Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.

Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2003. / Thesis advisor: Antone Capitao. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Physical Education." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-52). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Surgery-induced brain injury (SBI) refers to trauma caused by routine neurosurgical procedures that may result in post-operative complications and neurological deficits. Unlike accidental trauma, SBI is potentially subject to preemptive interventions at the time of surgery. SBI can cause bleeding, inflammation and the formation of tissue gaps. Conventional haemostatic techniques, though effective, are not necessarily conducive to healing. Inflammation and the absence of extracellular matrix in tissue gaps also hinder regeneration after SBI. This study investigated the applications of RADA16-I, a type I self-assembling peptide nanofibre scaffold (SAPNS), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of SBI. Using animal SBI models, treatments were applied immediately and locally onto the operative fields, taking advantages of the haemostatic and cell-carrying properties of RADA16-I, the immune- modulatory effects of MSCs, and the earliest available therapeutic window for SBI. There were three objectives. Objective 1 was to compare RADA16-I with conventional haemostatic methods, including electrocautery and fibrin sealant, in their effects on the brain’s acute cellular inflammatory response. The hypothesis was that RADA16-I would cause the same or a lesser degree of inflammation. This study showed that RADA16-I was superior to electrocautery, and was noninferior to conventional topical haemostats. Objective 2 was to study the in vitro expansion of MSCs within RADA16-I in preparation for in vivo transplantation. The hypothesis was that the in vitro survival of MSCs would vary between different RADA16-I concentrations and culturing methods. This study showed that plating MSCs onto pre-buffered RADA16-I would protect the cells against RADA16-I’s intrinsic acidity and result in better initial survival. Subsequent integration with the RADA16-I hydrogel, however, was poor. Mixing the cells directly with RADA16-I caused initial cell loss but allowed better integration. RADA16-I at lower concentrations resulted in better survival but also more fragile hydrogels that were mechanically unfit for transplantation. Mixing MSCs with 0.5% RADA16-I for seven days represented a compromise between these competing factors. Objective 3 was to study the in vivo effects of a MSC-RADA16-I implant on tissue reactions after SBI. The hypothesis was that the combinatorial therapy would result in less cellular inflammatory response than MSC alone or RADA16-I alone. Implants of pre-buffered 0.5% RADA16-I hydrogel, with or without cells, were found to cause less inflammation than control. MSCs in free suspension resulted in significantly more pronounced inflammation than when carried in RADA16-I. Supplementing RADA16-I with MSCs, however, did not confer additional benefit over RADA16-I alone. The present study provided new preclinical evidence to support future clinical testing of RADA16-I as a novel surgical haemostat. It also demonstrated the feasibility of early intracerebral transplantation of RADA16-I hydrogel in the treatment of SBI. Whether RADA16-I and/or transplanted MSCs could modulate the brain’s inflammatory response after SBI require further investigations, which may include the search for the optimal ex vivo expansion technique and specifically tailored nanofibre scaffold. The translational applications of these findings would include the treatment of SBI over critical brain regions where trauma would cause severe functional deficits and where better healing would facilitate patient recovery. / published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Background: Physiotherapists are part of the medical team involved in prevention and management of football injuries in Malawi. However, in Malawi no physiotherapist is currently involved in prevention and management of football injuries in the Malawi Super League. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the need for physiotherapy intervention in prevention and management of football injuries. Methodology: A concurrent mixed method study design was used to collect data. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from football players. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews from team doctors and coaches respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive data was presented in the form of percentages, means, ranges, standard deviations, and frequencies using tables, figures and graphs. A chi-square test of association and Fischer’s exact test were used to study the factors associated with football injuries against prevalence of injury. Audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and expressed ideas were read several times, coded and reduced into categories and themes. Ethical clearance was granted by the University of the Western Cape and relevant authorities in Malawi. Results: A response rate of 67.5% was obtained. The mean age of football players was 21.73 (SD=3.295) years. The injury prevalence was 68.9% with 64% of injuries occurring during matches and 37% during training. The majority (84%) of the injuries were sustained in the lower limbs and 52.7% of the players who reported to have incurred an injury had recurring injuries with the ankle joint (33.3%) being the most affected part. Ligament sprain was the most common type of injury (36%) and most of the injuries (36.5%) reported were severe. No medical professional is available to manage injuries during training while team doctors are always available during matches. Recurrent injury was significantly associated injury prevalence (P=0.000). Use of protective gear was also significantly associated with injury prevalence both at training (P<0.01) and matches(P<0.05). Both coaches and team doctors reported that recurrent injury, psychological, player fitness, and lack of equipment were factors contributing to injury prevalence. Regarding injury management, coaches and team doctors reported sprains and strains as the most common injuries seen in the league. Furthermore, their views regarding injury prevention were sought. Team doctors perceived use of protective equipment as the main strategy of injury prevention while coaches regarded warm up as the main injury preventative strategy. Conclusion: There is need for physiotherapy intervention in prevention and management of football injuries in Malawi. / Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio)

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

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

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