Monoclonal antibodies raised against membrane glycoproteins from mouse brain recognize N-linked oligomannosidic glycans

Monoclonal L3 and L4 antibodies have been shown to recognize carbohydrate epitopes on several neural cell adhesion molecules; these epitopes can be released by treatment with endoglycosidase H. In the present study, we have identified the oligosaccharides released by endoglycosidase H from the cell adhesion molecules AMOG and L1 by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry as being solely of the oligomannosidic type. Using neoglycolipids of oligomannosidc glycans, we also report that both antibodies show the highest reactivity with the α-manno-pentaose Manα1-3-[Manα1-6(Manα1-3)Manα1-6]-Man, but decreasing reactivity with the α-manno-hexaose, heptaose, octaose and nonaose glycans. Thus, to our knowledge, we describe here for the first time monoclonal antibodies recognizing N-glycosidically linked oligomannosidic glycan

Professional Identity Differences in Novice Counselors

Many researchers have found that differences exist in counselors\u27 professional identity (PI) associated with gender, learning opportunities, and specialty area. However, researchers have not focused on the impact of counselors\u27 type of education program (online vs traditional) to PI. The purpose of this study was to address this gap and determine if differences exist in PI across program types for novice counselors. The framework for this study was built around the concept of PI, defined as including knowledge, expertise, professional roles, attitudes, behaviors, and interactions. The research question was designed to examine the differences in PIs across traditional and online education settings. A convenience sample of 140 new graduate participants was obtained for this cross-sectional survey study-113 from traditional programs and 27 from online programs. PI of participants was measured using the Professional Identity Scale in Counseling (PISC) and data were analyzed using an analysis of covariance with the covariates of gender and specialty area. The results did not show a significant difference in PI between program types, however, the means of the PISC showed that the group of online graduates scored slightly higher. While not statistically significant, the findings of the study contribute to positive social change by showing that no differences exist across the PI development of novice counselors based on program type. Therefore, counselor educators can continue to practice in ways that foster the development of students based on their education program type. Counselor education that fosters the development of student PI contributes to the community as a whole by producing individuals who are competent and knowledgeable for professional practice

quality of life outcomes of prostate cancer patients after radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy in a cohort study

Background This study describes and compares health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of prostate cancer patients who received either radical prostatectomy (nerve-sparing, nsRP, or non-nerve-sparing, nnsRP) or radiotherapy (external RT, brachytherapy, or both combined) for treatment of localised prostate cancer. Methods The prospective, multicenter cohort study included 529 patients. Questionnaires included the IIEF, QLQ-C30, and PORPUS-P. Data were collected before (baseline), three, six, twelve, and twenty-four months after treatment. Differences between groups’ baseline characteristics were assessed; changes over time were analysed with generalised estimating equations (GEE). Missing values were treated with multiple imputation. Further, scores at baseline and end of follow-up were compared to German reference data. Results The typical time trend was a decrease of average HRQOL three months after treatment followed by (partial) recovery. RP patients experienced considerable impairment in sexual functioning. The covariate-adjusted GEE identified a significant - but not clinically relevant - treatment effect for diarrhoea (b = 7.0 for RT, p = 0.006) and PORPUS-P (b = 2.3 for nsRP, b = 2.2 for RT, p = 0.045) compared to the reference nnsRP. Most of the HRQOL scores were comparable to German norm values. Conclusions Findings from previous research were reproduced in a specific setting of a patient cohort in the German health care system. According to the principle of evidence-based medicine, this strengthens the messages regarding treatment in prostate cancer and its impacts on patients’ health-related quality of life. After adjustment for baseline HRQOL and other covariates, RT patients reported increased symptoms of diarrhoea, and nnsRP patients decreased prostate-specific HRQOL. RP patients experienced considerable impairment in sexual functioning. These differences should be taken into account by physicians when choosing the best therapy for a patient

Caracterização da trama magnética e do estilo estrutural do Complexo Alcalino Rio do Peixe – TO

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Geociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências Aplicadas, 2018.Corpos alcalinos possuem uma enorme variação em sua origem, alojamento, geoquímica e contexto tectônico. Dada sua diferenciada geologia em relação a outros tipos de rochas ígneas sua caracterização geralmente necessita de abordagens mais incomuns para sua compreensão. Ainda, abordagens que abranjam dados quantitativos além de dados qualitativos se fazem necessárias, sobretudo em ambientes que foram estudados somente em tempos pretéritos e que apresentam certas dificuldades em relação aos tipos de estruturas e texturas observados em campo. Para a caracterização tectônica e estrutural da Província Tocantins há ainda poucos dados acerca destes, sobretudo acerca de corpos alcalinos. Visando uma melhor compreensão e quantificação do já exposto, dados acerca de Anisotropia de Susceptibilidade Magnética (ASM), Anisotropia de Remanência Magnética (ARA) e microtectônicos foram levantados na região de Jaú do Tocantins, no Complexo Alcalino Rio do Peixe (CARP), para a correta caracterização, classificação e mensura de seu estilo estrutural e de seu alojamento. O CARP é um corpo alcalino de 30x7 km, alongado na direção Norte-Sul, composto por um núcleo nefelina-sienítico e bordas sieno-graníticas, majoritariamente. O corpo é ainda cortado por diversos corpos pegmatíticos de grande espessura e comprimento, historicamente reconhecidos por conter megacristais de zircão, turmalina e córindon. Os dados demonstram que, diferente do que se acreditava, os bandamentos observados na região não são puramente ígneos ou tectônicos, mas um meio termo entre estes. As foliações, assim como os lineamentos magnéticos, possuem sim uma direção preferencial com um erro associado, com dados estatísticos que demonstram que as tramas ASM e ARM possuem coaxialidade para um determinado nível de confiança . Ainda, a geologia do CARP, assim como sua correlação com corpos ígneos do oeste africano, sugere que o corpo seja mais novo do que as idades obtidas em zircão por pesquisadores anteriores.Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (FAPDF) e Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).Alkaline igneous bodies possess a wide variation on its origin, emplacement, geochemistry and tectonic contexts. Given its differentiate geology in comparison with other kinds of igneous rocks, its characteristics demand further techniques other than the traditional ones in order to obtain a robust model. Still, quantitative rather than qualitative models are made strictly necessary, especially at geological environments that haven’t been focus of researches on current days and, above all, present several difficulties concerning its structures and textures observed on field. In order to obtain a better comprehension and quantification of the characteristics mentioned above, Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS), Anisotropy of Anisteretic Remanence (AAR) and microtectonic data were generated at the region of Jaú do Tocantins – Brazil – Tocantins state at the Complexo Alcalino Rio do Peixe (CARP) for its correct characterization, classification and measurement of its structural style, emplacement and geologic historical moment. The CARP is an alkaline igneous body of 30x7 km of length x width stretched on the North-South direction, composed mainly by nepehline-syenites at the core and syeno-granites at its margins, mainly. The CARP is also cut by several thick and wide (meters to kilometres) pegmatites, historically recognized as zircon megacrystals, tourmaline and corundum bearers. Data demonstrates that, differently from what was first believed, observed bandings aren’t purely igneous or tectonic on its origins. Foliations as well as lineations do show a preferential direction (with an associated error), with statistical data that suggest coaxiliaty between AMS and ARM data. Still, CARP’s geology might be strictly correlated to similar alkaline bodies at the SW margin of Cameroon, suggesting it a new age

Stretch for the treatment and prevention of contractures (Review)

Background Contractures are a common complication of neurological and non-neurological conditions, and are characterised by a reduction in joint mobility. Stretch is widely used for the treatment and prevention of contractures. However, it is not clear whether stretch is effective. This review is an update of the original 2010 version of this review. Objectives The aim of this review was to determine the effects of stretch on contractures in people with, or at risk of developing, contractures.The outcomes of interest were joint mobility, quality of life, pain, activity limitations, participation restrictions, spasticity and adverse events. Search methods In November 2015 we searched CENTRAL, DARE, HTA; MEDLINE; Embase; CINAHL; SCI-EXPANDED; PEDro and trials registries. Selection criteria We included randomised controlled trials and controlled clinical trials of stretch applied for the purpose of treating or preventing contractures. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently selected trials, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The outcomes of interest were joint mobility, quality of life, pain, activity limitations, participation restrictions and adverse events. We evaluated outcomes in the short term (up to one week after the last stretch) and in the long term (more than one week). We expressed effects as mean differences (MD) or standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We conducted meta-analyses with a random-effects model. We assessed the quality of the body of evidence for the main outcomes using GRADE.Main results Forty-nine studies with 2135 participants met the inclusion criteria. No study performed stretch for more than seven months. Just over half the studies (51%) were at low risk of selection bias; all studies were at risk of detection bias for self reported outcomes such as pain and at risk of performance bias due to difficulty of blinding the intervention. However, most studies were at low risk of detection bias for objective outcomes including range of motion, and the majority of studies were free from attrition and selective reporting biases. The effect of these biases were unlikely to be important, given that there was little benefit with treatment. There was high-quality evidence that stretch did not have clinically important short-term effects on joint mobility in people with neurological conditions (MD 2°; 95% CI 0° to 3°; 26 studies with 699 participants) or non-neurological conditions (SMD 0.2, 95% CI 0 to 0.3, 19 studies with 925 participants). In people with neurological conditions, it was uncertain whether stretch had clinically important short-term effects on pain (SMD 0.2; 95% CI -0.1 to 0.5; 5 studies with 174 participants) or activity limitations (SMD 0.2; 95% CI -0.1 to 0.5; 8 studies with 247 participants). No trials examined the short-term effects of stretch on quality of life or participation restrictions in people with neurological conditions. Five studies involving 145 participants reported eight adverse events including skin breakdown, bruising, blisters and pain but it was not possible to statistically analyse these data. In people with non-neurological conditions, there was high-quality evidence that stretch did not have clinically important short-term effects on pain (SMD-0.2, 95%CI -0.4 to 0.1; 7 studies with 422 participants) and moderate-quality evidence that stretch did not have clinically important short-term effects on quality of life (SMD 0.3, 95% CI -0.1 to 0.7; 2 studies with 97 participants). The short-term effect of stretch on activity limitations (SMD 0.1; 95% CI -0.2 to 0.3; 5 studies with 356 participants) and participation restrictions were uncertain (SMD -0.2; 95% CI -0.6 to 0.1; 2 studies with 192 participants). Nine studies involving 635 participants reported 41 adverse events including numbness, pain, Raynauds’ phenomenon, venous thrombosis, need for manipulation under anaesthesia, wound infections, haematoma, flexion deficits and swelling but it was not possible to statistically analyse these data. Authors’ conclusions There was high-quality evidence that stretch did not have clinically important effects on joint mobility in people with or without neurological conditions if performed for less than seven months. Sensitivity analyses indicate results were robust in studies at risk of selection and detection biases in comparison to studies at low risk of bias. Sub-group analyses also suggest the effect of stretch is consistent in people with different types of neurological or non-neurological conditions. The effects of stretch performed for periods longer than sevenmonths have not been investigated. There was moderate- and high-quality evidence that stretch did not have clinically important short-term effects on quality of life or pain in people with non-neurological conditions, respectively. The short-term effects of stretch on quality of life and pain in people with neurological conditions, and the short-term effects of stretch on activity limitations and participation restrictions for people with and without neurological conditions are uncertain

Evaluation of the initial implementation of a nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening programme in primary care: A multimethod study

Objectives The Australian Government funded a nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening programme to improve visual outcomes for people with diabetes. This study examined the benefits and barriers of the programme, image interpretation pathways and assessed the characteristics of people who had their fundus photos graded by a telereading service which was available as a part of the programme. Design Multimethod: survey and retrospective review of referral forms. Setting Twenty-two primary healthcare facilities from urban, regional, rural and remote areas of Australia, and one telereading service operated by a referral-only eye clinic in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. Participants Twenty-seven primary healthcare workers out of 110 contacted completed a survey, and 145 patient referrals were reviewed. Results Manifest qualitative content analysis showed that primary healthcare workers reported that the benefits of the screening programme included improved patient outcomes and increased awareness and knowledge of diabetic retinopathy. Barriers related to staffing issues and limited referral pathways. Image grading was performed by a variety of primary healthcare workers, with one responder indicating the utilisation of a diabetic retinopathy reading service. Of the people with fundus photos graded by the reading service, 26.2% were reported to have diabetes. Overall, 12.3% of eyes were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. Photo quality was rated as excellent in 46.2% of photos. Referral to an optometrist for diabetic retinopathy was recommended in 4.1% of cases, and to an ophthalmologist in 6.9% of cases. Conclusions This nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening programme was perceived to increase access to diabetic retinopathy screening in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. The telereading service has diagnosed diabetic retinopathy and other ocular pathologies in images it has received. Key barriers, such as access to ophthalmologists and optometrists, must be overcome to improve visual outcomes