Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of habitual cranial loading on the vertebral column of adolescent African females aged 12-15 years in the Deepdale region of Kwa-Zulu Natal

This pilot study investigated the incidence and aetiology of cranial loading musculoskeletal pain amongst adolescent females aged 12-15 years in the Deepdale region of Kwa-Zulu Natal. A descriptive survey was conducted amongst 20 adolescent females, who by voluntary consent participated in a controlled, analytical, observational, pre-test post-test, randomized cross-over retrospective study. Subjects' biographical, epidemiological, exercise history and lifestyle information were gathered by employing the use of a validated questionnaire (van Heerden, 1996). In addition to completing the questionnaire subjects underwent a postural analysis in an unloaded and loaded state. During the unloaded and loaded phases EMG measures were recorded of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. The unloaded phase was when subjects stood without the 20 kg pot placed onto their cranium, whilst the loaded phase was when subjects stood with the 20 kg pot placed onto their cranium against a portable postural chart. Digital images were captured of all subjects in the unloaded and loaded phases in the sagittal and frontal views. Data were analysed using the Excel Spreadsheets for Windows, chi-square tests and dependant t-tests with the probability set at 0.05. The evidence indicated that the incidence of cranial loaded musculoskeletal pain and discomfort amongst subjects was 95% (p<0.01). The most prevalent cranial loaded musculoskeletal pain sustained by subjects were along the vertebrae (73.68%) followed by shoulder (21.06%) and arms (5.26%) (pl 0.05). Significant EMG measures (p<0.01) were recorded of the sternocleidomastoid (12.42mV vs. 44.41mV) and trapezius (7.69mV vs. 78.64mV) muscles in the unloaded versus loaded phases. The cervical vertebrae compression was derived anthropometrically by the reduced distance from the vertex to the acromion in the unloaded phase (31.0 cm) versus loaded (23.0 cm) phase. The aetiology of the musculoskeletal pain was attributed to the downward compressive force exerted by the cranial load, which impinged soft tissue in the cervical region. In addition, the trapezius muscles eccentrically contracted in an attempt to balance the load, which further increased the pain and discomfort. The data indicate that vertebral musculoskeletal pain is most prevalent amongst adolescent females carrying loads in the Deepdale region of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Distribution of colour‐selective activity in the monkey inferior temporal cortex revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging

Previous electrophysiological, neuroimaging and lesion studies have suggested that the anterior part of the monkey inferior temporal (IT) cortex, or area TE, plays an important role in colour processing. However, little is known about how colour information is distributed in these cortical regions. Here, we explored the distribution of colour‐selective activity in alert macaque monkeys using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with two types of stimuli: a multicoloured (‘Mondrian’) pattern and an isoluminant colour grating. These two types of stimuli are both commonly used in human fMRI studies, but Mondrian stimuli, which contain a richer variety of hues and hence might be more suitable for activating higher‐order areas than grating stimuli, have not been used to examine colour‐selectivity in higher‐order areas in earlier monkey studies. With the Mondrian stimuli, we observed that areas along the ventral pathway, V1, V2/V3, V4 and the IT cortex, responded more strongly to colour stimuli than to luminance stimuli. In the IT cortex, we found that colour‐selective activities are not distributed uniformly, but are localized in discrete regions, each extending several millimetres in the anterior or posterior part of the IT cortex. The colour‐selective activation in the anterior IT was observed only with the Mondrian stimuli, whereas the colour‐selective activation in the posterior IT was observed with both the Mondrian and grating stimuli, with little overlap. These findings suggest that there are multiple subregions with differing stimulus selectivities distributed in the IT cortex, and that colour information is processed in these discrete subregions.
Spino-Pelvic Parameters After Surgery Can be Predicted: A Preliminary Formula and Validation of Standing Alignment

Study Design. Prospective and retrospective radiographic study of adult patients with spinal deformities. Objective. Construct predictive models for pelvic tilt (PT) and global sagittal balance (sagittal vertical axis [SVA]) and evaluate the effectiveness of these predictive models against a group of patients after pedicle subtraction osteotomy. Summary of Background Data. Spinal balance involves a complex interaction between the pelvis and vertebral column. In the setting of adult spinal deformity, prediction of postoperative alignment can be challenging. Methods. The study included 219 adult patients treated for spinal deformity. Full-length standing films were available for all subjects. Multilinear models with a stepwise condition were used on the first group of patients (n 5 179) to predict PT and global sagittal balance (measured by the SVA). Prediction models were then applied on a second group of patients (n 5 40) to estimate postoperative radiographic parameters after pedicle subtraction osteotomy surgery. Differences between estimated parameters and real values were evaluated. Results. Multilinear regression analysis applied on the first group of patients led to a predictive formula for PT (r 5 0.93, standard error = 4.4°) using the following parameters: pelvic incidence, maximal lordosis, and maximal kyphosis. These parameters with the addition of the predicted PT were then used to predict the SVA (r 5 0.89, standard error 5 32 mm). Validation of predictive models (second group of patients) used pelvic incidence and postoperative sagittal curves. Postoperative PT was predicted with a mean error of 4.3° (SD 3.5°) and postoperative SVA was predicted with a mean error of 29 mm (SD 5 23 mm). Conclusion. This is the first study to develop and validate pragmatic predictive models for key spino-pelvic parameters (PT and SVA) in the setting of adult spinal deformity. Using a morphologic pelvic parameter (pelvic incidence) and spinal parameters modifiable through surgery (lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis), postoperative sagittal alignment can be predicted.
Pharmacological treatment of septic shock

Septic shock remains as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In spite of better antimicrobial and support treatment, death due to septic shock has increased in several groups of patients. In recent years, an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of sepsis and the advances in molecular biology and biotechnology, have led to the research on new treatments. Potential therapeutic compounds are able to interfere with endotoxins and cytokine pathways, such as that of TNF-α, and to prevent tissue damage by other inflammatory mediators such as complement, lipid compounds, bradykinins, leukocyte adhesion molecules, nitric oxide (NO), the coagulation cascade, opioids, endothelin and vasopressin. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, protease inhibitors and immune modulation is also discussed. This article reviews the physiopathology, the rationale, efficacy and shortcomings of agents for the treatment of septic shock in human and animal models.
Perfectionism and training distress in junior athletes: a longitudinal investigation

ABSTRACT Perfectionistic athletes may train harder and for longer than non-perfectionistic athletes, leaving them susceptible to elevated levels of training distress. So far, however, no study has investigated the relationships between perfectionism and training distress, a key indicator of overtraining syndrome. Furthermore, no study has determined psychological predictors of overtraining syndrome. Using a two-wave design, the present study examined perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns and training distress in 141 junior athletes (mean age = 17.3 years, range = 16–19 years) over 3 months of active training. Multiple regression analyses were employed to test cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between perfectionism and training distress. In all analyses, perfectionism emerged as a significant predictor, but strivings and concerns showed differential relationships. When the cross-sectional relationships were regarded, perfectionistic concerns positively predicted training distress (P < .001), whereas perfectionistic strivings negatively predicted training distress (P < .01). When the longitudinal relationships were regarded, only perfectionistic concerns predicted increases in training distress (P < .05), whereas perfectionistic strivings did not (P > .05). The findings suggest that sports scientists who wish to identify athletes at risk of overtraining syndrome may monitor athletes’ perfectionistic concerns as a possible risk factor.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Aims: To assess the role of progressive muscle relaxation in the management of hyperemesis gravidarum.Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, observer blind and comparative study. Around 30 pregnant women admitted for the treatmentof hyperemesis gravidarum were enrolled and randomized into experimental and control groups. Each group was of 15 patients. Experimentalgroup patients received pharmacotherapy with daily progressive muscle relaxation for 2 weeks, while patients in control group received onlypharmacotherapy.Results: (1) Significantly high number of patients required three or more drugs in control group as compared to experimental group,(2) experimental group patients achieved complete response within 2.73 days � SD, while control group patients achieved completeresponse within 4 days � SD, (3) none of the patients in experimental group had recurrence within 2 weeks of observation period, while13% patients in control group had recurrence after complete response, (4) on clinical global improvement scale, patients in experimentalgroup achieved better improvement.Conclusions: Progressive muscle relaxation is effective in hyperemesis gravidarum and when combined with antiemetics, it reduces thenumber of antiemetics required to treat hyperemesis gravidarum. Patients also show early response to treatment, less recurrence andbetter improvement when combined with antiemetics.
Presynaptic and postsynaptic origin of multicomponent extracellular waveforms at the endbulb of Held–spherical bushy cell synapse

Extracellular signals from the endbulb of Held–spherical bushy cell (SBC) synapse exhibit up to three component waves (‘P’, ‘A’ and ‘B’). Signals lacking the third component (B) are frequently observed but as the origin of each of the components is uncertain, interpretation of this lack of B has been controversial: is it a failure to release transmitter or a failure to generate or propagate an action potential? Our aim was to determine the origin of each component. We combined single‐ and multiunit in vitro methods in Mongolian gerbils and Wistar rats and used pharmacological tools to modulate glutamate receptors or voltage‐gated sodium channels. Simultaneous extra‐ and intracellular recordings from single SBCs demonstrated a presynaptic origin of the P‐component, consistent with data obtained with multielectrode array recordings of local field potentials. The later components (A and B) correspond to the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and action potential of the SBC, respectively. These results allow a clear interpretation of in vivo extracellular signals. We conclude that action potential failures occurring at the endbulb–SBC synaptic junction largely reflect failures of the EPSP to trigger an action potential and not failures of synaptic transmission. The data provide the basis for future investigation of convergence of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in modulating transmission at a fully functional neuronal system using physiological stimulation.
The effect of ball impact location on racket and forearm joint angle changes for one-handed tennis backhand groundstrokes

ABSTRACT Recreational tennis players tend to have higher incidence of tennis elbow, and this has been hypothesised to be related to one-handed backhand technique and off-centre ball impacts on the racket face. This study aimed to investigate for a range of participants the effect of off-longitudinal axis and off-lateral axis ball–racket impact locations on racket and forearm joint angle changes immediately following impact in one-handed tennis backhand groundstrokes. Three-dimensional racket and wrist angular kinematic data were recorded for 14 university tennis players each performing 30 “flat” one-handed backhand groundstrokes. Off-longitudinal axis ball–racket impact locations explained over 70% of the variation in racket rotation about the longitudinal axis and wrist flexion/extension angles during the 30 ms immediately following impact. Off-lateral axis ball–racket impact locations had a less clear cut influence on racket and forearm rotations. Specifically off-longitudinal impacts below the longitudinal axis forced the wrist into flexion for all participants with there being between 11° and 32° of forced wrist flexion for an off-longitudinal axis impact that was 1 ball diameter away from the midline. This study has confirmed that off-longitudinal impacts below the longitudinal axis contribute to forced wrist flexion and eccentric stretch of the wrist extensors and there can be large differences in the amount of forced wrist flexion from individual to individual and between strokes with different impact locations.
The electrophysiological time course of the interaction of stimulus conflict and the multisensory spread of attention

Previously, we have shown that spatial attention to a visual stimulus can spread across both space and modality to a synchronously presented but task‐irrelevant sound arising from a different location, reflected by a late‐onsetting, sustained, negative‐polarity event‐related potential (ERP) wave over frontal–central scalp sites, probably originating in part from the auditory cortices. Here we explore the influence of cross‐modal conflict on the amplitude and temporal dynamics of this multisensory spreading‐of‐attention activity. Subjects attended selectively to one of two concurrently presented lateral visually‐presented letter streams to perform a sequential comparison task, while ignoring task‐irrelevant, centrally presented spoken letters that could occur synchronously with either the attended or unattended lateral visual letters and could be either congruent or incongruent with them. Extracted auditory ERPs revealed that, collapsed across congruency conditions, attentional spreading across modalities started at approximately 220 ms, replicating our earlier findings. The interaction between attentional spreading and conflict occurred beginning at approximately 300 ms, with attentional‐spreading activity being larger for incongruent trials. Thus, the increased processing of an incongruent, task‐irrelevant sound in a multisensory stimulation appeared to occur some time after attention has spread from the attended visual part to the ignored auditory part, presumably reflecting the conflict detection and associated attentional capture requiring accrual of some multisensory interaction processes at a higher‐level semantic processing stage.
Changes in kinematics and arm–leg coordination during a 100-m breaststroke swim

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to compare arm–leg coordination and kinematics during 100 m breaststroke in 26 (8 female; 18 male) specialist breaststroke swimmers. Laps were recorded using three 50-Hz underwater cameras. Heart rate and blood lactate were measured pre- and post-swim. Arm–leg coordination was defined using coordination phases describing continuity between recovery and propulsive phases of upper and lower limbs: coordination phase 1 (time between end of leg kick and start of the arm pull phases); and coordination phase 2 (time between end of arm pull and start of leg kick phases). Duration of stroke phases, coordination phases, swim velocity, stroke length (SL), stroke rate (SR) and stroke index (SI) were analysed during the last three strokes of each lap that were unaffected by turning or finishing. Significant changes in velocity, SI and SL (P < 0.05) were found between laps. Both sexes showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in heart rate and blood lactate pre- to post-swim. Males had significantly (P < 0.01) faster swim velocities resulting from longer SLs (P = 0.016) with no difference in SR (P = 0.064). Sex differences in kinematic parameters can be explained by anthropometric differences providing males with increased propelling efficiency.
Improving monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy

Monoclonal antibodies have emerged as a promising class of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of many human diseases, including cancer. Historically, an inability to target monoclonal antibodies to solid tumors in sufficient quantities and with high enough specificity has hampered the effectiveness of antibodies as therapeutics. This review focuses on recent efforts in the field of antibody‐engineering directed at improving both the targeting of antibody‐based therapeutics as well as enhancing the efficacy of those therapeutics once they have been targeted to tumor. Drug Dev. Res. 61:172–187, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impacts of talent development environments on athlete burnout: a self-determination perspective

ABSTRACT Guided by Deci and Ryan’s (2000) self-determination theory, this survey study aimed to examine the effects of the talent development environmental factors on athlete burnout. Talented adolescent athletes (n = 691) filled out a survey form measuring the talent development environmental factors, needs satisfaction and burnout. The findings showed that three talent environmental factors (i.e., long-term development focus, holistic quality preparation and communication) were negative predictors of burnout via needs satisfaction. It was concluded that the three talent development environmental factors may be important for facilitating athletes’ needs satisfaction and preventing burnout.
Do as I say: contradicting beliefs and attitudes towards sports concussion in Australia

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to explore beliefs and attitudes of students studying exercise science in Australia towards sports concussion. A secondary objective explored differences between gender and previous experience of concussion. A total of 312 participants (m = 217; f = 95) responded to a series of statements ranging across a number of areas including personal attitudes and beliefs towards concussion: if they would risk playing with a concussion; their views on elite/professional athletes who continue to play after a concussion; and attitudes towards rehabilitation. Overall, attitudes revealed that it was not safe to play with a concussion, and it was believed that those who have had repeated concussions would be likely to suffer problems later in life. However, responses also indicated that they would risk playing with a concussion, and admired elite athletes who continued to play. When controlling for gender and previous concussions, males and those who sustained a previous concussion/s were more likely to continue playing. Conversely, females were more likely to complete rehabilitation prior to returning to sport. This study demonstrates in an Australian student cohort studying for a career in exercise and sports science, disparity between beliefs and attitudes regarding sports concussion.
Improved executive functions in 6–12-year-old children following cognitively engaging tennis lessons

ABSTRACT The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationships between cognitively engaging exercise (i.e., game-based and coordination exercises), executive functions (i.e., inhibitory control and working memory), and physical fitness. Forty junior tennis players (6–12 years old), who regularly participated in tennis lessons (2.55 years, SD = 1.61) prior to the study, were investigated. All participants completed evaluations of executive functions (inhibitory control and working memory) at rest. The duration of each lessons’ instructional activities, including coordination training, game-based exercise, rallying, and non-physical activity (explanations and breaks), was recorded. Physical fitness was evaluated using the Tennis Field Test. A longer duration of game-based exercise was positively correlated with inhibitory control and physical fitness. Coordination training was associated with improved working memory. Non-physical activity was inversely correlated with inhibitory control, working memory, and physical fitness. The results suggest that game-based tennis lessons have beneficial effects on inhibitory control and physical fitness levels, and a longer duration of coordination training is associated with better working memory. The present study indicates that shortened non-physical activity time within a sports setting is associated with the development of executive functions and physical fitness.
A Comparison of Three Types of Postoperative Pain Control After Posterior Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Study Design. Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. Objective. This study compared the early postoperative analgesic effects and the postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) associated with three methods of pain control after posterior lumbar spinal surgery. Summary of Background Data. The use of opioids for postoperative pain control is common after spinal surgery; however, PONV is the most frequently encountered side effect, and it is yet to be overcome. The effectiveness of the use of an absorbable low-dose morphine-soaked microfibrillar collagen hemostatic sponge placed on the surface of the dural sac (epidural MMCHS) was compared to patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and intermittent intramuscular bolus injection of meperidine for postoperative pain control after spine surgery. Methods. One hundred sixty-five patients who underwent short-segment posterior lumbar spinal decompression and fusion surgery between January 2007 and July 2007 in the orthopedic department of a medical center were enrolled. For postoperative pain control, 40 patients received epidural MMCHS, 48 patients received PCA, and 77 patients received meperidine injection. Patient ratings of pain intensity (visual analog scale score from 0 [no pain] to 10 [most severe pain]), nausea (from 0 [no nausea] to 5 [severe nausea]), and vomiting (from 0 [no vomiting] to 5 [severe vomiting]) were recorded at 4 hours postoperation and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Results. The analgesic effect was enhanced significantly in both epidural MMCHS group and the PCA group as compared with the meperidine group on postoperative days 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). On postoperative days 1, 2, and 3, PONV was more severe in the PCA group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The side effects of epidural MMCHS were nausea (25%), pruritus (12.5%), vomiting (5%), and hypotension (2.5%). Conclusion. A single low-dose epidural MMCHS is effective for postoperative pain control and minimizes the occurrence of PONV after posterior lumbar spinal surgery.