Variation in ovine serum vitamin D concentrations from late summer to early spring and during immune challenge with bacterial endotoxin.

Vitamin D is most known for its role in the development and maintenance of the skeletal system. However, recent studies have found that vitamin D modulates the immune system, and at sufficient levels supports optimal immune function. Previous research has examined how vitamin D levels change seasonally and during immune stress challenges in both humans and cattle, but not sheep.

Identifying hepatic genes regulating the ovine response to gastrointestinal nematodes using RNA-Sequencing.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are considered the most important disease of grazing sheep and due to increasing anthelmintic resistance, chemical control alone is inadequate. Resistance to Gastrointestinal nematode infection is a heritable trait, and through natural selection many sheep breeds have higher resistance. Studying the transcriptome from GINexposed and GIN-unexposed sheep using RNA-Sequencing technology can provide measurements of transcript levels associated with the host response to Gastrointestinal nematode infection, and these transcripts may harbor genetic markers that can be used in selective breeding programs to enhance disease resistance.

A 15 to 17-year follow-up of the Kinemax total knee replacement.

Background: There is a paucity of long-term data concerning the pre- and postoperative patient reported function of total knee replacement. The aim of this study was to determine the mortality, implant survivorship, patient reported function and satisfaction in a cohort of 114 patients, from a single centre, who received a Kinemax total knee replacement more than 15 years ago.

Methods: Patients completed a questionnaire incorporating validated disease- and joint-specific scores, patient satisfaction and overall health preoperatively, at three months, one year, two years and a minimum of 15 years following surgery.

5 Year Outcomes and Survivorship of the Triathlon Total Knee Replacement: a Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to determine outcomes and survivorship of the Triathlon knee replacement up to 5 years post-operation. A cohort of 266 patients receiving a Triathlon knee replacement were assessed before surgery and at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 5 years post-operation. Assessments included patient-reported outcome measures, American Knee Society Score, complications and survivorship.

Fast Click Rate Electrocochleography and Auditory Brainstem Response in Normal-Hearing Adults Using Continuous Loop Averaging Deconvolution.

Objectives: Using the continuous loop averaging deconvolution (CLAD) technique for conventional electrocochleography (ECochG) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) recordings, the effects of testing at high stimulus rates may have the potential to diagnose disorders of the inner ear and auditory nerve. First, a body of normative data using the CLAD technique must be established.

Design: Extratympanic click ECochG and ABR to seven stimulus rates using CLAD were measured simultaneously from a tympanic membrane electrode and surface electrodes on the forehead and mastoid of 42 healthy individuals.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of outpatient physiotherapy after knee replacement for osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Primary total knee replacement is a common operation that is performed to provide pain relief and restore functional ability. Inpatient physiotherapy is routinely provided after surgery to enhance recovery prior to hospital discharge. However, international variation exists in the provision of outpatient physiotherapy after hospital discharge.

Comparison of group-based outpatient physiotherapy with usual care after total knee replacement: a feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial comparing group-based outpatient physiotherapy with usual care in patients following total knee replacement.

Design: A feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial.

Setting: One secondary-care hospital orthopaedic centre, Bristol, UK.

The colour of pain: can patients use colour to describe osteoarthritis pain?

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore patients' views on the acceptability and feasibility of using colour to describe osteoarthritis (OA) pain, and whether colour could be used to communicate pain to healthcare professionals.

Methods: Six group interviews were conducted with 17 patients with knee OA. Discussion topics included first impressions about using colour to describe pain, whether participants could associate their pain with colour, how colours related to changes to intensity and different pain qualities, and whether they could envisage using colour to describe pain to healthcare professionals.