Healthy Young Population Research Articles

Determining Trendelenburg test validity and reliability using 3-dimensional motion analysis and muscle dynamometry

BackgroundThe hip abductor muscle group stabilises the pelvis during gait to prevent excessive pelvic drop. Hip abductor weakness has been linked to musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic low-back pain. As such, it is important that practitioners can correctly diagnose hip abductor weakness in a clinical setting. Although the Trendelenburg test is commonly used by practitioners, the validity of this test to assess hip abductor weakness in the absence of musculoskeletal injury remains questionable. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the Trendelenburg test, as observed by a practitioner, to assess frontal plane pelvic motion and hip abductor strength in a population without intra-articular hip disorders.MethodsThis study was performed between June 14th and October 16th 2019. Eighteen participants were recruited for this study. Peak normalised isometric and isokinetic hip abductor torque were measured bilaterally (n = 36) using the Biodex System 4 isokinetic dynamometer. Each participant performed the Trendelenburg test bilaterally (n = 36) while a graduate year chiropractic practitioner assessed for a “positive” or “negative” sign. The test was simultaneously recorded using Vicon 3-Dimensional motion capture to measure frontal plane pelvic motion and elevation. Correlation analyses were performed between the measures of peak hip abductor torque and pelvic motion to determine if any relationship existed. Agreement between the practitioner and 3-Dimensional analysis was calculated using the kappa (κ) statistic.ResultsWeak, non-significant correlations were found between hip abductor strength and pelvic motion before outlier removal. Significant (p < 0.05) yet weak correlations were found after outlier removal, except for isometric hip abductor strength. Weak agreement was found between the chiropractic practitioner and 3-Dimesnional analysis for the Trendelenburg test assessment (κ = 0.22–0.25).ConclusionsThis study found no significant relationship between normalised peak isometric and isokinetic hip abductor torque and frontal plane pelvic motion during the Trendelenburg test in a healthy young adult population. There was also poor agreement between the practitioner and pelvic motion assessments. Caution should be used when using this test, in the absence of intra-articular hip pathology, to assesses hip abductor weakness. Before any definitive conclusion can be made, studies with a larger sample size should be performed.

The Future Alert of Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Difference Among Young Healthy Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. (Preprint)

The Future Alert of Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Difference Among Young Healthy Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. (Preprint)

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a healthy young population: Family matters

BackgroundIndia faces an epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study sought the effect of family history of CVD and/or its risk factors (CVD-risk) on the presence of risk factors for CVD, in a healthy young college population. MethodsBlood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), anthropometric variables, fasting blood sugar and lipid fractions were measured in two hundred healthy individuals (163 men and 37 women), aged 17–22 years. Data were analysed to elicit effect of CVD-risk on measured parameters. ResultsAll but one subject, had family history of a CVD-risk. Men with family history of coronary heart disease had higher diastolic BP (79.24 ± 7.7 vs 75.99 ± 7.49 mmHg, p = 0.007) and triglycerides (118.66 ± 57.98 vs 85.82 ± 50.89 mg/dL, p < 0.0001) compared with those without similar family history. Men with family history of hypertension (HTN) had higher diastolic BP (78.75 ± 7.15 vs 75.84 ± 8.37 mmHg, p = 0.019) and low-density lipoprotein (86.24 ± 25.38 vs 78.21 ± 17.93 mg/dL, p = 0.019), as well as lower high-density lipoprotein (50.27 ± 8.4 vs 53.96 ± 10.38 mg/dL, p = 0.019). Women with family history of diabetes mellitus had lower high-density lipoproteins (49.89 ± 8.05 vs 59.53 ± 11.44, p = 0.006). Family history of dyslipidaemia was associated with significantly higher triglycerides (146.14 ± 46.19 vs 98.44 ± 56.19 mg/dL, p = 0.002) in men and in subjects across sex. HDL was contrarily higher, in women with family history of cerebrovascular accident/HTN and men with family history of coronary heart disease/HTN. The proportion of pre-HTN, overweight/obese, impaired fasting glucose and borderline high triglycerides was 88.3%, 36.8%, 11% and 38.7% in men and 64.9%, 37.8%, 18.9% and 48.7% in female subjects. ConclusionYoung adults with a family history of CVD-risk already have an incomplete/atypical CVD risk profile.

Core Stability Index for Healthy Young Sri Lankan Population

Core Stability Index for Healthy Young Sri Lankan Population

Lipid profile in an urban healthy adult Bangladeshi population

Background and objectives: The prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has increased in most of the developing countries, including Bangladesh. An important marker of IHD is dyslipidemia which includes high levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-cholesterol), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). So it is very important to know the lipid levels of a particular population for early intervention and prevention of IHD. The present study investigated the lipid levels of healthy urban adult Bangladeshi population.&#x0D; Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out over a period of one year at the Department of Physiology of Ibrahim Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total number of 286 apparently healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood sample following overnight fast was collected for determination of serum TG, T-cholesterol, LDL-c and HDL-c. For all four lipid components, 95th percentile value was calculated and compared with values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).&#x0D; Results: A total number of 286 adult individuals were enrolled of which 130 (45.5%) and 156 (54.5%) were male and female respectively. The mean levels of TG (122±56 mg/dl) and T-cholesterol (178±25 mg/dl) of male participants were significantly (p=0.001, p=0.008) higher than that of females (79.3±35.6 and 170±26 mg/dl). The level of serum HDL-c was significantly (p=0.001) higher in females (46.1±7.8 mg/dl)) compared to the males (39.7±8.6 mg/dl). The 95th percentile values of TG, T-cholesterol and LDL-c were higher than that of values recommended by WHO. Of the total participants, 17.1% to 24.1% had TG, T-cholesterol and LDL-c levels higher than the WHO recommended range.&#x0D; Conclusion: It is concluded that a proportion of our urban healthy young adult population had lipid profiles different from that recommended by WHO.&#x0D; Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 13-17

229-LB: Plasma Lactate and Muscle Aerobic Substrate Oxidation: Does Elevated Lactate Precede Obesity?

Background: The incidence of metabolic diseases is rising and there is a dire need for early detection of risk in order to implement prevention. Fasting plasma lactate concentrations have been shown to be elevated in individuals with obesity and predictive of the development of T2D. An elevated lactate concentration is the product of a shift to glycolysis and a possible reduction in oxidative capacity. However, it is unknown if there are associations between lactate and oxidative capacity in healthy individuals that may predispose them to metabolic disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if fasting lactate concentrations were linked with a reduction in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in a young healthy population. Methods: Young (age 22 ± 0.5; N=30) lean (BMI (22.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2) women were screened for fasting plasma lactate. Subjects underwent assessments of body composition, aerobic capacity (VO2 peak), skeletal muscle oxidative capacity via near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and fasting glucose and insulin were measured for calculating HOMA-IR. Fatty acid oxidation rate was also determined in a subset of samples from skeletal muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis). Results: The women were insulin sensitive (HOMA-IR 1.1 ± 0.1) and had a mean fasting lactate of 0.9 ± 0.1 mmol/L. Time till exhaustion on the VO2 peak test was inversely associated with lactate (R2 = 0.20, p=0.05). Likewise, the rate of deoxygenated hemoglobin (NIRS) (R2 = 0.23, p=0.03) and skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation (R2 = 0.72, p=0.004) were also inversely associated with fasting lactate. Lactate was inversely correlated with HDL:LDL (R2 = 0.57, p=0.02) and positively correlated with waist:hip (R2 = 0.52, p=0.02). Conclusion: Plasma lactate was inversely related to skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and with metabolic parameters that are risk factors for obesity and T2D. Fasting plasma lactate may thus be a biomarker for identifying healthy individuals at risk for metabolic diseases. Disclosure N.T. Broskey: None. T.E. Jones: None. Z. Yang: None. N. Khang: None. D. Zheng: None. C.J. Tanner: None. R.N. Cortright: None. J.A. Houmard: None. L. Dohm: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (DK56112, DK120296)

Intake of 3 Eggs/Day or Equivalent Amount of Choline as Supplement for 4 Weeks Increases Plasma Choline Without Changing Plasma TMAO in Participants with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract Objectives Our previous study in a young healthy population indicated that choline from eggs (phosphatidylcholine) was more bioavailable than choline from a supplement (choline bitartrate) as determined by plasma choline concentrations. The purpose of this study was to compare equivalent amounts of two choline sources on plasma choline and its derivatives including trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and inflammatory markers in men and women aged 32 to 70 years old with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods Twenty-three subjects with MetS were included in this randomized, crossover clinical trial. Participants underwent an initial period of 2 weeks without consuming any eggs, which was followed by a random allocation to either 3 eggs/day or a choline-supplement for 4 weeks (both diets had a choline equivalent of 400 mg per day). Following a 3-week washout period, participants were allocated to the alternate diet. We measured plasma choline and plasma TMAO as well as C-reactive protein (CRP), inflammatory markers and liver enzymes. Results Although there was an overall significant increase in plasma choline after egg intake, compared to baseline (P &amp;lt; 0.01), there were no significant differences between egg and supplement at the end of the respective interventions (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Baseline values were 7.9 ± 2.1 nmol/ml compared to 9.9 ± 2.2 and 9.5 ± 2.1 nmol/ml for the egg and supplement, respectively (P &amp;lt; 0.01). In addition, plasma TMAO was not different between baseline, or at the end of the egg and supplement periods (P &amp;gt; 0.1). When we measured inflammatory markers, compared to baseline CRP was lower after the egg period (0.49 ± 0.50 vs. 0.36 ± 0.37 mg/dL, P &amp;lt; 0.01) while no differences in this parameter were observed at the end of the egg or the supplement period. Liver enzymes were not affected by treatment. Conclusions These studies indicate that in contrast to healthy individuals, the plasma choline response appears to be similar in MetS participants, independent of its source or chemical composition. Analyzing the microbiota of these subjects will provide additional information regarding how choline is metabolized in individuals with MetS. Funding Sources The Egg Nutrition Center.

Computerised tomography skeletal muscle and adipose surface area values in a healthy Caucasian population.

The analysis of computerised tomography (CT) images to provide body composition data has grown exponentially. Despite this, there remains limited published data defining the normal range of skeletal muscle area and adipose tissue area using CT. The aim of this study was to determine age- and sex-specific body composition values using CT at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae, in a Caucasian population with a healthy body mass index (BMI). In addition, we sought to develop threshold values for low skeletal muscle mass using these data. We included 107 healthy Caucasian patients (46 males; 61 females) with a healthy BMI (18-25 kg/m2) for analysis. Body composition data were obtained from a single transverse CT image at the mid-third lumbar vertebrae using ImageJ software. Tissue segmentation was performed using Hounsfield unit thresholds of -29 to +150 for muscle and -190 to -30 for adipose tissue. The mean age of the study cohort was 47.8 ± 11.0 years (range 21-73) with a median BMI of 23.7 kg/m2 (interquartile range 22.3-24.8). Patients were sub-divided into age above or below 50 years. Cut-offs for low muscle quantity, representing two standard deviations below the young healthy population mean values, were 43.5 cm2/m2 for males and 30.0 cm2/m2 for females. Our data provide an insight into the distribution of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue surface area values measured on CT from a healthy Caucasian population. Our CT-derived cut-offs for low muscle quantity, based on international guidelines, are much lower than those previously suggested.

Does the EyeChart App for iPhones Give Comparable Measurements to Traditional Visual Acuity Charts?

Aim:To investigate if the EyeChart app gives accurate visual acuity (VA) measurements that are comparable to those achieved using traditional VA charts.Method:Twenty-four participants (aged 18–27 years, mean 20.13 ± 1.78 years) with VA of 6/60 Snellen or better regardless of any strabismus, amblyopia, or ocular pathology volunteered for this prospective study. The best-corrected monocular VA of each participant’s right eye was measured on the Snellen chart at 6 m, the ETDRS chart at 3 m, and the EyeChart app presented on an iPhone SE at 1.2 m (4ft).Results:The mean VA scores obtained were: –0.13 ± 0.08 logMAR on the Snellen chart, –0.11 ± 0.08 logMAR on the ETDRS chart, and –0.09 ± 0.07 logMAR on the EyeChart app. After Bonferroni Correction adjustments were applied, a significant difference was found between the EyeChart app and the Snellen chart (t = –3.756, p = 0.003), however the difference between the EyeChart app and the ETDRS chart did not reach statistical significance (t = –2.391, p = 0.076). The EyeChart app had a strong correlation with both the Snellen (r = 0.79, p < 0.01) and ETDRS charts (r = 0.88, p < 0.01). The Coefficients of Agreement revealed a variation of less than one logMAR line between the EyeChart app and the traditional VA charts (Snellen: 0.09 logMAR; ETDRS: 0.08 logMAR).Conclusion:This study found that the EyeChart app gives accurate VA scores that are comparable to those achieved using the gold-standard ETDRS chart in a healthy young adult population. However, the accuracy and repeatability of the EyeChart app when testing a patient population must be investigated before it can be integrated into clinical practice.

Effect of different high altitudes on vascular endothelial function in healthy people.

Background:The aim of the study was to provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and prediction of acute altitude sickness, to provide a better entry mode for healthy people from plain areas to plateau areas, and to preliminarily clarify the possible mechanism of this approach.Methods:We measured endothelin-1 (ET-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) levels in each sample and determined flow-mediated dilation (FMD) values using a portable OMRON color Doppler with a 7.0- to 12.0-MHz linear array probe. We used the Lewis Lake score to diagnose acute mountain sickness (AMS) and to stratify the disease severity.Results:We found no cases of AMS at any of the studied elevation gradients. We found significant differences in FMD values between individuals when at 400 m above sea level and when at 2200, 3200, and 4200 m above sea level (P < .05) but found no significant differences among those at 2200, 3200, and 4200 m. Our variance analysis showed that serum ET-1, VEGF, ADMA, NO, and HIF-1 levels in individuals at ≥3000 m and those at subplateau and plain areas (<3000 m) significantly differed (P < .05). The level of these factors also significantly differed between individuals at elevation gradients of plateau areas (3260 m vs 4270 m) (P < .05). We found no significant differences in serum ET-1, VEGF, and ADMA levels between individuals at the plateau (2260 m) and plain (400 m) areas (P > .05). NO and HIF-1 levels were significantly different in serum samples from individuals between the plateau (2260 m) and plain (400 m) areas (P < .05). However, with increasing altitude, the NO level gradually increased, whereas ET-1, ADMA, VEGF, and HIF-1 levels showed a decreasing trend. With the increase of altitude, there is no correlation between the trend of FMD and hematologic-related factors such as VEGF, NO, and HIF-1.Conclusion:A healthy young male population ascending to a high-altitude area experiences a low incidence of AMS. Entering an acute plateau exposure environment from different altitude gradients may weaken the effect of acute highland exposure on vascular endothelial dysfunction in healthy individuals. Changes in serum ET-1, VEGF, ADMA, NO, and HIF-1 levels in healthy young men may be related to the body's self-regulation and protect healthy individuals from AMS. A short stay in a subplateau region may initiate an oxygen-free preconditioning process in healthy individuals, thereby protecting them from AMS. Noninvasive brachial artery endothelial function test instead of the detection of invasive hematologic-related factors for early diagnosis and prediction of the occurrence and severity of acute high-altitude disease is still lack of sufficient theoretical basis.

Распространенность патологии третьих моляров. Современное состояние вопроса

Pathological conditions associated with anomalies of formation, eruption, the presence of third molars in the oral cavity of patients and the development of a significant number of complications due to this continue to be relevant in recent decades for dentists of all specialties. In adult individuals, diseases of the third molars in 7.27% are the reason for contacting dental health institutions. The purpose of the work was to analyze the frequency of third molar pathology at the present stage, identify unresolved issues and determine the directions for further clinical and laboratory research based on the data available in Russian and foreign specialized literature. Material and methods. The analysis of special literature containing information about the number of pathological cases of the third molars was carried out. The list of analyzed special literature included: periodicals for the last 15-20 years, basic manuals, monographs and articles published different years. The descriptive method is used for the analysis. Results and discussion. Due to the prevalence, all pathological processes associated with the third molars can be divided into three groups. The first of them consists of clinical situations that lead to pathological changes on the part of occlusion. The second group should include retention and dystopia of intact third molars that do not have any inflammatory and destructive processes and negative occlusal factor. The third group should include the third molars as retinated, dystopian and erupted with the existing inflammatory and destructive processes. The latter group deserves special attention due to the following facts. First, 1/5 of the entire practically healthy young population has anomalies in the position of the third molars, the eruption of which is complicated by infectious and inflammatory processes. Secondly, in multi-specialty hospitals, 15-18% of adult patients are individuals with acute odonogenic infectious and inflammatory processes caused by the third molars. Third, this pathology affects people of working and fertile age. Fourthly, this issue is very important for military dentistry, as it is one of the main reasons for the appeal of military personnel on conscription and contract to a dentist both in the military unit and in the dental clinic. Conclusion. Based on the analysis of the frequency of pathology of third molars at the present stage, the most relevant nosologies were identified and unresolved issues related to them. The results of analysis will determine the direction of further clinical and laboratory studies

Complications of cosmetic iris implants: French series of 87 eyes.

Iris intraocular implants were developed to manage congenital or traumatic iris defects. However, they are also used to change the color of patient eyes. The aim of this retrospective series was to report complications in patients managed in France after cosmetic implantation. Ophthalmological institutions and private ophthalmologists in France. Multicenter retrospective observational study. Questionnaires were sent to all ophthalmology departments in university hospitals and to private ophthalmologists. This questionnaire listed demographic and clinical data for each implanted eye with a focus on safety, the description of ocular complications (corneal edema, endothelial cell loss, increased intraocular pressure, and intraocular inflammation), and the therapeutic management implemented. Forty-four questionnaires (87 eyes) were collected, and ultimately, 33 questionnaires (65 eyes) were considered complete and analyzed. Two types of implants were identified. Of the 65 eyes analyzed, only 5 eyes (7.7%) did not experience any complication and 60 eyes (92.3%) had at least 1 complication. The most commonly reported complication was corneal decompensation (78.5%). The diagnosis of glaucoma was made in over half (52.3%) of the cases. Explantation was needed in 81.5% of cases. The mean final visual acuity was 0.45 ± 0.08 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (0 to 2 logMAR). Several ocular complications with a decreased mean visual acuity were described in a young healthy population. In addition, patient information on the safety of this procedure appeared insufficient.

Correlation between ventral neck muscle endurance and cervical progressive ısoinertial lifting capacity

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to document the characteristics of ventral neck flexor muscle endurance (NMFE) and compare the endurance time to some anthropometric measurements due to genders in healthy young adult population. Materials and Methods: Measurements were taken from 185 medical students (104 males - 81 females) aged between 18-22yrs. Neck flexor (NF) endurance was measured with clinic endurance test, CROM (cervical range of motion) and head posture measurements were taken with CROM device and cervical physical performance was determined with progressive isoinertial lifting evaluation test (PILE). Neck pain and disability level were evaluated with the neck disability index (NDI). Results: Cervical range of motion and the NDI score were found significantly higher in females than in males. When the activity level increased, endurance time and PILE test components increased, however there was a weak correlation between endurance time and ROMs. Finally, it was observed that there was a relationship between NF muscle endurance and the NDI, range of motion (ROM), physical performance - activity level and lifestyle. Conclusion: It could provide important information to performance and endurance exercise studies program. Also, they may be helpful to assign patients to appropriate and most beneficial treatment programs, as well as to develop specific programs.

Safety and immunogenicity of VGX-3100 formulations in a healthy young adult population

ABSTRACT HPV remains the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide, despite improvements in awareness, screening, prophylactic vaccination uptake, and surgical treatment. VGX-3100 is an immunotherapy that uses electroporation to introduce DNA encoding for modified HPV-16 and HPV-18, E6-and E7 proteins into myocytes to stimulate an effector T cell response. We now report immunogenicity and safety of VGX-3100 for a refrigeration-stable formulation, which improves patient-care setting usability. This multi-arm, double-blinded, randomized trial enrolled 235 healthy men and women to receive either a refrigerated (RF) or frozen formulation (FF) of VGX-3100. Three doses were administered intramuscularly with electroporation at 0, 4, and 12 weeks. Non-inferiority of RF to FF was assessed by comparing the proportion of subjects who achieved a ≥2-fold increase from baseline to Week 14 in Spot Forming Units/106 PMBCs using an interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay. There were no related SAEs. Injection site reactions were the most common adverse event (54%, RF; 66%, FF) the majority of which resolved within a few minutes following administration. The primary endpoint was met with 89.9% of RF recipients and 97.2% of FF recipients reaching a ≥2-fold rise in SFU/106 PBMC, 2 weeks following the last dose; RF was statistically non-inferior to FF (p = .022). A systemic, immunologic approach has the potential to fill a critical gap in the ability to treat men and women with high grade HPV diseases. These safety and immunogenicity data are supportive of the continued development of a refrigerated formulation of VGX-3100.

Differences in response to egg-derived dietary cholesterol result in distinct lipoprotein profiles while plasma concentrations of carotenoids and choline are not affected in a young healthy population

Abstract Background It has been demonstrated that some individuals (approximately 1/3 of the population) can be classified as hyper-responders to dietary cholesterol. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the response to dietary cholesterol (provided by eggs) would mediate lipoprotein metabolism and the bioavailability of lutein, zeaxanthin, and choline, nutritional components present in eggs. Methods We recruited 36 healthy subjects who underwent a two-week washout period in which they consumed zero eggs. Participants were then consecutively fed 1, 2, and 3 eggs/day for 4 weeks each. In this analysis, we compared intake of 0 eggs/day to 3 eggs/day (540 additional mg of dietary cholesterol/day). Plasma lipids, lipoprotein particle subfractions, and plasma lutein, zeaxanthin, and choline were measured. We classified the normal plasma response to dietary cholesterol as an increase of 2.2 mg/dL for each 100 mg of dietary cholesterol/day. Therefore, those individuals with >12 mg/dL increase in plasma cholesterol after the intervention (n = 12) were considered hyper-responders while the remaining 24 subjects presented changes in plasma cholesterol ranging from −16 to 9 mg/dL and were considered normal responders. Results Compared to 0 eggs, hyper-responders had significant increases in plasma total, LDL and HDL cholesterol (p Conclusions These results suggest that egg intake increases the bioavailability of carotenoids and choline present in eggs independently of individual responses to dietary cholesterol. Further, the observed increases in large HDL in all individuals could be associated with HDL being a major transporter of lutein and zeaxanthin in plasma.

Perception of whole-body motion during balance perturbations is impaired in Parkinson's disease and is associated with balance impairment

BackgroundIn addition to motor deficits, Parkinson's disease (PD) may cause perceptual impairments. The role of perceptual impairments in sensorimotor function is unclear, and has typically been studied in single-joint motions. Research questionWe hypothesized that perception of whole-body motion is impaired in PD and contributes to balance impairments. We tested (1) whether directional acuity to whole body perturbations during standing was worse in people with PD compared to neurotypical older adults (NOA), and (2) whether balance ability, as assessed by the MiniBESTest, was associated with poor directional acuity in either group. MethodsParticipants were exposed to pairs of support-surface translation perturbations in a two-alternative forced choice testing paradigm developed previously in a young healthy population. The first perturbation of each pair that was to be judged by participants was directly backward, and the second perturbation deviated from the left or right from the backward direction by 1°–44°. Participants reported whether the perturbations in each pair were in the “same” or “different” direction. Judgements from 24 to 67 perturbation pairs were used to calculate directional acuity thresholds corresponding to “just-noticeable differences” in perturbation direction. Linear mixed models determined associations between directional thresholds and clinical variables including MDS-UPDRS-III score, age, and MiniBESTest score. Results20 PD (64 ± 7 y, 12 male, ≥12 h since last intake of antiparkinsonian medications) and 12 NOA (64 ± 8, 6 male) were assessed. Directional thresholds were higher (worse) among PD participants (17.6 ± 5.9° vs. 12.8 ± 3.3°, P < 0.01). Linear mixed models further showed that higher thresholds were associated with MDS-UPDRS-III score (P < 0.01), and were associated with poorer balance ability among PD participants (P < 0.01), but not among NOA participants (P = 0.40). SignificancePerception of whole-body motion is impaired in PD and may contribute to impaired balance and falls.

Distinct inflammatory mediator patterns in young black and white adults: The African-predict study

ObjectiveInflammatory mediators have been implicated in the early stages of cardiovascular disease development, including hypertension. Since global reports reflect a higher hypertension prevalence in black than white populations, we hypothesise the involvement of specific inflammatory mediators. We therefore compared a detailed range of 22 inflammatory mediators between young black and white adults, and determined the relationship with blood pressure. Approach and resultsWe included 1197 adults (20–30 years; 50% black; 52% female) with detailed ambulatory blood pressures. Blood samples were analysed for 22 inflammatory mediators. For pro-inflammatory mediators, the black adults had higher C-reactive protein, interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant, macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (all p ≤ 0.008), but lower interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17A, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (all p ≤ 0.048). For anti-inflammatory mediators the black group consistently had lower levels (IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 (all p ≤ 0.012)), resulting in generally higher pro-to-anti-inflammatory ratios in black than white adults (p ≤ 0.001). In mediators with pro- and anti-inflammatory functions, the black group had lower granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-6 (both p ≤ 0.010). These patterns were confirmed after adjustment for age, sex and waist circumference, or when stratifying by hypertensive status, sex and socio-economic status. Multi-variable adjusted regression analyses and factor analysis yielded no relationship between inflammatory mediators and blood pressure in this young healthy population. ConclusionsBlack and white ethnic groups each consistently presented with unique inflammatory mediator patterns regardless of blood pressure, sex or social class. No association with blood pressure was seen in either of the groups.

The Impact of a Foot-Toe Orthosis on Dynamic Balance: An Exploratory Randomized Control Trial.

The influence of custom and over-the-counter foot orthoses on dynamic balance has been investigated in the past. However, there has not been an exploration of the use of a foot-toe orthosis for improving balance. The ability of clinicians to influence balance could have important implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation. To determine the impact of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance in healthy, young adults. Randomized control trial. Athletic training laboratory. In total, 64 healthy, recreationally active participants aged 18-29 years were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: the foot-toe orthosis and laboratory-issued shoe group, the laboratory-issued shoe only (SO) group, or the control group. Subjects in the intervention group wore the foot-toe orthosis and laboratory-issued shoe with activities of daily living for 4 weeks. Subjects in the SO intervention group wore the laboratory-issued shoe with activities of daily living for 4 weeks. Participants in the control group did not receive any intervention. The instrumented version of the Star Excursion Balance Test, known as the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test, was used to quantify the dynamic balance at baseline and follow-up. Reaches were normalized for leg length. There were statistically significant differences in postintervention scores on the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test for both the dominant (P = .03, effect size = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.25 to 1.43) and nondominant (P = .002, effect size = 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 1.32) legs when comparing dynamic balance scores of the foot-toe orthosis and laboratory-issued shoe group with the SO and control groups. No significant differences were observed when comparing dynamic balance between the SO and control groups. A 4-week intervention with a foot-toe orthosis and laboratory-issued shoe resulted in improved dynamic balance in a healthy young adult population. These findings suggest a novel intervention for increasing balance.

Muscular Adaptations to Whole Body Blood Flow Restriction Training and Detraining.

Resistance training with blood flow restriction is typically performed during single exercises for the lower- or upper-body, which may not replicate real world programming. The present study examined the change in muscle strength and mass in a young healthy population during an 8-week whole body resistance training program, as well as monitoring these adaptations following a 4-week detraining period. Thirty-nine participants (27 males, 12 females) were allocated into four groups: blood flow restriction training (BFR-T); moderate-heavy load training (HL-T), light-load training (LL-T) or a non-exercise control (CON). Testing measurements were taken at Baseline, during mid-point of training (week 4), end of training (week 8) and following four weeks of detraining (week 12) and included anthropometrics, body composition, muscle thickness (MTH) at seven sites, and maximal dynamic strength (1RM) for six resistance exercises. Whole body resistance training with BFR significantly improved lower- and upper-body strength (overall; 11% increase in total tonnage), however, this was similar to LL-T (12%), but both groups were lower in comparison with HL-T (21%) and all groups greater than CON. Some markers of body composition (e.g., lean mass) and MTH significantly increased over the course of the 8-week training period, but these were similar across all groups. Following detraining, whole body strength remained significantly elevated for both BFR-T (6%) and HL-T (14%), but only the HL-T group remained higher than all other groups. Overall, whole body resistance training with blood flow restriction was shown to be an effective training mode to increase muscular strength and mass. However, traditional moderate-heavy load resistance training resulted in greater adaptations in muscle strength and mass as well as higher levels of strength maintenance following detraining.

Posterior Thigh Isometric Force Measurement with Extended Knee

Aims: The establishment of normal values for the hamstring flexibility and isometric posterior thigh force of healthy adults performing standard motor task consisting of acting against a rubber band in the supine position.&#x0D; Study Design: Observation and ecological.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: During a Sports Medicine three days event (Congreso DePunta) in Uruguay, September 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: Random samples of 21 men and 16 women practicing different sport activities were asked to have their biomechanics properties measured by DINABANG, which is a novel clinical instrument to guide lower limb rehabilitation. DINABANG measures the force signal during the following specific motor task: in supine position, consists of hip flexion with fully extended knee and with malleolus attached to a rubber band held by the Physical Therapist behind the head of the person, until further effort would lift the person from the mat.&#x0D; Results: Normal values for body weight specific peak force during isometric effort with extended limb in supine position and malleolus strap tied to an elastic band are (mean ± SD) 1.7 ± 0.4 / 1.9 ± 0.5 N•Kg-1 for men and 2.1 ± 0.5 / 2.3 ± 0.5 N•Kg-1 for women and weak/strong limb respectively. The volunteer-defined flexibility angles of the healthy young populations (21 men and 16 women) were found to be 67.5° ± 6.5° and 77.5°± 9.7° merging the distributions of both lower limbs, strong and weak.&#x0D; Conclusion: These values will be included in subsequent versions of DINABANG to be used in clinical practice to help avoiding muscle strains by quantifying efforts during rehabilitation under Physical Therapist monitoring. DINABANG allows to safely perform a motor task in the medical office. It can be said that DINABANG is compatible with an ecological approach to rehabilitation.