Significant Differences In Total Area Research Articles

Comparison of Tibial Geometry, Density, and Strength in College-Aged Female Eumenorrheic Dancers, Gymnasts, and Runners: A Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Study

Weightbearing activities such as gymnastics, soccer, weightlifting, and running have often been used as benchmarks in skeletal research since they have been shown to promote densitometric and geometric benefits. In comparison with other sports, there is a paucity of information in relation to dance and its osteogenic potential. This study aimed to compare tibial geometry, density, and strength in college-aged dancers versus gymnasts and runners.<br/> Methods: A total of 60 trained eumenorrheic collegiate-aged female dancers (n = 11), gymnasts (n = 11), runners (n = 19), and sedentary controls (n = 19) were included in the study. Bone measure- ments, including total area (ToA), volumetric (total vBMD) and cortical density (CoD), compressive bone strength (BSI), and polar strength stress index (SSIp) of the dominant limb, were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal and proximal tibia (4% and 66% of limb length).<br/> Results: No significant differences in ToA, CoD, CoA, and total vBMD were found between dancers and the comparison athletes at the measured sites. In addition, strength indices (BSI and SSIp) at the distal and proximal sites were similar between the dancing and both athlete groups.<br/> Conclusion: Results suggest dance elicits similar structural adaptations at the tibia compared to benchmark high-impact and repetitive impact sports; thus, indicating dance, in its various forms, can have a positive effect on important bone variables that influence density and strength. These adaptations may potentially delay or prevent bone fragility later in life. Future studies should compare individual styles of dance separately, longitudinally, and include other important lower (e.g., hip) and upper body (e.g., radius) sites to further identify which forms provide the greatest osteogenic benefits.

Evaluation of choriocapillaris with high-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography and image averaging

To study the capabilities of high-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD-OCTA) with image averaging in the evaluation of choriocapillaries in healthy individuals and patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). All participants underwent OCTA examination on the SOLIX tomograph (Optovue, USA) using quadruplicate 3×3 mm scan with image averaging. Image analysis was performed in 9-µm custom slab with Phansalkar auto local threshold algorithm and calculation of flow voids larger than 5000 µm2 and 10 000 µm2. The optimal slab depth was determined in healthy eyes by consecutive analysis of the slabs with a 3-µm shift from zero position to 33 µm below Bruch's membrane. The study included 18 eyes of 18 healthy volunteers (40.4±6.0 years old) and 18 fellow eyes of 18 unilateral CSC patients (37.4±10.7 years old). The slab 12 µm below the Bruch's membrane showed the minimal number of flow voids (23.1±7.0 of >5000 µm2 voids per scan) and was chosen for further analysis. The number of flow voids of >5000 µm2 in healthy paired eyes of CSC patients was statistically significantly higher than in the eyes of healthy individuals (32.7±10.7 and 25.3±8.1 voids/scan, respectively; p=0.022). The number of flow voids of >10000 µm2 was also statistically significantly higher in CSC eyes compared to healthy eyes (5.6±3.3 and 3.5±1.9 voids/scan, respectively; p=0.045). There was no statistically significant difference in total area of the voids between the eyes of healthy individuals and CSC patients (96406.1±3924.5 µm2 and 95395.7 ± 3615.1 µm2, respectively; p=0.42). The optimal settings for choriocapillaris imaging on the SOLIX tomograph include 9-µm slab 9 to 18 µm below the Bruch's membrane. Using a 9-µm slab 12 µm below the Bruch's membrane, a substantial difference was found in choriocapillaris perfusion between eyes of healthy individuals and CSC patients.

Short Sprints Accumulated at School Modulate Postprandial Metabolism in Boys.

This study examined the efficacy of maximal sprint running accumulated during a typical school day to modulate postprandial metabolism in adolescent boys. Nineteen adolescent boys completed three 2-d experimental conditions: a standard-practice control (CON), an accumulated in-school sprint running (ACC), and a single block of afterschool sprint running (BLO). On day 1, a fasting capillary blood sample was taken at 0735 h in the school. Three subsequent postprandial blood samples were taken at predetermined times after consumption of standardized breakfast and lunch. During ACC, participants accumulated four sets of 10 × 30-m maximal-intensity sprint runs across natural breaks in lessons. During BLO, participants performed the same number of sprints (40) in a single after-school exercise session. The blood samples from day 1 were replicated on the day after exercise (day 2). On day 1, no significant differences in total area under the plasma triacylglycerol concentration versus time curve (TAUC-TAG) were observed between conditions (P = 0.126). However, TAUC-insulin was lower in ACC compared with BLO (-26%, effect size [ES] = 0.86, P = 0.001) and CON (-22%, ES = 0.72, P = 0.010). On day 2, TAUC-TAG was 12% lower after ACC (ES = 0.49; P = 0.002) and 10% lower after BLO (ES = 0.37; P = 0.019) compared with CON. No significant differences were observed between conditions on day 2 for postprandial insulin or glucose (P ≥ 0.738). Four sets of 10 × 30-m sprints, accumulated in four separate bouts (<5 min) during the school day, reduced postprandial triacylglycerol and insulin concentrations in adolescent boys and may represent an effective in-school exercise strategy to promote metabolic health.

Evaluation of pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and urinary excretion of scopolin and its metabolite scopoletin in Sprague Dawley rats by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

We aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and urinary excretion of scopolin and its metabolite scopoletin in rats. An LC-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of scopolin and scopoletin in rat biomatrices was developed and validated over a plasma and urine concentration range of 5.0-2000 ng/mL. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Hypersil GOLD C18 column with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase with gradient elution. Detection was performed in the positive ionization and selected reaction monitoring mode. The intra- and inter-batch precision and accuracy, extraction recovery and matrix effect and stability of scopolin and scopoletin were well within the acceptable limits of variation. There was no gender-related difference in the pharmacokinetic profiles of scopolin. There were significant differences in total area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), time required to achieve a maximal concentration (Tmax ) and apparent clearance from plasma (Cl/F) of scopoletin between the male and female rats (p < .05). The bioavailability (F) of scopolin was exceptionally low. The maximal excretion rates were 7.61 μg/h and 7.15 μg/h for scopolin and 31.68 μg/h and 25.58 μg/h for scopoletin in male and female rats, respectively. The LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic, bioavailability and urinary excretion studies of scopolin and its metabolite scopoletin following a single administration of scopolin to rats.

Evaluation of 25% Poloxamer As a Slow Release Carrier for Morphine in a Rat Model

The objectives of this study were to evaluate poloxamer as a slow release carrier for morphine (M) and potential tissue irritation after subcutaneous poloxamer–morphine (PM) injection in a rat model. Based on the result of a previous in vitro work, 25% poloxamer, with and without morphine, and saline were administered in 14 rats’ flanks. Blood for morphine concentrations was automatically sampled at multiple preprogrammed time points using the Culex™ unit for 48 h. Skin tissues from the injection sites were harvested and evaluated for histopathological changes. Following M or PM administration, it was determined that the half-life (t1/2) was significantly longer in the PM (5.5 ± 7.2 h) than M (0.7 ± 0.8 h) indicated a slow dissolution of poloxamer with morphine. The tmax was within 15 min and Cmax was approximately three times higher with M than with PM, reaching 716.8 (±153.7 ng/ml) of plasma morphine concentrations. There was no significant difference in total area under the curve and clearance of M versus PM. Histology inflammatory scores were similar between M, PM, and poloxamer but were significantly higher than saline control. We concluded that 25% poloxamer was capable of increasing the t1/2 of morphine, without a significant tissue irritation.

Comparison of Static and Dynamic Balance of Physically Active College Women with Different Foot Arch Heights

Introduction: Balance is one of the pivotal and inseparable components in daily activities and sports performance. Better and more comprehensive recognize of effective factors on quality of balance and how they impress, provide the opportunity which helps to improve motor-base factors in whole life and avoids negative impacts. It seems that anatomical abnormalities such as flat and pescavus foot and morphologic features of the foot can affect motor fitness characteristics like balance. So, this research aimed to compare the static and dynamic balance of women college athletes which have different foot arch heights. Materials and Methods: Static and dynamic balance were assessed in 90 women athletes in three types of foot arch: flat foot (30 persons), pescavus foot (30 persons) and normal foot (30 persons); it was done using stabilometer device with open-eye participant and maintaining a single leg stance (a measure of static balance), while dynamic balance was tested with putting a dominant step on a device (a measure of dynamic balance). Besides, to differentiate between flat, pescavus and normal foot arch, the navicular drop was tested with Brady attributive method. To test and analyze statistical datum, also one-way ANOVA statistical method was used via SPSS 19 software. Results: There was a significant difference in total area of the swing movement (P = 0.002) in static balance; however, there is not any significant difference between the study groups in dynamic balance (P = 0.098). Conclusion: Although static balance in person who suffers from flat and pescavus foot arch abnormality is lower than normal foot arch, but in dynamic balance, no significant differences between the three groups of foot arch height were noticed. So, the people who suffers from flat and pescavus foot arch should do their daily activities with more accuracy and attention.

The role of coffee consumption on bone geometrical properties in young females consuming a high habitual calcium diet

Coffee consumption in young adults has increased in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of coffee consumption on bone geometrical properties in females who consume a high habitual calcium diet. Thirty‐eight females aged 18‐24y provided detailed information on diet, medical, and fracture history. Nutrition assessment and bone geometrical measurements by peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT) were conducted. Unpaired student's t‐tests revealed a significant difference in total density of the radius between non‐coffee consumers and coffee consumers (441.64 g/cm3 vs. 404.07 g/cm3; p = 0.0475). Differences were also observed for radial trabecular density (209.60 g/cm3 vs. 183.79 g/cm3; p = 0.0402) but not radial cortical density. Non‐coffee consumers also had higher ulnar trabecular density compared to the coffee consumers (238.49 g/cm3 vs. 208.06 g/cm3; p= 0.0243). No significant differences in total area, cortical area, and trabecular area of the radius and ulna were observed. The findings of this study suggest that coffee consumption may lead to reduced bone quality; consequently, increasing one's risk for fracture.

Morphology of the corpus callosum at different stages of schizophrenia: Cross-sectional study in first-episode and chronic illness

The shape of the corpus callosum may differ in schizophrenia, although no study has compared first-episode with established illness. To investigate the size and shape of the corpus callosum in a large sample of people with first-episode and established schizophrenia. Callosal size and shape were determined using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging on 76 patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, 86 patients with established schizophrenia and 55 healthy participants. There were no significant differences in total area across groups. Reductions in callosal width were seen in the region of the anterior genu in first-episode disorder (P<0.005). Similar reductions were seen in the chronic schizophrenia group in the anterior genu, but also in the posterior genu and isthmus (P=0.0005). Reductions in anterior callosal regions connecting frontal cortex are present at the onset of schizophrenia, and in established illness are accompanied by changes in other regions of the callosum connecting cingulate, temporal and parietal cortices.