Protocollo semplificato per lo studio cinematico dell'arto superiore: individuazione di indici di normalita nel movimento di "reaching"

L'esigenza di poter usufruire in clinica di uno strumento per l'analisi cinematica dell'arto superiore altamente attendibile che fornisca dati clinicamente validi e facili da interpretare e rapidamente applicabile dal personale medico competente, ha posto le basi per la realizzazione del modello che in questa tesi viene proposto. L'obiettivo è stato definire un metodo di misura per l'analisi delle traiettorie dell'arto superiore basato su un modello di markerizzazione che sia clinicamente attuabile e descriva la catena completa dell'estremità superiore interessata nel gesto di “reaching” indipendentemente dalla patologia.

Nonacid reflux episodes reaching the pharynx are important factors associated with cough

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic cough. To date most studies have focused on acid reflux measured by pH below the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cough and reflux through the UES into the pharynx. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with asthma (19) and chronic cough (18) were recruited from the respiratory clinic. Reflux was monitored using a combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH probe by detecting (1) bolus reflux episodes within the esophagus and in the pharynx and (2) acidic reflux episodes within the esophagus and in the pharynx. All acid suppressive therapy was stopped for at least 7 days before the study. Demonstration of cough being linked to reflux was achieved using the symptom association probability (SAP). This was calculated using a 2-minute association window between symptoms and bolus entry into the esophagus. SAP was considered positive if >95%. RESULTS: A positive SAP for cough was noted in 7/26 patients reporting symptoms on the day of monitoring. Compared with SAP-negative patients, SAP-positive patients had both a greater number [median (interquartile range), 5(2 to 8) vs. 2(0 to 4), P<0.05] and a higher proportion of reflux episodes crossing the UES into the pharynx [25%(14% to 28%) vs. 7% (2% to 14%), P<0.02]. There was no difference in the number of reflux episodes or acid exposure time in the distal esophagus between SAP-positive and SAP-negative patients. Only 1% to 2% of episodes were detected by the pharyngeal pH sensor. CONCLUSIONS: Impedance detected pharyngeal reflux episodes are important factors in symptom production in cough patients.

The special Sm core structure of the U7 snRNP: far-reaching significance of a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein

The polypeptide composition of the U7 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) involved in histone messenger RNA (mRNA) 3' end formation has recently been elucidated. In contrast to spliceosomal snRNPs, which contain a ring-shaped assembly of seven so-called Sm proteins, in the U7 snRNP the Sm proteins D1 and D2 are replaced by U7-specific Sm-like proteins, Lsm10 and Lsm11. This polypeptide composition and the unusual structure of Lsm11, which plays a role in histone RNA processing, represent new themes in the biology of Sm/Lsm proteins. Moreover this structure has important consequences for snRNP assembly that is mediated by two complexes containing the PRMT5 methyltransferase and the SMN (survival of motor neurons) protein, respectively. Finally, the ability to alter this polypeptide composition by a small mutation in U7 snRNA forms the basis for using modified U7 snRNA derivatives to alter specific pre-mRNA splicing events, thereby opening up a new way for antisense gene therapy.

The HIV care cascade in Switzerland: reaching the UNAIDS/WHO targets for patients diagnosed with HIV.

OBJECTIVES To describe the HIV care cascade for Switzerland in the year 2012. DESIGN/METHODS Six levels were defined: (i) HIV-infected, (ii) HIV-diagnosed, (iii) linked to care, (iv) retained in care, (v) on antiretroviral treatment (ART), and (vi) with suppressed viral load (VL). We used data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) complemented by a nationwide survey among SHCS physicians to estimate the number of HIV-patients not registered in the cohort. We also used Swiss ART sales data to estimate the number of patients treated outside the SHCS network. Based on the number of patients retained in care, we inferred the estimates for levels (i) to (iii) from previously published data. RESULTS We estimate that (i) 15,200 HIV-infected individuals lived in Switzerland in 2012 (margins of uncertainty, 13,400-19,300). Of those, (ii) 12,300 (81%) were diagnosed, (iii) 12,200 (80%) linked, and (iv) 11,900 (79%) retained in care. Broadly based on SHCS network data, (v) 10,800 (71%) patients were receiving ART, and (vi) 10,400 (68%) had suppressed (<200 copies/ml) VLs. The vast majority (95%) of patients retained in care were followed within the SHCS network, with 76% registered in the cohort. CONCLUSIONS Our estimate for HIV-infected individuals in Switzerland is substantially lower than previously reported, halving previous national HIV prevalence estimates to 0.2%. In Switzerland in 2012, 91% of patients in care were receiving ART, and 96% of patients on ART had suppressed VL, meeting recent UNAIDS/WHO targets.

Reaching the unreached: An initiative to bridge the gap between the gap by active role of management institutes/schools

There are large numbers of business communities in India which neither had any formal education nor they took any professional training but still they contribute in successful business formation. Their presence can be felt in all areas of business. Still there is a big professional gap between the educational institutes, specially the B-Schools and this independent business community. With the help of this paper an effort is made to develop a Two-Way learning relationship for the mutual benefit of both entities. It will also highlight the role of an educational institute beyond academics for the well being of society. This may lead to derive and develop the exchange of innovative business ideas and framing the suitable policies for long term sustainability in today´s competitive arena. The study conducted by researcher with a sample size of 100 which includes a mix of well known academic professionals, MBA students and non academic business professionals has revealed that there is a need of an exchange program for the mutual benefits. There exists a big professional gap in this area which can be filled with the active and effective initiative by management institutes. An effort is made in this paper to highlight this gap and to suggest some framework to bridge the gap

Responses to increasing exercise upon reaching the anaerobic threshold, and their control by the central nervous system

Sistema nervioso y ejercicio

Health care, information needs, and outreach: reaching Ohio's rural citizens

As a rural state, Ohio has a vital interest in addressing rural health and information needs. NetWellness is a Web-based consumer health information service that focuses on the needs of the residents of Ohio. Health sciences faculty from the state's three Carnegie Research I universities—University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, and The Ohio State University—create and evaluate content and provide Ask an Expert service to all visitors. Through partnerships at the state and local levels, involving public, private, commercial, and noncommercial organizations, NetWellness has grown from a regional demonstration project in 1995 to a key statewide service. Collaboration with public libraries, complemented by alliances with kindergarten through twelfth grade agencies, makes NetWellness Ohio's essential health information resource.

Reaching for a Calculator or a Mirror? Why the EU Joins International Human Rights Treaties. EU Diplomacy Paper 01/2013

Why does the European Union (EU) join international human rights treaties? This paper develops motivational profiles pertaining either to a ‘logic of appropriateness’ or a ‘logic of consequentialism’ in order to answer this question. It compares the EU’s motivations for its recent accession to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) with those dominating the EU’s nonaccession to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). Based on this cross-case analysis, I argue that the EU’s accession decisions are best viewed as cost-benefit calculations and explained by the strength of opposition and the desire to spread its norms. The EU is only marginally concerned with efforts to construct an ‘appropriate role’, although its accession considerations are positively influenced by (varying degrees) of an internalized commitment to human rights. The paper aims at deepening the understanding of the EU’s motivations in the paradigmatic hard case of accession to international human rights treaties not least to evaluate the EU’s ‘exceptional nature’, facilitate its predictability for stake-holders and contribute to political and ethical debates surrounding future rites of passage as a global actor.