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<p> The purpose of this study was to explore (1) if persons with aphasia (PWA) might be able to easily extract emotional meaning from iconic facial drawings, (2) if they are able and willing to use those drawings as a communicative tool to express emotion and evaluative statements with their communication partners, and (3) if their responses differed from individuals with right hemisphere dysfunction (RHD). Ten persons with aphasia and seven persons with RHD participated in the study, along with two control groups of 34 neurotypical adults. The first phase of the study required 24 neurotypical adults to match twelve words describing various emotional states with the facial drawing most closely representing the word. Then, they were asked to copy six of the drawings as a baseline for drawing accuracy. The six drawings which were determined by the control group to have the least amount of ambiguity of meaning were selected as stimuli to the experimental group. In the second phase of the study, PWAs and persons with RHD were asked to match each drawing with a labeled photograph of a person with a similar facial expression. Secondly, to test their ability to produce these drawings, both stroke groups were asked to copy six of the facial drawings. Lastly, the two experimental groups completed a short, anonymous survey about the nature of their communication difficulties and their willingness to use drawing as a communicative tool. The resultant data was compared to a second control group of ten neurotypical adults, and then, to determine the best candidates for this proposed strategy, the two stroke groups were compared with each other. The results demonstrated that both persons with nonfluent aphasia and RHD were able to identify and copy the drawings with moderate success, although only the PWAs were willing to use drawing to communicate.</p>

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

<p> Objective: This retrospective study sought to identify the functional limitations in occupations, body functions, and performance skills, during periods of increased symptoms (waxing periods) and periods of decreased symptoms (waning periods) in children with Tourette syndrome (TS). Additionally, relevant demographic and health factors and frequency of occupational therapy intervention were explored. </p><p> Method: Parents of 32 children with TS under the age of 18 participated in an online survey based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process &ndash; Third Edition. </p><p> Results: The children with TS experienced difficulty in functional performance of all occupations, body functions, and performance skills to varying degrees during a waxing period, with the majority experiencing difficulty in sleep, rest, handwriting, participating in organized activities, all mental functions, tactile (touch) perception, and ability to suppress tics.. Demographic and health factors predicting functional limitations in theses areas were age, gender, and the comorbid symptoms of anxiety disorders and sensory processing disorder. Fewer than one-third of the children had ever received occupational therapy intervention. </p><p> Conclusion: These results suggest a strong role for occupational therapy during evaluation and intervention for children with TS. The findings could be used to guide occupational therapy practice and provide basic knowledge for parents and other related professionals to support the daily functioning of these children. Future research exploring the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention including those aimed at sensory processing, tic management, and anxiety symptom reduction is needed.</p>

No description available.

No description available.

A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. / Zoledronic acid (ZA), the gold standard treatment for breast cancer‐derived osteolytic bone lesions, induces apoptosis in mature osteoclasts. Curcumin, a plant‐dervied component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), inhibits osteoclast differentiation. This study aimed to determine the in vitro and in vivo effects of ZA and curcuminoids, alone and combined, on osteoclast differentiation and survival, breast cancer cell growth, breast cancer cell‐induced osteolytic bone lesion area, and bone mineral density (BMD). Curcuminoids, but not ZA, inhibited osteoclast formation at doses that did not alter precursor viability, as assessed by osteoclastogenesis assays using murine RAW 264.7 cells. Combined curcuminoids and ZA did not differ from curcuminoids alone in their effects on osteoclast survival/formation. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for ZA alone was 4 μM, while the IC50 for curcuminoids plus ZA was 6μM. Curcuminoids and ZA inhibit in vitro cell viability of human breast cancer‐ derived MDA‐MB‐231 cells, as assessed by MTT assays. The IC50 of ZA alone was projected to be 1.0677 x 10^4 μM, while the IC50 for curcuminoids alone (9.1 x 10^1 μM), was close to the IC50 for curcuminoids plus ZA (1.31 x 10^2 μM curcuminoids with 300 μM ZA). In vivo effects of ZA (2 μg/kg/d) and curcuminoids (25 mg/kg/d), alone and combined, on osteolytic bone lesions dervied from innoculation with MDA‐MB‐231 cells were assessed. Radiographically‐evident osteolytic bone lesion area did not differ between treatment groups, with a trend towards decreased osteolytic lesion area in mice treated with ZA. BMD In non‐responders, without bone or pericardiac tumors, assessed by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, was increased in mice administered ZA. Thus, for the first time, the combined in vitro effects of ZA and curcuminoids on osteclast formation and survival were demonstrated, as well as the combined effects of ZA and curcuminoids on bresat cancer‐derived osteolytic bone lesions and BMD.

Using Q-Methodology, this study sought to find empirical support for the three stage model of the Gestalt two-chair technique and the theory underlying how and why it is effective, put forth by L. S. Greenberg (1979; 1983). A structured Q-Sort was constructed using the factors of Conflict Resolution (CR) and the Gestalt concept of Contact (C) in a 2X2 factorial design. Each factor was divided into two levels CR - Resolved/Unresolved, C - Interruption-of-contact/Contact. The factors of CR and C were expected to interact before and after successful and unsuccessful therapy for decision-making. Individuals who were Unresolved in their decision-making were expected to experience Interruption-of-contact while individuals who were Resolved from an integrated sense of self were expected to experience being in Contact. The 85 item sort was validated by experts in Gestalt theory and therapy as representing the three stage model and the theory underlying it. Eight subjects, ambivalent about remaining in their marriages, performed the Q-Sort before and after 6 sessions of therapy using the two-chair technique. Moderate support was found for the 3 stages of the model, Opposition, Merging and Integration. Some support was found for the interaction of the factors of CR and C. Significant 2-way interaction was found for 1 subject before and after therapy considered successful according to the model. Significant 2-way interactions were found after successful therapy for four subjects but not before. Significant 2-way interactions were not found for subjects after unsuccessful therapy. When therapy was successful the factors of CR and C interacted as predicted. When therapy was not successful the factors of CR and C did not interact as predicted. The factors of CR and C did not interact for individuals who were experiencing a great deal of interruption-of-contact, indicating there is a possible pre-stage to the model where CR and C are independent of each other or where other factors may be involved. This study expanded the research on the Gestalt two-chair technique in several ways. It found some empirical support for the model and the theory underlying it. It found areas were CR and C do not interact as predicted by theory. It extended the range of application of research on two-chair technique from career decision-making to divorce decision-making.

<p>The highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) drug agent, indinavir, and the endocrine disruptor compound, 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), are directly related to two of South Africa&rsquo / s, and in fact, two of the globe&rsquo / s most fundamentally important and comprehensively researched subjects areas, which includes, HIV/AIDS and water pollution. In fact&nbsp / these two compounds share multiple significant commonality factors. Firstly, they have a profound effect on the health aspects of humans, albeit from opposite sides of the&nbsp / &lsquo / equation&rsquo / . Secondly, in the context of metabolism, they both share the same rout of biotransformation, and as such, both have a profound effect on the main first pass&nbsp / metabolising hepatic enzyme, CYP450 3A4, as well as xenobiotics sharing the same metabolic athway. Thirdly and perhaps more importantly, in direct relation to the human mortality, their levels preferentially require constant or regular monitoring, a process, at this stage, is still only officially possible with complex specialized analytically-based techniques. Moreover, these techniques are only based on centralized detection and quantification, which essentially means expensive procedures, and long waiting periods for results. This thesis firstly reports on the development and characterization of reagent-less and cobalt(III) sepulchrate [Co(Sep)3+] mediated biosensor platforms (biosensor platform 1 and biosensor platform 2), with human recombinant heme thiolate, cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme (CYP3A4), as biorecognition component. Secondly, each biosensor platform was evaluated by using an entirely different category of compound as model substrate, with the overall objective being the development of alternative analytical method for the detection and quantification of each of these substrates, by amperometric transduction method. In this regard biosensor platform 1 was evaluated for the detection of 2,4-dichlorophenol, whereas biosensor platform 2 was evaluated for the detection of protease inhibitor (PI) HAART drug, indinavir. Fourthly, this dissertation also reports on the use of genetic engineering as complimentary method during biosensor investigations, as source for continuous supply of catalytically active biological recognition component. With respect to the preparation of the biosensors in particular, biosensor platform 1 was constructed by entrapping the commercially sourced full-length, wild type CYP3A4 on a pre-formed electroactive carrier matrix, consisting of Co(Sep)3+&ndash / modified nafion membrane on a glassy carbon electrode. In this regard, the nafion-Co(Sep)3+ composite was prepared by integrating the Co(Sep)3+ species into a pre-formed nafion film through manual drop-coating and mixing methods.&nbsp / In addition to this, the so-formed biosensor was re-inforced by a thin nafion layer as outer-film. The complete biosensor may be denoted as GCE||naf|CMECo( Sep)3+|flCYP3A4|naf. Biosensor platform 2 on the&nbsp / other hand, was constructed by entrapment of the N-terminally modified human recombinant CYP3A4 (consisting only of the heme domain and the surrounding apoprotein), prepared locally through genetic engineering, as a histidine-tagged, catalytically active soluble construct, denoted nCYP3A4, in a biocompatible ionically crosslinked hydrogel-composite membrane. Enzyme immbilization in this case was also realized on a pre-formed nafion-Co(Sep)3+ carrier matrix film, however, in this case the electroactive carrier&nbsp / matrix was prepared by integrating the electroactive Co(Sep)3+ species deep within the nafion microstructure through potentiostatic electrodeposition method at a costant&nbsp / potential of +450 mV for 1200 sec. The so prepared biosensor, is denoted GCE||naf|El- Co(Sep)3+|nCYP3A4|Agrs-PEI-PVA. In this regard, biosensor for platform 2, different variables affecting the performance and stability of the biosensor were evaluated. Selected ex-situ characaterization methods, including scanning electrochemical microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and UVVis spectroscopy was used as complimentary characterization methods , morphological and structural charaterization, revealed&nbsp / the formation of a highly stable electroactive composite film for the carrier matrix in biosensor platform 2 , exhibiting a compact nature and a smooth consistancy in which the&nbsp / electroactive Co(Sep)3+ mediating species was embedded deep within the microstructure of the pre-formed nafion film. Moreover, the method of preparation was highly reproducible, while voltammetric studies also corroborated the stability of the carrier matrix film. Overall, the design path used for this method was shown to be an improvement&nbsp / as compared to the design path used for biosensor platform 1, particularly with regard to the carrier matrix. Nevertheless, the proposed substrates were successfully detected&nbsp / and quantified by the individual biosensor plaforms. In this regard, the dynamic linear range of the GCE||naf|CMECo( Sep)3+|flCYP3A4|naf biosensor, for 2,4-DCP exhibited an&nbsp / upper limit of 45&nbsp / A, with the sensitivity determined as 0.038 A M-1. In addition to this, the LOD was calculated as 0.043 g L-1, which was lesser than the USA Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo / s (EPA) drinking water equivalent level (DWEL) for 2.4-DCP. In the case of the GCE||naf|El-Co(Sep)3+|nCYP3A4|Agrs-PEI-PVA biosensor, the linear&nbsp / concentration range for indinavir was shown to be between 2.183 M 3.552 M, while the sensitivity was determined as 0.035 A M-1. Morover, the LOD value, determined as 59.72 mg L-1 was suggested to be of signifiance with regard to the maximum plasma concentration, CMax, with respect to the ritonavir-boosted regimen, which is the proposed method of administering indinavir. This can also be of value for HIV/AIDS patients who are poor metabolizers, as they will have significantly elevated concentration of the drug,&nbsp / when administered with ritonavir as booster. Above and beoynd these results, the overpotential for the reduction of dioxygen, which is a crucial step in the catalytic cycle of the&nbsp / CYP3A4 enzyme, was significantly reduced by the GCE||naf|El-Co(Sep)3+|nCYP3A4|Agrs-PEI-PVA biosesnor, as compared to the other biosensor.</p>

<p>Namibia is severely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an estimated HIV prevalence of 17.8%. A comprehensive, public HIV/AIDS treatment and care programme was established in 2003 by the government of Namibia in association with its development partners. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy [ART] has dramatically decreased HIVrelated mortality and morbidity, improved quality of life, revitalized communities and transformed perceptions of HIV/AIDS from a plaque and death sentence to a manageable chronic condition. Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in the Oshana region, is one of the six pilot hospitals where highly antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was initiated. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a key factor in ensuring optimal clinical outcomes and is associated with improved survival among HIV and AIDS patients. Sustained high levels of adherence (taking 95% or more of medication as prescribed) are essential for treatment success. Suboptimal adherence to treatment has been associated with virologic, immunologic and clinical failure, and may increase the risk of resistance to first-line ART drugs. Studies conducted in various parts of the country including the Oshakati district, report small proportions of patients defaulting on ART. Defaulting from treatment raises questions about adherence to ART as it can be assumed that poor adherence would precede defaulting from treatment. This study explored factors that influence poor adherence to ART among patients at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati.</p>