Chapter 6 India’s Ocean

Africa, Cape of Good Hope, maritime security, naval history, piracy, Suez Cana

Physical Therapy Treatment and Management of a Patient Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: An increasing number of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are performed each year, making it a commonly seen post-operative diagnosis in an outpatient orthopedic setting. However, rehabilitation to restore optimal function continues to be a challenge, as research regarding the most effective interventions remains limited. The purpose of this case is to examine the efficacy of physical therapy interventions on range of motion (ROM) and functional outcomes following TKA, as well as demonstrate the need for further research in determining optimal exercise prescription. Case Description: Patient was a 65-year-old male who underwent a right TKA. He presented to therapy with associated post-operative range of motion limitations, decreased lower extremity strength, soft tissue restrictions, and impaired gait. Intervention: Interventions were primarily focused on regaining ROM and lower extremity strength, and included manual therapy, stretching, progressive resistive strengthening, and a home exercise program. Evidence Based Component: A literature review was performed to examine what types of interventions resulted in the most successful outcomes in regards to ROM, pain, quality of life, and reported function following TKA. Outcomes: The patient made gradual progress with physical therapy, but still demonstrated significant ROM deficits and functional mobility impairments after five weeks of formal therapy. Further physical therapy treatment was postponed at this point, as the patient elected to undergo manipulation under anesthesia. Discussion: Outpatient physical therapy is commonly prescribed to patients following TKA. However, regaining function and ROM postoperatively continues to be a challenge for both patients and physical therapists. Further research is needed to determine which therapeutic interventions result in the most successful outcomes in terms of reported function and ROM

No evidence for altered prenatal exposure to testosterone in young females diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder

Introduction. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterised, among other features, by in- creased impulsivity and aggression, both directed toward the self and others. These clinical signs most likely arise from complex gene-environment interactions. In our study, we sought to elucidate the role of prenatal testosterone exposure in female patients with BPD. Materials and Methods. In a sample of 42 patients and 50 controls matched for age and biological sex, we measured the ratio of the second to the fourth digit of both hands (2D:4D ratio), which is established as a reliable correlate of prenatal testosterone levels in the foetus. In addition, we used sev- eral self-rating scales to determine personality dimensions, impulsivity, aggressiveness and risk-taking behaviour. Results. No differences between the groups emerged with regard to 2D:4D ratio of both hands. In ad- dition, there were almost no correlations between psychological measures and the 2D:4D ratio in the entire sample. Conclusions. Contrary to predictions, female patients with BPD did not differ from controls in 2D:4D ratio bimanually, suggesting no abnormal intrauterine (prenatal) exposure to testosterone in this clinical group. As expected, differences between patients and controls in personality traits, impul- sivity, aggressiveness and risk-taking were highly significant and in concordance with the existing body of knowledge. Since BPD features are highly heterogeneous, it could be interesting to study subgroups of BPD patients, rather than the broader phenotype according to DSM-5 criteria

Progressivkonstruktionen im Deutschen – Zur Entwicklung eines Aspektkorrelats in der deutschen Sprache

Otto L. Progressivkonstruktionen im Deutschen – Zur Entwicklung eines Aspektkorrelats in der deutschen Sprache. Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld; 2012.The concepts Aspekt and Aktionsart have been stimulating an increasingly broad range of discussion among academics since many years. Characterized by lots of diverse analyses and approaches to definition the disagreement still dominates this field. This master thesis aims to provide an overview of these two concepts. The particular focus lies on a corpus study which examines the occurrence of three different German progressive constructions. The am-construction, which is already relatively well explored, is equally part of this thesis as the und- and the vor sich hin-construction which have not been investigated to date. The question whether there is a trend to a german aspect-correlate is as well answered as the question on the level of grammaticalization concerning these three constructions.Zugl.: Univ. Bielefeld, Fak. für Linguistik und Literaturwissenschaft, Masterarbeit, 201

Reforming immigration for a post-Brexit reality

What impact could lower levels of immigration in the UK following Brexit have on the country's economy? Lisa Laird and Otto Ilveskero write that the UK faces a challenge in retaining a controlled flow of both high and lower-skilled workers to fill gaps in the domestic workforce. They argue that reforming the present Visa Points Based System would allow Britain to retain international talent passing through its universities, but that the UK cannot afford to overlook the needs of its jobs market when it comes to international workers who compensate for a lack of home-grown professionals in particular sectors

Impact of Immunosuppressive Drugs on Fibroblasts:: An In Vitro Study

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the direct impact of different agents for immunosuppressive therapy on mouse fibroblasts as a possible cause of drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO). Methods: 3T3 mouse fibroblasts were cultivated in cell-specific media (2 × 104 cells/mL) and treated for 6, 24, 48 and 72 h with one of three immunosuppressive drugs (IsDs): cyclosporin a (CsA), tacrolimus (TaC) and sirolimus (SiR). Different concentrations (10–750 ng/mL) were used to mimic serum levels under active immunosuppressive therapy conditions. Cell population characteristics (cell number, viability and morphology) were assessed using computer-assisted cell analysis. Expression of pro-collagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP) was identified using an ELISA assay. Results: The influence of IsDs on the biological status of 3T3 fibroblasts was time- and dose-dependent. Comparing CsA and TaC, the total cell amount was enhanced using concentrations in the range of 10–150 ng/mL (p > 0.05). In contrast, treatment with SiR resulted in a decrease in the average cell number (p 0.05). Conclusions: Our results revealed time-dependent effects of IsDs, with distinct influences on cell number. The cell morphology and the PICP balance of the investigated fibroblast cell line remained unaffected. Hence, the potential role of IsDs is not a unilateral mechanism of action but rather a multifactorial process

Dichotomous Impact of Myc on rRNA Gene Activation and Silencing in B Cell Lymphomagenesis

A major transcriptional output of cells is ribosomal RNA (rRNA), synthesized by RNA polymerase I (Pol I) from multicopy rRNA genes (rDNA). Constitutive silencing of an rDNA fraction by promoter CpG methylation contributes to the stabilization of these otherwise highly active loci. In cancers driven by the oncoprotein Myc, excessive Myc directly stimulates rDNA transcription. However, it is not clear when during carcinogenesis this mechanism emerges, and how Myc-driven rDNA activation affects epigenetic silencing. Here, we have used the Eµ-Myc mouse model to investigate rDNA transcription and epigenetic regulation in Myc-driven B cell lymphomagenesis. We have developed a refined cytometric strategy to isolate B cells from the tumor initiation, promotion, and progression phases, and found a substantial increase of both Myc and rRNA gene expression only in established lymphoma. Surprisingly, promoter CpG methylation and the machinery for rDNA silencing were also strongly up-regulated in the tumor progression state. The data indicate a dichotomous role of oncogenic Myc in rDNA regulation, boosting transcription as well as reinforcing repression of silent repeats, which may provide a novel angle on perturbing Myc function in cancer cells