in Poto poto 2 (0.11%, n=2). Finally, the survey reported nine classical  strains such as  black plumage, duclair, white, tortora, sepia, chocolate, lavender, grey and canizie. The apparent wide variation in plumage colors is an indication that the duck populations have not been ‘purified’ through selective breeding. In the context of the valorization of poultry biodiversity, this work represents a step toward a better knowledge of the production abilities of local ducks breeds in Congo. Key words: Muscovy ducks, color feather, strains, Congo. Abstrak.  Sumber daya genetik unggas air di Kongo mencakup populasi itik lokal yang memegang peranan penting dalam ketahanan pangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi dan menggolongkan jenis itik yang dipelihara di pekarangan rumah di Brazzaville. Sampel penelitian menggunakan 154 responden rumah tangga yang tersebar di 7 wilayah Brazzaville. Itik dewasa diidentifikasi dari pekarangan, dan dibandingkan dengan metode Analisis Multi Resolusi. Survey mencatat 13 jenis peranakan, 4 diantaranya dianggap baru karena belum pernah dilaporkan di studi manapun. Jenis ini sementara dinamai sesuai distrik tempatnya pertama ditemukan, yaitu Makelékélé 1 (0,34%, n=6), Makélékélé 2 (0,11%, n =2), Poto poto 1  (0,28%, n=5) dan di Poto poto 2 (0,11%, n=2). Berdasarkan survei didapatkan sembilan jenis klasik yaitu bulu hitam, duclair, putih, tortora, sepia, coklat, lavender, abu-abu dan canizie. Banyaknya ragam warna bulu adalah indikasi bahwa populasi itik belum “dimurnikan” melalui seleksi. Dalam konteks penetapan nilai keanekaragaman hayati unggas, penelitian ini mewakili sebuah langkah menuju pengetahuan yang mendalam akan kemampuan produksi itik yang berkembang di Kongo. Kata kunci: itik Muscovy, warna bulu, strain, Kong

Gene expression of the IGF pathway family distinguishes subsets of gastrointestinal stromal tumors wild type for KIT and PDGFRA

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and are the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. While the majority of GISTs harbor activating mutations in either the v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) tyrosine kinases, approximately 10–15% of adult GISTs and 85% of pediatric GISTs lack such mutations. These “wild-type” GISTs have been reported to express high levels of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), and IGF1R-targeted therapy of wild-type GISTs is being evaluated in clinical trials. However, it is not clear that all wild-type GISTs express IGF1R, because studies to date have predominantly focused on a particular subtype of gastric wild-type GIST that is deficient in the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex. This study of a series of 136 GISTs, including 72 wild-type specimens, was therefore undertaken to further characterize wild-type GIST subtypes based on the relative expression of transcripts encoding IGF1R. Additional transcripts relevant to GIST biology were also evaluated, including members of the IGF-signaling pathway (IGF1, IGF2, and insulin receptor [INSR]), neural markers (CDH2[CDH: Cadherin], neurofilament, light polypeptide, LHX2 [LHX: LIM homeobox], and KIRREL3 [KIRREL: kin of IRRE like]), KIT, PDGFRA, CD34, and HIF1A. Succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B protein expression was also assessed as a measure of SDH complex integrity. In addition to the previously described SDH-deficient, IGF1Rhigh wild-type GISTs, other SDH-intact wild-type subpopulations were defined by high relative expression of IGF1R, neural markers, IGF1 and INSR, or low IGF1R coupled with high IGF2. These results underscore the complexity and heterogeneity of wild-type GISTs that will need to be factored into molecularly-targeted therapeutic strategies

Postprandial ghrelin suppression is exaggerated following major surgery; implications for nutritional recovery

Meeting patients' nutritional requirements and preventing malnutrition is a challenge following major surgical procedures. The role of ghrelin in nutritional recovery after non-gastrointestinal major surgery is unknown. We used coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as an example of anticipated good recovery post major surgery

Stereotactic Radiosurgery of a Patient with Severe Kyphosis

A patient with a severe kyphotic deformity presented for stereotactic radiosurgery. In the supine position with the apex of the patient's kyphosis on the treatment couch, his head and buttocks were found to be approximately 30 cm from the table. Pretreatment consultation with the physicist and engineer was arranged. By creating a modified table mount for the head ring and a custom-molded Styrofoam cradle for the patient's pelvis, radiosurgery in the supine position was carried out without difficulty or patient discomfort. We describe the technical aspects of the treatment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45113/1/10941_2004_Article_421636.pd