Search Results (81)

The reliability of the fixed-frame dynamometer for measuring isometric neck strength is established, but with limited field-based applications. This study aimed to establish the inter- and intra-session reliability of the peak force for neck flexors, extensors, and side flexors using the VALD ForceFrame and DynaMo and the force–time characteristics in the quadruped position (ForceFrame). Twenty-seven recreationally active males performed three repetitions of isometric neck flexion, extension, and side flexion over two sessions in random order using the VALD ForceFrame and DynaMo. Both devices demonstrated acceptable reliability, with the Forceframe ICC > 0.8 and CV% < 13.8% and the DynaMo ICC > 0.76 and CV% < 13.8%. No systematic or proportional differences were found using the Passing–Bablock procedure, and Bland–Altman analysis confirmed agreement across measures. Reliability was shown for right-side (ICC > 0.76) and left-side (ICC > 0.79) flexion and flexion (ICC > 0.75) across 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms. Statistical parametric mapping indicated no differences in ForceFrame-generated isometric force–time curves between sessions, though the CV was highest in the force development phase. The findings suggest that both tools can reliably assess neck strength, supporting their use in sports and clinical settings. However, assessment methods are not interchangeable, emphasising the need for standardised neck strength assessment approaches. Full article

Background: A better understanding of the peritumoral stroma changes due to tumour invasion using non-invasive diagnostic methods may improve the differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions. This study aimed to assess the correlation between breast lesion differentiation and intra- and peritumoral shear-wave elastography (SWE) gradients. Methods: A total of 135 patients with newly diagnosed breast lesions were included. Intratumoral, subsurface, and three consecutive peritumoral SWE value measurements (with three repetitions) were performed. Intratumoral, interface, and peritumoral gradients (Gradient 1 and Gradient 2) were calculated using averaged SWE values. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and an ordinary one-way ANOVA to compare overall and individual gradients among Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 2, 3, and 5 groups. Results: Malignant tumours showed higher average SWE velocity values at the tumour centre (BI-RADS 2/3: 4.1 ± 1.8 m/s vs. BI-RADS 5: 4.9 ± 2.0 m/s, p = 0.04) and the first peritumoral area (BI-RADS 2/3: 3.4 ± 1.8 m/s vs. BI-RADS 5: 4.3 ± 1.8 m/s, p = 0.003). No significant difference was found between intratumoral gradients (0.03 ± 0.32 m/s vs. 0.0 ± 0.28 m/s; p > 0.999) or gradients across the tumour–tissue interface (−0.17 ± 0.18 m/s vs. −0.13 ± 0.35 m/s; p = 0.202). However, the first peritumoral gradient (−0.16 ± 0.24 m/s vs. −0.35 ± 0.31 m/s; p < 0.0001) and the second peritumoral gradient (−0.11 ± 0.18 m/s vs. −0.22 ± 0.28 m/s; p = 0.037) were significantly steeper in malignant tumours. The AUC was best for PTG1 (0.7358) and PTG2 (0.7039). A threshold value for peritumoral SWI PT1 above 3.76 m/s and for PTG1 below −0.238 m/s·mm⁻¹ indicated malignancy in 90.6% of cases. Conclusions: Evaluating the peritumoral SWE gradient may improve the diagnostic pre-test probability, as malignant tumours showed a significantly steeper curve of the elasticity values in the peritumoral stroma compared to the linear regression with a relatively flat curve of benign lesions. Full article

Percussive therapy devices have been proven effective at reducing muscle inflammation, soreness, and tension and improving the range of motion before or after exercise. However, there is a notable lack of research on percussive therapy intra-exercise. Purpose: Examine the physiological responses (i.e., sets/reps) to percussive therapy during single-arm biceps curls (BCs) and single-leg quadriceps extensions (LEs). Methods: Participants [N = 26, 10 females] completed an initial 10-repetition maximum (10 RM) for BCs and LEs. Following that, participants completed two testing sessions in which BCs and LEs were completed at their 10 RM until functional failure (i.e., <7 reps completed). Participants completed two testing sessions in which all body parts received percussive therapy at 25 Hz for 60 s between sets and no percussive therapy. Results: Participants completed more sets [p = 0.002; Cohen’s d = 0.54] and reps [p = 0.005; Cohen’s d = 0.51] during the control condition relative to the percussive therapy condition. There were no differences between body parts (i.e., BC vs. LE) or interaction effects. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that low-frequency long-duration percussive therapy used intra-resistance exercise decreases performance parameters. Full article

The use of creatine monohydrate (Cr) in professional soccer is widely documented. However, the effect of low doses of Cr on the physical performance of young soccer players is unknown. This study determined the effect of a low dose of orally administered Cr on muscle power after acute intra-session fatigue in young soccer players. Twenty-eight young soccer players (mean age = 17.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to either a Cr (n = 14, 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ for 14 days) or placebo group (n = 14), using a two-group matched, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Before and after supplementation, participants performed 21 repetitions of 30 m (fatigue induction), and then, to measure muscle power, they performed four repetitions in half back squat (HBS) at 65% of 1RM. Statistical analysis included a two-factor ANOVA (p ˂ 0.05). Bar velocity at HBS, time: p = 0.0006, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.22; group: p = 0.0431, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.12, time × group p = 0.0744, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.02. Power at HBS, time: p = 0.0006, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.12; group: p = 0.16, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.06, time × group: p = 0.17, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.009. At the end of the study, it was found that, after the induction of acute intra-session fatigue, a low dose of Cr administered orally increases muscle power in young soccer players. Full article

The validity and reliability of the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT) were assessed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study involved 60 participants diagnosed with MS (mean age: 48.13 years, range: 24–80 years). Intra-rater reliability was assessed within-day (n = 12), and inter-rater reliability was assessed within-day (n = 45) and between-days (n = 22). For known-groups validity, test scores were compared between participants of different sexes; for convergent validity, test scores were correlated with age, the Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand test (FSTS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). To test the discriminant validity, the LEMOCOT test scores were correlated with the Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) and compared according to social history (living alone or not). The LEMOCOT test was tested under three different conditions and found to be very reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC_2,1 > 0.94) with an acceptable error level (standard error of the measurement, SEM, between 1.39 and 3.47 targets and 95% minimum detectable change; MDC_95%, between 3.84 and 9.58 targets). Convergent validity was verified, as the LEMOCOT registered very strong correlations with the FSTS test (r = −0.851) and the BBS scale (r = 0.815), a strong correlation with the LEFS scale (r = 0.78), a moderate correlation with the EDSS scale (r = −0.634), all highly significant (p < 0.001), and a weak correlation with age (r = −0.332, p < 0.01). Discriminant validity was also confirmed, as the LEMOCOT demonstrated a weak correlation with the MMSE scale (r = 0.365, p = 0.017) and no differences relative to living environment or sex. The LEMOCOT demonstrated excellent reliability and validity for patients with MS. Full article

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species in healthy dogs and their owners could be transferred between these hosts and carry diverse antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of public health concern. This study determined the frequency, diversity, and AMR genes of nasal CoNS from healthy dogs and in-contact people as well as the rate of intra-household (between healthy dogs and dog-owners) transmission of CoNS. Nasal samples were collected and processed from 34 dogs and 41 humans from 27 households, and CoNS identification was done by MALDI-TOF-MS. The AMR determinants and genetic lineages were determined by PCR/sequencing. A total of 216 CoNS isolates were initially obtained and identified, and the AMR phenotypes were determined. From these, 130 non-repetitive CoNS were selected (one isolate of each species per sample or more than one if they presented different AMR phenotypes) and further characterized. The predominant species from dog carriers were S. epidermidis (26.5%), S. hominis (8.8%), and S. cohnii (8.8%), whereas in the human carriers, the predominant ones were S. epidermidis (80.4%), S. lugdunensis (9.8%), and S. hominis (9.8%). Intra-host species diversity (>one CoNS species) was detected in 37.5% of dogs and 21.6% of dog-owners. Conversely, 50% of dogs and 70.3% of dog-owners had intra-species AMR diversity (2–4 AMR-CoNS profiles). About 20% were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested, 31.5% displayed a multidrug resistance phenotype, and 17.4% were mecA-positive, located in SCCmec type V (24.2%), III (18.1%), IVc (12.1%), and II (6.1%). The other mec-A positive CoNS isolates (39.5%) had non-typeable SCCmec. The highest AMR rates were found against erythromycin (32.3%/mph(C), msr(A)) and mupirocin (20.8%/mupA), but the resistance rates for other antimicrobial agents were <10% each. Remarkably, one linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis-ST35 isolate was identified and mediated by four amino acid substitutions in L3 and one in L4 ribosomal proteins. Dogs and dog-owners as carriers of S. epidermidis with similar AMR patterns and genetic lineages (ST59, ST61, ST166 and ST278) were detected in four households (14.8%). Diverse CoNS carriage and moderate level of AMR were obtained from this study. The detection of CoNS carrying diverse SCCmec elements and intra-species AMR diversity highlights the roles of dog ownership in the potential transmission of antimicrobial-resistant CoNS in either direction. Full article

This study aimed to determine the minimum number of repetitions for a high reliability of movement timing in fundamental physical fitness exercises using inertial sensors. Fifteen young men and fifteen women performed eight exercises (two-leg hop, forward lunge, squat, sit-up, shoulder abduction, hip abduction, back extension, and push-up) (preferred tempo, 3 trials, 20 repetitions per trial). The movement timing (cycle of movement in seconds and its phases in seconds and %tcycle) was tested for intra- and inter-trial reliability (SPSS 28.0, p ≤ 0.05). Just two repetitions were adequate for excellent intra- and inter-trial relative reliability (ICCs ≥ 0.75, isolated exceptions only for durations expressed as %tcycle, in only three out of the eight exercises: hip abduction, back extension, and push-up), as well as for high absolute intra- and inter-trial reliability (average SEM% at 5.9%, respectively, and 6.8% and average MDC95% at 13.7% and 15.9%, respectively, which was consistently higher than the upper boundary limit of SEM%, and a rather low CV% ranging from 1.5% to 4.9% and averaging at 3.1%). A total of four repetitions, excluding the initial and the final one, appears adequate for high overall reliability of movement timing in the eight physical fitness exercises examined. Full article

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two velocity-based resistance training (RT) programs using moderate loads (45–60% 1RM) but different magnitudes of velocity loss (VL) limits (10% vs. 30%) on the changes in physical performance in young soccer players. Twenty young soccer players were randomly allocated into two groups: VL10% (n = 10) and VL30% (n = 10). All participants were assessed before and after the 8-week RT program (twice a week) involving the following tests: 20 m running sprint (T20), countermovement jump (CMJ), kicking a ball (KB), and progressive loading test in the full squat (SQ) exercise. The RT program was conducted using only the SQ exercise and movement velocity was monitored in all repetitions. Significant ‘time × group’ interaction (p < 0.05) was observed for sprint performance, KB and 1RM in the SQ exercise in favor of VL10%. No significant changes between groups at post-test were observed. The VL10% resulted in significant (p < 0.05–0.001) intra-group changes in all variables analyzed, except for KB, whereas VL30% only showed significant (p < 0.05) performance increments in a sprint test and 1RM in the SQ exercise. The percentage of change and the intra-group’s effect size were of greater magnitude for VL10% in all variables analyzed compared to VL30%. In conclusion, our results suggest that, for non-trained young soccer players, squat training with low to moderate relative loads and 10%VL is sufficient to elicit significant increases in muscle strength and sport-specific actions compared to 30%VL in the set. Full article

During the latest Mesoproterozoic–Early Neoproterozoic era, extensional regimes generated a number of sedimentary basins in various regions in the Sino-Korean Craton. Mantle-plume emplacements are widely recognized in the sedimentary strata as mafic dikes and sills of the Dashigou Large Igneous Province (LIP). The occurrence of Fe-rich redbeds is first reported in the Neoproterozoic Socheong Formation of the Sangwon Supergroup in the Pyeongnam Basin. Their geochemical and mineralogical characteristics indicate basin-wide Fe enrichment due to hydrothermal fluid input. The episodic yet repetitive hydrothermal injection into the basin generated short-lived anoxia, recorded as greenish-gray coloration in the ferruginous beds. This hydrothermal fluid was likely sourced from the mafic igneous activities involved in the Dashigou LIP. The redbeds can be utilized as key beds for intra- or inter-basinal stratigraphic correlation and to study the negative carbon isotope excursions that occurred in the genetically related basins in the region (e.g., the Sangwon, Xu-Huai, and Dalian basins). Full article

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the intra- and inter-day reliability of flywheel cluster set training in concentric power (CON), eccentric power (ECC), and ECC overload during the Romanian deadlift exercise (RDL). A secondary aim was to assess the acute effect of internal and external attentional focus instructions on mean power when performing the flywheel RDL. Fourteen collegiate male field sport athletes (age, 23.3 ± 3.7 years; mass, 80.8 ± 9.9 kg; height, 1.79 ± 0.06 m) were randomized into internal (n = 7) or external (n = 7) attentional focus groups and attended four testing sessions, with a between-session separation of 7 days. Sessions consisted of four cluster sets of fifteen repetitions “excluding momentum repetitions” (4 × (5 + 5 + 5)) using a specific inertial load (0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg·m⁻²) for a given set in a randomized ascending or descending order. Cluster sets were separated by a 45 s intra-set rest period. Both instructional focus groups attained familiarization, although the time taken to achieve familiarization (outcome stability) differed between groups. The external instructional group attained familiarization post-session 2 (Cohen’s d (ES), ES = 0.11–0.65) with little volatility between performance measures (CV% = 4.61–9.59). Additionally, the internal group reported inconsistencies among all inertial loads, reporting large differences in MP in the 0.100 kg·m⁻² inertial load from day 2 to day 3 (ES = 1.22) and both 0.050 kg·m² (p = 0.010) and 0.075 kg·m⁻² (p = 0.016) between day 3 and day 4. The flywheel RDL cluster set approach is a reliable training modality for maintaining mean power output during cluster set repetitions. Full article

This study investigated the intra- and inter-herd diversity of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) isolates from four goat herds in Thuringia (Germany) that were affected by paratuberculosis for several years. The main focus was on the characterization and distribution of genotypes among animals and the environment of goat herd 1. This study included 196 isolates from the feces of 121 infected goats, various tissues from 13 clinically diseased goats, 29 environmental samples from herd 1, and additionally, 22 isolates of different origin from herds 2 to 4. The isolates, sampled between 2018 and 2022, were genotyped using short-sequence-repeat (SSR) analysis, mycobacterial-interspersed repetitive units–variable-number tandem repeat (MIRU–VNTR) analysis, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based assay for phylogenetic grouping. All the isolates belonged to the MAP-C group. In herd 1, one predominant genotype was determined, while two other genotypes were identified very rarely and only in fecal and environmental samples. One of three further genotypes was found in each of herds 2 to 4. The assignment of genotypes to different phylogenetic clades suggested six different infection strains. The results indicated no epidemiological links between the examined herds. Based on the current MAP genotyping data from Germany, possible sources of infection are MAP-contaminated barns previously used by infected cattle and the purchase of sub-clinically infected goats. Full article

In this study, we developed and validated an analytical method to evaluate the heavy metal elution from an active packaging material’s oxygen absorber to a food simulant. Using water, 4% acetic acid, n-heptane, 20% ethanol, and 50% ethanol as food simulants, we quantified cobalt, copper, platinum, and iron with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The method was thoroughly validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, and LOQ through inter-day and intra-day analysis repetitions. R² values ranged from 0.9986 to 1.0000, indicating excellent linearity. The LOD values ranged from 0.00002 to 0.2190 mg/kg, and the LOQ values ranged from 0.00007 to 0.6636 mg/kg. The method’s accuracy was 95.14% to 101.98%, with the precision ranging from 0.58% to 10.37%. Our results confirmed the method’s compliance with CODEX standards. Monitoring the oxygen absorber revealed undissolved platinum, cobalt levels from 0.10 to 19.29 μg/kg, copper levels from 0.30 to 976.14 μg/kg, and iron levels from 0.06 to 53.08 mg/kg. This study established a robust analytical approach for evaluating the heavy metal elution from oxygen absorbers, ensuring safety in the food industry. Full article

The ecology and diversity of resistome in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) from healthy pigs and pig farmers are rarely available as most studies focused on the livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This study aims to characterize the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms, intra-host species diversity (more than one species in a host), and intra-species AMR diversity (same species with more than one AMR profile) in CoNS recovered from the nasal cavities of healthy pigs and pig farmers. One-hundred-and-one CoNS strains previously recovered from 40 pigs and 10 pig farmers from four Spanish pig farms were tested to determine their AMR profiles. Non-repetitive strains were selected (n = 75) and their AMR genes, SCCmec types, and genetic lineages were analyzed by PCR/sequencing. Of the non-repetitive strains, 92% showed a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype, and 52% were mecA-positive, which were associated with SCCmec types V (46.2%), IVb (20.5%), and IVc (5.1%). A total of 28% of the pigs and pig farmers had intra-host species diversity, while 26% had intra-species AMR diversity. High repertoires of AMR genes were detected, including unusual ones such as tetO, ermT, erm43, and cfr. Most important was the detection of cfr (in S. saprophyticus and S. epidermidis-ST16) in pigs and pig farmers; whereas MDR-S. borealis strains were identified in pig farmers. Pig-to-pig transmission of CoNS with similar AMR genes and SCCmec types was detected in 42.5% of pigs. The high level of multidrug, within-host, and intra-species resistome diversity in the nasal CoNS highlights their ability to be AMR gene reservoirs in healthy pigs and pig farmers. The detection of MDR-S. borealis and linezolid-resistant strains underscore the need for comprehensive and continuous surveillance of MDR-CoNS at the pig farm level. Full article

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of blood flow restriction on movement velocity and muscle activity during the back squat exercise. Methods: Twenty-four university students participated in this study. In two randomized sessions 72 h apart, participants performed a 4-set protocol consisting of 30-15-15-15 repetitions performed at 30% of their one-repetition maximum in the back squat exercise. In both sessions, neuromuscular function was monitored by surface electromyography (EMG) and movement velocity (mean propulsive velocity (MPV), peak concentric velocity (Vmax), and the effort index (EI)). Blood flow restriction (BFR) was applied during exercise in one of the experimental sessions with 80% of full arterial occlusion pressure over lower limbs. Results: The BFR condition showed higher (p < 0.05) EI, peak, and rooted mean square normalized EMG in Set 1 compared to Set 2. Similar MPV and Vmax were observed in each set for both the BFR and control conditions. No significant differences were observed between conditions in any set. Conclusions: BFR did not imply changes in neuromuscular performance during low-intensity resistance training, but it might induce greater intra-series velocity loss and less excitation of the muscles involved. Full article

Recently, 3D models (3DM) gained popularity in urology, especially in nephron-sparing interventions (NSI). Up to now, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques alone does not allow us to obtain a 3DM adequate to plan a robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). Integration of AI with computer vision algorithms seems promising as it allows to speed up the process. Herein, we present a 3DM realized with the integration of AI and a computer vision approach (CVA), displaying the utility of AI-based Hyper Accuracy Three-dimensional (HA3D^®) models in preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making process of challenging robotic NSI. A 54-year-old Caucasian female with no past medical history was referred to the urologist for incidental detection of the right renal mass. Preoperative contrast-enhanced abdominal CT confirmed a 35 × 25 mm lesion on the anterior surface of the upper pole (PADUA 7), with no signs of distant metastasis. CT images in DICOM format were processed to obtain a HA3D^® model. RAPN was performed using Da Vinci Xi surgical system in a three-arm configuration. The enucleation strategy was achieved after selective clamping of the tumor-feeding artery. Overall operative time was 85 min (14 min of warm ischemia time). No intra-, peri- and post-operative complications were recorded. Histopathological examination revealed a ccRCC (stage pT1aNxMx). AI is breaking new ground in medical image analysis panorama, with enormous potential in organ/tissue classification and segmentation, thus obtaining 3DM automatically and repetitively. Realized with the integration of AI and CVA, the results of our 3DM were accurate as demonstrated during NSI, proving the potentialities of this approach for HA3D^® models’ reconstruction. Full article