Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of a Prior Force-Velocity Test Performed with Legs on Subsequent Peak Power Output Measured with Arms or Vice Versa

Bouhlel, E, Chelly, MS, Gmada, N, Tabka, Z, and Shephard, R. Effect of a prior force-velocity test performed with legs on subsequent peak power output measured with arms or vice versa. J Strength Cond Res 24(x): 000-000, 2010-The aim of this study was to examine whether measurement of peak anaerobic power (Wpeak) by force-velocity test using the arms or the legs influenced the performance obtained when the opposite muscle group was tested. Ten trained male throwers (age: 20.6 ± 2; stature: 1.82 ± 0.06 m; and body mass: 85.5 ± 17.2 kg) performed, on separate days, 2 Monark cycle-ergometer protocols comprising (a) arm cranking (A1) followed by a leg cycling (L2) force-velocity test (series A-L) and (b) a leg cycling (L1) followed by an arm cranking (A2) force-velocity test (series L-A). On each day, 8 minutes of seated rest separated the 2 force-velocity tests. Arterialized capillary blood was collected from the finger tips for blood lactate analysis at rest and at the end of each force-velocity test. Wpeak-A1 and Wpeak-A2 were similar (8.1 ± 1.7 and 8.6 ± 1.5 W·kg−1, respectively). Wpeak-L1 and Wpeak-L2 were 14.0 ± 3 and 13.4 ± 2.8 W·kg−1 (NS). Blood [La] increased significantly after each force-velocity test (p < 0.001), but peak blood [La] did not differ significantly between L1 (6.6 ± 1.2) and L2 (6.2 ± 1.4 mmol·L−1) or between A1 (7.2 ± 1.0) and A2 (7.4 ± 1.6 mmol·L−1). In this population, force-velocity tests performed using the legs or the arms did not induce a significant decrease in force-velocity determinations of peak anaerobic power performed subsequently with the opposite muscle group. In strength-trained athletes, the force-velocity approach can thus be used to measure the peak power output of both the legs and the arms in a single laboratory session, without adversely affecting estimates of an athlete's performance.
The Effect of Closed-Kinetic Chain Exercises and Open-Kinetic Chain Exercise on the Muscle Activity of Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis

Irish, SE, Millward, AJ, Wride, J, Haas, BM, and Shum, GLK. The effect of closed-kinetic chain exercises and open-kinetic chain exercise on the muscle activity of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis. J Strength Cond Res 24(5): 1256-1262, 2010-Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb. The muscle imbalance between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles is one of the main factors leading to the development of PFPS. The disparity in research and the necessity to add to the existing literature base led to the development of this study. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 2 closed kinetic chain exercises and 1 open kinetic chain exercise on VMO and VL muscle activity. Twenty-two healthy asymptomatic individuals participated in this study. The surface electromyography (EMG) of VMO and VL was measured and used to calculate the VMO:VL ratio during 3 different quadriceps-strengthening exercises (a double leg squat with isometric hip adduction exercise, an open kinetic chain knee extension exercise, and a lunge exercise). The double leg squat with isometric hip adduction exercise was shown to produce a significantly greater VMO:VL ratio (1.14:1) than the other 2 exercises (p = 0.015 and p = 0.005). The open kinetic chain knee extension exercises produced significantly greater activation of VL than the lunge exercise (p = 0.001 and p = 0.036). The lunge exercise produced the VMO:VL ratio (1.18:1) closest to the idealized ratio of 1:1. Potential clinical recommendations can be made proposing the lunge exercise as a key tool in early rehabilitation when restoring preferential VMO:VL ratio is essential. The double leg squat with isometric hip adduction exercise would be useful in maintaining correct patella tracking and selectively strengthening VMO.
Gonadal Hormone Status in Highly Trained Sprinters and in Untrained Men

Grandys, M, Majerczak, J, Zapart-Bukowska, J, Kulpa, J, and Zoladz, JA. Gonadal hormone status in highly trained sprinters and in untrained men. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 1079-1084, 2011-It is a common view that strength and sprint trained athletes are characterized by high plasma/serum testosterone (T) concentration, which is believed to be partly responsible for their performance level. This opinion, however, has poor scientific background. The aim of this study was to give evidence-based information on this issue. We examined gonadal hormone status at rest after overnight fasting in high and top-class track and field sprinters (n = 16) and in untrained men (n = 15). It was shown that basal T, free testosterone (fT), bioavailable testosterone (bio-T), and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in sprinters vs. untrained subjects. Further comparison of the results of the basal serum T concentration in 8 sprinters showed its significant changes during an annual training period. Significantly higher T concentration during a low-intensity training period (beginning of December) than during heavy sprint specific training period (end of March) was observed in these athletes (n = 8) (mean ± SD; 23.37 ± 5.28 vs. 20.99 ± 4.74 nmol·L−1, respectively, p = 0.04). We have concluded that basal gonadal hormone concentration in high and top-class athletes (sprinters and jumpers) did not appear to be significantly different when compared with untrained subjects. Moreover, basal T concentration in sprinters can differ significantly during an annual training period. This fact should be taken into consideration when interpreting the results of gonadal hormone status in athletes at varied training stages.
Elevated Levels of α-Defensins in Plasma and BAL Fluid of Patients With Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Study objectives To investigate the role of neutrophil peptides named α-defensins in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Patients Thirty-seven patients with TB and 25 healthy subjects. Measurements and results Concentrations of α-defensins (human neutrophil peptide [HNP]-1, HNP-2, and HNP-3) were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma and BAL fluid (BALF). Concentrations of α-defensins were significantly higher in plasma and BALF of patients with TB than in healthy subjects. In BALF of patients with TB, the concentration of α-defensins correlated positively with the levels of interleukin 8, and higher concentrations of α-defensins in BALF were also detected in patients with cavitary lesions. There was an inverse relationship between plasma α-defensins and FEV 1 /FVC ratio before treatment, and between plasma concentrations of α-defensins before treatment and the improvement in percentage of vital capacity after treatment. Plasma α-defensin concentrations returned to the normal range after treatment. Conclusion Our data suggest that α-defensins released from neutrophils may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TB, and that plasma α-defensin concentration may be a useful marker of disease severity and deterioration of pulmonary function.
Auditory rehabilitation after stroke: treatment of auditory processing disorders in stroke patients with personal frequency-modulated (FM) systems

Abstract Purpose: Auditory disability due to impaired auditory processing (AP) despite normal pure-tone thresholds is common after stroke, and it leads to isolation, reduced quality of life and physical decline. There are currently no proven remedial interventions for AP deficits in stroke patients. This is the first study to investigate the benefits of personal frequency-modulated (FM) systems in stroke patients with disordered AP. Methods: Fifty stroke patients had baseline audiological assessments, AP tests and completed the (modified) Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly questionnaires. Nine out of these 50 patients were diagnosed with disordered AP based on severe deficits in understanding speech in background noise but with normal pure-tone thresholds. These nine patients underwent spatial speech-in-noise testing in a sound-attenuating chamber (the “crescent of sound”) with and without FM systems. Results: The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for 50% correct speech recognition performance was measured with speech presented from 0° azimuth and competing babble from ±90° azimuth. Spatial release from masking (SRM) was defined as the difference between SNRs measured with co-located speech and babble and SNRs measured with spatially separated speech and babble. The SRM significantly improved when babble was spatially separated from target speech, while the patients had the FM systems in their ears compared to without the FM systems. Conclusions: Personal FM systems may substantially improve speech-in-noise deficits in stroke patients who are not eligible for conventional hearing aids. FMs are feasible in stroke patients and show promise to address impaired AP after stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation This is the first study to investigate the benefits of personal frequency-modulated (FM) systems in stroke patients with disordered AP. All cases significantly improved speech perception in noise with the FM systems, when noise was spatially separated from the speech signal by 90° compared with unaided listening. Personal FM systems are feasible in stroke patients, and may be of benefit in just under 20% of this population, who are not eligible for conventional hearing aids.
The effect of β-blockers on bone metabolism as potential drugs under investigation for osteoporosis and fracture healing

Background: β-Adrenergic receptor antagonists (β-blockers) have a well-recognised antihypertensive action that is mediated through a reduction in cardiac output and in the release of renin from the kidneys and inhibition of the action of endogenous catecholamines on β-adrenergic receptors. This class of drugs has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence suggests that β-blockers may also have an effect on bone structure, metabolism and fracture healing. Objective: This paper reviews in vitro and in vivo data that suggest β-blockers have primarily an anabolic effect on bone metabolism. Results: The sympathetic nervous system has a catabolic effect on bone, and in vitro studies have shown that adrenergic agonists stimulate bone resorption. The β-blocker propranolol has been shown to increase bone formation in ovariectomised female rats. Also, recent observational clinical studies provide evidence to show that β-blockers are associated with reduction in fracture risk in both men and women. Conclusion: Although there are some controversial studies, most research concludes that β-blockers show promise in the treatment of osteoporosis and fracture healing.
Reconnecting Doctors and Patients

S M A N e w s N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 4 Vo l 3 6 ( 11) of moving beyond blame over what was causing the rise in complaints and lawsuit and, instead, working to improve doctor-patient relations as a vital component of medical treatment. This month, I wi l l focus on the practical steps you can take to reduce or resolve conflict with patients, proactively and productively. The key, I believe, is to borrow the tools of a negotiator.
Recovery From High-Intensity Training Sessions in Female Soccer Players

Sjökvist, J, Laurent, CM, Richardson, M, Curtner-Smith, M, Holmberg, H-C, and Bishop, PA. Recovery from high-intensity training sessions in female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 25(6): 1726-1735, 2011—This study quantified the performance recovery time requirements after training sessions using high-intensity soccer drills with and without the ball in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female soccer players. Recovery time periods (24, 48, 72 hours of rest) from high-intensity soccer training sessions using drills with and without the ball were evaluated. Markers of recovery were each individual's performance relative to baseline performance in countermovement jump (CMJ) height, 5 bound jumps for distance (5BT), 20-m sprint (20SP), session rating of perceived effort (S-RPE), and heart rate (HR). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in CMJ performance (p < 0.04) and S-RPE (p < 0.02) after 24 hours of rest but not at 48 or 72 hours compared to baseline. There were no significant differences in 20SP, 5BT, or HR after 24, 48, or 72-hour recovery (p > 0.05). Therefore, high-intensity training drills produced a sufficient conditioning stimulus with little chance of underrecovery for the performance measures we tested. Countermovement jump and S-RPE may be more sensitive performance recovery indicators.
Novel applications for glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in pharmaceutical and industrial biotechnology

Abstract Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins have been regarded as typical cell surface proteins found in most eukaryotic cells from yeast to man. They are embedded in the outer plasma membrane leaflet via a carboxy-terminally linked complex glycolipid GPI structure. The amphiphilic nature of the GPI anchor, its compatibility with the function of the attached protein moiety and the capability of GPI-anchored proteins for spontaneous insertion into and transfer between artificial and cellular membranes initially suggested their potential for biotechnological applications. However, these expectations have been hardly fulfilled so far. Recent developments fuel novel hopes with regard to: (i) Automated online expression, extraction and purification of therapeutic proteins as GPI-anchored proteins based on their preferred accumulation in plasma membrane lipid rafts, (ii) multiplex custom-made protein chips based on GPI-anchored cell wall proteins in yeast, (iii) biomaterials and biosensors with films consisting of sets of distinct GPI-anchored binding-proteins or enzymes for sequential or combinatorial catalysis, and (iv) transport of therapeutic proteins across or into relevant tissue cells, e.g., enterocytes or adipocytes. Latter expectations are based on the demonstrated translocation of GPI-anchored proteins from plasma membrane lipid rafts to cytoplasmic lipid droplets and eventually further into microvesicles which upon release from donor cells transfer their GPI-anchored proteins to acceptor cells. The value of these technologies, which are all based on the interaction of GPI-anchored proteins with membranes and surfaces, for the engineering, production and targeted delivery of biomolecules for a huge variety of therapeutic and biotechnological purposes should become apparent in the near future.
The Ratio and Allometric Scaling of Speed, Power, and Strength in Elite Male Rugby Union Players

Crewther, BT, McGuigan, MR, and Gill, ND. The ratio and allometric scaling of speed, power, and strength in elite male rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 1968-1975, 2011—This study compared the effectiveness of ratio and allometric scaling for normalizing speed, power, and strength in elite male rugby union players. Thirty rugby players (body mass [BM] 107.1 ± 10.1 kg, body height [BH] 187.8 ± 7.1 cm) were assessed for sprinting speed, peak power during countermovement jumps and squat jumps, and horizontal jumping distance. One-repetition maximum strength was assessed during a bench press, chin-up, and back squat. Performance was normalized using ratio and allometric scaling (Y/Xb), where Y is the performance, X, the body size variable (i.e., BM or BH), and b is the power exponent. An exponent of 1.0 was used during ratio scaling. Allometric scaling was applied using proposed exponents and derived exponents for each data set. The BM and BH variables were significantly related, or close to, performance during the speed, power and/or strength tests (p < 0.001-0.066). Ratio scaling and allometric scaling using proposed exponents were effective in normalizing performance (i.e., no significant correlations) for some of these tests. Allometric scaling with derived exponents normalized performance across all the tests undertaken, thereby removing the confounding effects of BM and BH. In terms of practical applications, allometric scaling with derived exponents may be used to normalize performance between larger rugby forwards and smaller rugby backs, and could provide additional information on rugby players of similar body size. Ratio scaling may provide the best predictive measure of performance (i.e., strongest correlations).
Upper Body Muscle Strength and Batting Performance in Cricket Batsmen

Taliep, MS, Prim, SK, and Gray, J. Upper body muscle strength and batting performance in cricket batsmen. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3484-3487, 2010-The aim of this study was to determine if upper body muscle strength (as measured by the 1 repetition maximum bench press) was associated with cricket batting performance. Cricket batting performance was defined by the maximum hitting distance during a batting task and batting average and strike rate during 1-Day and Twenty/20 (T/20) matches. Eighteen, provincial level, elite cricket batsmen participated in the study. Upper body muscle strength was found to be positively correlated with maximum hitting distance (p = 0.0052). There were no significant correlations between upper body strength, batting average, and strike rate for both the 1-Day and T/20 matches. The results of this study have implications for coaches choosing a particular batting line-up. Batsmen who have stronger upper bodies could be favored to bat when a match situation requires them to hit powerful strokes resulting in boundaries. However, coaches cannot use upper body strength as a predictor of overall batting performance in 1-Day or T/20 matches.
Análisis transversal de la insuficiencia cardiaca en pacientes de un Servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital de tercer nivel de área mixta (rural y urbana): Parte III: análisis de mortalidad (Tercera de tres partes)

Objectives: To establish the characteristics of the deceased in intaked patients by heart failure. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study of the intaked patients in the Internal Medicine Service in the Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela between 1999 to 2003. The variables analized were: sex, age, days of hospital stay, number of intaked by failure cardiac, reason for admission (guide symptom), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, fibrillation atrium, previous treatment with beta-blockers, blood pressure in the admission moment, to make echocardiography, disfunction systolic, etiology, deceased, treatment at the end. The statistical analysis was performed with cualitative and cuantitative measures, chi-cuadrado and t-student. Results: 248 patients were accepted for the study, with the mortality rate rising 8.6% (21 patients). We did not observed differences between sexes, but the median age in death patients was greater than other patients. The median income was 5 days, letter than study population. The hypertension prevalence (30 vs. 42.6%, p = 0.27) and ischemic cardiopathy (30 vs. 27.7%, p = 0.82) did not showed differences with the population. The hypertension prevalence in women (16.7 vs. 35.7%, p = 0.21) and the ischemic cardiopathy prevalence in men (50 vs. 21.4%, p = 0.20) did not showed differences. It made echocardiography in 21.0% of death patients, p = 0.76. The systolic disjunction prevalence was bigger in death patients (80 vs. 41.3%), this difference was not significant statistically. Conclusions: The older patients showed letter survival. We did not observe any influence of sex or left ventricular systolic function on mortality in patients with heart failure.
Effect of Functional Isometric Squats on Vertical Jump in Trained and Untrained Men

Berning, JM, Adams, KJ, DeBeliso, M, Sevene-Adams, PG, Harris, C, and Stamford, BA. Effect of functional isometric squats on vertical jump in trained and untrained men. J Strength Cond Res 24(9): 2285-2289, 2010-Functional isometrics (FIs) combine dynamic and isometric muscle actions and may hyperstimulate the nervous system leading to an enhanced postactivation potentiation (PAP) and improved subsequent performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an FI squat on the countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) in resistance trained and untrained men. Thirteen trained men (age: 22.8 ± 3.2 years, mass: 90.0 ± 16.3 kg, and height: 178.9 ± 7.1 cm) and 8 untrained men (age: 28.5 ± 5.9 years, mass: 101.5 ± 23.0 kg, and height: 177.0 ± 4.8 cm) participated. On separate days, subjects performed CMVJs after 2 different warm-up conditions. The warm-up conditions consisted of either 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling or 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling plus a 3-second FI squat with 150% of their 1 repetition maximum (1RM). A 2 × 3 repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc revealed that when comparing the 2 warm-up conditions in the trained subjects, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in CMVJ occurred at 4 minutes (2.4 cm, +5.1%) post-FI squat. This increase was maintained when subjects were retested at 5 minutes post (2.6 cm, + 5.5%). No significant difference in CMVJ was detected in the untrained group (p = 0.49). Results support the addition of an FI squat performed at 150% of 1RM to a low-intensity cycling warm-up to enhance PAP in resistance trained but not in untrained men as measured by CMVJ. Practically, adding functional isometrics to a warm-up scheme may significantly enhance acute, short-term power output in resistance trained men.
P3-07-08: Accurate Staging of Axillary Lymph Nodes from Breast Cancer Patients Using a Novel Molecular Method.

BACKGROUND: The one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) assay is a molecular-based lymph-node metastasis detection procedure that can assess a whole node and yields semi-quantitative results for the detection of clinically relevant nodal metastases. We aimed to determine the performance of the OSNA assay as an accurate nodal staging tool in comparison with routine histological examination. METHODS: Subjects comprised 183 consecutive patients with pT1-2 breast cancer who underwent axillary dissection after positive sentinel-node (SN) biopsy with the OSNA assay. Of these, for non-SN evaluation, 119 patients underwent OSNA assay evaluation, whereas 64 had single-section histology. We compared the detection rates of non-SN metastasis and upstaging rates from the SN stage according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging between the OSNA and histology cohorts. RESULTS: OSNA detected more cases of non-SN metastases than histology (OSNA 66/119, 55.5% vs histology 13/64, 20.3%; Po0.001), particularly micrometastases (36/119, 30.3% vs 1/64, 1.6%; Po0.001). Total upstaging rates were similar in both cohorts (20/119, 16.8% vs 9/64, 14.1%, P ¼0.79). CONCLUSION: OSNA detects a far greater proportion of non-SN micrometastases than routine histological examination. However, upstaging rates after axillary dissection were not significantly different between both cohorts. Follow-up of the OSNA cohort is required to determine its clinical relevance.