16 research outputs found
Health status in non-dystrophic myotonias: close relation with pain and fatigue
To determine self-reported health status in non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM) and its relationship to painful myotonia and fatigue. In a cross-sectional study, 32 NDM patients with chloride and 30 with sodium channelopathies, all off treatment, completed a standardised interview, the fatigue assessment scale (FAS), and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Beside formal assessment of pain, assessment of painful or painless myotonia was determined. The domain scores of the SF-36 were compared with Dutch community scores. Apart from the relationship among SF-36 scores and (1) painful myotonia and (2) fatigue, regression analyses in both NDM groups were conducted to determine the strongest determinants of the SF-36 domains general health perception, physical component (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). All physically oriented SF-36 domains in both NDM groups (P â€Â 0.01) and social functioning in the patients with sodium channelopathies (P = 0.048) were substantially lower relative to the Dutch community scores. The patients with painful myotonia (41.9%) scored substantially (P < 0.05) lower on most SF-36 domains than the patients without painful myotonia (58.1%). Fatigued patients (53.2%) scored substantially lower (P â€Â 0.01) on all SF-36 domains than their non-fatigued counterparts (46.8%). The regression analysis showed that fatigue was the strongest predictor for the general-health perception and painful myotonia for the physical-component summary. None of the patients showed below-norm scores on the domain mental-component summary. The impact of NDM on the physical domains of patientsâ health status is substantial, and particularly painful myotonia and fatigue tend to impede their physical functioning
Invading and expanding : range dynamics and ecological consequences of the Greater White-Toothed Shrew (Crocidura russula) invasion in Ireland
Establishing how invasive species impact upon pre-existing species is a fundamental question in ecology and conservation
biology. The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is an invasive species in Ireland that was first recorded in 2007
and which, according to initial data, may be limiting the abundance/distribution of the pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus),
previously Irelandâs only shrew species. Because of these concerns, we undertook an intensive live-trapping survey (and
used other data from live-trapping, sightings and bird of prey pellets/nest inspections collected between 2006 and 2013) to
model the distribution and expansion of C. russula in Ireland and its impacts on Irelandâs small mammal community. The
main distribution range of C. russula was found to be approximately 7,600 km2 in 2013, with established outlier populations
suggesting that the species is dispersing with human assistance within the island. The species is expanding rapidly for a
small mammal, with a radial expansion rate of 5.5 km/yr overall (2008â2013), and independent estimates from live-trapping
in 2012â2013 showing rates of 2.4â14.1 km/yr, 0.5â7.1 km/yr and 0â5.6 km/yr depending on the landscape features
present. S. minutus is negatively associated with C. russula. S. minutus is completely absent at sites where C. russula is
established and is only present at sites at the edge of and beyond the invasion range of C. russula. The speed of this invasion
and the homogenous nature of the Irish landscape may mean that S. minutus has not had sufficient time to adapt to the
sudden appearance of C. russula. This may mean the continued decline/disappearance of S. minutus as C. russula spreads
throughout the island
Variability of OB stars from TESS southern Sectors 1-13 and high-resolution IACOB and OWN spectroscopy
status: publishe