Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity of Visual Assessment of Sit to Stand After Hip Fracture

Background and Purpose: When treating older adults post-hip fracture, physical therapists routinely assess the sit-to-stand (STS) task using observational analysis. Studies have demonstrated that significant movement asymmetries in ground reaction force production of the fractured lower limb persist during STS, even though individuals may rise independently. To date, the validity of therapist judgments of lower limb force during STS has not been addressed. The purpose of this observational cohort study was to determine the accuracy of physical therapists' observational assessments of STS for detecting the involved limb and its ground reaction force contribution in older adults post-hip fracture. Methods: Eighteen home health physical therapists assessed 10 videotapes of older adults post-hip fracture rising from sitting and judged the side of involvement and the amount of ground reaction force generated by the fractured lower limb. Each videotape was synchronized with its respective force data. A wide spectrum of asymmetry in rising was represented in the test videos. Before making these judgments, the therapists viewed a separate set of training videos and received instructions in the use of specific visual cues to assist with subsequent judgments. Results and Discussion: Therapists judged the involved side correctly 74% of the time. Mean accuracy in judging ground reaction force output was 39% across all therapists. Force symmetry did not significantly influence accuracy of force judgments. Inaccurate judgments of force may limit therapeutic intensity and minimize the potential for developing motor strategies that favor force production of the involved limb. Augmenting observational analysis of STS with quantitative data could assist in optimizing restorative function. Conclusion: Judgments of lower limb ground reaction force output during STS based on observation alone are not valid and may need to be supplemented with quantitative data.
A Review of Monitoring Technology for Use With Older Adults

Background:Many Americans are living longer and recent studies report that the majority of older adults wish to live as independently as possible in their own homes, for as long as possible. This creates a need for effective monitoring, and technology has much to offer. Purpose:The purpose of this article is to provide a narrative review of current monitoring technology appropriate for older adults' home use. Methods:A review of current literature provides a comprehensive discussion of the development of this technology. Discussion:In the past several years, advancements have been made in the area of monitoring the movement and activity of older adults in their home environment. This technology may benefit older individuals by assisting them to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible. Unobtrusive monitoring and wearable technology, which is clothing or accessories that incorporate computer or electronic technology, are rapidly expanding areas of development. Various applications of this technology may assist in falls detection and overall safety. In addition, continuous monitoring of an older adult's specific movements or activity can identify changes in day-to-day activity levels, which may indicate a change in medical status. Conclusion:Although many devices are still at the developmental stage, the future of this technology may offer older adults a level of increased safety and security in their homes.
Soy protein, soybean isoflavones and coronary heart disease risk: where do we stand?

The cholesterol-lowering effects of soy protein have been extensively investigated during the past 40 years. In 1999, the US FDA approved a health claim for soy protein and coronary heart disease based on the hypocholesterolemic effects of soy protein. However, results from recent meta-analyses indicate these effects are more modest than initially reported. Nevertheless, soyfoods can help to shift the mean cholesterol level of the population downward. When substituted for other common dietary sources of protein, soyfoods will further aid this downward shift because they provide high-quality protein but are low in saturated fat and devoid of cholesterol. In addition, intriguing but still speculative evidence suggests that soyfoods, probably because they contain isoflavones, may have lipid-independent coronary benefits, such as enhancing vascular reactivity. The combined cardioprotective attributes of soyfoods warrant their having a larger role in Western diets.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Different Designs of Glenospheres in the SMR Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis: Micromotion of the Baseplate and Risk of Loosening

Background Early outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty have been encouraging. Scapular notching remains a major concern. In an attempt to reduce this problem, newer glenospheres are available. This biomechanical study performed in vitro, assessed the micromotions of baseplate in different designs of glenospheres and the relative risk of loosening. Methods A dynamic shear force was applied to each type of glenosphere in various angles of abduction. The micromotion of the glenoid baseplate after 1000 cycles of dynamic loading was measured and compared. Results Eccentric glenospheres were shown to have increased micromotion compared to the concentric designs of the same size. The greatest baseplate micromotion (26.83 μm) was well within the accepted limit for osseous in growth into uncemented prosthesis. Discussion We therefore conclude that the magnitude of the increased micromotion is small and is not expected to adversely affect osseous in growth onto the glenoid baseplate.
Validity of dietary patterns derived in nutrition surveys using a priori and a posteriori multivariate statistical methods

Aim: To evaluate the validity of dietary patterns derived using both a priori and a posteriori methods. Method: Five hundred individuals (46 ± 16 years, 40% males) completed a valid 76-food item food frequency questionnaire and a 3-day dairy. The MedDietScore was used to a priori assess the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, while principal components and cluster analysis were used as the a posteriori methods. Results: Both the a priori and a posteriori methods used led to relatively low-validity dietary patterns. However, the level of validity reached significance in many cases and, also, varied by the type of validation method used (i.e. Bland and Altman, non-parametric criteria, etc.). Conclusion: The aforementioned findings may suggest that the use of both a priori and a posteriori pattern analysis in nutrition surveys should be made with conscious thought and further research is needed in order to establish robust methodologies to assess the validity of patterns.
The ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Is Associated With Muscle Power in Male Japanese Athletes

Abstract Kikuchi, N, Nakazato, K, Min, S-k, Ueda, D, and Igawa, S. The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is associated with muscle power in male Japanese athletes. J Strength Cond Res 28(7): 1783–1789, 2014—In this study, we investigated whether the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is associated with muscular power in Japanese collegiate athletes by analyzing the mean and peak power results of a 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) with respect to the ACTN3 R577X genotype in 253 Japanese athletes (144 men and 109 women). Each athlete performed a 30-second WAnT with a resistance equal to 7.5% of his or her body weight. Genotyping for the ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739) polymorphism was performed using the TaqMan approach. The ACTN3 R577X genotypes exhibited a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium distribution in our population. The relative and absolute mean power results of the 30-second WAnT did not differ significantly among the genotypes. However, the relative peak power result of the WAnT was significantly higher in the R-allele-dominant model groups than in the XX group in male but not female athletes. These results suggest that the ACTN3 R allele is associated with the relative peak power during the WAnT in male Japanese collegiate athletes.
A SURVEY OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS IN HIV SEROPOSITIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING MAJOR HOSPITALS OF KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS related opportunistic infections from the patients attending the five major Hospitals in Kebbi State , which included Federal Medical Center (FMC), Birnin Kebbi, Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital (SYMH), Birnin Kebbi, General Hospital, Argungu (GHA), General Hospital , Yauri (GHY) and General Hospital , Zuru (GHZ). The screening for the HIV/AID was done using the Genic II HIV-1/HIV – 2 Test and the screening for opportunistic infections was done using thin and thick blood films, direct wet mount, formal ether concentration technique and modified Ziehl – Neelsen (ZN) technique. Microbial Pathogens were isolated through culture and identified through gram staining and biochemical tests. Out of the 1950 patients screened for HIV/AIDS infection, 606 (31.6%) were positive. Higher prevalence 195 (32.2%) was from FMC and the lowest from GHY 90 (15%). The result revealed that 374 (61.7%) of HIV/AIDS positive patients were also positive to one or more opportunistic infections. In this respect, higher prevalence of 32.3% was observed from FMC and the lowest was observed from SYMH with 13.9%. The result of the study also revealed the presence of malarial (Plasmodium) parasites with prevalence of (75.9%). The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) had the highest prevalence of 29.5%, SYMH, 21.7%, GHA, 17.2%, GHY, 16.1 and lastly GHZ with 15.4%. There is therefore the need for urgent positive control programme of HIV and HIV related opportunistic infections. Keywords: Survey, opportunistic infections, HIV Sero positive, Kebbi State.
Long-Term Training-Induced Changes in Sprinting Speed and Sprint Momentum in Elite Rugby Union Players

Abstract Barr, MJ, Sheppard, JM, Gabbett, TJ, and Newton, RU. Long-term training-induced changes in sprinting speed and sprint momentum in elite rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 28(10): 2724–2731, 2014—Speed and sprint momentum are considered to be important physical qualities for rugby. The purpose of the study was to understand the development of these qualities in senior and junior international rugby players. In part 1 of the study, a group of senior (n = 38) and junior (n = 31) players were tested for speed over 40 m. Initial sprint velocity (ISV), maximal sprint velocity (MSV), initial sprint momentum (ISM), and maximal sprint momentum (MSM) were calculated using 10-m splits. In part 2 of the study, a group of junior (n = 12) and senior (n = 15) players were tracked over a 2-year period for body mass, ISV, MSV, ISM, and MSM. In part 1, senior backs and forwards were not found to have significantly greater ISV and MSV than junior players but were found to have greater ISM and MSM. Forwards were found to have significantly greater ISM and MSM than backs but significantly lower ISV and MSV than backs. In part 2, no significant differences were found over the 2 years between senior and junior players, but greater effect sizes for juniors were generally found when compared with seniors for improvements in ISV (d = 0.73 vs. 0.79), MSV (d = 1.09 vs. 0.68), ISM (d = 0.96 vs. 0.54), and MSM (d = 1.15 vs. 0.50). Sprint momentum is a key discriminator between senior and junior players, and large changes can be made by junior players as they transition into senior rugby. Speed appears to peak for players in their early 20s but sprint momentum appears to be more trainable.
Beneficial effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation on increasing HDL-cholesterol in subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of artichoke leaf extract (ALE) supplementation (250 mg, 2 b.i.d.) on the lipid pattern. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 92 overweight subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia for 8 weeks. Forty-six subjects were randomized to supplementation (age: 54.2 ± 6.6 years, body mass index (BMI): 25.8 ± 3.9 kg/m2, male/female: 20/26) and 46 subjects to placebo (age: 53.8 ± 9.0 years, BMI: 24.8 ± 1.6 kg/m2, male/female: 21/25). Verum supplementation was associated with a significant increase in mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (p < 0.001) and in mean change in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.004). A significantly decreased difference was also found for the mean change in total cholesterol (p = 0.033), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p < 0.001), total cholesterol/HDL ratio (p < 0.001) and LDL/HDL ratio (p < 0.001), when verum and placebo treatment were compared. These results indicate that ALE could play a relevant role in the management of mild hypercholesterolaemia, favouring in particular the increase in HDL-C, besides decreasing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.
Long-term survival and complications of colic surgery in horses: analysis of 331 cases

Three hundred and thirty-one (331) horses out of 371 cases (i.e. 351 individuals discharged from the clinic) were followed up in order to evaluate long-term survival rate and complications after colic surgery. Twenty horses were subjected to surgery twice during the period of this study. Out of the sample of 331 patients, 302 animals (91.2%) survived at least 11 months after the operation. Twenty-nine horses (8.8%) died or had to be euthanized. Colic episode was considered to be the cause of death in 23 (79.3%) out of 29 patients. Seven colic patients had to be reoperated. The remaining six patients died of a cause unrelated to the gastrointestinal disease. Seven out of 302 long-term surviving patients needed the second operation within the first 11 months after the first surgery. Colic episode was reoperated in another 15 patients after 12 months to 4 years after the first opera - tion. Conservative treatment was necessary in another 10 long-term surviving horses. In eight long-term surviving horses and in one patient that did not survive 11 months, incision hernias were identified as the postoperative complication. Twenty-one horses out of 331 were subjected to relaparotomy during their first hospitalization. Eighteen out of these (85.7%) survived 11 months after the surgery; the remaining three were euthanized within six months due to colic.
Seronegative HIV-1 Infection, a Difficult Clinical Entity; a Case Report

Patients infected with HIV typically seroconvert within weeks of primary HIV infection. In rare cases, patient do not develops antibodies despite demonstrable HIV infection by p24 antigen or viral load assays; a seronegative HIV. Very few such cases been reported so far in the literature (1-11). Seronegative HIV is many times difficult to differentiate from acute seroconversion illness due to HIV in clinical practice. Here we are describing such case with clinical dilemma.
Comparison Between the Effects of Combining Elastic and Free-Weight Resistance and Free-Weight Resistance on Force and Power Production

Abstract Paditsaeree, K, Intiraporn, C, and Lawsirirat, C. Comparison between the effects of combining elastic and free-weight resistance and free-weight resistance on force and power production. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2713–2722, 2016—Elastic tubing attached to a barbell has been reported to enhance strength and power to a greater extent as compared with conventional barbells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the additional elastic tubing to a barbell during a clean pull on peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV), and peak force (PF). Six competitive female weightlifters (mean age, 16.7 ± 2.1 years) performed 3 sets of 3 repetitions of the clean pull at 90% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Testing was conducted on 3 separate days: day 1 without elastic tubing (no tubing [NT]) and the other 2 days with 2 elastic tubing loading conditions (T10 and T20), in random order. No tubing represents a condition where all resistance was acquired from the barbell (90% of 1RM). T10 and T20 represent conditions of combining elastic tubing at 10 and 20% of the subjects' 90% 1RM with a barbell (90% of 1RM). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess loading conditions on PP, PV, and PF. The results showed that there was a significant increase in all variables—PP, PF, and PV—between T10 and NT and between T20 and NT (p ⩽ 0.05). The results revealed that adding a 10% increment to 90% of 1RM seems to be the optimal training condition for increasing power, force, and velocity during the clean pull.
Measurement of Individual Ventricular Outputs in the Fetal Lamb by a Dye Dilution Technique

Individual ventricular outputs were measured in 25 fetal lambs using an indicator dilution method. Small volumes of indocyanine green were injected through catheters placed in the individual ventricles; sampling for the left ventricle was from a catheter placed in the brachiocephalic artery through the carotid artery and for the right ventricle sampling was from a catheter placed in the ductus arteriosus via a femoral artery and the aorta. Mean left ventricular output obtained by this method was 181.7 ml/kg per min and mean right ventricular output was 179.7 ml/kg per min. We suggest that the rapidity of preparation and relative lack of trauma involved in this method may account for values that are higher than those reported previously.
Mutational Analysis of the APC/β-Catenin/Tcf Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract Mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli ( APC ) tumor suppressor gene initiates the majority of colorectal (CR) cancers. One consequence of this inactivation is constitutive activation of β-catenin/Tcf-mediated transcription. To further explore the role of the APC/β-catenin/Tcf pathway in CR tumorigenesis, we searched for mutations in genes implicated in this pathway in CR tumors lacking APC mutations. No mutations of the γ-catenin ( CTNNG1 ), GSK-3α ( GSK3A ), or GSK-3β ( GSK3B ) genes were detected. In contrast, mutations in the NH 2 -terminal regulatory domain of β-catenin ( CTNNB1 ) were found in 13 of 27 (48%) CR tumors lacking APC mutations. Mutations in the β-catenin regulatory domain and APC were observed to be mutually exclusive, consistent with their equivalent effects on β-catenin stability and Tcf transactivation. In addition, we found that CTNNB1 mutations can occur in the early, adenomatous stage of CR neoplasia, as has been observed previously with APC mutations. These results suggest that CTNNB1 mutations can uniquely substitute for APC mutations in CR tumors and that β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in CR tumorigenesis.
Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire to estimate the intake of genistein in Malaysia

Abstract Objective: To develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to estimate the genistein intake in a Malaysian population of pregnant women. Method: A single 24-h dietary recall was obtained from 40 male and female volunteers. A FFQ of commonly consumed genistein-rich foods was developed from these recalls, and a database of the genistein content of foods found in Malaysia was set up. The FFQ was validated against 7-d food diary (FD) kept by 46 pregnant women and against non-fasting serum samples obtained from 64 pregnant women. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing the responses on two FFQs administered approximately 1 month apart. Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient between FFQ1 and FD was 0.724 and that between FFQ2 and FD was 0.807. Classification into the same or adjacent quintiles was 78% for FFQ1 versus FD and 88% for FFQ2 versus FD. A significant dose -- response relation was found between FFQ-estimated genistein intake and serum levels. Conclusion: The FFQ developed is a reliable, valid tool for categorising people by level of genistein intake.
Stability of iodine during cooking: investigation on biofortified and not fortified vegetables

Abstract Biofortification of food crops through fertilization and salt iodization are key strategies for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorder. However, considerable losses of iodine can occur during processing. In this study, the stability of iodine in biofortified potatoes, carrots and tomatoes was evaluated during different domestic cooking procedures, as this matter was poorly discussed in literature. The stability of iodized salt during baking and boiling of carrots and potatoes not fortified was also investigated. All the adopted cooking procedures have proven to be suitable to preserve the iodine content in biofortified vegetables. During boiling test with iodized salt, neither potatoes nor carrots were able to absorb iodine added with salt, probably owing to the losses occurred during cooking. On the contrary, baking test on potatoes has not caused a significant degradation of iodized salt, and no significant differences in iodine concentration were detected before and after cooking.
Differential Effects of 30- Vs. 60-Second Static Muscle Stretching on Vertical Jump Performance

Abstract Pinto, MD, Wilhelm, EN, Tricoli, V, Pinto, RS, and Blazevich, AJ. Differential effects of 30- vs. 60-second static muscle stretching on vertical jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3440–3446, 2014—It has been proposed that pre-exercise static stretching may reduce muscle force and power. Recent systematic and meta-analytical reviews have proposed a threshold regarding the effect of short (<45 seconds) and moderate (≥60 seconds) stretching durations on subsequent performance in a multi-joint task (e.g., jump performance), although its effect on power output remains less clear. Furthermore, no single experimental study has explicitly compared the effect of short (e.g., 30 seconds) and moderate (60 seconds) durations of continuous static stretching on multi-joint performance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was determine the effect of acute short- and moderate-duration continuous stretching interventions on vertical jump performance and power output. Sixteen physically active men (21.0 ± 1.9 years; 1.7 ± 0.1 m; 78.4 ± 12.1 kg) volunteered for the study. After familiarization, subjects attended the laboratory for 3 testing sessions. In the nonstretching (NS) condition, subjects performed a countermovement jump (CMJ) test without a preceding stretching bout. In the other 2 conditions, subjects performed 30-second (30SS; 4 minutes) or 60-second (60SS; 8 minutes) static stretching bouts in calf muscles, hamstrings, gluteus maximus, and quadriceps, respectively, followed by the CMJ test. Results were compared by repeated-measures analysis of variance. In comparison with NS, 60SS resulted in a lower CMJ height (−3.4%, p ⩽ 0.05) and average (−2.7%, p ⩽ 0.05) and peak power output (−2.0%, p ⩽ 0.05), but no difference was observed between 30SS and the other conditions (p > 0.05). These data suggest a dose-dependent effect of stretching on muscular performance, which is in accordance with previous studies. The present results suggest a threshold of continuous static stretching in which muscular power output in a multi-joint task may be impaired immediately following moderate-duration (60 seconds; 8 minutes) static stretching while short-duration (30 seconds; 4 minutes) stretching has a negligible influence.