Investigating the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) in predicting Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence - Second edition (WASI-II) scores in an Australian sample.

Accurate prediction of premorbid functioning is important in neuropsychological assessment. We aimed to investigate the predictive accuracy of the TOPF and examine this word list at an item level against WASI-II scores, using Australian pronunciations. The sample of 219 healthy Australians were aged 18-82 years. Multiple regression analyses were used to replicate the TOPF and simple demographic models based on the US TOPF standardization. Rasch analyses provided a comparison of Australian, US and UK word order from the proportion of words pronounced correctly. The variance explained in WASI-II index scores ranged from R2=.12 (PRI) to .33 (FSIQ-2), which was approximately half that reported in the US standardization study. The accuracy of predicted WASI-II scores was also slightly less in our sample. Thirty-two words were out of place by five places or more compared with the US word order and 30 compared with the UK. These results add to concerns about the application the TOPF with norms developed in the US and UK in the Australian context. Clinicians are advised not to apply the five error discontinue rule when using the TOPF in the local context. Development of a more accurate word reading task for use in Australia is warranted.

Role of Surface Capping Molecule Polarity on the Optical Properties of Solution Synthesized Germanium Nanocrystals.

The role surface capping molecules play in dictating the optical properties of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) is becoming increasingly evident. In this paper the role of surface capping molecule polarity on the optical properties of germanium NCs (Ge NCs) is explored. Capping molecules are split into two groups: nonpolar and polar. The NCs are fully characterized structurally and optically to establish the link between observed optical properties and surface capping molecules. Ge NC optical properties altered by surface capping molecule polarity include emission maximum, emission lifetime, quantum yield, and Stokes shift. For Ge NCs, this work also allows rational tuning of their optical properties through changes to surface capping molecule polarity, leading to improvements in emerging Ge based bioimaging and optoelectronic devices.

How much is '5-a-day'? A qualitative investigation into consumer understanding of fruit and vegetable intake guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Despite the known health benefits of fruit and vegetables (FV), population intakes remain low. One potential contributing factor may be a lack of understanding surrounding recommended intakes. The present study aimed to explore the understanding of FV intake guidelines among a sample of low FV consumers. METHODS: Six semi-structured focus groups were held with low FV consumers (n = 28, age range 19-55 years). Focus groups were recorded digitally, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using nvivo (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia) to manage the coded data. Participants also completed a short questionnaire assessing knowledge on FV intake guidelines. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse responses. RESULTS: The discussions highlighted that, although participants were aware of FV intake guidelines, they lacked clarity with regard to the meaning of the '5-a-day' message, including what foods are included in the guideline, as well as what constitutes a portion of FV. There was also a sense of confusion surrounding the concept of achieving variety with regard to FV intake. The sample highlighted a lack of previous education on FV portion sizes and put forward suggestions for improving knowledge, including increased information on food packaging and through health campaigns. Questionnaire findings were generally congruent with the qualitative findings, showing high awareness of the '5-a-day' message but a lack of knowledge surrounding FV portion sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Future public health campaigns should consider how best to address the gaps in knowledge identified in the present study, and incorporate evaluations that will allow the impact of future initiatives on knowledge, and ultimately behaviour, to be investigated.

Right Or Left in COLonoscopy (ROLCOL)? A Randomized Controlled Trial of Right- versus Left-Sided Starting Position in Colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Colonoscopy is technically challenging and can cause discomfort for patients. We aimed to test whether right-sided starting position for colonoscopy would result in shorter procedure time and greater patient comfort when compared with conventional left-sided starting position. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which patients were randomized to begin in either the right- (RL) or conventional left-lateral (LL) position. One hundred and sixty-three adult patients undergoing scheduled colonoscopy were stratified by age, gender, body mass index, and experience of the endoscopist. Patients were then randomized 1:1 in permuted blocks. The primary outcome measure was time to cecal intubation and secondary outcome measures included patient comfort that was evaluated by visual analog comfort scale. RESULTS: Median time to reach the cecum was quicker when colonoscopy began with patients positioned RL rather than LL (P=0.0078). Moreover, patients found RL more comfortable than LL (P=0.02). Multiple linear regression confirmed starting position in colonoscopy as an independent determinant of time to reach the cecum (P=0.007). Women and those who had previously undergone abdominal surgery gained the greatest benefit from right-sided positioning (RL vs. LL: 498 vs. 824 s; P=0.03 and 498 vs. 797 s; P=0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that right-sided positioning at the start of colonoscopy results in more comfortable and quicker procedures. Of the factors identified by multiple linear regression to independently have an impact on time to reach the cecum, only starting position is modifiable. Right-sided starting position may therefore be of benefit in colonoscopy, in particular for women and patients who have previously undergone abdominal surgery.

Reintroducing a keystone bioturbator can facilitate microbial bioremediation in urban polluted sediments.

Anthropogenic environmental stressors have significantly reduced biodiversity and the capacity of remnant natural habitats to deliver ecosystem functions and services in urban areas. To mitigate these impacts and recover biodiversity and function, ecological restoration strategies are needed. While habitat restoration is proliferating in rural and peri-urban areas, strategies purposely designed to succeed under the environmental, social and political pressures of urban areas are lacking. Here, we propose that ecosystem health in marine urban areas can be improved by restoring biodiversity to the most dominant habitat, unvegetated sediments. We reintroduced a native ecosystem engineer, the sediment bioturbating worm Diopatra aciculata, and assessed their effects on microbial biodiversity and function. Results showed that worms can affect the diversity of microbes, but effects varied between locations. Worms caused shifts in microbial community composition and function at all locations. Specifically, the abundance of microbes capable of chlorophyll production (i.e. benthic microalgae) increased and the abundance of microbes capable of methane production decreased. Moreover, worms increased the abundances of microbes capable of denitrification in the site with lowest sediment oxygenation. Worms also affected microbes capable of degrading the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toluene, although the direction of that effect was site-specific. This study provides evidence that a simple intervention such as the reintroduction of a single species can enhance sediment functions important for the amelioration of contamination and eutrophication, although further studies are needed to understand the variation in outcomes between sites. Nevertheless, restoration strategies targeting unvegetated sediments provide an opportunity to combat anthropogenic stressors in urban ecosystems and may be used for precondition before more traditional forms of habitat restoration such as seagrass, mangrove and shellfish restoration.

Custom-made rotating hinge total knee replacement in a patient with congenital tibial deficiency avoids the need for amputation.

We report a unique case of a patient with type 2 congenital tibial deficiency and disabling knee osteoarthritis in whom a custom-made rotating hinge knee replacement was successfully performed, allowing continued mobilisation with a below-knee prosthesis, thereby avoiding the need for an above-knee amputation. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level IV.

Complications of intestinal stomas.

BACKGROUND: Stomal complications are prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity. This study examined the incidence and potential risk factors for their development. METHODS: The time of onset and presence of ten specific complications were recorded for patients with an intestinal stoma over 10 years at two urban hospitals. A database was established with 20 explanatory variables (such as common medical co-morbidities) derived from the stomatherapy and medical records. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for the development of complications. RESULTS: Some 1216 patients (mean age 64 years) with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up were included, of whom 544 (44·7 per cent) underwent surgery for malignancy and 647 (53·2 per cent) had a colostomy formed. There were 1219 complications in total; 807 major complications (excluding excoriation and slough) occurred in 564 patients (46·4 per cent), of which the commonest was parastomal hernia (171, 14·1 per cent). On multivariable analysis, musculoskeletal co-morbidity (odds ratio (OR) 1·79, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·05 to 3·07; P = 0·032), cancer (OR 1·48, 1·13 to 1·93; P = 0·004) and high American Association of Anesthesiologists score (OR = 3·80, 2·14 to 6·75; P < 0·001) were associated with an increased risk of complications. Preoperative siting was associated with a reduced risk (OR 0·59, 0·39 to 0·90; P = 0·014). CONCLUSION: Intestinal stomal complications are common, occurring in almost half of patients. There are certain irremediable risk factors, allowing appropriate preoperative counselling.

Fistulization in a locally advanced case of squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate gland is very rare, constituting 0.5%-1% of all prostatic malignancies. Though it has a similar clinical presentation to prostate cancer, the tumor is more aggressive, spreading to bone, liver and lung. The median survival time is approximately 14 months. Diagnosis is exclusively by histology. Therapeutic options may include radical surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or a combination of these treatments. We present a case of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate and comment on its management and subsequent disease related complication.

Anatomy of branches of the musculocutaneous nerve to the biceps and brachialis in human fetuses.

Forty upper limbs (20 right and 20 left) of spontaneously aborted human fetuses were examined to determine the branching patterns of the musculocutaneous nerve. The mean age of the fetuses was 21.3 weeks. We identified three branching patterns of the musculocutaneous nerve to the biceps muscle. Type I with a single primary branch occurred in 47.5% of cases. Type II with two primary branches each to a separate head of the biceps muscle was observed in 42.5% of cases. Type III consisted of two primary branches, the proximal dividing into two branches, each to a different head of the biceps, and the distal branch supplying the common belly. Type III was present in 10% of cases. We found only one branching pattern for the brachialis muscle, a single primary branch. In our material communicating branches between the median and musculocutaneous nerves were found in 20% of specimens. We measured the distances between the acromion and the exit points of the first and second branch to the biceps, which averaged 36.3% for the first branch regardless of the type of branching pattern, 54.2% for the second branch in Type II, 60.7% for the second branch in Type III and 60.9% for the branch to brachialis, expressed as a percentage of the distance between the acromion and the lateral epicondyle.

Size and shape evolution of highly magnetic iron nanoparticles from successive growth reactions.

We present a synthetic protocol for the solution-phase synthesis of monocrystalline, metallic iron nanoparticles based on seed-mediated growth, showing near-single nanometre control over particle size. A shape evolution to cubic nanoparticles is also observed with increasing size. Magnetic properties were measured after surface oxidation, showing the potential of our protocol to tune the magnetism of iron nanoparticles for applications requiring superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic nanoparticles.

Response of Cloudman S91 melanoma cells to melanocytestimulating hormone: enhancement by cytochalasin B.

Cloudmann S 91 mouse melanoma cells treated for 5 days with melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), cytochalasin B (CB), or both, exhibited changes in cell volume, population, nucleation, and pigment production. Cells treated with CB or CB in combination with MSH were eight to nine times larger, rounder, multinucleated, and heavily pigmented. CB alone increased melanin and DNA per nucleus threefold. CB in combination with MSH increased melanin per nucleus 30-fold. Data on DNA per nucleus suggest that CB-treated cells remained in the G phase longer than did control cells. MSH alone caused a reduction in cell population and a fourfold increase in melanin per nucleus.

Positron lifetimes in phospholipid dispersions.

Positron lifetimes have been determined in phospholipid dispersions. In fluid phosphatidylcholines, a lifetime of 3.3 ns is found, and a lifetime of 2.8 ns is found for frozen phosphatidylcholines. In dispersions where fluid and frozen phases coexist due to lateral phase separation, an intermediate lifetime is found.

Photobleaching. A novel fluorescence method for diffusion studies in lipid system.

(1) The fluorescent molecular 12(9-anthroyloxy)-stearic acid dimerises on irradiation with light of 366 nm wavelength. (2) The dimer is nonfluorescent and can be reconverted to the parent compound by irradiation at 254 nm. (3) Kinetic analysis suggests that the dimerisation proceeds by a diffusion-limited second order mechanism in many solvents. (4) Anomalously high rates seen in other systems can be attributed to localised high concentration regions (clusters) of the fluorescent molecule. (5) The analysis has been extended to oriented lipid bilayers and the results suggest that below the gel-liquid crystalline transition temperature the 12(9-anthroyloxy)-stearic acid is excluded by the lipid matrix and forms regions of localised high concentration. (6) In fluid lipid the results suggest an isotropic distribution of the probe. Calculated diffusion coefficients correspond to those found by other techniques.

The functional range of motion of the finger joints.

The purpose of this study was to measure the functional range of motion of the finger joints needed to perform activities of daily living. Using the Sollerman hand grip function test, 20 activities were assessed in ten volunteers. The active and passive range of motion was measured with a computerized electric goniometer. The position of each finger joint was evaluated in the pre-grasp and grasp positions. The functional range of motion was defined as the range required to perform 90% of the activities, utilizing the pre-grasp and grasp measurements. The functional range of motion was 19°-71°, 23°-87°, and 10°-64° at the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints, respectively. This represents 48%, 59%, and 60% of the active motion of these joints, respectively. There was a significant difference in the functional range of motion between the joints of the fingers, with the ulnar digits having greater active and functional range. The functional range of motion is important for directing indications for surgery and rehabilitation, and assessing outcome of treatment.

Low blood pressure in Down's syndrome, A link with Alzheimer's disease?

Low blood pressure is reported in Down's syndrome (DS). To assess this and determine whether low pressure results from the disease or from long-term residence in hospital, we measured blood pressure with a random-zero sphygmomanometer in three groups of patients: 52 DS inpatients, 62 DS outpatients, and 60 outpatients with other forms of mental handicap. Relative to normal reference populations, blood pressure was low in both DS inpatients (systolic, score -33 mm Hg, P < .0001) and DS outpatients (-25 mm Hg, P < .0001). It was normal in non-DS outpatients (-4.0 mm Hg, P = .3). Blood pressure rose normally with age in the non-DS group but not in the DS group. We conclude that blood pressure is low in DS and that this is a feature of the disease rather than of the protected environment in which patients live. A mechanism related to trisomy 21 is likely, and there may be a link with Alzheimer's disease (AD) because blood pressure is also low in Alzheimer's and a high proportion of Ds patients develop this disease. If, as is likely, blood pressure is lowered in Alzheimer's by the neuropathy, the same neuropathy developing early in DS may also reduce blood pressure.

Microscopic study of normal parietal pericardium and unimplanted Puig-Zerbini pericardial valvular heterografts.

This investigation used light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy to study native human and bovine parietal pericardium, glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardial patch-grafts, and bovine pericardial cusps of unimplanted Incor or Puig - Zerbini heart valves. The primary objective was to obtain a data base for the future evaluation of postimplantation structural alteration in this valve and in other cardiac valvular bioprostheses constructed of pericardium. The mesothelial cell layer in normal pericardium was best preserved in the bovine tissue. In both bovine patch-grafts and Puig - Zerbini valvular cusps, the serosal surface usually was completely devoid of mesothelial cells and revealed an underlying, finely fibrillar basal lamina. The fibrosa varied in thickness and organization, both within and between the two species, but similar nervous, vascular, and connective tissue components were observed in each. The epipericardial surface was smoother, had fewer elastic fibers, and possessed more surface cells in the human tissue than in the bovine tissue. No evidence of significant tissue degeneration or remodeling was noted in either the stored patch-grafts or heart valves when compared with control bovine and human pericardial tissue layers.

Measures to prevent cricket injuries: an overview.

Cricket is a major international sport, generally played in British Common-wealth nations. Although strictly a non-contact sport, injuries in cricket can result in a number of ways. In high level cricket, overuse injuries are common and related to the physical demands of the sport, particularly in the delivery of the ball. The bowling action involves repetitive twisting, extension and rotation of the trunk at the same time as absorption of large ground reaction forces over a short period of time. These movements, if performed incorrectly or too frequently, can lead to overuse injuries of the back, particularly in elite and high level cricketers. Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that spinal overuse injuries occur more frequently to cricketers adopting a mixed bowling action than to those who favour a front- or side-on bowling technique. Strategies to ensure that cricketers do not adopt the mixed action or bowl too fast for extended periods can prevent these back injuries. Injuries resulting from impacts, generally from the cricket ball, can also occur and are more common during low level competition or informal participation. Because of the potential severity of these impacts, a range of protective equipment ranging from body padding to gloves and face protectors are now common features of standard cricket equipment. Although a number of measures to prevent cricket injuries have been widely suggested in the literature, there have been very few studies that have formally assessed their effectiveness in preventing injury. Further research is needed to gain a greater understanding of the biomechanics of cricket actions, the mechanisms of resultant injuries and the role of various risk factors in injury causation.