Human acetylcholine receptors desensitize much faster than rat acetylcholine receptors

The process of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) desensitization in the presence of transmitter was evaluated for human myoballs and medullo-blastoma cells. The cell under investigation was placed in one of two parallel streams of solution ejected from a double-barrelled pipette. Ultrafast (less than 50 ms) application of acetylcholine (ACh) in a specific concentration was accomplished by a shift of the cell into the other stream. ACh-induced current was measured in the whole-cell mode of patch clamping. Parameters for AChR desensitization were almost identical for the two types of human cells. Desensitization could be described by two time constants. With an ACh concentration of 3 microM, the fast time constant, tau f, was about 0.4 s and the slow time constant, tau s, was about 3.6 s. When the ACh concentration was raised to 10 microM, desensitization became faster. We also measured desensitization of the AChRs in rat myoballs and compared the values to our results from human cells. With 3 microM ACh, tau f in rat myoballs was 2.3 s and tau s was 12.7 s. Thus, rat AChRs desensitize more slowly than human AChRs. However, desensitization times for rat AChRs obtained in our experiments are much faster than published values. Therefore, ultrafast solution change would seem to be requisite for correct assessment of the desensitization process

Association Between Clinician-Level Factors and Patient Outcomes in Virtual and In-Person Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Multilevel Analysis

BackgroundThe use of virtual treatment services increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, large-scale research on virtual treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), including factors that may influence outcomes, has not advanced with the rapidly changing landscape. ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the link between clinician-level factors and patient outcomes in populations receiving virtual and in-person intensive outpatient services. MethodsData came from patients (n=1410) treated in a virtual intensive outpatient program (VIOP) and an in-person intensive outpatient program (IOP), who were discharged between January 2020 and March 2021 from a national treatment organization. Patient data were nested by treatment providers (n=58) examining associations with no-shows and discharge with staff approval. Empathy, comfort with technology, perceived stress, resistance to change, and demographic covariates were examined at the clinician level. ResultsThe VIOP (β=–5.71; P=.03) and the personal distress subscale measure (β=–6.31; P=.003) were negatively associated with the percentage of no-shows. The VIOP was positively associated with discharges with staff approval (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% CI 1.50-3.76). Clinician scores on perspective taking (β=–9.22; P=.02), personal distress (β=–9.44; P=.02), and male clinician gender (β=–6.43; P=.04) were negatively associated with in-person no-shows. Patient load was positively associated with discharge with staff approval (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06). ConclusionsOverall, patients in the VIOP had fewer no-shows and a higher rate of successful discharge. Few clinician-level characteristics were significantly associated with patient outcomes. Further research is necessary to understand the relationships among factors such as clinician gender, patient load, personal distress, and patient retention

Social networks, social support and social capital: the experiences of recent Polish migrants in London

There is growing interest in the role of migrants' social networks as sources of social capital. Networks are, however, often conceptualized rather loosely and insufficient attention has been paid to how migrants access existing networks or establish new ties in the `host' society.The assumption that migrants are able to access dense networks within close-knit local communities simplifies the experiences of newly arrived migrants, underestimating difficulties they may face in accessing support. Exploring the work of Putnam, as well as Coleman and Bourdieu, we critically engage with the conceptualization of bonding and bridging social capital, and the relationship between them, through an exploration of Polish migrants' networking skills and strategies. In examining the different types and levels of support derived through social ties, this article contributes to understandings of social networking by arguing for a greater differentiation and specification of networks both vertically and horizontally, but also spatially and temporally

The effectiveness of home-based dynamic balance exercise training through telerehabilitationin improving the ankle’s stability and functional ability of sedentary individuals with chronic ankle sprain – a randomized controlled trial

Many literature have supported that dynamic balance exercise is effective among active individuals with chronic ankle instability. However, there is a paucity of evidence whether it is effective among sedentary individuals with chronic ankle instability. This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial and the participants were 15 sedentary individuals with CAI who were randomly assigned to either experimental or control group. The intervention consisted of a four (4) week home-based balance training program through telerehabilitation, thrice a week, 60 minutes each day. Both groups performed specific dynamic balance exercises consisted of: (1) single-limb hops to stabilization; (2) hop to stabilization reach; (3) unanticipated hop to stabilization; and (4) single-limb activities with eyes closed and open. However, a modification which is a handheld support, was used by the control group to remove the therapeutic effect of the exercise. Essentially, the primary outcomes obtained were the ankle stability and functional ability of the participants. In the within-group scores, results show that both groups have significant differences between pre-test and post-test in terms of ankle stability and functional ability with a p-value of \u3c0.05. Moreover, results in between-group differences show that there was significant difference between the two groups as to functional ability, but not in terms of ankle stability which resulted in a p-value of \u3e0.05. The occurrence of having no significant difference as to ankle stability may be due to inaccuracy of measurements since this was done merely by the participants using the outcome measure SEBT as compared to the functional ability wherein FAAM is a patient-assessed tool. Also, a short duration of four (4) weeks might not be enough as to improving ankle stability. In conclusion, dynamic balance exercises were effective in improving the functional ability of sedentary individuals with CAI but not their ankle stability

Pathologies of migrant place-making : the case of Polish migrants to the UK.

The author argues that migrant place-making can become counterproductive for migrant communities for a variety of reasons. Existing place-making literature is often optimistic about the ability of places to offer migrants common identities and means of mobilising collectively. The author constructs a four-stage general model of migrant place-making to examine the potential pathologies of migrant organisational strategies at each of these four stages. In order to demonstrate the use of this model, an analysis of post-2004 Polish migration to the UK, drawing upon forty-two semistructured interviews with Polish migrants and domestic service providers, is presented. Although earlier migration displayed a number of the ideal characteristics of positive place-making described in the ideal four-stage model, centring around the Polish Catholic churches of England and Wales, post-2004 migration has introduced a series of problems that illustrate the various pathologies that can occur. The author concludes by calling for (i) a greater appreciation of the role of host organisations in the production of successful and unsuccessful place-making, and (ii) a recognition that place-making as a migrant settlement strategy is deeply fallible at various stages of its development