Visualization 1: Bubble wrap for optical trapping and cell culturing

Movie of optically trapped cell in bubble wrap Originally published in Biomedical Optics Express on 01 October 2015 (boe-6-10-3757

The relevance of applying exercise training principles when designing therapeutic interventions for patients with inflammatory myopathies: a systematic review

Erworben im Rahmen der Schweizer Nationallizenzen (http://www.nationallizenzen.ch)Physical exercise seems to be a safe and effective intervention in patients with inflammatory myopathy (IM). However, the optimal training intervention is not clear. To achieve an optimum training effect, physical exercise training principles must be considered and to replicate research findings, FITT components (frequency, intensity, time, and type) of exercise training should be reported. This review aims to evaluate exercise interventions in studies with IM patients in relation to (1) the application of principles of exercise training, (2) the reporting of FITT components, (3) the adherence of participants to the intervention, and (4) to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. The literature was searched for exercise studies in IM patients. Data were extracted to evaluate the application of the training principles, the reporting of and the adherence to the exercise prescription. The Downs and Black checklist was used to assess methodological quality of the included studies. From the 14 included studies, four focused on resistance, two on endurance, and eight on combined training. In terms of principles of exercise training, 93 % reported specificity, 50 % progression and overload, and 79 % initial values. Reversibility and diminishing returns were never reported. Six articles reported all FITT components in the prescription of the training though no study described adherence to all of these components. Incomplete application of the exercise training principles and insufficient reporting of the exercise intervention prescribed and completed hamper the reproducibility of the intervention and the ability to determine the optimal dose of exercise

Concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the Virtual Peg Insertion Test to quantify upper limb function in patients with chronic stroke

Background Measuring arm and hand function of the affected side is vital in stroke rehabilitation. Therefore, the Virtual Peg Insertion Test (VPIT), an assessment combining virtual reality and haptic feedback during a goal-oriented task derived from the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), was developed. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the concurrent validity of key outcome measures of the VPIT, namely the execution time and the number of dropped pegs, with the NHPT and Box and Block Test (BBT), and (2) the test-retest-reliability of these parameters together with the VPIT’s additional kinetic and kinematic parameters in patients with chronic stroke. The three tests were administered on 31 chronic patients with stroke in one session (concurrent validity), and the VPIT was retested in a second session 3–7 days later (test-retest reliability). Spearman rank correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated for assessing concurrent validity, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to determine relative reliability. Bland-Altman plots were drawn and the smallest detectable difference (SDD) was calculated to examine absolute reliability. Results For the 31 included patients, 11 were able to perform the VPIT solely via use of their affected arm, whereas 20 patients also had to utilize support from their unaffected arm. For n = 31, the VPIT showed low correlations with the NHPT (ρ = 0.31 for time (Tex[s]); ρ = 0.21 for number of dropped pegs (Ndp)) and BBT (ρ = −0.23 for number of transported cubes (Ntc); ρ = −0.12 for number of dropped cubes (Ndc)). The test-retest reliability for the parameters Tex[s], mean grasping force (Fggo[N]), number of zero-crossings (Nzc[1/sgo/return) and mean collision force (Fcmean[N]) were good to high, with ICCs ranging from 0.83 to 0.94. Fair reliability could be found for Fgreturn (ICC = 0.75) and trajectory error (Etrajgo[cm]) (0.70). Poor reliability was measured for Etrajreturn[cm] (0.67) and Ndp (0.58). The SDDs were: Tex = 70.2 s, Ndp = 0.4 pegs; Fggo/return = 3.5/1.2 Newton; Nzc[1/s]go/return = 0.2/1.8 zero-crossings; Etrajgo/return = 0.5/0.8 cm; Fcmean = 0.7 Newton. Conclusions The VPIT is a promising upper limb function assessment for patients with stroke requiring other components of upper limb motor performance than the NHPT and BBT. The high intra-subject variation indicated that it is a demanding test for this stroke sample, which necessitates a thorough introduction to this assessment. Once familiar, the VPIT provides more objective and comprehensive measurements of upper limb function than conventional, non-computerized hand assessments.ISSN:1743-000

Parâmetros genéticos para características morfométricas de zangões africanizados

Available information on Africanized honeybee breeding, especially regarding the male component of the species, is almost non-existent. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic correlations for weight and morphometric traits of drones at emergence and maturity, so that in future breeding programs these traits can act as selection criteria through their genetic value. Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for weight and morphometric traits such as weight (W), total length (TL), abdomen length (AL), abdomen width (AW), wing length (WL) and wing width (WW) at drones’ emergence (E) and maturity (M). Single-trait and two-trait models were used and parameters such as genetic variance, heritability and genetic correlations were calculated using a Bayesian approach. Results: A total of 1117 drones were measured at emergence and 336 again at maturity. In single-trait models, heritabilities were 0.78, 0.52, 0.56, 0.93 and 0.92 for WE, WM, ALM, WL M and WWM, respectively. The genetic correlation between WE and the remaining traits ranged from 0.55 to 0.83. Conclusions: Traits such as W E, WM, TLM, ALM, WLM, WWM, when considered individually, can be used as selection criteria because genetic variance for these traits accounted for more than 50% of the total phenotypic variance. The WE combined with other traits assessed at drones' emergence can be used in breeding programs for the improvement of the aforementioned traits. Breeding selection for weight or total length at emergence promises considerable genetic progress for weight at maturity. The combination of genetic parameters for reproductive and morphometric traits in drones properly supported by breeding programs relying on artificial insemination, for an effective mating control, will likely help in clarifying this possibility.Estudos sobre estimação de parâmetros genéticos em abelhas, com foco em abelhas africanizadas e na casta masculina da espécie, são escassos. O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar correlações genéticas para peso e características morfométricas de zangões à emergência e maturidade, para que em futuros programas de melhoramento essas características possam servir como critérios de seleção. Foram estimados parâmetros fenotípicos e genéticos para peso (W), comprimento total (TL), comprimento do abdômen (AL), largura do abdome (AW), comprimento da asa (WL) e largura da asa (WW) de zangões à emergência (E ) e maturidade (M) recorrendo a modelos de análise uni e bicaracter. Os parâmetros genéticos como variância genética, herdabilidade e correlações genéticas foram estimadas por meio do procedimento Bayesiano usando amostragem de Gibbs. Resultados: Foram medidos 1117 zangões à emergência e 336 novamente à maturidade. De acordo com a análise unicaracter, as herdabilidades foram 0.78, 0.52, 0.56, 0.93 e 0.92 para WE, WM, ALM, WLM e WWM, respectivamente. A correlação genética entre WE e as restantes características variou entre 0.55 e 0.83. Conclusões: As características W E, WM, TLM, ALM, WLM, WWM, quando consideradas individualmente, podem ser usadas como critério de seleção porque a variância genética aditiva para essas características foi responsável por mais de 50% da variação fenotípica total. O W E pode ser usado como critério de seleção se se ambicionar o melhoramento das restantes características à emergência. Os parâmetros genéticos obtidos para peso, comprimento total e comprimento do abdome à emergência indicam que há potencial de ganho genético para as características morfométricas à maturidade. Esses critérios podem embasar o estudo genético quantitativo das características morfométricas e reprodutivas à maturidade, que são de difícil mensuração

Patients’ experiences of unilateral spatial neglect between stroke onset and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation : a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect experience; (a) performance in activities of daily living; (b) alterations in bodily perceptions; and (c) personal hopes and expectations, looking at the period between stroke onset and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Materials and methods: We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 7 (5 men, 2 women, mean age 69 years) consecutively sampled participants. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Participants’ experiences were captured in three over-arching themes: “unawareness of neglect”, “emergent awareness for neglect-related difficulties”, and “comparing the new life with the old one.” Findings showed that participants progressed from initial unawareness to emergent awareness for their neglect-related difficulties over the course of rehabilitation. Comparing their current life situation with the one before their stroke triggered feelings of uncertainty and regret, with associated decreased pleasure in meaningful activities. Conclusions: This study informs health professionals regarding personal experiences of orientation in and reorganization of life of stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect. The findings highlight that being aware of neglect-related deficits is a prerequisite for using coping strategies and incorporating them in daily life. Possible therapeutic strategies that fit the current stage of recovery and level of awareness are discussed