Effect of Verbal Directions on Grip Strength Evaluated Using the Handheld Dynamometer

Background: Grip strength measurement using the handheld dynamometer is a key aspect of the evaluation of an upper extremity injury. The handheld dynamometer manufacturer has established research-based guidelines outlining body positioning during grip strength measurement. However, verbal direction guidelines, while provided, have not yet been shown to be most effective through research. This study seeks to determine whether the use of one of two types of verbal directions, with and without encouragements, resulted in greater grip strength as measured by the handheld dynamometer. Method: The grip strength of healthy females (n = 60) was compared using two sets of prerecorded verbal directions administered in random order. All other procedures were constant and closely followed a standardized procedure. Results: A statistically significant difference in the right- and left-hand grip strength (mean difference: 5.55 and 5.74 lb, respectively) was found between the two sets of verbal directions with verbal encouragement eliciting higher strength (p \u3c 0.0001). Conclusions: Verbal directions significantly affect grip strength scores in healthy females when evaluated using the handheld dynamometer. Evaluators should use verbal directions with encouragements when seeking to elicit maximum grip strength

Informing Viral Surveillance of Oropouche Virus: an emerging arbovirus

Arboviruses are viruses transmitted by hematophagous arthropod vectors. Many of these viruses pose a threat to human health. While some infections may be asymptomatic, others may produce febrile illness, or manifest in life threatening conditions. Symptomatic diagnosis of patients with generalized febrile illness can be confounded due to the various diseases that present clinically in the same manner, and a lack of available diagnostic tests. Surveillance efforts can be used to create awareness about the prevalence of neglected tropical arthropod-borne pathogens, such as Oropouche virus (OROV), and inform preparedness measures for disease outbreaks (SURVEILLANCE SENTENCE). OROV is an arbovirus and the etiologic agent of human and animal disease. The primary vector of OROV is thought to be the biting midge, Culicoides paraenesis, though Culex quinquefasciatus, Cq. venezuelensis, and Aedes serratus mosquitoes are considered secondary vectors. There are no vaccines, diagnostics, or robust surveillance systems in place for OROV despite OROV being found in human patients in numerous countries that share border with Colombia: Ecuador, Peru, Brazil. In this study, synthesis of known data through review of published literature regarding OROV and vectors was done to determine if ecological variables could be associated with OROV prevalence and thus inform targeted surveillance efforts in resource strapped environments. Some common features were observed more frequently than others, though no one characteristic was statistically significantly associated with the presence of OROV using logistic classification models. Although there have not been any documented cases of OROV in Colombia, the presence of C. paraensis, the primary vector of OROV has been documented. However, when nearly 700 febrile patients were screened for OROV, none were positive by RT-qPCR. This indicates that while Colombia is presumably ecologically suitable for OROV circulation (given the presence of the vector), OROV has not emerged in that region. Altogether, this research has identified a significant gap in our understanding of OROV circulation, the eco-environmental drivers of transmission, and its emergence potential and indicates that more research is needed to identify those variables that may serve as ecological markers for transmission and emergence

Lymphocyte-Induced Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Stimulation

[From the Summary] Reactions of cellular hypersensitivity often involve the participation of different cell types. The communication between lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was investigated. Human sensitized lymphocytes exposed to old tuberculin were found to have a stimulatory effect of polymorphonuclear leukocytes as indicated by the latter\u27s increased glucose-1-14c oxidation and lysozyme production. Similar results were obtained using lymphocytes non-specifically stimulated by phytohemagglutinin. Activation of lymphocytes required a latent period (24 hour) followed by rapid stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (2 ours). These results suggest that increased glucose-1-14c oxidation and lysozyme production may be related to enhanced microbicidal activity. A possible mechanism by which the postulated lymphocyte stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurs is the secretion into the medium by the sensitized lymphocytes of a soluble substance which has biological activity. This activity may be due to a new material or it may be a function of one of the already described lymphocyte factors

The early development of the cult of St Katherine of Alexandria with particular reference to England

PhDSt Katherine of Alexandria, traditionally martyred c. 305, became one of the most popular saints of the later Middle Ages. Whilst most modem studies concentrate on the period of the cult's greatest popularity in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, this thesis examines the early formative period down to c. 1200. In so doing it seeks to clarify, as far as possible, the early history of the cult and to identify the means by which it was transmitted from east to west. The paucity of surviving source material hasn ecessitateda cross-disciplinarya pproacht o follow the cult's transmissionf rom its Byzantine homeland into Western Europe. A major theme in this study is the role played by relics in the development of Katherine's cult. Initially, no relics of the saint existed and her eastern cult grew through Katherine's inclusion in liturgical and hagiographicalw orks. In this early period artistic representationsp rovided Katherine's only physical presence. Similarly the cult initially grew in Western Europev ia hagiographiesa nd artistic representationsh, owever, it was not until the emergenceo f primary relics of Katherine in late tenth-centuryS inai and subsequentlyin eleventh-centuryN ormandy that her cult really begant o developi n the west. Chapter one surveys existing research on the development of Katherine's Passio. Chaptert wo discussese videncef or the historical Katherine, whilst chaptert hree investigates the origins of her cult in the Byzantine Empire and its transmission to Italy. Chapter four is a regional study examining the introduction of Katherine's cult into Normandy, following the acquisition of primary relics by Holy Trinity monastery, Rouen, c. 1030. The relationship between the foundation of Holy Trinity, its acquisition of Katherine's relics and the development of her cult is placed in the social and political context of eleventh-centuryN ormandy. Clerical and lay attitudes to Katherine's cult are investigated using an eleventh-century collection of miracles performed by her Norman relics, translated here into English for the first time. Chapter five considers the development of Katherine's English cult down to c. 1200. This was closer to the Byzantine model rather than the Norman and took place through her inclusion in liturgical and hagiographical works and through the interest of certain identifiable individuals

Clinical Trials in Ovarian Cancer

The first book to collect and synthesize cutting-edge research findings on the treatment of gynecological malignancies into one easy-to-use reference, Clinical Trials in Ovarian Cancer provides physicians with an invaluable resource. Gynecologic oncologist Christine S. Walsh systematically outlines each of the seminal Phase III trials that have shaped the treatment of ovarian cancers, detailing the rationale for the trial, the patient population studied, treatment delivery methods, efficacy, toxicity, and trial conclusions

Aboriginal Women’s Voices: Strengthening Foundations for Community Based Research

Homeless Aboriginal women face numerous challenges as they seek to become rehoused. These factors are crucial to understand when developing appropriate services and policies. While there is considerable justification for this research, criticism exists as to how it should occur. Much research has been conducted on, rather than by or with, Aboriginal communities. This presentation shares the development of a model of research which purposefully merges Aboriginal approaches to research and CBR

Weaving Identities: Experiences of Bereavement Among Chinese Immigrants in Calgary

The loss of a loved one is one of the most stressful event experienced by older adults or young children (Holmes & Rahe, 1967; Lin, Sandler, Ayers, Wolchik, & Luecken, 2004). Bereavement adjustment is more challenging for certain populations, for example older immigrants, due to social factors such as social isolation and migratory stress (Lai & Chau, 2007). However, literature on this topic is sparse. To fill this gap, I adopted a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of spousal bereavement among older Chinese immigrants living in Calgary. My own bereavement related to the loss of my father as a young child and witnessing my mother’s grief since then allowed me to reflect on my family’s loss in relation to the experiences of study participants. Also, our shared identity, as newcomers from China provided me with an insider’s perspective of how migration and Chinese cultural factors played an important role on participants’ bereavement adjustment. This article includes research findings interwoven with my own grief and immigration experiences. With the data drawn from 12 in-depth interviews with older Chinese immigrants, we shared grief that was long-lasting and expressed in private, with using certain rituals. Family and ethno-cultural communities were unable to directly help participants in coping with their spousal loss. Further, both participants’ and myself migratory grief contributed to vulnerability to mental heath issues, a fact which necessitates culturally appropriate bereavement supports and family/community involvement

Finding a Place to Belong: The Role of Social Inclusion in the Lives of Homeless Men

This study explores the role of informal social support networks of male homeless shelter residents. Authors utilized ethnographic methods, relationality and reflexive research approaches and key informant interviews with 10 shelter residents to investigate perceptions of belonging in overcoming social exclusion and countering the stigmatization cast onto as a result of their condition of homelessness. Study findings challenge our normative conceptions of homelessness by discerning between “rooflessness” and “rootlessness” suggesting that homelessness is more than the absence of shelter, but rather denotes the absence of support and inclusion in one’s community. This research highlights a community within the shelter characterized by notions of acceptance and companionship. The associations shelter residents developed are creative and collaborative survival strategies allowing residents to negotiate their conditions of homelessness. As a result, some residents expressed reluctance to leave the shelter and (re)integrate into the community that had cast them off

Traditional Healing Practices in an Urban Indigenous Setting: An Autoethnography

A growing number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous social workers are actively working towards the decolonization of their practice. However, incorporating traditional healing practices within an urban Indigenous setting requires commitment and dedication to understanding these practices.  Relationships with Elders and access to traditional healing practices have been advanced as critical in this process.Frameworks on how to do this work have been proposed, yet few have included stories of how these approaches are interwoven into daily practice in an urban Indigenous context. The goal of this autoethnography is to share experiences and reflections of frontline work and to further the dialogue to improve services for urban Indigenous peoples accessing social services. It is through the process of decolonization that social workers, not only fulfill their ethical professional obligations, but also contribute to reconciliation and the healing journey of Indigenous peoples