‘Changing it up’: the lived experiences of a wheelchair sport intervention amongst secondary school pupils aged 11-12 in Lincolnshire

Despite recent developments, related to adapted physical activity programs, much is still needed to enhance the contributions these programs make toward rearticulating conceptions of disability (Fitzgerald, 2005). Research often suggests that a superficial belief in traditional, ‘normalised’ physical education habiti is held within schools and is rarely questioned. Sport integration typically focuses on either the inclusion of disabled individuals within traditionally able-bodied sports, or the inclusion of disability sports as separate events within mainstream sport (Nixon, 2007). Based on this, a call to look beyond typical strategies of adaption and integration has been made, with an aim to identifying innovative methods to question dominant conceptions regarding disability and disability sport (Fitzgerald, 2005). The key aim of this study was to investigate changes in secondary school pupils’ perceptions of disability sport during a Lincolnshire County Sports Partnership intervention entitled ‘The LSP Wheelchair Sports Project.’ The intervention utilised a reverse-integration method of delivery, incorporating wheelchair basketball into pupils PE lessons for a 12 week period. Bourdieu’s theoretical standpoint was used to provide theoretical foundation for the study while Chris Shillings work (2003) provided context specific, theoretical foundation to explain potential perceptions of participants prior to the intervention. 50 pupils aged between 1 and 12 took part in this research. All pupils, regardless of physical status, took part in the intervention. Semi-embedded ethnographic observations were made over the 12 week intervention period at one school in the city of Lincoln. This highlighted key behaviour themes among pupils which were then discussed in guided group interviews. Guided group interviews with 40 of participants highlighted pupils perceptions of disability and disability sport prior to the intervention. They also provided pupils with an opportunity to discuss their experiences of the intervention and thus any potential perceptual changes

L-carnitine attenuates cardiac impairment but not vascular dysfunction in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats

L-Carnitine is an important co-factor in fatty acid metabolism by mitochondria. This study has determined whether oral administration of L-carnitine prevents remodelling and the development of impaired cardiovascular function in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats (n = 6–12; #p < 0.05 versus DOCA-salt). Uninephrectomized rats administered DOCA (25 mg every 4th day s.c.) and 1% NaCl in drinking water for 28 days developed cardiovascular remodelling shown as systolic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, increased thoracic aortic and left ventricular wall thickness, increased left ventricular inflammatory cell infiltration together with increased interstitial collagen and increased passive diastolic stiffness and vascular dysfunction with increased plasma malondialdehyde concentrations. Treatment with L-carnitine (1.2% in food; 0.9 mg⁄g⁄day in DOCA-salt rats) decreased blood pressure (DOCA-salt 169 € 2; + L-carnitine 148 € 6# mmHg), decreased left ventricular wet weights (DOCA-salt 3.02 € 0.07; + L-carnitine 2.72 € 0.06# mg⁄ g body-wt), decreased inflammatory cells in the replacement fibrotic areas, reduced left ventricular interstitial collagen content (DOCA-salt 14.4 € 0.2; + L-carnitine 8.7 € 0.5# % area), reduced diastolic stiffness constant (DOCA-salt 26.9 € 0.5; + L-carnitine 23.8 € 0.5# dimensionless) and decreased plasma malondialdehyde concentrations (DOCA-salt 26.9 € 0.8; + L-carnitine 21.2 € 0.4# lmol ⁄ l) without preventing endothelial dysfunction. L-carnitine attenuated the cardiac remodelling and improved cardiac function in DOCA-salt hypertension but produced minimal changes in aortic wall thickness and vascular function. This study suggests that the mitochondrial respiratory chain is a significant source of reactive oxygen species in the heart but less so in the vasculature in DOCA-salt rats, underlying the relatively selective cardiac responses to L-carnitine treatment

Development of an ABA Tool Kit for Audiologists to Increase Hearing Aid Wear Time in Individuals with Autism

When working with individuals with the dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), audiologists are often faced with unique challenges and must adapt their approach in order to more effectively address the needs of these individuals. Currently, there is only a small body of research focused on the special considerations required for appropriately fitting and utilizing amplification for children with the dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and ASD. Subsequently, recommendations and strategies for clinicians to implement when faced with these common challenges, specifically of hearing aid compliance and appropriate hearing aid wear time, are lacking. It is important to find new strategies and techniques for audiologists to implement when working with individuals with this dual-diagnosis of hearing loss and ASD to more effectively overcome challenges and improve hearing aid compliance. The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) shows promise regarding its potential implementation for audiologists when working with individuals with ASD. ABA is an approach to treatment with individuals with ASD with a significant body of research supporting its utilization in a variety of fields and settings. The ABA Tool Kit for Audiologist was developed in this capstone project to address the need for recommendations and strategies to utilize when encountering issues with hearing aid compliance and wear time with individuals with the dual-diagnosis of ASD and hearing loss. This tool kit is comprised of a variety of materials for audiologists to both familiarize themselves with ABA techniques and utilize on an individual patient basis. The primary goal of this tool kit is to equip audiologists with the knowledge and tools needed to foster patient-centered care and improve hearing aid compliance and wear time for individuals with the dual-diagnosis of ASD and hearing loss through the evidence-based approach of ABA

Periodization and the Annual Training Cycle: Effects on Anaerobic Power and Capacity in Division I Female Soccer Athletes

Seasonal variations in sprint speed, jumping power and repeated-sprint capacity have been shown to occur throughout an annual training cycle. However, how these changes in power and anaerobic capacity throughout the calendar year affect the maintenance of power and anaerobic capacity over the competitive season for Division I female soccer athletes, is not currently known. The aim of this study was to observe the changes in anaerobic power and capacity over the annual training cycle in collegiate female soccer athletes. Multiple anaerobic power tests were performed on fourteen Division I female soccer athletes (Mean ± SD: 19.4 ± 1.04yrs; 60.8 ± 5.4kg; 164.9 ± 6.2cm; 19.5 ± 3.2%BF; 48.9 ± 3.9kg FFM) at five specific time points throughout the 2016-2017 training calendar. Anaerobic power testing consisted of the countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) for vertical power (VPWR), the 40-yard sprint for horizontal power (HPWR). The 35-meter running anaerobic sprint test (RAST) was also used to measure peak horizontal power (RASTppwr), average horizontal power (RASTapwr), and anaerobic capacity (fINDX). Two 5x5 repeated measures ANOVAs (absolute and relative power) were used to observe changes in values across the five testing blocks. Post-hoc LSD pairwise comparisons were used when significant interactions occurred. The overall relative power statistical analyses revealed significant changes in anaerobic performance across the annual training calendar (

The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Crotalus atrox Venom-induced Cell Death

Venomous snake bites impact humans all around the world. Anti-venom treatments mitigate systemic effects such as vascular hemorrhage, platelet aggregation inhibition, and the activation of inflammatory mediators. However, hemorrhagic snake venom also causes a loss of cellular adhesion to extracellular matrix components resulting in massive local tissue damage. To better understand the mechanism in which venom induces local tissue damage, human embryonic kidney cells (HEKS) were grown on PEI then stimulated with 500μg/ml Crotalus atrox (CA) venom for 4 and 10 hours. Alamar Blue assays were used to measure cell viability and results suggest a 15±8.6% (p\u3c0.05) and 59±10.7% (p\u3c0.05) reduction in cell viability at 4 and 10 hours, respectively. Cells stimulated with 500μg/ml venom for 10 hours stained 98±2.2% (p\u3c0.05) positive for Trypan blue, suggesting the venom reduces membrane integrity. Identical treatment in the presence of 200 units PEG-catalase (PC) increased viability by 37±5.7% (p\u3e0.001) compared to cells stimulated with venom alone. 2’,7’-Dichlorofluorescin-diacetate (DCF-DA) was used to quantify reactive oxygen species during venom stimulation. HEK cells stimulated with 50μg/ml Crotalus atrox venom resulted in a 336-fold increase in ROS-induced fluorescence between 1 and 2 hours (p\u3c0.001). Pre-treating the cells with 200 Units peg-catalase for 2 hours before venom stimulation resulted in 425-fold decrease in ROS-induced fluorescence that persisted over the 4 hour stimulation period (p\u3c0.0001). Peg-catalase resulted in a greater decrease in fluorescence over time than other treatments including N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), SOD1 inhibitor LCS-1, and NOX inhibitor VAS2870. This suggests hydrogen peroxide is 3 produced during venom induced injury and plays a critical role in venom mediated cell death

A regenerative antioxidant protocol of vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid ameliorates cardiovascular and metabolic changes in fructose-fed rats

Type 2 diabetes is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. We have determined whether the metabolic and cardiovascular changes induced by a diet high in fructose in young adult male Wistar rats could be prevented or reversed by chronic intervention with natural antioxidants. We administered a regenerative antioxidant protocol using two natural compounds: α-lipoic acid together with vitamin E (α-tocopherol alone or a tocotrienol-rich fraction), given as either a prevention or reversal protocol in the food. These rats developed glucose intolerance, hypertension, and increased collagen deposition in the heart together with an increased ventricular stiffness. Treatment with a fixed combination of vitamin E (either α-tocopherol or tocotrienol-rich fraction, 0.84 g/kg food) and α-lipoic acid (1.6 g/kg food) normalized glucose tolerance, blood pressure, cardiac collagen deposition, and ventricular stiffness in both prevention and reversal protocols in these fructose-fed rats. These results suggest that adequate antioxidant therapy can both prevent and reverse the metabolic and cardiovascular damage in type 2 diabetes

Perceptions of a service redesign by adults living with type 2 diabetes

&lt;b&gt;Aim:&lt;/b&gt; This article is a report of a study conducted to explore the perceptions of adults with type 2 diabetes towards the service redesign. &lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions and the management of this chronic illness is changing in response to this challenge. In the United Kingdom, there is ongoing restructuring of healthcare services for people with chronic illnesses to ensure that their general health and clinical needs are met predominantly in primary care. &lt;b&gt;Method:&lt;/b&gt; An explorative qualitative approach was used. Eight focus groups were conducted with 35 people with type 2 diabetes in one urban location between 2003 and 2004. Five focus groups were conducted with people who had recently experienced the restructured service and three groups with people who had up to 2 years' experience of the new service. Concurrent data collection and thematic analysis were conducted by three researchers and credibility and verification sought by feedback to participants. &lt;b&gt;Findings:&lt;/b&gt; Five main themes were identified: impact of living with diabetes; understanding diabetes; drivers for organizational change; care in context and individual concerns. Participants identified issues for ongoing development of the service. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; People with type 2 diabetes appreciate their care management within the primary care setting where there has been investment in staff to deliver this care. Healthcare resources are required to support the development of staff and the necessary infrastructure to undertake management in primary care. Policy makers need to address the balance of resources between primary and secondary care

The pathogenesis of carbon monoxide anoxia

This survey was prompted by the belief that the toxic effects of carbon monoxide were not due entirely to its combination with the circulating haemoglobin. An attempt has been made to convey that belief in a critical description of the clinical and pathological manifestations combined with a study of the after- effects, chronic exposure and acclimatizationIt was next necessary to review the gaseous combinations of the circulating haemoglobin and the influences affecting these combinations and dissociations. It can safely be assumed that all the effects of carbon monoxide anoxia are due primarilly to its initial combination with the circulating haemoglobin; for any extra - circulatory combinations which may take place are dependent upon the circulation of haemoglobin for the transportation of carbon monoxide.It seems that the total quantity of carbon monoxide inhaled and combined with the circulating haemoglobin is excreted by the lungs and can be recovered in the expired air. From this it is concluded that carbon monoxide is not metabolized in any way by the body. It was further observed that GO -70% of the total was recovered within the first hour, and the remainder took several hours to be released, even when the process of elimination was speeded up by the inhalation of oxygen. Such a decrease in the rate of elimination would be expected if carbon monoxide diffused from the circulating haemoglobin to combine with substances in the tissues. Subsequently, as the carbon monoxide saturation of the circulating haemoglobin decreased the extra -circulatory combination would dissociate and the carbon monoxide would be attracted back into the circulation and carried to the lungs for "excretion."A number of extra -circulatory substances which could combine with carbon monoxide in this way has been described. The "pseudo- haemoglobin" of Barkan has a far greater affinity for carbon monoxide than blood haemoglobin has, and evidence is presented showing that it probably does combine with carbon monoxide in the living animal.Other possibilities include muscle haemoglobin, cytochrome oxidase and the Pasteur enzyme. The fullest possible knowledge of these substances has been given before attempting to show any relevant actions they may possess. They all combine with carbon monoxide in vitro and the combination is by competition with oxygen for saturation of the haem molecule with which they are constituted. Their affinities for carbon monoxide and oxygen differ but muscle hae_qoglobin and the "Pasteur enzyme" have a greater affinity for carbon monoxide than for oxygen, while the affinity of cytochrome oxidase for these gases is reversed. These affinities refer to in vitro experiments where the gases <.re a, ailable in gaseous form but in the living animal the gases are made available by their combination with the circulating haemoglobin. For instance, if cytochrome oxidase were exposed to an atmosphere containing about 0.1% of carbon monoxide, no combination would take place and the activity of the oxidase would be uninhibited; but if a human subject were exposed to such a concentration his blood in time would reach about 70% saturation and the cytochrome oxidase of his tissues would be subjected to an even greater relative concentration of carbon monoxide than the blood saturation would suggest.No originality is claimed in postulating t.at muscle haemoglobin and cytochrome oxidase ._'_re affected in carbon monoxide ano_Lia. Combination with muscle haemoglobin has been accepted although its true sign - ificnce has never been fully appreciated. This has been discussed not only in its quantitative relation to extra- circulatory combination but also its qualitative relation to function in ,:,cute anoxia and acclimatization. Some authors have recognised the possibility of inhibition of cytochrome oxidase but because of its greater affinity for oxygen in vitro the possibility was discarded. There is no evidence of a previously recorded attempt to associate inhibition of the Pasteur enzyme with the carbon monoxide problem and it is felt that the present attempt has been warranted.A short survey of the properties of carbonic anhydrase has been given. In virtue of it being a zinc protein and not a haerain protein, its inhibition by carbon monoxide is subject to somewhat different conditions. There is no competition between oxygen and carbon monoxide, but the partial pressure necessary to cause inhibition is probably never great enough in the living animal subjected to carbon monoxide anoxia. Nevertheless, further experimental work is indicated before this possibility can be finally rejected

Reversal of cardiac dysfunction by selective ET-A receptor antagonism

1. The effectiveness of a selective endothelin receptor-A (ET-A) antagonist, A-127722 (approximately 10 mg kg-1 day-1 as 200 mg kg-1 powdered food), to reverse existing cardiac remodelling and prevent further remodelling was tested in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. 2. Uninephrectomised rats (UNX) administered DOCA (25mg every 4th day sc) and 1% NaCl in drinking water for 28 days developed hypertension (systolic BP: UNX 128 6, DOCA-salt 182 5* mmHg; *P<0.05 vs UNX), left ventricular hypertrophy (UNX 1.99 0.06, DOCA-salt 3.30 0.08* mg/kg body wt), decreased left ventricular internal diameter (UNX 6.69 0.18, DOCA-salt 5.51 0.37* mm), an increased left ventricular monocyte/macrophage infiltration together with an increased interstitial collagen from 2.7 0.3 to 11.7 1.3%, increased passive diastolic stiffness (UNX 21.1 0.5, DOCA-salt 30.1 1.3*), prolongation of the action potential duration at 20% and 90% of repolarization (APD20 - UNX 6.8 1.1, DOCA-salt 10.1 1.5* msec; APD90 - UNX 34.4 3.5, DOCA-salt 64.3 10.4* msec) and vascular dysfunction (2.6 fold decrease in maximal contractile response to noradrenaline, 3.5 fold decrease in maximal relaxation response to acetylcholine). 3. Administration of A-127722 for 14 days starting 14 days after surgery attenuated the increases in systolic blood pressure (150 6** mmHg, **P<0.05 vs DOCA-salt), left ventricular wet weight (2.65 0.06** mg/kg body wt) and internal diameter (6.39 0.31** mm), prevented left ventricular monocyte/macrophage accumulation, attenuated the increased left ventricular interstitial collagen (7.6 1.3%**), reversed the increased passive diastolic stiffness (22.1 1.2**), attenuated the action potential duration prolongation (APD20 - 7.6 1.4**, APD90 - 41.5 6.9** msec) and normalized changes in vascular function. 4. ET-A receptor antagonism both reverses and prevents the cardiac and vascular remodelling in DOCA-salt hypertension and improves cardiovascular function