Autosegmentation based on different-sized training datasets of consistently-curated volumes and impact on rectal contours in prostate cancer radiation therapy.

Background And Purpose: Autosegmentation techniques are emerging as time-saving means for radiation therapy (RT) contouring, but the understanding of their performance on different datasets is limited. The aim of this study was to determine agreement between rectal volumes by an existing autosegmentation algorithm and manually-delineated rectal volumes in prostate cancer RT. We also investigated contour quality by different-sized training datasets and consistently-curated volumes for retrained versions of this same algorithm.

A receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1 inhibitor (KAN0439834) induced significant apoptosis of pancreatic cells which was enhanced by erlotinib and ibrutinib.

There is a great unmet medical need in pancreatic carcinoma (PC) for novel drugs with other mechanisms of action than existing. PC cells express the onco-fetal RTK ROR1, absent on most normal post-partem cells. ROR1 is involved in proliferation, survival, EMT and metastasis of tumor cells in various malignancies.

Physical activity level in people with age related white matter changes correlates to better motor performance, lower comorbidity and higher cognitive level.

Background: Physical activity plays a pivotal role in the development of disability and may modify the negative effect of vascular risk factors on progression of both cardio and cerebrovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity level in people with age-related white matter changes as identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in relation to motor performance, cognition and perceived health.

Methods: Data came from the first year follow up of one participating centers of the LADIS study.

Long-term effects of new progressive group balance training for elderly people with increased risk of falling - a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of a progressive and specific balance group-based program in healthy elderly individuals with increased risk of falling.

Design: Follow-up of a randomized controlled trial at nine and 15 months on a population that has previously been described at three months.

Setting: The study was conducted in Stockholm, Sweden.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in consumer products in Norway - a pilot study.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in numerous industrial and consumer products because of their special chemical properties, for instance the ability to repel both water and oil. A broad variety of PFAS have been introduced into the Norwegian market through industrial use (e.g.

Relative and absolute reliability of the new "Step-Ex" step-execution test in elderly people with and without balance problems.

Purpose: To evaluate the relative and absolute test-re-test reliability of a new step-execution test, "Step-Ex", for clinical use in elderly with and without balance problems.

Method: Test-re-test design to assess intrarater reliability. Thirty-four healthy community-dwelling elderly (65-87 years), 16 with balance problems, were tested twice two weeks apart.

Balance in relation to walking deterioration in adults with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy.

Background: Balance function is central in walking, and impaired balance function may be related to walking deterioration in adults with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Objectives: The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare balance confidence, fear of falling, and balance ability in adults with spastic bilateral CP, with and without self-reported walking deterioration; (2) to characterize balance confidence, fear of falling, and balance ability across all participants; and (3) to examine the relationship between balance confidence and balance ability across all participants.

Design: A case-control design was used.

Effects of new, individually adjusted, progressive balance group training for elderly people with fear of falling and tend to fall: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new, individually adjusted, progressive and specific balance group training programme on fear of falling, step execution, and gait in healthy elderly people with fear of falling and tend to fall.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: The study was conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden.

Physical and mental components of health-related quality of life and musculoskeletal pain sites over seven years in adults with spastic cerebral palsy.

Objective: To analyse the number of musculoskeletal pain sites in adults with spastic cerebral palsy, to correlate these with physical and mental components of health-related quality of life, and to describe changes in pain site prevalence over 7 years and the factors improving or worsening the pain.

Design: Seven-year follow-up of a national survey of adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).

Subjects/patients: A total of 149 persons: 46% spastic bilateral CP, 54% unilateral CP, 51% females, mean age 40 years.

Walking function, pain, and fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy: a 7-year follow-up study.

Aim: To compare walking function, pain, and fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) 7 years after an initial survey.

Method: A multidimensional questionnaire was mailed to 226 people with unilateral (hemiplegic) or bilateral (diplegic) spastic CP who had participated in a 1999 survey. People with additional diagnoses were excluded.

Intramuscular and periosteal acupuncture in patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain - a controlled trial.

Background: Periosteal acupuncture has shown promising results in clinical practice. The aim was to compare three patient groups: one with intramuscular acupuncture, one with periosteal acupuncture, and a third information control group, with respect to clinically relevant pain relief, physical functioning and intake of analgesics in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the neck or low back or both. We reported the psychological changes in these patients in a previous issue of this journal.

Intramuscular and periosteal acupuncture for anxiety and sleep quality in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain--an evaluator blind, controlled study.

Objectives: Periosteal acupuncture seems clinically to have a stronger effect on pain than standard intramuscular acupuncture. The aim of the present study was to compare their relative effectiveness on promoting psychological functioning and quality of sleep.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n=144) referred to a physiotherapist for treatment of chronic nociceptive pain in the neck or low back for more than three months, aged 18-70, were alternately allocated to an intramuscular acupuncture group (n=59), to a periosteal acupuncture group (n=55), and, for the latter part of the study, to an information control group (n=30).

Tests of walking ability at different speeds in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background And Purpose: Measurements of walking speeds are commonly used as an objective measure of functional performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and are easily performed in a clinical setting. However, the choice in which the walking speed evaluation should be performed is controversial. The aim of this study was to identify the most discriminating walking speed after surgical interventions in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and to compare the responsiveness of the different gait speeds.

Effect of divided attention on gait in subjects with and without cognitive impairment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cognition on motor function using 2 simple everyday tasks, talking and walking, in younger subjects with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. A second aim was to evaluate reliability for the dual-task test Talking While Walking. Walking speed during single and dual task and time change between single and dual task were compared between groups.

Functional ability in female leg ulcer patients--a challenge for physiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Venous leg ulceration represents a global health problem affecting predominantly elderly women. Traditionally, functional problems in this group of patients have attracted modest attention from wound care providers and physiotherapists. The aim of the present study was to describe and quantify disease consequences in female leg ulcer patients as a background for future physiotherapy interventions, using the nomenclature of the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).