| 1. |
- Aili, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Polypeptide Folding-Mediated Tuning of the Optical and Structural Properties of Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nano letters (Print). - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1530-6984 .- 1530-6992. ; 11:12, s. 5564-5573
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Responsive hybrid nanomaterials with well-defined properties are of significant interest for the development of biosensors with additional applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Here, we present a detailed characterization using UV-vis spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering of a hybrid material comprised of polypeptide-decorated gold nanoparticles with highly controllable assembly properties. The assembly is triggered by a folding-dependent bridging of the particles mediated by the heteroassociation of immobilized helix-loop-helix polypeptides and a complementary nonlinear polypeptide present in solution. The polypeptides are de novo designed to associate and fold into a heterotrimeric complex comprised of two disulfide-linked four-helix bundles. The particles form structured assemblies with a highly defined interparticle gap (4.8 +/- 0.4 nm) that correlates to the size of the folded polypeptides. Transitions in particle aggregation dynamics, mass-fractal dimensions and ordering, as a function of particle size and the concentration of the bridging polypeptide, are observed; these have significant effects on the optical properties of the assemblies. The assembly and ordering of the particles are highly complex processes that are affected by a large number of variables including the number of polypeptides bridging the particles and the particle mobility within the aggregates. A fundamental understanding of these processes is of paramount interest for the development of novel hybrid nanomaterials with tunable structural and optical properties and for the optimization of nanoparticle-based colorimetric biodetection strategies.
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| 2. |
- Essery, Rosie, et al.
(författare)
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The Development of Balance Retraining : An Online Intervention for Dizziness in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older
- 2015
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Ingår i: American Journal of Audiology. - : AMER SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOC. - 1059-0889 .- 1558-9137. ; 24:3, s. 276-279
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This article outlines the rationale and development process for an online intervention based on vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). The intervention aims to assist adults aged 50 years and older to self-manage and reduce dizziness symptoms. Method: The intervention was developed according to the person-based approach to digital intervention design focused on accommodating perspectives of target users. A prototype version of the intervention was provided to 18 adults (11 women, 7 men) aged 50 years and older with dizziness. These adults were invited to use the intervention over a 6-week period and, during this time, took part in a think-aloud session. This session sought to understand users' perceptions of how acceptable, engaging, and easy to use they found the online intervention. Results: Users were extremely positive regarding how easy to navigate, visually appealing, and informative they found the intervention. Think-aloud sessions provided valuable data for informing small amendments to further enhance acceptability of the intervention for target users. Conclusions: Informed by these development-phase data, a finalized version of the intervention is now being investigated in a primary care–based randomized controlled trial. Results should provide an understanding of whether VRT can be effectively—especially, cost-effectively—delivered via an online intervention to adults aged 50 years and older.
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| 3. |
- Geraghty, Adam W. A., et al.
(författare)
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Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for adults aged 50 years and over: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- 2014
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group: Open Access / BMJ Journals. - 2044-6055. ; 4:7, s. e005871-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Dizziness is highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to falls, fear of falling, loss of confidence, anxiety and depression. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) exercises are effective in reducing dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction, but access to trained therapists is limited. Providing dizzy patients with booklets teaching them how to carry out VR exercises has been shown to be a cost-effective way of managing dizziness in primary care. Internet-based intervention delivery has many advantages over paper-based methods, including the provision of video instructions, automated tailoring and symptom-related feedback. This trial will examine whether an internet-based VR intervention is (1) effective in reducing dizziness and (2) a cost-effective primary care treatment option. Methods/analysis: This will be a single blind, randomised controlled trial carried out in UK primary care. A stand-alone internet-based VR intervention will be compared with routine care in 262 dizzy patients aged 50 years and over. Measures will be taken at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Our primary outcome measure will be the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing dizziness symptoms compared with routine care at 6 months. Cost-effectiveness will be examined along with the effect of the intervention on dizziness-related disability and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Psychological process variables including expectancy, self-efficacy and acceptance will be explored in relation to adherence and symptom reduction. Ethics/dissemination: This trial has undergone ethical scrutiny and been approved by an NHS Research Ethics Committee, Southampton A REC Reference: 13/SC/0119. The findings of this trial will be disseminated to the scientific community through presentations at national and international conferences, and by publishing in peer review journals. Findings will be disseminated to the public through targeted press releases. This trial will provide valuable information on the role of internet interventions in facilitating self-management in older adults.
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| 4. |
- Geraghty, Adam W. A., et al.
(författare)
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Internet-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation for Older Adults With Chronic Dizziness : A Randomized Controlled Trial in Primary Care
- 2017
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Ingår i: Annals of Family Medicine. - : Annals of Family Medicine. - 1544-1709 .- 1544-1717. ; 15:3, s. 209-216
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Vestibular rehabilitation is an effective intervention for dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction, but is seldom provided. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of an Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation program for older adults experiencing dizziness in primary care.METHODS: We undertook a single-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing an Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation intervention (Balance Retraining, freely available from https://balance.lifeguidehealth.org) with usual primary care in patients from 54 primary care practices in southern England. Patients aged 50 years and older with current dizziness exacerbated by head movements were enrolled. Those in the intervention group accessed an automated Internet-based program that taught vestibular rehabilitation exercises and suggested cognitive behavioral management strategies. Dizziness was measured by the Vertigo Symptom Scale–Short Form (VSS-SF) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome was VSS-SF score at 6 months.RESULTS: A total of 296 patients were randomized in the trial; 66% were female, and the median age was 67 years. The VSS-SF was completed by 250 patients (84%) at 3 months and 230 patients (78%) at 6 months. Compared with the usual care group, the Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation group had less dizziness on the VSS-SF at 3 months (difference, 2.75 points; 95% CI, 1.39–4.12; P <.001) and at 6 months (difference, 2.26 points; 95% CI, 0.39–4.12; P = .02, respectively). Dizziness-related disability was also lower in the Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation group at 3 months (difference, 6.15 points; 95% CI, 2.81–9.49; P <.001) and 6 months (difference, 5.58 points; 95% CI, 1.19–10.0; P = .01).CONCLUSIONS: Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation reduces dizziness and dizziness-related disability in older primary care patients without requiring clinical support. This intervention has potential for wide application in community settings.
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