ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Balance impairment and falls are common among patients after cancer treatment. This study aimed to compare static and dynamic balance functions in lung cancer survivors (LCS) and healthy controls and to investigate the factors related to balance in LCS. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from lung cancer patients whose treatment had been completed within the previous 3 months (n = 60) and age and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 60). Clinical characteristics and history of falls were recorded. Pulmonary function tests and measurements of respiratory muscle strength were performed. Dynamic and static balance, fear of falling, knee-extension strength, physical activity level, dyspnea, comorbidity, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the Time Up and Go Test, Single Leg Standing Test, the Fall Efficacy Scale-International, hand-held dynamometer, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Modified Medical Research Dyspnea Scale, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Scale. RESULTS: LCS reported a higher fall rate and exhibited lower dynamic balance compared to controls (p < 0.05). The number of chemotherapy cycles, number of falls in the past year, fear of falling, perceived dyspnea, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%), maximal inspiratory pressure (%), knee-extension strength, physical activity score, and QoL score related to physical function were correlated with balance function in LCS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LCS had a higher risk of falls and lower dynamic balance function which might be related to various clinical and physical parameters. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Identifying factors related to balance should be considered within the scope of fall prevention approaches for these patients.
ABSTRACT
Hydrophobins are amphipathic proteins with small molecular weights produced in filamentous fungi. These proteins are highly stable due to the disulfide bonds formed between the protected cysteine residues. They have great potential for usage in many different fields such as surface modifications, tissue engineering, and drug transport systems because hydrophobins are surfactants and soluble in harsh mediums. In this study, it was aimed to determine the hydrophobin proteins responsible for the hydrophobicity of the super-hydrophobic fungi isolates in the culture medium and to carry out the molecular characterization of the hydrophobin producer species. As a result of measuring surface hydrophobicity by determining the water contact angle, five different fungi with the highest hydrophobicity were classified as Cladosporium by classical and molecular (ITS and D1-D2 regions) methods. Also, protein extraction according to the recommended method for obtaining hydrophobins from spores of these Cladosporium species indicated that the isolates have similar protein profiles. Ultimately, the isolate named A5 with the highest water contact angle was identified as Cladosporium macrocarpum, and the 7 kDa band was appointed as a hydrophobin since it was the most abundant protein in protein extraction for this species.
Subject(s)
Cladosporium , Fungal Proteins , Fungal Proteins/chemistry , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , WaterABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the intra-rater reliability and the construct validity of the Turkish version of the De-Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. METHODS: Construct validity of the DEMMI was measured by correlating it with physical functioning scales. Known group comparison was made according to the Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRC-SS). Internal consistency was determined by measuring Cronbach α coefficient. Test-retest reliability was assessed by performing the DEMMI by the same researcher after 24 h and calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The minimal detectable change (MDC) value was calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients discharged from the ICU were included. The ICC for intra-reliability was 0.972. The internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach = 0.991). The DEMMI total score was correlated with the Barthel Index (r = 0.791), Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (r = 0.722), MRC-SS (0.614), ICU length of stay (r = -0.515), and total mechanical ventilation duration (r = -0.488). The DEMMI was able to differentiate between MRC-SS subgroups (p < 0.001), whereby higher strength was associated with higher DEMMI scores. The MDC was determined to be 6.82 out of 100 points. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the DEMMI is reliable and valid for measuring mobility in ICU survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05196997Implications for RehabilitationThe Turkish version of the de-Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) is a reliable and valid outcome measure for the assessment of functional mobility in intensive care unit survivors.The Turkish version of the DEMMI could guide clinicians working in the field of intensive care in the planning of rehabilitation programs after discharge.
