Single Test Research Articles

Abstract C068: Construction of preclinical study model for optimal anticancer drug selection using PDX model in pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background: Translational research using the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is progressing rapidly and is also becoming widespread in pancreatic cancer research. Since PDX models retain the characteristics and the heterogeneity of the primary tumor, PDX models can be reflected in the effectiveness of the anticancer drug in human. The purpose of this study was to establish the PDX library of pancreatic cancer for preclinical study. Methods: The tissues of the pancreatic cancer were obtained from patients who underwent surgery at our hospital. Two PDX models were established using immunodeficient rats. One case was effective in gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) therapy, and the other was ineffective in GnP therapy in preoperative treatment. 5-FU, CPT-11, L-OHP, GEM, and CDDP were administered to these PDX models once a week for 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was tumor shrinkage. Results: GEM was effective in PDX model in a case in which GnP therapy was effective in the clinical setting, in contrast, GEM was ineffective in PDX model in a case in which GnP was ineffective in the clinical setting. This result was correlated with actual clinical practice. Conclusions: In this study, single anticancer drug tests were performed on PDX models using immunodeficient rats. The efficacy of anticancer drugs was correlated with the clinical setting, indicating that our PDX models might be useful as a preclinical study model. We are currently conducting multi anticancer drug studies. Citation Format: Ryota Tanaka, Kenjiro Kimura, Naoki Tani, Shimpei Eguchi, Ken Kageyama, Shuhei Kushiyama, Shigeaki Kurihara, Masahiko Kinoshita, Kohei Nishio, Hiroji Shinkawa, Go Ohira, Akira Yamamoto, Takeaki Ishizawa. Construction of preclinical study model for optimal anticancer drug selection using PDX model in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C068.

Effects of Cement Treatment on Water Retention Behavior and Collapse Potential of Gypseous Soils: Experimental Investigation and Prediction Models

Gypseous soil poses a significant challenge in geotechnical engineering due to its susceptibility to collapse under saturation. This type of soil covers approximately 33% of regions in Iraq, primarily in unsaturated conditions. This study focuses on two types of gypseous soils: one with moderate gypsum content from Karbala city (G1) and the other with high-gypsum content from Tikrit city (G2), to investigate the effects of cement treatment on their water retention behavior and potential for reducing collapse. Different percentages of cement were mixed with both soils to determine the optimum soil–cement mixture for reducing collapse potential (CP) through single oedometer tests. The water retention characteristics and water retention behavior of samples with varying gypsum content and different levels of cement treatment were examined and compared using a controlled-suction oedometer. The soil–water retention curve (SWRC) of these natural and treated gypseous soils was also investigated and compared in both wetting and drying paths. Additionally, multiple pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were assessed to identify or adapt prediction equation(s) for the SWRC of gypseous soil both with and without cement treatment with acceptable accuracy. The results show that adding cement can decrease the CP of gypseous soils; it also affects their SWRC significantly. By making some simple modifications, the PTFs demonstrate acceptable estimations for the water retention curve of both natural and cement-treated gypseous soils.

Long-term bilateral change in pain and sensitivity to high-frequency cutaneous electrical stimulation in healthy subjects depends on stimulus modality: a dermatomal examination.

Contradictory changes in pain and sensitivity at long-term following cutaneous 100 Hz high frequency stimulation (HFS) have been previously observed. Thus, we aimed to document long-lasting changes in multimodal sensitivity following HFS, and factors influencing them. Long-lasting changes were assessed with mechanical [brush, von Frey filament (588.2 mN)] and thermal [heat (40°C)/cold (25°C)] bedside sensory testing, and electrical TS (0.2 ms single electrical stimuli), at the homotopic (ipsilateral C6 dermatome), adjacent heterotopic (ipsilateral C5 and C7 dermatomes) and contralateral (contralateral C6 dermatomes) dermatomal sites in a single testing session. TS were applied before and after application of 100 Hz HFS at the ipsilateral C6 dermatome. Subjects rated their sensation and pain intensity to TS, and completed questionnaires related to pain descriptors and quality of life. Long-lasting changes in mechanical and cold sensitivity was detected up to 45 min after HFS at homotopic C6 dermatome, and a temporary increase in cold sensitivity at 20 min in the contralateral C6 dermatome (p < 0.05). A slow development of bilateral depotentiation to electrical pain TS was also detected from 40 min after HFS (p < 0.05). Higher HFS-induced mechanical and cold sensitivity was identified in women (p < 0.05). Age and quality of life were associated with pain intensity (p < 0.05). Long-term unilateral and bilateral changes in sensation and pain following electrical HFS have been found. These findings may suggest a new insight into the development of persistent pain mechanisms. Further studies are now needed.

Pterin Profiling in Serum, Dried Blood Spot, and Urine Samples Using LC-MS/MS in Patients with Inherited Hyperphenylalaninemia

Background: Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is defined as blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels exceeding the normal values (>120 μmol/L or >2 mg/dL) and is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). The widespread screening of Phe levels in newborn screening programs has led to a very high number of patients with HPA. Methods: The samples were collected at various ages, not at the point of diagnosis. Nine pterin derivatives, including isoxanthopterin, sepiapterin, xanthopterin, primapterin, biopterin, neopterin, 7,8-dihydrobiopterin, 7,8-dihydroneopterin, and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), were analyzed in different HPA classes in serum, dried blood spots (DBS), and urine samples. A total of 18 patients, including six classical phenylketonuria (PKU), eight BH4-responsive PKU, and four mild HPA patients, were included in the study. Results: Among the nine pterin derivatives measured, a significant increase was observed in the levels of isoxanthopterin, biopterin, and 7,8-dihydrobiopterin in serum, dried blood spots (DBS), and urine samples of patients with HPA compared to the control group. However, elevations in isoxanthopterin, biopterin, and 7,8-dihydrobiopterin were observed in all HPA groups, although the extent of elevation varied among the different disease groups. There were also significant differences between HPA subgroups among these high values. Conclusion: In this study, it might be suggested that pterin profiling shows promising potential for its effective utilization in the differential diagnosis of HPA. Pterin profiling demonstrated its efficacy in accurately categorizing patients into distinct subtypes. This approach offers several notable advantages, including the ability to simultaneously screen multiple HPA subtypes through a single test, establish disease decision limits for pterins, shorten the time required for HPA differential diagnosis, reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, and increase overall diagnostic accuracy. This study is the most comprehensive study examining the association between HPA pterin in the literature. In our study, samples obtained from BH4-responsive PKU patients were on treatment. This may have affected the results. Preliminary findings on pterin profiles may need to be replicated in a prospective cohort of samples collected at the time of diagnosis to confirm the results.

Evolutionary algorithms for solving single- and multiple-objective political redistricting problems: The case study of Poland

We propose novel evolutionary algorithms for solving single- and multi-objective political redistricting problems. The objectives include population equality, compactness of districts, deviation from the current districting, and an expected number of mandates attainable by some parties. The former two ensure the constructed solutions are reasonable, while the latter pair is meaningful for the post-analysis on how the alternation of existing districts may affect election outcomes. We operate on data concerning geography, demography, and politics in Poland. The experiments reveal that our algorithms efficiently handle the four-objective variant of the problem. In a single test run, we evaluate around one million solutions in nearly two hours on an average class computer, which is satisfactory given the problem’s complexity. The methods construct high-quality non-dominated solutions, outperforming the current districting and revealing the trade-offs between the objectives. The post-analysis allows us to observe connections between the expected number of mandates and the remaining three objectives. Specifically, attaining a greater number of mandates requires more significant changes in delineating the districts and potential violations of constraints. We also exhibit that the space for possible political manipulations increases when more districts can be determined.

Enhancing interfacial shear strength with tailored carbon nanotube orientations: A micromechanical hierarchical model of single fiber fragmentation tests

This study explores the effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) orientation on stress transfer in carbon fiber (CF) composites using the Single Fiber Fragmentation Test (SFFT). A micromechanical hierarchical model, utilizing the Finite Element Method (FEM), is developed to analyze a CF composite with a CNT-reinforced interfacial region, encapsulated within an epoxy resin matrix. The Mori-Tanaka method is utilized to calculate the effective properties of the CNT-reinforced interfacial region of the CF, taking into account different CNT orientations and volume fractions. Scenarios involving radial, longitudinal, and random CNT orientations are considered. Moreover, the study also incorporates the nonlinear plastic behavior of the epoxy matrix. A novel analytical framework that leverages FEM to compute variables such as critical length, interfacial shear strength (IFSS), and average normal stress is proposed to accomplish it. Numerical results are compared to existing experimental data for validation. For the validation of the proposed methodology, experimental data available in the literature were used. The model predictions show that specific orientations and volume fractions of CNTs have the potential to enhance IFSS. However, the enhancement in the elastic stiffness of the interfacial region, attributed to the inclusion of CNTs, does not entirely explain the improvements in IFSS observed in the experimental studies from the literature.

Micromechanical behavior of single fiber-asphalt mastic interface: Experimental studies by self-designed innovative pullout test

Micromechanical behavior of the interface between fiber and asphalt is a crucial factor in the performance of fiber reinforced asphalt concrete, and a thorough understanding of this behavior is essential for the design and optimization of these materials. To evaluate the micromechanical behavior of the interface, an innovative single fiber pullout test platform was designed, and the experimental parameter conditions were systematically studied. Three types of fibers including basalt fiber (BF), glass fiber (GF) and polyester fiber (PF) were adopted, and the pullout test was performed at 60 ℃, 25 ℃ and −10 ℃, respectively, where the micromechanical behavior at the interface under different experimental conditions was obtained. The results showed that the recommended loading rate of the fiber pullout test is 1–3 mm/min, and the measurement of variability is satisfactory. The single fiber pullout behavior was observed and the load-displacement curve was recorded real-time. Three failure modes (fiber pullout, fiber fracture and matrix failure) at the interface between the single fiber and asphalt mastic were observed. Furthermore, a bond-slip model which can accurately characterize the bonding-debonding behavior of the interface between the single fiber and asphalt mastic was established. It was found from the study that micromechanical behavior of the interface between the single fiber and asphalt mastic is influenced by the type of fiber and temperature, the peak load and displacement are significantly different. These findings presented in this study can play a significant role in revealing the reinforcement mechanism of fiber and providing a guidance for the efficient application and development of fiber reinforced asphalt mixture.

Standing on single foot-binding test yields satisfactory results as a novel method for the diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability: a prospective, cross-sectional diagnostic-accuracy study

BackgroundNon-invasive diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability (DTSI) was a great challenge to clinicians. We designed a new method, the Standing on single foot-Binding test, and investigated the accuracy of the test in the diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability in adults with a history of ankle injury.Methods85 participants with ankle injury were subjected to the Standing on single foot-Binding test, MRI and palpation to detect the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability (DTSI) and the findings were compared with ankle arthroscopic results. Both participants and arthroscopist were blind to the predicted results of the clinical tests. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, LR − and their 95% CIs were calculated for each of the clinical tests as well as for the positive clinical diagnosis.ResultsThe Standing on single foot-Binding test (SOSF-B test) outperformed MRI and palpation, in terms of sensitivity (87.5%/84.38%), specificity (86.79%/86.79%), PPV (80%/79.41%), NPV (92%/91.2%), LR+ (6.625/6.39), LR- (0.14/0.18) and diagnostic accuracy (87.06/85.88), among others, in the diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability (DTSI). The diagnostic performance of 20° SOSF-B test was virtually identical to that of 0° SOSF-B test. According to the prevalence (28.7%) of DTSI and LR of four tests, the post-test probability could be used in clinical practice for the prediction of DTSI.ConclusionThis prospective and double-blind diagnostic test showed that the SOSF-B test is clinically feasible for the diagnosis of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability (DTSI), and new diagnostic tools for rapid screening of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis instability (DTSI).Level of evidenceII.

Validation of a spring loaded probe for single and repeat pressure pain testing, including public domain specifications for design and manufacture.

Temporal summation of pressure pain is technically more challenging than simple pressure pain thresholds. The current study describes the design, manufacture and validation of a simple mechanical test apparatus to assess the temporal summation of deep pressure pain. We release design details into the public domain with the intention of providing free access for researchers especially in low income countries. Utility and validity of the probes were assessed by pressure application in three different experimental setups: A. Identifying potential issues which needed to be addressed to ensure a reliable test procedure (189 tests with 24 testers using four different probes). B. Selecting the most reliable target force curve (one tester conducted 20 tests). C. Estimating classic inter and intra-examiner reliability and comparing probe measures to other QST measures (repeated measures study with counterbalancing). We make recommendations on best use of the probes. Pressure pain thresholds assessed using probes were affected by anatomical test site and testing tool, but not by tester, day or session. Temporal summation of pressure pain was significantly greater than that of a single pressure application. We found no correlation between temporal summation using the probes on the Infra-Spinatus muscle and temporal summation using a pneumatic cuff on the lower leg. The probe was a useful tool for assessing pain intensity and temporal summation of pressure pain intensity, but not for pain thresholds. A number of caveats need to be considered when using the probe, including but not limited to audio cues and target ideal wave function.

Tissue-adjusted pathway analysis of cancer (TPAC): A novel approach for quantifying tumor-specific gene set dysregulation relative to normal tissue.

We describe a novel single sample gene set testing method for cancer transcriptomics data named tissue-adjusted pathway analysis of cancer (TPAC). The TPAC method leverages information about the normal tissue-specificity of human genes to compute a robust multivariate distance score that quantifies gene set dysregulation in each profiled tumor. Because the null distribution of the TPAC scores has an accurate gamma approximation, both population and sample-level inference is supported. As we demonstrate through an analysis of gene expression data for 21 solid human cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and associated normal tissue expression data from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), TPAC gene set scores are more strongly associated with patient prognosis than the scores generated by existing single sample gene set testing methods.

Study on the green extraction of corncob xylan by deep eutectic solvent

Corn as one of the world's major food crops, its by-product corn cob is also rich in resources. However, the unreasonable utilization of corn cob often causes the environmental pollution, waste of resources and other problems. As one of the most abundant polymers in nature, xylan is widely used in food, medicine, materials and other fields. Corn cob is rich in xylan, which is an ideal raw material for extracting xylan. However, the intractable lignin is covalently linked to xylan, which increases the difficulty of xylan extraction. It has been reported that the deep eutectic solvent (DES) could preferentially dissolve lignin in biomass, thereby dissolving the xylan. Then, the xylan in the extract was separated by ethanol precipitation method. The xylan precipitate was obtained after centrifugation, while the supernatant was retained. The components of the supernatant after ethanol precipitation were separated by the rotary evaporator. The ethanol, water and DES were collected for the subsequent extraction of corn cob xylan. In this study, a novel way was provided for the green production of corn cob xylan. The DES was used to extract xylan from corn cob which was used as the raw material. The effects of solid-liquid ratio, reaction time, reaction temperature and water content of DES on the extraction rate of corn cob xylan were investigated by the single factor test. Furthermore, the orthogonal test was designed to optimize the xylan extraction process. The structure of corn cob xylan was analyzed and verified. The results showed that the optimum extraction conditions of corn cob xylan were as follows: the ratio of corn cob to DES was 1 : 15 (g : mL), the extraction time was 3 h, the extraction temperature was 60 °C, and the water content of DES was 70%. Under these conditions, the extraction rate of xylan was 16.46%. The extracted corn cob xylan was distinctive triple helix of polysaccharide, which was similar to the structure of commercially available xylan. Xylan was effectively and workably extracted from corn cob by the DES method. This study provided a new approach for high value conversion of corn cob and the clean production of xylan.

Computational and experimental study on the resistance welding process of a glass fiber‐reinforced epoxy‐based composite with thermoplastic interlayer adherent

AbstractIn this work, resistance welding of a glass fiber‐reinforced epoxy composite (GFRC) was studied with numerical optimization and experimental validation. A steel mesh and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) films were used as the heating element and adherent interlayers, respectively. A transient heat transfer module was implemented to conduct the parametric optimization study, with variables of electricity power, clamping distance and weld time. The optimal welding condition was then confirmed as 20 W, 0.4 mm and 30 s, with a melting degree of 95.2%. A thermal meter and a thermal camera validated the simulated temperature results. Welding quality was experimentally characterized by single lap shear tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest lap shear strength of 3.8 ± 0.3 MPa was captured on the specimen welded with the optimized condition. This was 76% that of the benchmark made with the adhesive bonding method but it was over 200 times faster.Highlights Resistance welding of GFRC with PMMA films and a steel mesh is studied with FEA. Simulation results are quantitatively validated with experimental methods. Optimal welding conditions are confirmed in association with welding tests.

Feasibility Study of Steel Derailment Containment Provisions through Quasi-Static Experiments

Railway derailments present a safety hazard, carrying the potential for severe consequences for both human lives and the economy. Implementing derailment containment provisions (DCPs) near the track centerline is essential for mitigating risks in operating high-speed rail (HSR) while providing significant advantages for the large-scale upgrade of existing railway infrastructure. Therefore, this paper investigated the feasibility of a DCP system made of steel through quasi-static experiments, aiming to enhance safety in HSR operations. Initially, single anchor tests were conducted to assess its capacity to withstand applied loads, prevent the pullout of steel anchors, and avoid the local rotation of the steel frame. Then, full-scale steel DCP systems were manufactured and tested for quasi-static load at different locations, including the mid-anchor, the mid-span, and the end-anchor. The relationship between applied load and displacement, along with the initial stiffness of the DCP specimens, was discussed. The findings revealed that the single anchor can withstand an applied load of up to 197.9 kN. The DCP specimen maintained structural integrity at the 207 kN target load under all load scenarios, showing a maximum displacement of 8.93 mm in the case of applied load at mid-span. Furthermore, the initial stiffness of the DCP systems was 1.77 to 2.55 times greater than that of a single anchor, validating a force-bearing coordination mechanism among neighboring anchors and the substantial impact of the applied load positions on their stiffness.

‘Resin welding’: A novel route to joining acrylic composite components at room temperature

The solubility of acrylic polymer in its own liquid monomer creates the opportunity to ‘weld’ acrylic-matrix (Elium®) composites without the application of heat. In this method, termed resin welding, acrylic monomeric resin is infused between acrylic-matrix composite parts. The resin dissolves and diffuses into the acrylic matrix and creates a continuous material, and a strong bond, when it polymerises, without the sensitivities of traditional welding methods to adherend or bondline thickness. Single lap shear testing was conducted on resin-welded and adhesively-bonded coupons with varying bondline thicknesses and filling fibres, and the bonding and fracture mechanisms were investigated using SEM and the diffusion of dyed acrylic resin. The highest bond strength of resin-welded coupons reached 27.9 MPa, which is 24 % higher than the strongest weld reported in the literature, indicating that resin welding is a promising alternative to traditional bonding and welding methods for acrylic-matrix composites.

Comparison of screening methods for computer adaptive tests to predict reading and math performance

AbstractThe present study compared the diagnostic accuracy of a single computer adaptive test (CAT), Star Reading or Star Math, and a combination of the two in a gated screening framework to predict end‐of‐year proficiency in reading and math. Participants included 13,009 students in Grades 3–8 who had at least one fall screening score and end‐of‐year state test score in reading and math. First, diagnostic accuracy statistics were evaluated for a single screening measure to predict proficiency on end‐of‐year tests. Second, a gated screening framework was simulated to examine the diagnostic accuracy of a combination of screening measures (i.e., scores from the CATs and the end‐of‐year test). The diagnostic accuracy of each screening method was compared. Results suggest that diagnostic accuracy did not improve for the gated screening method when compared to the single screening method. The gated screening method tended to yield low sensitivity values (M = 0.42, range = 0.35–0.48) and high specificity values (M = 0.97, range = 0.95–0.99). The only condition to reach acceptable sensitivity and specificity (&gt;0.70) was a single reading screener predicting reading outcomes. Sample specific cut‐scores from receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses led to improved diagnostic accuracy outcomes relative to all other methods.

Deep temporal modelling of clinical depression through social media text

We describe the development of a model to detect user-level clinical depression based on a user’s temporal social media posts. Our model uses a Depression Symptoms Detection (DSD) classifier, which is trained on the largest existing samples of clinician annotated tweets for clinical depression symptoms. We subsequently use our DSD model to extract clinically relevant features, e.g., depression scores and their consequent temporal patterns, as well as user posting activity patterns, e.g., quantifying their “no activity” or “silence.” Furthermore, to evaluate the efficacy of these extracted features, we create three kinds of datasets including a test dataset, from two existing well-known benchmark datasets for user-level depression detection. We then provide accuracy measures based on single features, baseline features and feature ablation tests, at several different levels of temporal granularity. The relevant data distributions and clinical depression detection related settings can be exploited to draw a complete picture of the impact of different features across our created datasets. Finally, we show that, in general, only semantic oriented representation models perform well. However, clinical features may enhance overall performance provided that the training and testing distribution is similar, and there is more data in a user’s timeline. The consequence is that the predictive capability of depression scores increase significantly while used in a more sensitive clinical depression detection settings.

Simultaneous Identification of Water Buffalo, Cattle, and Yak Meat and Horns by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Beef is an important source of protein for human consumption globally; in addition to beef, water buffalo and yak meat are widely consumed in Asia. Additionally, water buffalo horns are an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine. Adulteration of water buffalo horn with cattle and yak horn for economic gain has become a prevalent and pressing concern. This study used multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the simultaneous identification of meat and horns from water buffalo, cattle, and yaks within a single PCR test. Species-specific primers were designed for multiplex PCR based on a comprehensive comparison of mitochondrial gene sequences with those of commonly edible and horned animals. Multiplex PCR conditions were optimized by considering the concentration of components and the annealing temperatures for each set of species-specific primer pairs. A total of 220 bp amplicons were obtained for water buffalo, 269 bp for cattle, and 346 bp for yak. Validation measures were used to eliminate interference from other animal sources. Simultaneous identification of the three species in a single assay presents substantial advantages over conventional species-specific PCR methods.

Selecting high-quality non-sensor locations from reconstructed dynamic responses of double-layer cylindrical reticulated shells considering step excitations

Because long-span spatial structures have a large number of nodes and members, monitoring tasks such as model updating and damage detection necessitate a large amount of high-quality test information. More test information can be obtained by reconstructing dynamic responses for non-sensor areas. However, because reconstruction errors are unknown, current study cannot tell whether a non-sensor location has high reconstruction accuracy or not. Thus, a novel technique for selecting high-quality non-sensor locations from reconstructed dynamic responses obtained solely from finite sensor test information was suggested. Firstly, dynamic responses are reconstructed by linearly combining only a few fixed contributing modes. This neatly converts the issue of reconstructing dynamic responses at non-sensor locations to that of estimating contributing mode coefficients (i.e., generalized coordinates). An iterative strategy for determining optimal sensor locations was proposed in order to achieve unbiased estimation of contributing mode coefficients at each moment. The dynamic responses at non-sensor locations were naturally reconstructed using estimates of contributing mode coefficients. Secondly, following the reconstruction error analysis, a correlation coefficient index was proposed to select high-quality non-sensor locations with high reconstruction accuracy in a reliable manner. As a typical representative of spatial structures, a double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell was taken as the example to validate the proposed method. Numerical results reveal that by using the proposed method, dynamic responses at non-sensor locations can conveniently be reconstructed and many high-quality non-sensor locations can reliably be selected. This explorative work is conducive to increasing the quantity of high-quality test information in a single dynamic test by using very few sensors, with test efficiency greatly improved and test cost significantly saved.

Video-Based Physical Exercise Effects on Young Adults in Social Isolation During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of video-based exercises on the physical activity levels of individuals between the ages of 18-40 in social isolation to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: 64 volunteers participated as the control and 64 study groups were divided randomly and equally into two groups, the video-based exercise group (VEG) and the control group (CG). The video-based exercise group was included in an exercise program for 20 minutes, 7 days a week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form) (IPAQ-SF). Secondary outcome measures were the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), sit and reach test, shoulder flexibility test, squat test, plank test, lateral bridge test (LBT), crunch test and single leg stance test (SLST). Tests were applied to the groups at the beginning and the end of the study. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in all parameters in the study group before and after the application (p&amp;lt;0.05). According to the intergroup comparisons, there was a statistically significant increase between the groups in IPAQ-SF, Sit and Reach Test, Push Up Test, Plank Test, LBT, and SLST Tests; there was a statistically significant decrease between the groups in DTS, BAI, PSQI, and NHP scores (except for pain and social isolation scores) (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: Our findings will shed light on the management of the physiotherapy and rehabilitation process by contributing to the increasing evidence in the literature on the effectiveness of video-based exercises and improving health-related multifaceted parameters in various post-pandemic situations where access to health services and preventive rehabilitation is restricted.

Relationship between respiratory muscle strength and dynamic balance in older persons requiring care or support: Focusing on the maximal single step length test and maximal double step length test as dynamic balance indices

BackgroundFalls are a major health problem. The relationship between dynamic balance related to falls and respiratory muscle strength related to sarcopenia and frailty is poorly understood. Research questionHow do dynamic balance measures, such as maximal single step length test (MSL) and maximal double step length test (MDST), and respiratory muscle strength measures, such as maximal inspiratory (PImax) and maximal expiratory (PEmax), related to the requirement for long-term care or support in older people who live in the community? MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 39 older people (17 men, 22 women) aged ≥ 65 years community-dwelling who were certified as requiring long-term care or support under the Japanese system. The participants’ PImax, PEmax, MSL, and MDST results were recorded. The measurement data were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. ResultsMDST showed a positive correlation with PImax (r = 0.430, p = 0.006) but no correlation with PEmax. MSL showed no correlation with PImax or PEmax. A positive correlation was found between MDST and MSL (r = 0.851, p < 0.001), and multiple regression analysis with MDST as the dependent variable and PImax and MST as independent variables showed significant differences for MSL (p < 0.001) and PImax (p = 0.027). SignificanceIn older people requiring long-term care or support, MDST had a greater association with inspiratory muscle strength compared with MSL. These results suggest the importance of inspiratory muscle strength training and MDST assessment in the prevention of falls in older people requiring long-term care or support.