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Biomedical subjects

R Webb

Publications and source records attributed to R Webb.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

CD44H expression in reactive mesothelium, pleural mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Malignant mesotheliomas are known to produce hyaluronic acid, in contrast to most pulmonary adenocarcinomas which produce neutral mucin. CD44H is the major cell surface receptor for hyaluronic acid. The aim of this study was to investigate immunohistochemically the expression of this antigen in reactive mesothelium, pleural mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma and to assess its diagnostic utility in distinguishing the two tumours. Diffuse and intense membranous CD44H immunoreactivity was seen in 15 of 20 (75%) mesotheliomas and in all 20 biopsies of reactive mesothelium. In contrast, focal (< 10% tumour) expression of CD44H was seen in only three of 20 (15%) pulmonary adenocarcinomas. We advocate the use of CD44H as a positive mesothelial marker for incorporation alongside other established immunohistochemical markers used to distinguish mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Development of a long-term bovine granulosa cell culture system: induction and maintenance of estradiol production, response to follicle-stimulating hormone, and morphological characteristics.

The objectives of this study were to develop a serum-free bovine granulosa cell culture system in which FSH-responsive estradiol production could be induced and maintained, and to use this system to evaluate the effects of FSH, insulin, and IGF-I on steroidogenesis and proliferation of bovine granulosa cells from different follicle size categories (< 4-, 4-8, and > 8-mm diameter). In the presence of FSH, granulosa cells from small follicles differentiated in vitro, and estradiol secretion increased with time (p < 0.01) so that by the end of the culture period it was similar to that of cells from large follicles. Granulosa cells from medium and large follicles secreted estradiol throughout the culture period. Cells cultured in plasma-coated culture wells had an increased proliferative response but had lower estradiol production compared to cells cultured under serum-free conditions (p < 0.01). Insulin promoted proliferation and estradiol production by granulosa cells from the three follicle-size categories (p < 0.01). Physiological concentrations of FSH induced proliferation and estradiol secretion (p < 0.01) by granulosa cells in a dose-responsive manner. The inclusion of IGF-I in the culture system enhanced proliferation and estradiol production (p < 0.01), even in the absence of gonadotropic support, demonstrating the gonadotropic characteristics of this growth factor. These results demonstrate the development of a relevant physiological culture system for bovine granulosa cells. This system will permit the detailed study of the key factors controlling the differentiation and proliferation of bovine granulosa cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Extra- and intracellular effects of divergent selection for pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in prepubertal ram lambs.

Divergent selection based on the response of 10-wk-old male lambs to a GnRH challenge has produced two lines of sheep, referred to as high and low lines, that differ in their ability to release LH in response to pharmacological and physiological doses of GnRH. The aim of this study was to determine whether the between-line differences in pituitary sensitivity were related to differences in GnRH receptor number and/or the transduction of the intracellular signal following GnRH receptor activation. Pituitary glands were collected from fourteen 20-wk-old ram lambs from each line, weighed, and sampled for GnRH receptor analysis. The remaining tissue from 9 lambs from each line was dispersed. Of the resultant cell suspension, a sample was stored for measurement of GnRH receptor content and the remainder was plated and cultured for 24 h. The LH responses of cultured cells were measured after exposure to GnRH, A23187, or the phorbol ester phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDB). The results indicated that the pituitary glands of the high line contained significantly higher concentrations of GnRH receptors than did those of the low line and released significantly more LH after stimulation with either GnRH or the Ca2(+)-calmodulin or protein kinase C intracellular second messenger systems. Therefore, the between-line difference in the regulation of pituitary LH secretion occurs at a step distal to the stimulatory sites of action of A23187 and PDB.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Secretion of inhibin A and follicular dynamics throughout the estrous cycle in the sheep with and without the Booroola gene (FecB).

The identification of a single gene (Booroola FecB) associated with a significant increase in the ovulation rate in sheep provides a powerful tool for the study of factors regulating the selection of preovulatory follicles. The ovarian secretion of dimeric inhibin A was investigated and related to the secretion of ovarian steroids, the concentration of gonadotropins, and the pattern of ovarian follicular development during the follicular and early luteal phases in ewes with an ovarian autotransplant with or without the FecB gene. The secretion of inhibin A was related to the presence of large estrogenic follicles, being high during the follicular phase and falling after the LH surge (P < 0.05) before increasing during the early luteal phase (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the timing of the onset of the LH surge, the concentrations of FSH and progesterone, or the rates of inhibin A, estradiol, and androstenedione secretion during the follicular or luteal phase between ewes with and without the Booroola gene. Although the overall pattern of follicular development was similar between the genotypes, the ovulation rate was higher (P < 0.05) in the gene carrier ewes, and the ovulatory follicles and corpora lutea were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) than those in noncarrier animals. During the luteal phase, the diameter of the large follicles from the first wave was smaller (P < 0.05) in the gene carrier than in noncarrier ewes. Because there are no qualitative or quantitative differences in the pattern of secretion of pituitary gonadotropins or ovarian hormones between the two genotypes, we conclude that is likely that the FecB gene exerts its action at the level of ovary.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Enhancement of ovarian follicle development in heifers by treatment with recombinant bovine somatotrophin: a dose-response study.

Treatment with recombinant bovine somatotrophin (bST) can enhance the development of ovarian antral follicles in cattle. The underlying mechanism was examined further by performing a dose-response study to investigate the effects of bST on peripheral concentrations of somatotrophin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin, FSH and LH, and ovarian follicle development. Twenty mature heifers were randomly divided into five groups and injected s.c. at 6 h intervals for 7 days with 25% of one of the following daily doses of bST: 0, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5 or 25.0 mg. Ovarian follicular dynamics were monitored by real-time ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected daily during the experiment, and every 15 min for 8 h on days 1 and 5 of bST treatment. Treatment with bST increased (P < 0.01) peripheral concentrations of somatotrophin in a dose-dependent manner. Serum concentrations of both IGF-I and insulin were significantly (P < 0.01) increased in all heifers given 12.5 or 25.0 mg bST per day. Peripheral concentrations of IGF-I and insulin in all animals in the group given 3.13 mg bST and two heifers in the group given 6.25 mg bST were not different from those in the control group, while concentrations in the other two heifers given 6.25 mg bST were significantly (P < 0.01) higher. The number of ovarian follicles < 5 mm in diameter was increased (P < 0.05) in response to bST, but only in heifers (n = 10) with significantly increased serum concentrations of IGF-I and insulin. There were no effects of treatment on peripheral concentrations of FSH, LH and progesterone, and on the numbers of follicles > 5 mm in diameter. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated in vivo that the effect of treatment with bST on ovarian follicle development appears to be mediated through an increase in circulating IGF-I or insulin concentrations, rather than via an alteration in the secretion of pituitary gonadotrophins or a direct effect of bST on ovarian follicles.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Ovarian follicular dominance: the role of intraovarian growth factors and novel proteins.

Folliculogenesis is associated with the development of a group of follicles at various stages of maturation from which a species-specific number of follicles are selected for continued growth. These selected follicles, after being exposed to the requisite hormonal environment, ovulate in response to the preovulatory gonadotrophin surge. Follicular dominance is the mechanism by which the selected follicle(s) undergoes rapid development in an environment where growth and development of other follicles, recruited at a similar time, are suppressed. These processes are controlled by the interaction of endocrine signals and locally produced ovarian growth factors. The response of the two major follicular cell types, granulosa and theca cells, to gonadotrophins is regulated by the local production of growth factors. Mechanisms controlling growth factor action occupy a central role in the regulation of folliculogenesis. In this review, we highlight the influence of the extracellular matrix in this process by describing its involvement in regulating the activity of components of the insulin-like growth factor system, transforming growth factor beta superfamily, fibroblast growth factors and the epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor alpha family. In addition, some recent studies on the role of protein factors produced by the dominant follicle in maintaining dominance and inhibiting the growth of subordinate follicles are described.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production by bovine granulosa cells in vitro and peripheral IGF-I measurement in cattle serum: an evaluation of IGF-binding protein extraction protocols.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) extraction protocols were tested for their efficacy in removing IGFBPs from bovine plasma and bovine granulosa cell culture medium compared with standard acid exclusion chromatography. Traditional extraction methods, acidification, Sep-Pak, ethanol:acetone:acetic acid (EAA) and EAA-cryoprecipitation (EAA-C), failed to remove all the IGFBPs from both granulosa cell culture medium and plasma. However, EAA and EAA-C treatment of plasma samples did give values similar to those obtained by acid exclusion HPLC, when corrected for extraction efficiency. There was an inverse relationship between insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentration in plasma samples, as measured using HPLC chromatography, and IGF-I concentration after EAA extraction. Furthermore, the interference caused by residual IGFBPs differed between samples taken from animals given various treatment that altered peripheral IGF-I concentrations. As for plasma samples, EAA was the most effective extraction method for culture media, but residual IGFBPs caused an overestimation of IGF-I concentrations. In culture media, but not plasma, it was possible to block the interference of IGFBPs in the IGF-I assay, in both extracted and non-extracted culture samples, by the addition of excess IGF-II. Using this assay procedure, no IGF-I production by bovine granulosa cells was detected. This was confirmed by HPLC acid chromatography. It is concluded that HPLC extraction is needed for the accurate measurement of peripheral IGF-I concentrations. For granulosa cell culture media it is possible to measure IGF-I concentration in non-extracted samples if the IGFBPs are blocked by adding IGF-II. Using either this assay, or after HPLC acid chromatography, no IGF-I was detected in culture media, suggesting that IGF-I is not produced by non-luteinised bovine granulosa cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The recruitment of ovarian follicles is enhanced by increased dietary intake in heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary-induced changes in growth hormone (GH), insulin, and IGF-I alter the pattern of ovarian follicular development in heifers. Twenty-eight 2- to 3-yr-old Hereford-Friesian heifers were equally allocated (n = 7) to one of four dietary treatments: 1) Control (C) fed a maintenance diet as two meals per day; 2) twice maintenance (2M2) given as two meals per day; 3) twice maintenance (2M6) given as six meals per day; 4) feed-deprived (F) fed maintenance requirements as for C, changed to straw ad libitum for 3 d from a synchronized estrus. On d 4 (estrus = d 0) heifers were transferred to grass silage (ad libitum access) until the end of the experiment. Blood samples were collected hourly for 10 h on d 1 and 3 and daily for an additional 14 d. Follicular development was monitored daily by ultrasonography until d 14. The number of small follicles (< 4 mm) was increased (P < .05) by 37% on d 1 and 2 in 2M2 and 2M6 heifers, with no carryover effect of nutrition to the second follicular wave. Number of medium-sized (4 to 8 mm) and large (> 8 mm) follicles did not vary (P > .05) among treatments. The FSH concentrations were not different (P > .05) among treatments. Insulin concentrations were higher (P < .05) in 2M2 and 2M6 heifers than in C or F heifers, with no carryover after the diet was changed. Increase in number of small follicles was independent of changes in FSH and IGF-I, negatively associated with GH, but positively associated with circulating insulin. These results indicate that a short-term increase in nutritional plane can affect follicular recruitment in cycling heifers.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1996

Mercaptoacyl dipeptides as orally active dual inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase.

Dual inhibitors of the two zinc metallopeptidases, neutral endopeptidase (NEP, EC 3.4.24.11) and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE, EC 2.4.15.1), have been the focus of much clinical interest for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. We have previously reported that compound 2 (N-[[1-[(2(S)-mercapto-3-methyl-1-oxobutyl) amino]-1-cyclopentyl]-carbonyl]-L-tyrosine) was a potent dual inhibitor in vitro (IC50 (ACE) = 7.0 nM, IC50 (NEP) = 1.5 nM) (Fink et al. J. Med. Chem. 1995, 38, 5023-5030). This compound was found to have oral activity; however, its duration of effect was short. A series of thioacetate carboxylic acid ester analogs of compound 2 was prepared. Modifications were also made to the tyrosine phenol. These compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit plasma ACE activity when administered orally to conscious normotensive rats. Most of the compounds prepared were found to be orally active with longer durations of effect than compound 2. Compound 38 (N-[[1-[(2(S)-(acetylthio)-3-methyl-1-oxobutyl) amino]-1-cyclopentyl]carbonyl]-O-methyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester), administered at 11.7 mg/kg po, was found to be more efficacious than captopril at 10 mg/kg po. This compound was also found to inhibit plasma NEP activity following oral administration to conscious rats and was more efficacious than acetorphan. Compound 38 was found to lower blood pressure in the aorta-ligated rat and the spontaneously hypertensive rat when administered orally. The synthesis and biological activity of these dual inhibitors are discussed.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1996

Oligodeoxynucleotides inhibit retinal neovascularization in a murine model of proliferative retinopathy.

Diseases characterized by retinal neovascularization are among the principal causes of visual loss worldwide. The hypoxia-stimulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in the proliferation of new blood vessels. We have investigated the use of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides against murine VEGF to inhibit retinal neovascularization and VEGF synthesis in a murine model of proliferative retinopathy. Intravitreal injections of two different antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides prior to the onset of proliferative retinopathy reduced new blood vessel growth a mean of 25 and 31% compared with controls. This inhibition was dependent on the concentration of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides and resulted in a 40-66% reduction in the level of VEGF protein, as determined by Western blot analysis. Control (sense, nonspecific) phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides did not cause a significant reduction in retinal neovascularization or VEGF protein levels. These data further establish a fundamental role for VEGF expression in ischemia-induced proliferative retinopathies and a potential therapeutic use for antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Pretreatment with recombinant bovine somatotropin enhances the superovulatory response to FSH in heifers.

One of the primary limiting factors to superovulation and embryo transfer in cattle has been the large variability in response, both between and within animals. It appears that the primary source of this problem is the variability in the population of gonadotropin-responsive follicles present in ovaries at the time of stimulation. We have shown that treatment of heifers with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbGH) increases the number of small antral follicles (2 to 5 mm) and, therefore, enhances the subsequent superovulatory response to eCG. To investigate further the potential of using this approach to improve superovulatory regimens in cattle, the effect of rbGH pretreatment on the response to pituitary FSH was studied. The estrous cycles of 16 heifers were synchronized using PGF2alpha. On Day 7 of the synchronized cycle, half of the animals were injected with 320 mg sustained-release formulated rbGH, while the other half received 10 ml saline. Five days later, all heifers were given a decreasing-dose regimen of twice daily injections of oFSH for 4 d, incorporating an injection of PGF2alpha with the fifth FSH treatment, to induce superovulation. All animals were artificially inseminated twice with semen from the same bull during estrus. Ova/embryos were recovered nonsurgically on Days 6 to 8 of the following estrous cycle, and the ovulation rate assessed on Day 9 by laparoscopy. Using the same animals as described above, the experiment was repeated twice, 3 and 6 mo later, with no laparoscopy in the third experiment. The animals were randomized both between experiments and for the day of ova/embryo collection. Pretreatment of heifers with rbGH significantly (P < 0.01) increased the number of ovulations, total number of ova/embryos recovered and the number of transferable embryos. The percentage of transferable embryos was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by rbGH pretreatment. In addition, the incidence (2/16) of follicular cysts with a poor ovulatory response (< 6 ovulations) for the rbGH-pretreated heifers was significantly lower (P < 0.05) when compared with the incidence (7/16) in the control animals. It is concluded that pretreatment with rbGH may provide a useful approach for improving superovulatory response in cattle.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Improved method for counting virus and virus like particles.

An improved method for counting virus and virus like particles by electron microscopy (EM) was developed. The procedure involves the determination of the absolute concentration of pure or semi-pure particles once deposited evenly on EM grids using either centrifugation or antibody capture techniques. The counting of particles was done with a Microfiche unit which enlarged approximately 50 x the image of particles on a developed negative film which had been taken at a relatively low magnification (2500 x) by EM. Initially, latex particles of a known concentration were counted using this approach, to prove the accuracy of the technique. The latex particles were deposited evenly on an EM grid using centrifugation (Modified Beckmen EM-90 Airfuge technique). Subsequently, recombinant Bluetongue virus (BTV) core-like particles (CLPs) captured by a Monoclonal antibody using a novel sample loading method were counted by the Microfiche unit method and by a direct EM method. Comparison of the simplified counting method developed with a conventional method, showed good agreement. The method is simple, accurate, rapid, and reproducible when used with either pure particles or with particles from crude cell culture extracts.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Suppression in the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and ovarian follicle development in heifers continuously infused with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist.

A novel experimental model was developed in cattle to investigate the requirement for FSH and LH during ovarian follicle growth and development. On Day 5 of the estrous cycle, 7 heifers were each implanted with an osmotic minipump containing a GnRH agonist (GnRHa), Buserelin (release rate, 2.5 micrograms/h). Another 7 heifers served as controls. Each minipump was replaced 28 days later with a second pump, which was left in place for a further 20 days. Blood samples were collected daily throughout the experimental period, and frequent samples were also collected on both days of minipump insertion and at 10 days after insertion of the second pump. The ovaries of all heifers were scanned daily by real-time ultrasonography to monitor follicular dynamics. All controls displayed 2 or 3 waves of FSH and follicular development per estrous cycle during the experiment. Insertion of the first minipump produced a large LH and FSH surge and induced ovulation in all 7 animals. Within 8 days of the start of treatment, serum LH concentrations fell to basal levels; they then remained constant at this level throughout the infusion period, only beginning to recover 4-5 days after the termination of infusion. After the initial increase, FSH returned to basal levels before showing a normal wave that was coincident with the emergence, growth, and regression of a dominant follicle. However, despite the peak levels of FSH, dominant follicles from the next wave failed to grow beyond 7-9 mm; they remained at this size for 3 wk until 3-4 days after insertion of the second minipump, when FSH fell precipitously to reach low levels that were maintained throughout the remainder of the infusion. After this fall in FSH concentrations, these follicles regressed rapidly, and no antral follicles > 4 mm were detected until after the termination of treatment. Thereafter, FSH concentrations increased significantly; the increase was accompanied by the emergence of a follicular wave and development of a dominant follicle, with estrus observed 8-11 days later. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated clearly that in cattle the early stages of follicle development (< or = 4 mm) are not dependent on acute support by gonadotropins. However, FSH is required for further growth of follicles up to 9 mm, while LH pulses are indispensable for follicle development beyond 9 mm in diameter. The model developed in this study should be valuable for studying the control of ovarian follicle development and atresia in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein production by primary cultures of ovine granulosa and theca cells. The effects of IGF-I, gonadotropin, and follicle size.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) production by the ovine ovary was examined using Western ligand blots and immunoblots. During follicle development, the follicular fluid content of the 39- to 42-kDa binding protein (IGFBP-3) increased, whereas that of the 34-kDa (IGFBP-2), 32-kDa, 30-kDa, and 25-kDa (IGFBP-4) binding proteins decreased. The granulosa and theca cell cultures produced different complements of binding proteins. IGFBP-2 and the 30- and 32-kDa binding proteins were produced by granulosa cells, and there was no obvious effect of the size of follicle from which the cells were isolated. Both FSH and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) were necessary for maximum production of IGFBP-2. The main binding proteins detected in theca cell cultures were IGFBP-4 and -2. The IGFBP-4 concentration increased when the cells were exposed to LH. In contrast, IGFBP-2 concentration in theca cell-conditioned medium decreased when the cells were incubated with LH. Theca cell cultures produced more IGFBP-4 when the cells were isolated from small follicles as opposed to large follicles. Neither granulosa nor theca cell cultures produced significant quantities of IGFBP-3, and the source of this binding protein in the follicular fluid from large ovine follicles is probably the circulation. The results indicate that IGFBP production in the developing ovine ovarian follicle is dependent on both cell type and follicle size and is regulated by IGF-I and gonadotropins.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Exercise responses to running and in-line skating at self-selected paces.

Exercise responses to running and in-line skating at self-selected paces. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 247-250, 1996. The purpose of this investigation was to compare physiological responses to in-line skating and running at preferred levels of exertion. Ten males and ten females performed 15 min of in-line skating or running on two separate days. Subjects were instructed to exercise at an intensity that represented an effective cardiovascular workout. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) were monitored continuously using a portable, telemetric, open-circuit spirometry system. Subjects maintained steady rate VO2 over minutes 11-15 of in-line skating and running at speeds (mean +/- SD) of 21.7 +/- 2.4 and 12.2 +/- 2.3 km.h-1, respectively. A significantly higher (P = 0.03) VO2 (mean +/- SEM, 44.0 +/- 1.7 ml.kg-1.min-1) was observed during running compared with in-line skating (42.0 +/- 2.0 ml.kg-1.min-1), but there were no differences in ventilation, HR, or rating of perceived exertion. Consistent with the results of previous investigations, we conclude that in-line skating is an appropriate form of exercise for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Future studies should compare the cardiovascular training effects of in-line skating and running in individuals of varying levels of fitness and skating ability.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Induction and maintenance of oestradiol and immunoreactive inhibin production with FSH by ovine granulosa cells cultured in serum-free media.

A serum-free ovine granulosa cell culture system is described that allows the induction of FSH-responsive oestradiol production by undifferentiated cells from small (< 3.5 mm) follicles (P < 0.001) and the maintenance of oestradiol production by differentiated cells from large (> or = 3.5 mm) follicles. Physiological doses of FSH stimulated (P < 0.01) proliferation of cultured granulosa cells from both small and large follicles. The synthesis of immunoreactive inhibin and progesterone by granulosa cells from small and large follicles increased (P < 0.01) with time of culture, and was not dependent on FSH. Inhibin secretion expressed on a per cell basis was not FSH responsive. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), in the presence of FSH, stimulated (P < 0.001) cell proliferation and oestradiol and inhibin production by granulosa cells from small and large follicles. There was a significant (P < 0.001) interaction between insulin and IGF-I in the stimulation of granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation. Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in the presence of FSH stimulated cellular proliferation (P < 0.001) in a dose-responsive manner and concomitantly inhibited (P < 0.001) oestradiol and inhibin secretion. The development of this granulosa cell culture system will make it possible to study, in vitro, the cascade of events that controls granulosa cell differentiation and ultimately follicle selection in sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The effects of an occupationally embedded exercise on bilaterally assisted supination in persons with hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVES: Occupationally embedded exercise is a central idea in the profession of occupational therapy. This experiment compared the effect of an occupationally embedded exercise involving a simple dice game with a rote exercise in persons with stroke with pronator spasticity. Both exercise conditions involved bilaterally assisted supination, consistent with the neurodevelopmental model of practice. METHODS: The sample consisted of 14 men and 12 women post-cerebrovascular accident with a mean age of 68.4 years (SD = 11.2) at six clinical sites in California, Texas, and Michigan. Subjects had pronator spasticity, full passive range for supination after a brief warm-up, and no functional supination. After random assignment for experimental condition, the subjects engaged in two sets of 10 repetitions of bilaterally assisted supination in either the occupationally embedded condition (dice game) or the rote condition (no game). A pen recorder electronically documented degrees of rotation of the handle that was grasped during the exercise. RESULTS: The occupationally embedded exercise resulted in significantly more handle rotation (requiring more supination) than the rote exercise, t (24) = 2.28, p (one tailed) < .05. The effect size was large. CONCLUSION: This study advances the experimental analysis of therapeutic occupation in the area of occupationally embedded exercise. Clinicians are urged to consider the multidimensional nature of occupationally embedded exercise.

Aged↗