Subject Gender Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition Technique and Static Hamstring Stretching in Normal Healthy Individuals with Hamstring Tightness: A Randomised Clinical Trial

BACKGROUNDHamstring tightness is a major contributing factor for lower back pain, lumbar spine disorders and sports related injuries. Many studies has been done to improve the flexibility of hamstring muscle by various techniques such as different stretching techniques myofascial Release Therapy, neuro-muscular therapy and Muscle Energy Technique etc. All of these technique mentioned act at the hamstring muscle level to provide its effectiveness. In a present study we aimed at to find out the effectiveness of suboccipital muscle inhibition technique for improving tightness in hamstring muscle. Hence this study is done to find out the effectiveness of applying suboccipital muscle inhibition technique on distant muscle flexibility in turn to prove the distant muscle relationship. Study is done with the aim to find whether suboccipital muscle inhibition technique can be used along with conventional methods for improving tightness of hamstring muscle.AIMTo compare the effectiveness of suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching in normal individuals with hamstring tightness.MethodsIn this comparative study total 165 individuals were screened for tightness of hamstring. Individuals who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected from the normal healthy population. A total of 100 healthy subjects of both genders between the age of 18 and 25 were recruited in this trial. After doing block randomization subjects were assigned to two groups ,in Group A 50 subjects were given suboccipital muscle inhibition technique for 5 sessions for 5 consecutive days. Another group 50 subjects were given static stretching to both the lower limbs for 30 seconds followed by 15 seconds relaxation, for 5 sessions for 5 consecutive days.RESULTSActive knee extension test using Mann Whitney U test in both suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching group shows no difference(p=0.623) for pretreatment, while significant result immediately post treatment (0.002) and statistically significant result in baseline parameters after 5 sessions of treatment (0.000)Forward flexion distance test using Mann Whitney U test in both suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching group shows no significant difference(p=0.088) for pretreatment and also for immediately post treatment (0.893) but shows statistically significant result in baseline parameters after 5 sessions of treatment (0.009)CONCLUSIONSuboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching are both effective in improving the flexibility of hamstring muscle. The Suboccipital muscle inhibition technique is more effective compared to static hamstring stretching in normal healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.

Influence of Age, Gender and BMI on Normal Abdominal Aorta Diameter taken on Abdominal Sonography in Healthy Asymptomatic Pakistani Population

Objective: To evaluate the abdominal aorta diameter in asymptomatic Pakistani population to determine the associations between age, gender and BMI and abdominal aortic diameter measured by ultrasonography. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from Jun to Dec 2021. Methodology: A total of ninety-four healthy asymptomatic subjects of both genders, between 18-80 years of age, were enrolled for the study. Aortic diameters were measured (inner to inner method) using electronic calipers on static images. The Anteroposterior and Transverse (TR) diameters were measured at three levels: the first at the aortic hiatus, which was directly below the abdominal aortic commencement, the second at the suprarenal (mid-point), and the third at the aortic bifurcation (lower level). Results: Males had significantly larger (p-value<0.001) anteroposterior and transverse abdominal aorta diameters than females, with abdominal aorta diameter values found to be significantly higher (p-value 0.001) in age group of greater than 40 years except anteroposterior distal abdominal aorta diameter. Similarly, a significant difference (p-value <0.001) was noted in abdominal aorta diameter among patients with different BMI groups other than distal abdominal aorta diameter. Conclusion: Abdominal aorta diameters vary greatly depending on age, gender and BMI. Clinicians must know the usual diameter of the abdominal aorta in order to recognize an aneurysm at an early stage.

Influence of age and gender on oral health impact profile among dental implant patients in alkarkh district in Baghdad / Iraq: cross-sectional study.

To evaluate the age and gender influence on the quality of life of patients with a dental implant. The cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2022 at Al-Mammon Specialised Dental Centre in the Al-Karkh sector of Baghdad, Iraq, and comprised healthy adult subjects of either gender who had dental implant treatment in the preceding 2 years and their dental implant was in place for at least 6 months. . Data was collected using the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire to measure oral health quality of life. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Of the 103 subjects, 55(53.4%) were females and 48(46.6%) were males. There were 41(39.81%) subjects aged 18-37 years, 42(40.78%) aged 37-56 years and 20(19.42%) aged 57-74 years. Of the total, 50(48.5%) subjects had moderate health quality, followed by 26(25.24%) low and 27(26.21%) high. There was a significant association of age and gender on the quality of life (p<0.05). Age and gender were found to be important factors influencing the quality of life of dental implant patients.

Grading facial aging: Comparing the clinical assessments made by three dermatologists with those obtained by an AI-based scoring system that analyses selfie pictures. Afocus on Chinese subjects of both genders.

The objective of this study is to assess the correspondence, in live conditions, between clinical gradings of facial aging signs by three dermatologists and those afforded by an automatic AI-based algorithm that analyses smartphones' selfie images of Chinese subjects. In total, 125 Chinese subjects of both genders, aged 18-62y, took a selfie using their own smartphones and were immediately viewed by three dermatologists. The latter graded the severity of 15 facial signs in women and 9 in men, using the standardized values afforded by a Skin Aging Atlas referential dedicated to Asian skin. The data issued by both methodologies were then statistically compared. The absolute gradings of the automatic system were found highly correlated with clinical assessments, with lower values in most cases. In women, large differences in absolute values were found on the gradings for size of isolated spot, cheek fold, spread macules, and texture of mouth contour women. Analysis of the Mean Absolute Errors (M.A.E) revealed that these rarely exceed 0.6 grading units in women and to a lesser extent in men. The present study confirmed the value of the automatic system towards an extended use towards large human cohorts as a surrogate of clinical evaluations and allowed to detect the points where improvements must be brought to the system.

Assessment of stereopsis in unilateral amblyopia subjects using syntonic phototherapy

ABSTRACT Introduction Amblyopia is two Snellen line difference between both eyes. Red filter therapy is a treatment option for amblyopia based on principle of syntonic phototherapy. The purpose of this study is to assess the stereopsis in amblyopic patient using syntonic phototherapy. Methods A Qusai experimental study was conducted from August 2021 to December 2021 at Madina Teaching Hospital Faisalabad. A total 30 subjects of both gender and ages ranging between 8 to 18 years were included through a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The sample was considered of 15 anisometropic amblyopes and 15 strabismic amblyope. Data was collected using a Performa and pre assessments of stereopsis by Titmus fly chart were recorded without red filter. Red filter glasses were prescribed for 4 week, post assessment data was recorded after 4 weeks. Data was analyzed by using Paired sample T test and Independent Sample T test in SPSS 20 software. Results After syntonic phototherapy significant improvement was seen, mean stereopsis was 48.00000 (p = 0.002) in anisometropic amblyopes while mean improvement of stereopsis 1.670.93333 (p = 0.00) in strabismic amblyopes. Anisometropic amblyopic patients showed significantly better improvement in stereopsis (p = 0.00) by syntonic phototherapy as compared to strabismic amblyopes. Conclusion Significant improvement was seen in stereopsis, while improvement was more significant in anisometropic amblyopes as compared to strabismic amblyopes. Children were obsessed with the red filter glasses while their parents found syntonic therapy simple plus facile and gave good results. So, eye care professionals must be aware of this new therapy and they should keep syntonic phototherapy in mind whenever they are dealing with amblyopic patients.

Effects of Mint Oils on the Human Oral Microbiome: A Pilot Study.

The oral microbiome is a diverse and complex ecosystem essential for maintaining oral and systemic health. Our study is the first to define the oral microbial community in Egyptian young adults and investigate the effects of natural antimicrobials on the oral microbiome. SuperMint (SM) is a proprietary blend of peppermint, Japanese mint, bergamot mint, and spearmint essential oils encapsulated in a tiny soft beadlet. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of SM beadlets on the oral microbiome. This study recruited twenty healthy participants. A baseline investigation of the oral microbiome of the selected participants was performed by collecting saliva and swab samples before treatment. Treatment included chewing four SM beadlets twice a day for 7 days, and then, post-administration saliva and swab samples were collected at the end of treatment. The oral microbiome samples were analyzed by the high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments, and the community composition was determined. The results showed that the abundance of some microbial genera and families decreased after using SM, including Prevotella, Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Haemophilus. However, some genera showed inconsistent patterns. We also found that the subject's gender and SM usage were significantly associated with diverse microbial composition. The results suggest that SM treatment decreased the abundance of several bacteria associated with halitosis and periodontal diseases, such as Actinomyces and Streptococcus. Furthermore, Corynebacterium species increased and Streptococcus decreased after SM usage. More research is needed to fully understand the antimicrobial effects of mint oils and their potential applications in maintaining good oral health.

A new human metabolic rate sensing model optimization and wearable sensor realization

Accurate assessment of metabolic rate is crucial for predicting human thermal comfort. However, many existing instruments are bulky, invasive, and inconvenient. Additionally, wearable metabolic rate measurements have faced long-standing challenges due to a lack of a comprehensive theoretical model with easy-to-measure parameters. This paper optimizes our previously proposed theoretical approach for wearable metabolic rate measurement that incorporates heart rate, whole-body unit heat loss, skin resistance, and body muscle percentage. We have improved the evaluation approach for whole-body unit heat loss by introducing a newly designed convective heat loss coefficient from various body segments. Regarding the wearable sensor design, a heat loss measuring system with serpentine channel was verified as the most suitable design following calibration experiments. We also integrated a modified square-wave-based skin resistance design, resulting in an upgraded integrated metabolic sensor. To validate our sensor and model performance, we conducted experiments with ten subjects of both genders at three temperature conditions (22, 25 and 28 °C) and four levels of activities (rest, tiptoe heel, slight walk, and moderate walk). First, our results demonstrate a strong positive relationship between the metabolic rate obtained by our optimized sensor and Quark CPET instrument, with high coefficients of determination (highest:0.97 from the male group, 0.98 from the female group). Our approach achieved at least 96 % accuracy and less than 2.5 % uncertainty for both groups. Second and increasingly, we found that only one metabolic rate model was required across combined temperature conditions when the person was fixed. Third, the positive relationship was further improved by incorporating whole-body unit heat loss. Finally, we obtained information from different segments on skin temperatures. In summary, our study provides a powerful methodology for predicting and evaluating human metabolic rate through an innovative wearable approach. Our approach and sensor have the potential to substantially contribute to energy-saving efforts in smart buildings.

Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Biometric Readings of Eye

Purpose: To determine change in biometric values of eye after fasting and to elucidate whether this change is significant enough to delay the refractive and cataract surgeries during fasting. Study Design: Cross sectional observational. Place and Duration of Study: Eye department, DHQ-UTH, Gujranwala, from April 2021 to May 2021. Methods: Thirty subjects of either gender between 20-40 years of age who participated in both phases were enrolled in this study. Phase 1 was conducted one week before Ramadan and 2nd phase in the last week of Ramadan. After routine ophthalmic examination, keratometric(K) values were obtained with Auto Ref-Keratometer (Canon), while Axial length (AL), Anterior chamber depth (ACD), andIntraocular lens power (IOLp)were obtained from Master-Vu A-scan (Sonomed, Model # MV4500). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Out of 30 participants, 66.6% were female and 33.3%were male with mean age of 29.8 years. Mean K1 increased to 43.03 D during fasting from non-fasting reading of 42.24 D, while Mean K2 increased to 43.87 D during fasting from non-fasting reading of 43.28 Dwith significantp-value (&lt;0.05). Mean ACD was 3.15mm in non-fasting that also increased to 3.21D in fasting state. Mean AL in non-fasting state was 23.41mm that remains the same in fasting state as well. Mean IOLp in non-fasting state was 21.18D that reduced to 20.42D in fasting state with significant p-value. Conclusion: Fastingincreased thekeratometry andACD values with no effect on AL but that reduced overall intraocular lens power.

A comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of Kushthagna Mahakashaya and Aaraghwadadi Gana along with local application of Karanjadi Taila in the management of Eka-Kushta w.s.r. to Psoriasis

Introduction: Eka-Kushta is one among 11 varieties of Kushdra Kushta which resembles psoriasis clinically. It is one of the most common dermatological diseases, affecting up to 1-3% of the world’s and 0.44-2.8% of Indian population. Currently the treatment available for the management of psoriasis include topical therapy, photo therapy, corticosteroids, etc having their own limitations. Thus, there is a need for safe, effective, and sustainable medicine for the management. Methodology: The clinical study was done on 45 subjects of both genders, between the age group of 18-58 years who were randomly assigned into 3 groups (15 patients in each group) namely - Group A (Kushthaghna Mahakashyay and Karanjadi Taila), Group B (Aaraghwadadi Gana and Karanjadi Taila), and Group C (Placebo). Result: Outcome of the treatment after 45 days was statistically extremely significant in the remission of the symptoms of Eka-Kushta in most of the subjective and objective parameters. Discussion: Group A, treatment was found to be effective in Matsyashalopam, Kandu, Auspitz Sign, Candle grease sign, Koebner’s phenomenon, and PASI Score and the result was very significant in Aswedanama and Vruttam. Group B, treatment regimen was found to be effective in Matsyashalopam, Kandu, and Auspitz Sign, Candle grease sign, Koebner’s phenomenon, and PASI Score and the result was very significant in Aswedanama, Vruttam. Group C, treatment regimen was found to be effective in Matsyashalopam and the result was insignificant in Kandu, Aswedanama, Vruttam, Krishna Varna, Auspitz Sign, Candle grease sign, Koebner’s phenomenon, and PASI Score.

Liquid biopsy multiomics enable clinical triage for early colorectal cancer diagnosis.

e15599 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United State. Despite advancements in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the disease remains a formidable public health issue. In 2023, approximately 153020 individuals were diagnosed with CRC and 52550 will die from the disease. In order to meet early diagnostic, we developed this multiomics assay to enable clinical triage for liquid biopsy screening. Methods: Xenonucleic acid (XNAs) are artificial genetic polymers that retain the Watson-Crick base-pairing capability and exhibit high chemical and biological stability. They can be employed as molecular clamps in RT-qPCR due to the stronger hybridizing/binding capability seen in XNA/DNA duplexes than DNA/DNA duplexes. We are developing an XNA-based multiplex RT-qPCR assay for APC, BRAF, CTNNB1, KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, SMAD4 and TP53 gene mutation panel and CRC 9 genes methylation panel combined with multiplex protein panel, called ColoscapeTM Plus. We enrolled in FIT positive subjects of both genders, aged 50-74, attending the CRC screening program, we tested 152 plasma samples, 75 health, 50 AA and 27 early CRC with this multiomics assay. Results: The assay results showed that its sensitivity was about 44% (95% CI: 0.302- 0.587) and specificity about 80% (95%CI: 0.689- 0.880) for advanced adenoma (AA). For CRC stage I and II, its sensitivity is about 63% and 78% with 80% specificity separately. Conclusions: The primary data has shown that this low cost and rapid turnaround time multiomics assay has a comparable sensitivity for early colorectal cancer diagnostic.

Regression Approach in the Evaluation of White’s Effect Magnitude in Comparison to Lightness

In the achromatic White's grid, the grey patches between the grey lines are perceived as darker while the same elements inserted between white lines are perceived lighter than their true measured values. A number of authors attempted to calculate the magnitude and direction of this effect using mathematical models based on multiple spatial filters. This paper uses different mathematical model, based on regression analysis, which has shown itself as an excellent tool for prediction of direction and magnitude of White's effect. The psychophysical visual experiment was conducted on 38 subjects of both genders. The differences in lightness perception ∆L00 were calculated in CIE ∆E_2000 system. This paper determined the functional dependence of White's effect magnitude ∆L00 to the lightness L of rectangular elements in White's achromatic grid. The results gave the square polynomial of very high quality (R2 = 0,974). Regression polynomials were also found. The gave numerical values ∆L00 of difference in perception of left and right elements in comparison to their physical values (left R2 = 0,943, right R2 = 0,938) in dependence to variation of lightness parameter L. Results of the research clearly show the mathematical pattern of White's effect based on the lightness of rectangular elements.

Stylize My Wrinkles: Bridging the Gap from Simulation to Reality

AbstractModeling realistic human skin with pores and wrinkles down to the milli‐ and micrometer resolution is a challenging task. Prior work showed that such micro geometry can be efficiently generated through simulation methods, or in specialized cases via 3D scanning of real skin. Simulation methods allow to highly customize the wrinkles on the face, but can lead to a synthetic look. Scanning methods can lead to a more organic look for the micro details, however these methods are only applicable to small skin patches due to the required image resolution. In this work we aim to overcome the gap between synthetic simulation and real skin scanning, by proposing a method that can be applied to large skin regions (e.g. an entire face) with the controllability of simulation and the organic look of real micro details. Our method is based on style transfer at its core, where we use scanned displacement maps of real skin patches as style images and displacement maps from an artist‐friendly simulation method as content images. We build a library of displacement maps as style images by employing a simplified scanning setup that can capture high‐resolution patches of real skin. To create the content component for the style transfer and to facilitate parameter‐tuning for the simulation, we design a library of preset parameter values depicting different skin types, and present a new method to fit the simulation parameters to scanned skin patches. This allows fully‐automatic parameter generation, interpolation and stylization across entire faces. We evaluate our method by generating realistic skin micro details for various subjects of different ages and genders, and demonstrate that our approach achieves a more organic and natural look than simulation alone.

Outcomes after giant peripheral retinotomy and anterior flap retinectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy using small gauge vitrectomy.

To analyze the visual and anatomical outcomes for eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) undergoing giant peripheral retinotomy (GPR) using 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). In this retrospective multi-center study, patients with RRD with either anteroposterior or circumferential retinal shortening and advanced PVR requiring more than 90-degree GPR with/without relaxing retinotomy were included. Subjects of either gender, any age group, and with complete surgical notes were included. Outcome measures of the study included anatomical success (i.e. complete retinal re-attachment) at 6 months using survival analysis, visual outcomes, and post-operative complications. Forty-one eyes of 41 patients (33 males) with a mean age of 44.9 ± 21.4 years were included. At 6 months follow-up, anatomical success was seen in 29 eyes (70.7%) with a cumulative re-attachment rate of 66% (95% confidence interval = 48 = 79%). All re-detachments occurred at ≤6 months with a peak at 4-6 months (n = 9). Twenty-three eyes (56%) achieved ambulatory vision (5/200) or better. Direct perfluorocarbon liquid-silicone oil exchange was performed in 20 eyes. Intra-operative complications included persistent retinal folds (2 eyes), subretinal air (1 eye), and subretinal bleed (1 eye). Eleven eyes (26.8%) developed secondary glaucoma (2 eyes required a drainage device), and hypotony of ≤6 mmHg was noted in 3 eyes (7.3%). Corneal decompensation was noted in 8 eyes (19.5%), and 3 eyes (7.3%) underwent re-surgery for re-RRD. After GPR using small gauge PPV, two-thirds achieve anatomical success, and over half have ambulatory vision, but overall post-operative complications can occur in more than half of the eyes.

Detection of Gender in Crowds Using ResNet Model

The ResNet model is used in this investigation to suggest a gender detection solution for use in congested settings. Due to occlusions, varied stances, and various features, determining a person's gender in crowded surroundings may be a difficult and time-consuming job. The ResNet model, which is a deep convolutional neural network architecture, is used to solve these difficulties because of its capacity to capture detailed characteristics and its efficiency in managing deep network structures. The strategy that has been suggested entails preprocessing the input photos, sending those images through the ResNet model, and then extracting gender-related characteristics from those images. The ResNet model is made up of a number of residual blocks with skip connections, which makes it easier to learn complicated representations. After that, the learnt characteristics are input into fully linked layers, and then softmax activation is used to determine the subject's gender. The usefulness of the technique that was developed was shown by experimental findings on a large dataset, which achieved a high level of accuracy in gender determination. The use of the ResNet model helps the system to handle complicated scenarios and improves the system's ability to accurately recognize gender in situations with a large number of people. The method that has been developed has the potential to find applications in areas such as surveillance, crowd control, and the study of social behavior.

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Eye of the Beholder and Emergency Medical Service.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a global healthcare problem, with low survival and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rates. This study aimed to identify event-related factors in OHCA and their impact on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) achievement and maintenance until hospital admission. All data were collected from Utstein Resuscitation Registry Template for OHCA from The Institute of Emergency Medicine of Zagreb from January 2012 to August 2022. This cross-sectional research analyzed 2839 Utstein reports, including 2001 male, 836 female, and 8 subjects of unknown gender. The average age was 65.4 ± 16.2 years. The most frequent place of collapse was private residence, and 27% of collapses were unwitnessed. Dispatcher-provided CPR instructions were provided in 39.7% of cases until the arrival of the emergency service team, which showed a very strong effect on bystander-provided CPR, and were followed in 68.4% of cases, while non-instructed bystander CPR was provided in only 7.9% of cases. Bystander CPR is more likely to be provided in public places than in private residences, often with both compression and ventilation. Bystander CPR was also more likely to be provided to men. Cases with bystander CPR, and compressions with ventilation compared to compression only CPR, showed a significantly greater success in maintaining ROSC later in CPR, both with moderate effects. Bystander CPR has been shown to have a significant role in achieving and maintaining ROSC until hospital admission. However, our results showed a location-dependent nature of bystanders' willingness to perform CPR as well as sex disparities in patients receiving CPR. With deficient education in basic life support in Croatia, dispatchers need to insist on and instruct bystander CPR performance.

Influence of gender stereotypes on the socialization of the children of older preschool age

Within the framework of the theoretical analysis of psychological and pedagogical sources, the content and essence of the concepts “gender”, “gender socialization”, “gender sociability”, “gender stereotypes” were clarified and pedagogical conditions, namely: organization of an effective subject-playing area of the group for meaningful enriching the experience of gender communication in the children’s team; stimulation of the interaction of different gender subjects in a single social-and-developmental educational environment of a preschool educational institution; presence of positive incentives for interaction in a mixed-gender group as a factor in the formation of a child’s gender competence were determined. It was proven that their implementation was ensured through an optimal combination of effective forms and methods of working with children of older preschool age, aimed at the formation of gender socialization, culture of relationships with peers of the same and opposite gender, a tolerant attitude towards them, and ability to establish friendly partner relationships. Specified pedagogical conditions were implemented at three successive stages: cognitive-oriented, organizational-targeted, activity-directive, using the following forms and methods of work as: a series of games, exercises, conversations, communication, work in nature, method of problem situations aimed at raising children’s awareness of gender roles.

Biological age assessment method teenage students

To assess the biological age of adolescents, the special literature offers 9 methods for boys and 14 methods for girls. The aim of the article was to determine the more informative methods for boys and girls. Methods: anthropometry, somatometry, somatoscopy, tonometry, spirometry, dynamometry, Hench and Shtange tests, Ruffier and Robinson indices. The interaction of the results of different methods for the assessment of biological age was analysed using factor analysis (principal components method) for groups of subjects of the same gender and age. Boys aged 14-15 (n=102) and girls aged 12-13 (n=101) were studied. The choice of these age groups was explained by the presence of the most significant individual differences in morpho-functional features in the school students of this age. Results: among the methods for assessment of biological age in adolescent school students proposed in the literature, there is not a single one that would be statistically siginificantly related to the other methods. This applies to both boys and girls. The biological age of adolescents can be reliably determined using a set of three components: an assessment of physical development, the heterochronicity index, and the degree of manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics (for boys with a probability of 90.2%, for girls - 92.1%). The percentage ratio of these components has gender peculiarities. Methods for assessing biological age for scientific purposes and quick assessment for use in the practice of physical education and sports are proposed. The indicators in quick assessment technique include body length and the degree of development of the axillary hair. The reliability of the quick assessment technique is 81.4% for boys and 83.2% for girls. Conclusion: the development of adequate physical activity for adolescents of different biological ages will help to improve the physical health of the younger generation.

Effect of air velocity and relative humidity on passengers’ thermal comfort in naturally ventilated railway coach in hot-dry indian climate

In India, railways still continue to be the most prominent means of transport, especially non-air conditioned railway that carries around 3.5 billion people every year. Thermal comfort in these non-air-conditioned trains is predominantly influenced by windows and fans. The present study orients around the effect of fan air as well as naturally ventilated air on thermal comfort of passengers. The study is part of a field survey followed by an experimental investigation that was carried out in non-air-conditioned railway coaches during summer afternoon, with more than 1500 subjects of different gender and age category. The study significantly contributes in defining an elevated acceptable range of comfort air velocity inside a moving stock. The mean threshold air velocity where passengers responded a neutral PCV (passengers' comfort vote) is found to be 2 m/s which is much higher than conventional standards for enclosed static buildings and premises. The clear dominance of behavioral adaptation has been noticed in expression of thermal comfort by the passengers. This strengthens the idea of adopting some alternative method to deal with thermal discomfort of non–air-conditioned railway passengers. Here a novel term as ‘zone of independence’ (ZoI) has been defined at which the effect of air velocity becomes independent on passengers' comfort vote. This ZoI can significantly be utilized while optimization of thermal comfort in an ICF railway coach.

Efficacy of lumbar motor control training in treatment of patients with cervicogenic headache

BackgroundCervicogenic headache (CGH), is a secondary headache arising from cervical disorders. Training core muscles have a corrective effect on the whole spine. Moreover, increased deep neck flexors (DNFs) activation is closely linked with balanced core stabilization of the global cervical-thoracic-lumbopelvic chains. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lumbar motor control training combined with cervical stabilization exercises compared to cervical stabilization exercises alone in CGH patients.MethodsFifty-two subjects of both genders with CGH and chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP) participated in this study. They were recruited from the outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic at Mubarak Central Hospital, Giza, Egypt; their mean age was 28.1 ± 5.8 years and their BMI was 22.8 ± 1.6 kg/m2. They received treatment for three sessions per week for 4 weeks. Subjects were assigned randomly into two equal groups; the control group: received cervical stabilization exercises (axial elongation, cranio-cervical flexion, cervical extension, rowing, and Y-exercise). Study group: received cervical stabilization exercise in addition to lumbar motor control training (abdominal draw-in maneuver, side plank, and quadruped position), each exercise had a 4-week progression. Headache frequency, duration, intensity by visual analog scale (VAS), and neck functional disability by Neck Disability Index (NDI) were measured before the first session and after the last session of the 4 weeks of treatment.ResultsThere was a high statistically significant difference in post-treatment mean values of headache frequency, headache duration, headache intensity, and neck functional disability between the two groups in favor of the study group.ConclusionAdding lumbar motor control training to cervical stabilization exercise is more effective than cervical stabilization alone in decreasing headache frequency, duration, intensity, and neck functional disability in CGH patients with CMNP.Trial registrationNCT05952115. Registered 11 July 2023-retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/LoginUser?ts=1&cx=-jg9qo4.

Epidemiology of Oral and Maxillofacial Traumatic Injuries Among the Patients Reporting to the Dental Institute of Western Maharashtra Region, India.

To analyze the distribution, etiology, and patterns of oral and maxillofacial trauma among the subjects reporting to a dental institute in the Western Maharashtra region of India. This retrospective study was conducted by manually collecting data from the medical records of subjects who reported to the dental institute with a history of trauma from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2022. All the injured subjects with complete clinical and radiographical records of maxillofacial injuries were included. The demographic data, etiology & site of trauma, and associated injuries were analyzed. Data were tabulated into four age groups (< 20years, 21-40years, 41-60years, and > 60years). Five etiological factors, i.e. road traffic accidents (RTA), stumble & falls, violence, animal attack, and strike by an object, were further evaluated based on age and gender. Maxillofacial injuries were classified into seven types: maxillary fractures (subcategorized), mandibular fractures (subcategorized), zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures, nasal, frontal, orbital, and naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures. Data were tabulated and analyzed. A total of 437 subjects were included, consisting of 84.2% males and 15.8% females, with the highest incidence of trauma between 21-40years. Road traffic accident was the main reason for maxillofacial injuries (50.3%), followed by falls (26.5%), and violence (19.9%). ZMC fractures accounted for 55.4% (242 fractures), followed by mandibular fractures (42.3%). RTA is the main factor responsible for maxillofacial injuries in this part of Maharashtra among subjects of both genders. Education and motivation regarding road safety measures are the two factors that need to be focused on to reduce the incidence of maxillofacial injuries.