Progressive Expert Consulting (United States)

To compare the stone retropulsion of an artificial model of urinary stones in vitro using the new holmium:yttrium aluminium garnet (Ho:YAG) laser generator with a very low peak power pulse modulation mode (Quanta Magneto Technology™; Quanta System, Samarate, Italy) and thulium fibre laser (TFL). The following laser energy settings were used: 0.2 J-50 Hz, 0.4 J-25 Hz, 0.8 J-12 Hz, 1.5 J-6 Hz, and 2 J-5 Hz. A 5 × 5 × 5 mm cubic artificial stone was placed on two perpendicularly aligned metal rulers to create a V-shaped cross-sectional rail submerged in a tank filled with 0.9% saline solution, with the laser fibre in contact with the stone. The laser was activated for 5 s. Stone retropulsion was captured by a camera and assessed using video tracking software. Five repetitions were performed for each setting. Descriptive statistics investigated differences between the two lasers in stone retropulsion distance and speed at selected time points (0.35, 1, 3, and 5 s) and over the first second following laser activation. Comparable stone retropulsion distance and speed were observed between 'Magneto' and TFL according to tested high-energy settings. Magneto exhibited lower mean stone displacement at selected time points (all P < 0.02) and lower mean retropulsion speed over the first second following laser activation (all P < 0.01), when compared to TFL at low-energy settings (0.2 and 0.4 J). Although Ho:YAG lasers are generally associated with greater stone retropulsion compared to TFL, Magneto exhibited a retropulsion performance similar to TFL. Further research is needed to clarify the retropulsion dynamics observed with Magneto at low-energy settings.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating lung disease characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in lung function impairment. Heparan sulfate mimetics (HSm) have been suggested to have potential antifibrotic effects by regulating ECM. This study aims to investigate the impact of a specific HSm named OTR4120 on fibrotic processes in ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Human Precision Cut Lung Slices (hPCLS) treated with a fibrotic cocktail alone or with OTR4120 were evaluated using second-harmonic imaging microscopy (SHIM) to assess collagen deposition. Human embryonic fibroblast WI-38 cell line and primary fibroblasts obtained from human donors were differentiated into myofibroblasts (MYF) using TGF-beta1 and treated with OTR4120 or a control vehicle. Gene expression analysis for MYF markers was performed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Protein expression of MYF markers was evaluated using immunofluorescence techniques. Bulk-RNA sequencing analysis on WI-38 cells cultured under different experimental conditions was conducted. Finally, the therapeutic effects of OTR4120 on a bleomycin-induced fibrosis mouse model were investigated. Results: SHIM analysis on OTR4120-treated hPCLS showed a decrease in collagen deposition. OTR4120 treatment of primary fibroblasts and WI-38 cells exposed to TGF-beta1 significantly reduced the expression of MYF markers. Bulk-RNA sequencing analysis on OTR4120-treated WI-38 cells showed significant impacts on fibrosis-related processes. Therapeutic application of OTR4120 in vivo to bleomycin-induced fibrosis mice resulted in enhanced fibrosis resolution. Conclusion: OTR4120 has potential therapeutic benefits as an antifibrotic agent in the context of lung fibrosis. Further investigations are necessary to understand the precise mechanism through which OTR4120 exerts its antifibrotic effects.

Veterinary RecordVolume 186, Issue 5 p. 152-154 Research What motivates women in the veterinary profession to pursue leadership positions? Caroline Pearson, Corresponding Author Caroline Pearson caroline@progressivevetconsulting.com Progressive Vet Consulting, Pitchcombe, UKemail: caroline@progressivevetconsulting.comSearch for more papers by this author Caroline Pearson, Corresponding Author Caroline Pearson caroline@progressivevetconsulting.com Progressive Vet Consulting, Pitchcombe, UKemail: caroline@progressivevetconsulting.comSearch for more papers by this author First published: 08 February 2020 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.m457Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume186, Issue5February 2020Pages 152-154 RelatedInformation

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh atlit futsal IKIP Mataram seringkali cepat merasa lelah, rawan cedera, dan sulit memulihkan denyut nadi. Adapun yang menjadi masalah dalam penelitian ini adalah “apakah ada pengaruh sport massage terhadap penurunan denyut nadi recovery atlit futsl IKIP Mataram tahun 2018. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui ada atau tidaknya pengaruh sport massage terhadap penurunan denyut nadi recovery atlit futsal IKIP Mataram tahun 2018. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen. Penelitian ini menggunakan dua variabel yang terdiri dari satu variable bebas (sport massage ) dan satu variable terikat yaitu denyut nadi recovery. Populasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh atlit futsal IKIP Mataram tahun 2018, sebanyak 9 pemain. Tehnik sampling yang digunakan yaitu tehnik studi populasi.Teknik pengambilan data menggunakan metode perbuatan yaitu test dan pengukuran dengan instrument tehnik phalpase. Teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis uji t dengan taraf signifikan 5%. Karena t hitung &gt; t tabel (4,603 &gt; 1,833) maka hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa ada pengaruh sport massage terhadap penurunan denyut nadi recovery atlit futsal IKIP Mataram tahun 2018.

Peer-led team learning (PLTL), specifically the model known as ‘Workshops’, has been shown to contribute positively and significantly to student success in STEM courses across subjects (Gosser et al., 2001). Our research adds to the SOTL literature describing the effectiveness of Workshops by reporting on the changes in student leaders. We examine the level to which leaders acquired new skills in effective teaching and describe the pedagogical interactions in the groups they led as a result of the combination of training and experience facilitating first-year Calculus Workshop sections. This was a semester-long study on twenty-two Workshop leaders for two multi-section, introductory calculus courses at a small research university. Our method is a novel overlay of two metrics that allows, with some forethought, a robust analysis of Workshop leader outcomes that would complement any assessment of PLTL implementation faculty might choose to undertake.

Self-management of diabetes is essential to reducing the risks of associated disabilities. But effective self-management is often short-lived. Peers can provide the kind of ongoing support that is needed for sustained self-management of diabetes. In this context, peers are nonprofessionals who have diabetes or close familiarity with its management. Key functions of effective peer support include assistance in daily management, social and emotional support, linkage to clinical care, and ongoing availability of support. Using these four functions as a template of peer support, project teams in Cameroon, South Africa, Thailand, and Uganda developed and then evaluated peer support interventions for adults with diabetes. Our initial assessment found improvements in symptom management, diet, blood pressure, body mass index, and blood sugar levels for many of those taking part in the programs. For policy makers, the broader message is that by emphasizing the four key peer support functions, diabetes management programs can be successfully introduced across varied cultural settings and within diverse health systems.