Wilks (United States)

Introduction: Although there are a number of research studies investigating walking recovery after stroke, most focus on one intervention or piece of equipment in order to achieve a controlled experimental environment. Such studies have yet to produce a comprehensive clinical practice guideline (CPG) for gait training. To fill this void, we implemented a clinical program for walking recovery, iWalk™, using a variety of advanced technologies, and an evidence-based CPG to assist in making assessment and intervention decisions. This study compares outcomes of patients treated using a traditional therapy program to those treated with the iWalk program. Hypothesis: The systematic application of a novel, evidence-based CPG for walking recovery will result in superior motor performance when compared to traditional therapy in patients post stroke. Methods: This study included all stroke survivors admitted to a rehab facility during a 24 month period, with the cohort split into two groups. The control group received traditional rehabilitation (n=152) and the experimental group received the iWalk protocol (n=165). Since full implementation of the protocol could not be assigned a specific date, a buffer group (n=50) between the two groups was excluded from this analysis. Results: Functional Independence Measure: An interaction between age and treatment program was detected (p<0.001). Motor FIM scores showed greater improvement for younger patients in iWalk than in the traditional therapy program. Length of Stay: When examining LOS as an outcome, an interaction between treatment group and total FIM score was detected (p=0.073). Patients who were lower functioning on admission were more likely to be discharged home if they were in the iWalk program. Examining LOS as a predictor, the difference in timed-up-and-go scores between the treatment groups reveals that iWalk seems to be better for a LOS around 3 weeks, but is not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates outcome differences that favor iWalk. Additionally, there may be a LOS range which optimizes motor recovery. It is unclear whether a patient’s LOS is a reflection of the improvement of clinical variables or practical reasons. Further work is necessary on this topic.

To measure antibody titers against bovine coronavirus (BCV), determine frequency of BCV in nasal swab specimens, and compare calves treated for bovine respiratory tract disease (BRD) between those given an intranasally administered vaccine and control calves. Randomized clinical trial. 414 heifer calves. Intranasal BCV antigen concentration and antibody titer against BCV were measured on entry to a feedlot. Calves were randomly assigned to receive 3.0 mL of a modified-live virus vaccine against bovine enteric coronavirus and rotavirus or 3.0 mL of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Calves were confined to 1 of 2 pens, depending on vaccination status, for a minimum of 17 days of observation (range, 17 to 99). Selection of calves for treatment of BRD and scoring for severity of disease were done by veterinarians unaware of treatment status. Intranasal BCV (125/407 [31%]) and serum antibody titers > or = 20 against BCV (246/396 [62%]) were identified in calves entering the feedlot. Vaccination was associated with significant decrease in risk of treatment for BRD; intranasal BCV on entry to the feedlot was associated with increased risk of treatment. Univariate analysis revealed that control calves with intranasal BRD on entry to the feedlot and those with antibody titer < 20 were significantly more likely to be treated for BRD. These data provide further evidence of an association between BCV and respiratory tract disease in feedlot calves. An intranasally administered vaccine appeared to reduce risk of treatment for BRD.

For a sample to absorb radiofrequency power due to nuclear quadrupole resonance, the following basic criteria must be satisfied: 1. The sample must contain nuclei with an electric quadrupole moment. 2. These quadrupolar nuclei must be situated in an electric field gradient—usually the result of neighboring atoms in a molecule. 3. The sample must be in the solid state—liquids or gases must be frozen. 4. For a signal to be observed in practice, the sample must be at least partly crystalline.