Two-year Examination Research Articles

A two-year examination of the relation between internal and external load and heart rate variability in Australian Rules Football

ABSTRACT The relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and training load in team-sport is unknown. We therefore assessed relations between completed training-load in the previous 1-, 3- and 7-days and waking HRV in professional Australian Rules Football. Linear-mixed models analysed changes in HRV, considering training load from the previous 1-, 3- and 7-days. Total Distance (TD), distance >14.4 km ‧ h−1 (HSR) and >24.9 km ‧ h−1 (Sprint-Distance), duration >85% max heart rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion were included as independent variables. Sub-group analysis of season-phase and years of professional experience was also conducted. Increased three-day Sprint-Distance reduced HRV in the first 8-weeks of pre-season (−13.1 ms, p = 0.03) and across the data collection period (−3.75 ms, p = 0.01). In first-year players, higher previous-day (−63.3 ms, p=0.04) and seven-day TD (−38.2 ms, p = 0.02) reduced HRV, whilst higher seven-day HSR increased HRV (34.5 ms, p = 0.01). In players with five-to-seven years of professional experience, higher three-day (−14.4 ms, p = 0.02) and seven-day TD (−15.7 ms, p = 0.01) reduced HRV, while higher three-day HSR increased HRV (12.5 ms, p = 0.04). In players with greater than eight years of professional experience, higher previous-day Sprint-Distance reduced HRV (−13.1 ms, p < 0.008). Completed training load across the previous 7-days influences HRV, but the relation between variables is complex and influenced by professional experience and season-phase.

A Two-Year Examination of Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Mental and Physical Health among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Women Veterans

ABSTRACT Lesbian and bisexual women veterans may experience higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience compared to heterosexual women veterans, but more research is needed on IPV and healthcare needs among sexual minority women veterans, particularly those in the community who may not use Veterans Health Administration healthcare. This study assessed recent (prior 6–12 months) IPV, mental health symptoms (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia), and physical health problems (e.g., physical pain, pain interference, general physical health) among 263 women veterans (11% lesbian, bisexual, or questioning [LBQ]) 18 months after baseline (Time 2), and 24 months after baseline (Time 3; N = 190). At both Time 2 and Time 3, compared to heterosexual women veterans, LBQ women veterans reported experiencing greater recent psychological and physical IPV and intimate partner stalking, and worse PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia symptoms, and general physical health problems. At Time 3 only, LBQ women veterans reported experiencing greater recent sexual IPV. As the population of women and sexual/gender minority veterans grows, the current findings can help increase clinician and policy maker knowledge of IPV experiences and concurrent health problems among LBQ women veterans. Future research should conduct intragroup comparisons between veterans across the gender and sexuality spectrum.

Effect of temperature on the long-term properties of mortars containing waste glass powder and ground granulated blast furnace slag

The paper presents new and unique results of two-year examinations of mortars containing ground glass, as a substitute for 15 or 30% by mass of ordinary Portland cement in comparison with the properties of mortars with the analogous addition of ground granulated blast furnace slag, in different temperatures. Moreover, after a two-year curing period, the mortars were autoclaved. Samples were subjected to compressive strength measurements, XRD analysis and the determination of calcium hydroxide content, by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The results confirm that as an additive, glass powder, thanks to its pozzolanic properties, can compete with common SCMs like granulated blast furnace slag. Additionally, a reduction in strength was not observed after the autoclaving process, for the mortars with 15% glass addition. The data collected in the paper confirms that the pozzolanic properties of ground glass allows its use as an additive. It also shows the ability of these mortars to maintain a constant level of strength in the long term and even after the autoclaving of two-year-old samples

A Two-year Examination Of Bone Mineral Density In Division I Cross-country Runners

A Two-year Examination Of Bone Mineral Density In Division I Cross-country Runners

Early diagnosis and detection of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. It is often characterized by a lack of early symptoms, which results in late detection of the disease. Detection at advanced stages of the decease implies the treatment is more difficult and uncertain. The appropriate screening programs have been conducted within the organized preventive examinations and have made significant contributions to the early breast cancer detection. It is necessary to improve the screening process in order to reduce the percentage of female population that is not covered by screening programs and increase the number of early-detected breast cancers. The improvement of the screening program may be reflected in the following: more efficient determination of the list of the women who have to undergo preventive examination, introduction of screening program in thermography as a diagnostic method applied in pre-screening stage, more efficient analysis of mammograms and continuous follow up of patients. The identification of target population for breast cancer screening program has been based on the age of women. The improvement of the early breast cancer diagnosis process proposed in this paper is reflected in more efficient determination of the group of women who have to undergo preventive examination based on the factors affecting the occurrence of breast cancer. Inclusion of the pre-screening phase in which thermal imaging could be applied and software support to mammographic detection of tumor are suggested. This paper describes the breast cancer, current screening program and techniques for early-stage breast cancer detection, module of medical information system MEDIS.NET for creating screening list based on the analysis of risk factors affecting the occurrence of breast cancer, mammography and role of thermal imaging in the process of early breast cancer detection. It also presents an overview on important achievements in computer-aided detection and diagnosis of breast cancer in mammography and thermography. Based on the obtained results, dynamics of preventive examinations for particular groups of women that is different from the standard two-year examinations, can be successfully defined. It can be concluded that the use of a computer system for tumor diagnosis in mammogram based on various methods of image processing can help doctors in decision-making, while the use of thermal imaging in the pre-screening phase would significantly reduce the list of women for screening mammograms.

Extremitätenerhalt für den diabetischen Fuß

Lower-extremity amputation (LEA) is a common complication among patients with diabetes. This study tests the effects of a structured disease management program for the diabetic foot (DF) aiming to reduce the number of LEA. DESIGN, METHODS: In a prospective study design we investigate patients with DF in a system of outpatient treatment, acute in-patient care and rehabilitative treatment. Subjects were recruited since January 1(st), 2000, with the latest admission being December 31, 2004. All study participants undergo a five-year follow-up observation period. The University of Texas Wound Classification System (UT) of foot ulcers serves as basis of the documentation and analysis. We evaluated numbers of LEA, rates of ulcer healing and underlying forms of peripheral vascular disease. We report the results of the first patient group completing the two-year follow-up examination. In 2000, 102 subjects with new foot ulcers were consecutively included into the study. 68.6% were men, the mean age of the study population was 68.1 +/- 11.4 years and the mean diabetes duration was 19.4 +/- 10.3 years. After two years, 68 patients can still be examined. Altogether, 22 patients (21.6%) died, and 12 (11.8%) dropped out for various reasons. At the point of discharge from the clinics 35.3% of the ulcers had healed and another 44.1% were in UT grade 1. After two years, a complete healing could still be determined with 51 patients (50.0% of the cohort of the original 102 patients, or 75.0% of the subjects reaching the two-year follow-up). 10 subjects (9.8% or 14.5%) were in the UT grade 1. Eight diabetics underwent major amputation (MA) during the two-year examination period (amputation rate 7.8%). The primary objective of the study, a significant reduction of MA with DF patients, has been achieved. The ulcer healing rates are comparable to the reports of leading centers.

Prospective Longitudinal Analysis of Postoperative Shoulder Function

Rotator cuff repair is associated with good short or mid-term results, but to date there have been no long-term functional outcome studies demonstrating durability of results over time. In most long-term studies, the results have been compared with those of historical controls or with those of other, short-term follow-up studies. The purpose of the present prospective study was to evaluate short and long-term shoulder function after surgical repair in a single population of patients in order to follow changes over time. Thirty-three patients underwent surgery, performed by one surgeon, for the treatment of a chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff defect. Data were obtained from questionnaires and physical examinations preoperatively, at two years, and at ten years. Identical standardized pain and function questionnaires were used and clinical evaluation was performed in a consistent fashion at all time-periods. The activity level, Constant score, level of disability, shoulder function score, and patient's subjective rating of the outcome were determined at the time of the final follow-up and compared with the same parameters at the two-year follow-up examination in order to determine if early results change with time. At the ten-year follow-up examination, there was no change in the raw Constant score determined at the two-year examination. When the Constant score was normalized for expected age-related changes, the percentage of patients who had a satisfactory result at ten years was even greater than the percentage at two years. Activity level decreased significantly over the time-period (p = 0.005). At the final follow-up examination, twelve patients worked at the same occupation as they had when the two-year examination was performed, two worked at a less strenuous occupation, and the remaining patients were retired. Only two patients retired because of problems related to the shoulder. The level of disability decreased over the study period, and there was a small improvement in the patients' self-assessment shoulder function score. The patients' subjective assessment of the outcome remained unchanged. The results of open rotator cuff repair for chronic tears do not deteriorate with time (ten years). The level of disability decreases, presumably because of a concurrent decrease in the activity level and in the demand on the shoulder as the patient ages. It is important to consider age-related changes when assessing the final outcome.

Semitendinosus Kennedy Ligament Augmentation Device Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

This is a prospective study of 78 chronic unilateral isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) patients who were treated with an arthroscopically-assisted reconstruction technique using the semitendinosus tendon, occasionally associated with the gracilis, augmented with the Kennedy-ligament augmentation device (LAD). There was a minimum two-year follow-up period (mean, 34.3 months; range, 24-50 months). Ligamentous surgery was always restricted to the ACL intraarticular reconstruction. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative examinations at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months, and every year thereafter, including subjective and objective evaluation with KT 1000 arthrometer laxity measurements, were completed. Two-year examination data were available on 77 (98.7%) of the 78 patients compared with preoperative data. The pivot shift (side-to-side difference) improved from 49.3% with Grade 0-1 to 92.2% with Grade 0-1. KT 1000 20-pound anterior drawer (greater than 5 mm side-to-side difference) improved from 49.3% (mean, 6 mm) to 91.1% (mean, 0.55 mm). KT 1000 maximum manual anterior drawer (greater than 5 mm side-to-side difference) improved from 21.9% (mean, 7.8 mm) to 97.4% (mean, 0.55 mm). After ACL reconstruction, 89.6% of patients had a full range of motion and only 10.3% had flexion contractures of less than 5 degrees; 5.2% of patients had mild effusion. Functional Lysholm knee scoring of 100 points improved from 7.7% scoring over 85 points preoperatively (mean, 66.5) to 92.1% postoperatively (mean, 95.6). Instability was controlled in 89.4% of the patients, and 71.4% have been involved in sports after injury. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction reduces pathologic laxity, improves lower-leg function, and minimizes flexion contracture and effusion.

Coffee consumption and serum cholesterol in the hypertension detection and follow-up program.

The relation between coffee consumption and serum cholesterol level was investigated in a group of 9,043 hypertensive adults who were in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program. In this study, men and women aged 30-69 years at baseline (1973-1974) had their serum cholesterol level measured at the two-year examination (1975-1976). Information about coffee, tea, and cola consumption was also obtained at that time from a food frequency questionnaire. The relation of coffee consumption and serum cholesterol level with potentially confounding variables including age, race, sex, diuretic status, diastolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, relative weight, physical activity, stress, and education level was examined. When these variables were entered into a multiple regression equation, a positive association with coffee consumption and serum cholesterol level (p less than 0.05) was present. There was no significant relation between serum cholesterol level and consumption of tea, cola, or decaffeinated coffee--the other major contributors of caffeine to the diet--or total caffeine intake. This study indicates a significant positive relation between coffee consumption and serum cholesterol level.

Chemonucleolysis

This study involves eight- to ten-year follow-up results of chymopapain injection for severe sciatic pain secondary to a herniating nucleus pulposus. Two hundred sixty-three of 265 patients were available for a one- to two-year examination, but only 130 responded to the survey. Forty-five percent of patients were female, 55% were male. The mean age was 40. Seventeen percent were worker's compensation cases. Of the 263 patients at one- to two-year follow-up examination, 18.6% showed excellent response, 43.7% good, 21.7% fair, 14.1% no improvement, and 1.9% were worse. Except for the 14% of cases with intractable pain, all were given three months conservative treatment prior to injection. Of the 130 patients in the long-term study, 51.5% had excellent improvement, 20% good, 12.3% fair, 12.3% no improvement, and 3.8% were worse. While 50% of these patients said that they had some pain, 72% reported very active life-styles, only 2.3% stating they were completely inactive. Only 13.1% on the patients followed for eight to ten years reported unemployment because of their low-back condition. Patients who had had surgical treatment prior to injection showed only 50% good to excellent results as compared to 73% overall. Of 43 failures treated by open surgery following injection, only five had free fragments in the spinal canal; one-third had retained intradiscal fragments; one-third had nerve root adherence of discogenic origin; the others had lateral recess stenosis. The good results generally persisted over the eight- to ten-year period. Failures appeared within the first few months.

Teaching a Women's Rights Course in a Secondary School

In view of the growing concern with sexism in education and the recognition by many teachers that women's contribution to society is invisible in most areas of school knowledge, t am surprized that more women's studies courses have not been set up in secondary schools. lllis may be due to the enormous amount of work involved in setting up new courses, cuts in educational expenditure, and the conservatism of many examination boards as to what counts as legitimate school knowledge. However, what dves seem to be taking place is the incorporation of the subject matter of women's studies into other areas of the curriculum, notably the social sciencess history and English, and also a general emphasis on acquainting pupils with the problems of sexism. (C.L.t.O.: 1981). It could be claimed that this incorporation of the content of women's studies into wider areas of the curriculum is more valuable than actually setting up a separate course. A women's studies course could be said to 'ghettoize' such knowledge, leading to its being regarded as the school's gesture to anti-sexism, thereby avoiding the necessity of persuading teachers to consider their content and practice and make the relevant changes. Ideally, anti-sexist content and practice should pervade the whole curriculum and the entire social relations of schools. However, like black studies, women's studies can be a necessary first step to changing the whole curriculum and getting recognition for formerly ignored areas of knowledge. ln this article t will outline my experience of teaching a women's rights course at Starcross School, give details of content and useful resources, and then make some general comments about teaching women's studies, drawing on research that t conducted at part of an MA dissertation. (Kirton: 1982) Starcross is a girls' comprehensive school in Islington, London. All the members of the social sciences department are feminists, and we have worked collaboratively to develop most of the courses we teach. In the early seventies all fou.<hand fifth-year pupils followed a non-examination course called Communit Education. lt was plagued with problems: being compulsory but unexamined, it tended to be too general and vague and was not popular with pupils. Out of this course we developed a community rights course (now called Community Law), and made it optional for fourth-years ( 15-16 year olds). After some difficulties (though no objections were made to the women's rights section), it was accepted as a two-year examination course by the Metropolitan Region Examination Board. It is a Mode Three Certificate of Secondary Education, which means that the teachers set and mark the examination paper and the projects, which are however moderated by the Board. The marks for the