Decision-making processes in image guided radiotherapy: A think aloud study.

Introduction: 3D Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) using Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) has been implemented for a range of treatment sites across the UK in the last decade. A paucity of evidence exists to understand how radiation therapists (RTTs) make clinical decisions during image interpretation as part of the IGRT process. The aim of this study was to investigate the decision-making processes used by RTTs during image interpretation of IGRT.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Retirement in Maltese Civil Servants: A Dialectical Mixed-Method Study.

(1) Background: Retirement is a life event that can influence physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) and can be used as an opportunity to promote positive lifestyle choices. The aims of this study were to (a) to identify changes in PA and SB resulting from retirement and (b) to explore predictors of any changes in PA and SB following retirement in Maltese civil servants. (2) Methods: a hybrid mixed-method (MM) study, using first quantitative followed by qualitative methods, of civil servants aged ≥60 years, who were followed during their retirement transition for two years.

Faith Community Nurses Key to Promoting Health in At-Risk Communities: An Integrative Review.

An integrative literature review was conducted to identify recommendations to implement culturally congruent and spiritually connected approaches to health promotion in at-risk faith communities. Five themes emerged from an analysis of 48 articles meeting criteria for the review. Review results repeatedly highlighted the impact nurses-more specifically faith community nurses (FCNs)-can have on at-risk population outcomes and bridging the gap between minority communities and the healthcare establishment.

Psychometric testing of the Maltese versions of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Motivation Inventory - 2.

Background: Consideration of psychological factors towards exercise participation is important, especially when placed within a cultural context.

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 to Maltese and undertake psychometric testing.

Methods: Maltese-speaking participants (n = 170) aged 18 to 69 years were recruited.

"It is Easy to do Nothing and Easy to Sit Down": Perceptions of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors During Pre-retirement.

This study explored the insights of old age pre-retirement employees towards physical activity and sedentary behavior. A quota sampling of 20 participants from within the Civil Service in Malta were invited to an interview. Participants who were included met the statutory requirement for retirement within the subsequent 6 months to 1 year.

The role of Allied Health Professions and Nursing Research Internships in developing a research culture: a mixed-methods exploration of stakeholder perspectives.

Background: Developing research capability and capacity within the healthcare professions is a challenge throughout diverse international settings. Within England, the National Institute for Health Research aimed to address these challenges through the Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) research careers escalator for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. Poor academic progression has been identified in the advanced stages of the pathway, though progression from the earlier entry point (Internship) has not previously been investigated.

Developing a consolidated research framework for clinical allied health professionals practising in the UK.

Background: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) form a significant part of the healthcare workforce and have great potential to improve services through research and research-informed practice. However, there is a lack of tradition in research embedded in practice in these professional groups. Barriers include clinical caseload pressures, a lack of sustainable training and consequent lack of confidence in practitioners.

Barriers and Motivators of Physical Activity Participation in Middle-aged and Older-adults - A Systematic Review.

Identifying the difference in barriers and motivators between middle-age and older adults could contribute toward the development of age-specific health promotion interventions. The aim of this review was to synthesize the literature on barriers and motivators for physical activity in middle-aged (50-64 years) and older adults (65-70 years). The review examined qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domain framework as the guiding theory.

The motivations and aspirations of Indian physiotherapists who migrate overseas to study and work: a grounded theory study.

Objective: To explore why Indian physiotherapists seek to migrate overseas for study and work.

Design: Qualitative research using Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) methodology.

Setting: Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted in the UK and India, at university, clinic or hotel locations convenient to the participants.

A grounded theory study of the narrative behind Indian physiotherapists global migration.

It is estimated that an additional 6.4 million allied health professionals are required to address India's health challenges. Physiotherapy is amongst the largest of these professions.

A systematic review of grounded theory studies in physiotherapy.

This systematic review aimed at appraising the methodological rigor of grounded theory research published in the field of physiotherapy to assess how the methodology is understood and applied. A secondary aim was to provide research implications drawn from the findings to guide future grounded theory methodology (GTM) research. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINHAL, SPORT Discus, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies in the field of physiotherapy that reported using GTM and/or methods in the study title and/or abstract.

'Student-y or studious': An exploration of students' perceptions of parallel learning in preregistration physiotherapy education.

Background/aim: Within the United Kingdom (UK), physiotherapy preregistration training is provided at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at 17 higher education institutions (HEIs). Some course teams approach this by teaching preregistration BSc and MSc students simultaneously to meet the same learning outcomes. This is often termed "parallel learning" and it is not known how students perceive this mode of learning.

LF-15 & T7, synthetic peptides derived from tumstatin, attenuate aspects of airway remodelling in a murine model of chronic OVA-induced allergic airway disease.

Background: Tumstatin is a segment of the collagen-IV protein that is markedly reduced in the airways of asthmatics. Tumstatin can play an important role in the development of airway remodelling associated with asthma due to its anti-angiogenic properties. This study assessed the anti-angiogenic properties of smaller peptides derived from tumstatin, which contain the interface tumstatin uses to interact with the αVβ3 integrin.

A survey on the use of outcome measures by musculoskeletal physiotherapist's in India.

In recent times, there has been great pressure on physiotherapists to become accountable for their practices and to provide evidence for effectiveness of their treatment. Therefore, it has become necessary to integrate standardised outcome measures (OMs) into clinical practice and boost evidence-based practice. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of use of outcome measures among physiotherapists in India and to identify the commonly used measures.

The intra and inter-rater reliability of a modified weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion.

This study assessed the intra and inter-rater reliability of a modified weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion range of movement. Thirteen healthy subjects were recruited. Each subject performed 3 repetitions of the lunging method with one rater and 3 more repetitions with a second rater within 30 min.

An R2R3 MYB transcription factor associated with regulation of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in Rosaceae.

Background: The control of plant anthocyanin accumulation is via transcriptional regulation of the genes encoding the biosynthetic enzymes. A key activator appears to be an R2R3 MYB transcription factor. In apple fruit, skin anthocyanin levels are controlled by a gene called MYBA or MYB1, while the gene determining fruit flesh and foliage anthocyanin has been termed MYB10.

Reduction of tumstatin in asthmatic airways contributes to angiogenesis, inflammation, and hyperresponsiveness.

Rationale: Angiogenesis is a prominent feature of remodeling in asthma. Many proangiogenic factors are up-regulated in asthma, but little is known about levels of endogenous antiangiogenic agents. Collagen IV is decreased in the airway basement membrane in asthma.

Response of Dry Bean Genotypes to Fusarium Root Rot, Caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli, Under Field and Controlled Conditions.

Fusarium root rot of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli, is a major yield-limiting disease in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Transient expression vectors for functional genomics, quantification of promoter activity and RNA silencing in plants.

Background: We describe novel plasmid vectors for transient gene expression using Agrobacterium, infiltrated into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. We have generated a series of pGreenII cloning vectors that are ideally suited to transient gene expression, by removing elements of conventional binary vectors necessary for stable transformation such as transformation selection genes.

Results: We give an example of expression of heme-thiolate P450 to demonstrate effectiveness of this system.

Tat(28-35)SL8-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes are more effective than Gag(181-189)CM9-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes at suppressing simian immunodeficiency virus replication in a functional in vitro assay.

Epitope-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes may play an important role in controlling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/simian immunodeficiency virus replication. Unfortunately, standard cellular assays do not measure the antiviral efficacy (the ability to suppress virus replication) of CD8+ T lymphocytes. Certain epitope-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes may be better than others at suppressing viral replication.

Test-retest reliability of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire: assessment of intraclass correlation coefficients and limits of agreement in patients with osteoarthritis.

Objectives: No previous study has adequately demonstrated the test-retest reliability of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, yet it is increasingly being used as a measure of pain. This study evaluates the test-retest reliability in patients with osteoarthritis.

Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was undertaken using serial evaluation of 57 patients at 2 time points.

Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy.

Laparoscopy has allowed surgeons the ability to perform procedures which result in less postoperative discomfort, earlier return to daily activities, and better cosmesis. For example, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has virtually replaced open cholecystectomy, and many of these operations are performed in the outpatient setting. The role of laparoscopic appendectomy is yet to be defined, however.