| 1. |
- Bustin, Stephen A., et al.
(author)
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The need for transparency and good practices in the qPCR literature
- 2013
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In: Nature Methods. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1548-7091 .- 1548-7105. ; 10:11, s. 1063-1067
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Two surveys of over 1,700 publications whose authors use quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) reveal a lack of transparent and comprehensive reporting of essential technical information. Reporting standards are significantly improved in publications that cite the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines, although such publications are still vastly outnumbered by those that do not.
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| 2. |
- Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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Comparison of the 6-minute walk distance test performed on a non-motorised treadmill and in a corridor in healthy elderly subjects
- 2010
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In: Physiotherapy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0031-9406 .- 1873-1465. ; 96:3, s. 234-239
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To compare the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test performed on a non-motorised treadmill (6MWD-T) with the 6MWD test performed in a corridor (6MWD-C) in healthy elderly subjects. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen healthy elderly individuals. DESIGN: Participants performed three 6MWD-T tests and three 6MWD-C tests on two different days. OUTCOME MEASURES: Distance walked was recorded in metres. Perceived exertion and leg fatigue were rated on the modified Borg scale before and after each test. RESULTS: Using the Bland and Altman limits of agreement analysis method, the mean difference between the two methods was 153.3m (limits of agreement: 28 to 278). The mean difference between days 1 and 2 for the 6MWD-C test was -7.2m (limits of agreement: -45.4 to 30.8), and the mean difference between days 1 and 2 for the 6MWD-T test was -1.6m (limits of agreement: -64.0 to 60.7). The mean difference between the first and second repetitions of the 6MWD-C test was -5m (limits of agreement: -41 to 31), and the mean difference between the first and second repetitions of the 6MWD-T test was -17m (limits of agreement: -85 to 51). CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWD-C and 6MWD-T tests are not interchangeable. However, the results showed good test-retest reliability between days and between test repetitions for both tests. Therefore, the 6MWD-T test may offer an alternative option to the 6MWD-C test when a 30-m corridor is not available. These findings may have implications for execution of the 6MWT-T test within cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
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| 3. |
- Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania, et al.
(author)
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Relationship and responsiveness of three upper-limb tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- 2013
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In: Physiotherapy Canada. - : University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress). - 0300-0508 .- 1708-8313. ; 65:1, s. 40-43
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To determine (1) the relationship among three common upper-limb tests for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): unsupported upper limb exercise test (UULEX), 6-minute pegboard and ring test (6PBRT), and a muscle-strength test using a hand-held dynamometer; and (2) the responsiveness of these three tests to changes after pulmonary rehabilitation that included a resistance arm-training programme.Methods: The study was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The UULEX and the 6PBRT were used to measure peak arm exercise capacity and arm function, respectively. A handheld dynamometer was used to measure elbow and shoulder flexion force. We analyzed baseline data for all participants in the ACT, as well as baseline and post-PR data for those who completed 6-week follow-up testing.Results: 36 patients with COPD (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] = 35% [SD 15%] predicted; age 66 [9] y) participated, of whom 13 completed an arm-training programme. The correlations among the test results ranged from 0.41 to 0.81 (p < 0.0001). Standardized response means were 1.0 for muscle force of elbow flexion, 1.2 for shoulder flexion, and 1.8 for the 6PBRT and UULEX.Conclusions: Although the three tests (UULEX, 6PBRT, and muscle-strength test using a hand-held dynamometer) are intended to measure different constructs, they were moderately to highly correlated with one another. The 6PBRT, UULEX, and muscle-strength test were demonstrated to be responsive to the resistance arm-training programme.
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| 4. |
- Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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Resistance arm training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a randomized controlled trial
- 2011
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In: Chest. - : American College of Chest Physicians. - 0012-3692 .- 1931-3543. ; 139:1, s. 151-158
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of upper extremity resistance training for patients with COPD on dyspnea during activity of daily living (ADL), arm function, arm exercise capacity, muscle strength and health related quality of life (HRQL)METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group underwent arm resistance training. The control group performed a sham. Both groups exercised 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Dyspnea during ADL and HRQL were measured using the chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRDQ). Arm function and exercise capacity were measured using the 6-minute pegboard and ring test (6PBRT) and the unsupported upper limb exercise test (UULEX), respectively. Muscle strength for the biceps, triceps, anterior and middle deltoids was obtained using an isometric dynamometer.RESULTS: Thirty-six patients with COPD (66 +/- 9 yrs) participated in the study. Compared with the control group, the magnitude of change in the intervention group was greater for the 6PBRT (p = 0.03), UULEX (p = 0.01) and elbow flexion force (p = 0.01); elbow extension force (p = 0.02), shoulder flexion force (p = 0.029) and shoulder abduction force (p = 0.01). There was no between-group difference in dyspnea during ADL, HRQL or symptoms during the 6PBRT or UULEX (all p values greater than 0.08).CONCLUSIONS: Resistance based arm training improved arm function, arm exercise capacity and muscle strength in patients with COPD. No improvement in dyspnea during ADL, HRQL or symptoms was demonstrated.
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| 5. |
- Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania, 1976-
(author)
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Strategies for exercise assessment and training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- 2010
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not only a common lung disease but is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) helps optimize function and independence by increasing exercise capacity, reducing symptoms and improving health related quality of life (HRQL). Exercise training is certainly a key component of the PR programs; however, many of its aspects still need to be better defined such as optimal exercise assessment and training modality for these patients. The general purpose of this thesis was to generate new knowledge that could contribute to new strategies for exercise assessment and training in patients with COPD. Methods and results: This thesis is comprised of four independent studies. Thigh muscle strength, endurance and fatigue were compared between 42 patients with moderate to severe COPD and 53 healthy controls (Study I). Impaired thigh muscle strength and endurance in patients with COPD was found, except for muscle strength in knee extension in male patients. Female patients had higher fatigue index than female controls while no difference was found between male patients and controls. The six-minute walk test (6MWD) performed on a non-motorized treadmill (6MWD-T) was compared with the 6MWD performed in a corridor (6MWD-C) in 16 healthy elderly subjects (Study II). They performed twelve tests (six 6MWD-C and six 6MWD-T) on two different days in a randomized order. An average discrepancy was found between the two methods with the subjects walking a shorter distance on the non-motorized treadmill. However, the results showed good test-retest reliability between days and test repetitions. A systematic review (Study III) was done of studies that investigated the effects of an arm training program in patients with COPD. The findings of this review indicated that there is evidence that an arm training program improves arm exercise capacity, but its effects on dyspnea, arm fatigue and healthy-related quality of life is unclear. Finally, a two-armed randomized controlled trial examined the effects of an arm training program on arm function, arm exercise capacity, muscle strength, symptoms and HRQL in patients with COPD (Study IV). The groups were randomized to arm training or sham. Compared with the changes observed in the control group, the magnitude of change in the intervention group was greater for arm function, arm exercise capacity and muscle strength. There was no difference between groups in HRQL or symptoms. Conclusions: Upper extremity resistance training improves arm exercise capacity, arm function and muscle strength in patients with COPD. Training and assessment of upper and lower limb muscles should be included into PR programs. The 6MWD performed on a non-motorized treadmill may offer an alternative option to the standard 6MWD when a 30-meter corridor is not available.
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