bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral health and oral care in short‐term care: prevalence, related factors and coherence between older peoples’ and professionals’ assessments
Authors: Koistinen Susanne , Olai Lena , Ståhlnacke Katri , Fält Anna , Ehrenberg Anna
Published: March 2019

Background

Oral health is important for well‐being and overall health. Older peoples′ oral health is well described in the residential care context, but remains understudied in short‐term care.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe oral health, daily oral care and related factors among older people in short‐term care and to compare self‐perceived oral health with professional assessment.

Materials and methods

This cross‐sectional study included 391 older people in 36 short‐term units in 19 Swedish municipalities. Oral health was assessed professionally by clinical oral assessment and the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). The older peoples’ perceptions of their own oral health were measured with a global question on self‐perceived oral health. Self‐care ability was assessed with Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz‐ADL).

Results

Mean age was 82.9 years, 19% of participants were totally edentulous, and 43% had ≥20 teeth. Almost 60% had coating or food debris on their teeth, but only 19% received help with daily oral care. Those who were dependent on help with self‐care had around a sixfold higher risk of having oral problems. There was a low level of agreement between the clinical assessment based on ROAG and self‐perceived oral health.

Conclusion

Professionals’ assessments of oral health differed considerably from the older peoples′ own assessments. A higher risk of oral problems and more occurrence of coating or food debris or broken teeth were seen among those dependent on help with self‐care (ADL). This study indicates that in order to improve older peoples′ oral health and oral care we need to provide person‐centred oral care and to develop a close collaboration between nursing and dental staff.
River channel evolution and tsunami impacts recorded in local sedimentary archives – the ‘Fiume Morto’ at Ostia Antica (Tiber River, Italy)
Authors: Hadler Hanna , Fischer Peter , Obrocki Lea , Heinzelmann Michael , Vött Andreas
Published: March 2019

Ostia, the ancient port of Rome at the mouth of the river Tiber (Italy), flourished until the 2nd Century ad, although massive siltation had already caused the abandonment of its lagoonal harbour in the 1st Century bc. In search of an alternative harbour site, geomorphological and geoarchaeological research was carried out in the ‘Fiume Morto’, an abandoned Tiber meander to the immediate north of the town. To reconstruct its complex development and evaluate the suitability of the river channel as a fluvial harbour, a transect perpendicular to the former river channel's flow axis was systematically explored by a new methodological approach combining electrical resistivity tomography, direct push‐electrical conductivity sensing and vibracores. Together with microfossil, mineralogical and geochemical analyses of sediment samples and 50 radiocarbon dates, in‐depth stratigraphic data support a detailed reconstruction of different Tiber channel generations. Results reveal a meander development closely related to distinct ‘cut and fill’ dynamics. Inactive river channels were repeatedly filled with lagoonal sediments, abruptly followed by phases of intense incision. Yet, the overall Fiume Morto channel structure remained stable and almost in situ over centuries, showing nearly no lateral changes since the southward shift of the Tiber River mouth in the first millennium bc. In the 1st Century bc, channel conditions favoured navigation and transportation of goods with large ships. Open‐water conditions, suitable for anchoring and landing activities, dominate from the 1st Century ad until 1557 ad, when the Fiume Morto meander was finally cut off and silted up within a short time. Within the fluvial deposits, sediments most likely related to tsunami inundations are preserved. These events occurred sometime before the 2nd Century bc, in the early 1st Century ad and in the 17th Century ad or later. Results are consistent with traces of tsunami influence found in Ostia's western lagoonal harbour.
An empirical analysis of the Scottish housing market by property type
Authors: Katsiampa Paraskevi , Begiazi Kyriaki
Published: March 2019

This paper studies house price dynamics of the different property types in Scotland. We find evidence of i) breakpoints around the recent financial crisis in three property types (flats, terraced, semi‐detached) and in the average house prices, ii) volatility clustering in the detached house prices, with theCGARCHbeing the optimal volatility model, iii) negative impact of the unemployment and interest rates on house prices irrespective of the property type and positive effect of theCPIin the prices of the detached, terraced and average houses. Our results have significant implications for appropriate economic policy selection and investment management.
Measuring the vibrancy of urban neighborhoods using mobile phone data with an improved PageRank algorithm
Authors: Jia Chen , Du Yunyan , Wang Siying , Bai Tianyang , Fei Teng
Published: March 2019

A neighborhood is a shared space for spatial interaction. The vibrancy of a neighborhood represents a synergy between the people, activities, and values in a place, which increases community vitality and spurs economic opportunity. It can be investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, there are technical challenges involved in accurately charting vibrancy. With the recent advances in communication technology and the prevalence of location‐aware devices such as mobile phones, individual trajectories can be collected and analyzed on a large scale. In previous research, the weights of the vibrancies corresponding to different trajectories were not differentiated. In this study, an improved PageRank algorithm using a weighted bipartite graph is proposed to measure the vibrancy of an urban neighborhood from a different perspective, which highlights the differences between vibrancies arising from different types of citizens. This method connects the land much more closely with human activities and provides a new perspective on, and guidance for, urban resource allocation and urban planning.
Combination antifungal treatment for invasive fungal disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with hematological disorders
Authors: Qiu Kun‐yin , Liao Xiong‐yu , Fang Jian‐pei , Xu Hong‐gui , Li Yang , Huang Ke , Zhou Dun‐hua
Published: March 2019

Background

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) has a poor prognosis in children with hematological disorders after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We assessed if drug combinations with different targets may improve the outcome.

Methods

Retrospective study to assess the outcome of combination antifungal therapy (CAT) for proven‐probable IFD (PP‐IFD) in children with hematological disorders after HSCT from January 2008 to June 2018.

Results

Over the 10‐year period, 95 PP‐IFD were diagnosed in pediatric recipients, median age of 5.6 years. Twenty‐seven patients received combinations of caspofungin and voriconazole, 28 patients received combinations of caspofungin and amphotericin B, and 40 patients received combinations of voriconazole and amphotericin B. The overall response rate of PP‐IFD was 77.9%, while the 100‐day overall survival rates were 66.8%. Univariate analysis showed that factors that significantly affected the response to combination treatments were type of combination (P = 0.02), the stem cell source (P = 0.04), the donor type (P = 0.03), HLA‐match (P = 0.03), aGVHD (P = 0.02), period of treatment (P = 0.044), use of corticosteroids (0.036), CD4:CD8 ratio (P = 0.014), and CMV viremia (P = 0.033). In addition, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the type of combination remained a significant factor (odds ratio = 0.335, 95% confidence interval: 0.071‐0.812, P = 0.042). Forty‐three children suffered from mild and reversible adverse reactions, no serious side effects during treatment.

Conclusion

A variety of factors can affect the outcome of CAT. Combination of caspofungin with voriconazole is a safe and helpful treatment option for HSCT recipients with IFD.
How to Make the Most out of Very Little
Authors: Yang Charles
Published: March 2019

I review the problem of referential ambiguity that arises when children learn the meanings of words, along with a number of models that have been proposed to solve it. I then provide a formal analysis of why a resource‐limited model that retains very few meaning hypotheses may be more effective than “big data” models that keep track of all word‐meaning associations.
Clinicopathologic findings of naturally occurring Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 infection in pet rabbits
Authors: Bonvehí Cristina , Ardiaca María , Montesinos Andrés , Juan‐Sallés Carles , Gómez Alicia , Teso Beatriz , Barbero Sergio , Ferrera Sara Ekei
Published: March 2019

Two pet rabbits were presented with an acute decrease in appetite and activity. Rabbit 1 showed severe hypothermia, bradycardia, arrhythmias, a heart murmur, dyspnea, occlusion of the nares with secretions, icterus, dehydration, and gaseous gastrointestinal dilation. The urine was dark yellow. Rabbit 2 was overweight, apathetic, and dehydrated; this animal presented with a heart murmur, gastric dilation, and intermittent nystagmus with dorsal strabismus in the right eye. Blood gas, electrolyte, hematology, plasma clinical biochemistry analysis, coagulation profile, plasma protein electrophoresis, urinalysis, and radiographic examinations were performed. The main shared findings were moderate thrombocytopenia, markedly decreased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities and fibrinogen concentrations, prolonged prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times, profoundly increased alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities, and high bile acid and bilirubin concentrations. Rabbit 1 also had respiratory acidosis, marked hypoglycemia, hyperphosphatemia, and a profoundly increased creatine kinase activity. Gastric dilation was observed on both radiographic exams. A low urinary pH of 5‐6, marked bilirubinuria and proteinuria, and high urinary GGT levels were present in both patients. Marked icterus developed before death, which occurred within 22 and 30 hours post admission in rabbits 1 and 2, respectively. The necropsy of rabbit 1 showed a markedly accentuated hepatic lobular pattern, pulmonary hemorrhages, pericardial effusion with adhesions, peritoneal petechiae, and icteric and hemorrhagic abdominal fat. Histopathologic findings included hemorrhagic diathesis, severe centroacinar and midzonal hepatocellular necrosis, severe necrosuppurative bronchopneumonia, and moderate cardiomyocyte necrosis. A liver PCR assay was positive for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) 2 (RHDV2) and negative for classic RHDV. This is the first description of the gross clinicopathologic abnormalities associated with naturally occurring RHDV2 infection in pet rabbits.
Feline Sporothrix spp. detection using cell blocks from brushings and fine‐needle aspirates: Performance and comparisons with culture and histopathology
Authors: Gonsales Fernanda F. , Fernandes Natália C. C. A. , Mansho Wilson , Montenegro Hildebrando , Guerra Juliana M. , de Araújo Leonardo José T. , da Silva Silvana M. P. , Benites Nilson R.
Published: March 2019

Background

Sporotrichosis is an emerging zoonotic mycosis that presents as a cutaneous lymphatic or disseminated disease, caused by fungi from the Sporothrix schenkii (S schenkii) clinical clade. Its importance is growing, primarily due to an outbreak that occurred in Brazil, affecting mainly cats and people.

Objectives

In Brazil, an S schenkii diagnosis is often made using cultures, which allows genus identification and sufficient growth to perform molecular biology testing. Despite its advantages, fungal cultures are slow to develop and can delay public health measures, highlighting the importance of developing additional diagnostics techniques.

Methods

Cell block cytology (CBLC) is an older method that regained importance after liquid‐based cytology (LBC) was introduced, and it has been previously and successfully applied to veterinary diagnostics. We aimed to standardize and compare CBLC from cervical brush exfoliation of open wounds and fine‐needle aspirates with culture and immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies for sporotrichosis in cats, as a novel method.

Results

For this purpose, we selected 40 cats with skin lesions suspected of having sporotrichosis in Guarulhos city, São Paulo state, Brazil. We achieved 97.5% and 95% positivity using CBLC and culture, respectively, and 100% of feline skin biopsies were positive for Sporothrix spp on histopathology/immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions

Cell block cytology is an efficient and rapid tool to diagnose sporotrichosis in cats, particularly during epidemics.
Impression cytology of the healthy equine ocular surface: Inter‐observer agreement, filter preservation over time and comparison with the cytobrush technique
Authors: Bonsembiante Federico , Perazzi Anna , Deganello Alessandra , Gelain Maria Elena , Iacopetti Ilaria
Published: March 2019

Background

The cytobrush technique is commonly used to sample the equine ocular surface. Impression cytology (IC) is an innovative noninvasive method, which allows for the collection of superficial layers of ocular epithelium.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to compare the cytobrush and IC techniques on healthy equine ocular surfaces, to assess the agreement between observers with different levels of expertise, and to test the preservability of filters over time.

Methods

Twenty‐four horses were sampled within 10 minutes of slaughter using IC on the left eye and the cytobrush technique on the right eye. May‐Grünwald‐Giemsa stained specimens were evaluated by two observers with different levels of expertise. Morphologic features were evaluated using a 4‐grade system. The IC samples were re‐evaluated after 6 months to examine filter preservation.

Results

In IC samples, corneal and conjunctival cells were clearly separated. Goblet cells were found in five and 17 filters by observer 1 and 2, respectively. Using the cytobrush technique, corneal and conjunctival cells were present but mixed. Goblet cell cellularity, preservation, and enumeration were higher with the IC technique compared with the cytobrush technique (P = 0.013; P = 0.004; P = 0.031, respectively). The inter‐observer agreement for the IC technique was moderate to fair. In 7/24 IC samples re‐evaluated after 6 months, cellular morphology was impaired, and the overall score was significantly lower.

Conclusions

IC is an innovative noninvasive method, which allows for sample collection with higher cellularity and preservation. Moreover, the identification of goblet cells is easier. For these reasons, IC could be interesting and useful as a complementary diagnostic cytologic method in clinical practice.
Implementation and Evaluation of Diabetes Clinical Practice Guidelines in a Primary Care Clinic Serving a Hispanic Community
Authors: Marcial Eddy , Graves Barbara Ann
Published: March 2019

Background

Diabetes is a major health concern in the United States. Poor quality diabetes care leads to negative outcomes affecting patients and healthcare systems. Research shows evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2017, have improved outcomes in management of diabetes.

Aims

The aim of this improvement project was to improve diabetes care and outcomes in a primary care clinic serving a Hispanic community in Miami‐Dade, Florida. Specific objectives of the project were to improve primary care provider attitudes and knowledge of American Diabetes Association guidelines and outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Methods

This two‐phase quality improvement project used a pre‐ and post‐test study design. In Phase I, the Diabetes Attitude Survey was administered to determine primary care provider attitudes and knowledge of guidelines. Based on survey results, a 2‐hr educational intervention was developed to inform providers regarding the American Diabetes Association clinical practice guidelines. In Phase II, data were collected for 19 clinical quality diabetes outcome measures from agency reports. Guidelines were implemented into practice, and intervention effectiveness was evaluated.

Results

Statistical analysis (paired‐sample t‐test) revealed postintervention improvement in provider knowledge and attitudes, and patient outcomes. Findings suggest the intervention led to improvements in the quality of diabetes care in this Hispanic clinic.

Linking Evidence to Action

Project success supports the importance of evidence‐based clinical practice guideline use to achieve better diabetes outcomes. Implementation of the American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes to improve patient outcomes is strongly recommended. It is equally important that clinical agencies educate and update primary care providers to achieve best practice and best patient diabetes outcomes. Other healthcare professionals can use this project design to provide culturally competent care to patients with diabetes.
Circulatory responses at the onset of handgrip exercise in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sabino‐Carvalho Jeann L. , Samora Milena , Teixeira André L. , Daher Mauricio , Vianna Lauro C.
Published: March 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The initial circulatory response to isometric exercise in young healthy subjects is thought to be cholinergically mediated. Do patients with Parkinson's disease, a specific population known to present cholinergic dysfunction, present impairment in these initial circulatory responses?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The initial reduction in total peripheral resistance was absent in patients with Parkinson's disease and in older subjects, which augmented the pressor response at the onset of isometric handgrip exercise. Given that cholinergic mechanisms play an important role in the circulatory responses at the onset of isometric exercise in humans, our data suggest that cholinergic mechanisms might be compromised with ageing.

Physical exercise has been used as coping strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, a better understanding of circulatory responses to exercise in this population is warranted. During the onset of isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise there is an increase in blood pressure (BP) and a reduction in the total peripheral resistance (TPR) in young subjects. This immediate reduction of TPR is thought to be mediated by a cholinergic mechanism. Given that PD also affects cholinergic neurons, we hypothesized that patients with PD would present blunted circulatory responses at the onset of IHG exercise. Mean BP, stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output and TPR were measured during performance of 20 s of IHG at 40% maximal voluntary contraction in 12 patients with PD (66 ± 2 years old, 171 ± 7 cm, 74 ± 7 kg), 11 older subjects (65 ± 9 years old, 171 ± 7 cm, 74 ± 10 kg) and 10 young subjects (21 ± 1 years old, 178 ± 6 cm, 79 ± 9 kg). Isometric handgrip elicited an augmented BP increase in patients with PD and older subjects at 10 and 20 s compared with young subjects. However, the BP augmentation was lower at 20 s in patients with PD. The IHG‐induced reduction in TPR was attenuated in patients with PD and older subjects compared with young subjects. Our results show that the circulatory responses at the onset of IHG are impaired in patients with PD and older subjects. Overall, these findings suggest that the cholinergic mechanism might be compromised with ageing.
Nitrogen Oxides Reduction Effect and the Influence Mechanism of Exhaust Valve Lift on a Two-Stroke Marine Diesel Engine
Authors: Wei Lijiang , Wu Anmin , Liu Jie , Zhong Mingliang , Wang Xuebai
Published: March 2019

For the two-stroke marine diesel engine, the action of exhaust valve has a significant impact on scavenging and combustion processes and ultimately affects the engine performances and emissions. In order to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions of a two-stroke marine diesel engine, different exhaust valve lifts (EVLs) were achieved by computational fluid dynamics simulation method in this study. The NOx reduction effect and influence mechanism of EVL on a two-stroke marine diesel engine were investigated in detail. The results showed that the in-cylinder residual exhaust gas and the internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate gradually increased with the decreasing EVL. Although the total mass of charge enclosed in the cylinder did not change much, the composition changed gradually and the maximum internal EGR rate reached 13.17% in this study. The maximum compression pressure and combustion pressure both rose first and then decreased with the decreasing EVL. While the start of combustion and the maximum combustion temperature were basically unaffected by EVL, the indicated power of the engine was also not much impacted when the EVL was changed from increasing 10 mm to decreasing 20 mm. The indicated specific fuel consumption first declined slowly and then rose rapidly as the EVL reduction exceeded 20 mm. NOx emissions decreased monotonously with the decreasing EVL. The reduction of NOx formation rate and the amount of NOx formation mass mainly occurred at the middle and late stages of combustion for the downward moving of residual exhaust gas. NOx emissions were reduced by 12.57% without compromising other engine performances at medium-reduced EVL in this study. However, in order to further reduce NOx emissions at low EVLs, other measures may be needed to make the residual exhaust gas more evenly distributed during the initial stage of combustion.
Reverse Thrust Aerodynamics of Variable Pitch Fans
Authors: Williams Tim S. , Hall Cesare A.
Published: March 2019

Variable pitch fans are of interest for future low-pressure ratio fan systems since they provide improved operability relative to fixed pitch fans. If they can also be re-pitched such that they generate sufficient reverse thrust they could eliminate the engine drag and weight penalty associated with bypass duct thrust reversers. This paper sets out to understand the details of the 3D fan stage flow field in reverse thrust operation. This study uses the Advanced Ducted Propulsor variable pitch fan test case, which has a design fan pressure ratio of 1.29. Comparison with spanwise probe measurements show that the computational approach is valid for examining the variation of loss and work in the rotor in forward thrust. The method is then extended to a reverse thrust configuration using an extended domain and appropriate boundary conditions. Computations, run at two rotor stagger settings, show that the spanwise variation in relative flow angle onto the rotor aligns poorly to the rotor inlet metal angle. This leads to two dominant rotor loss sources: one at the tip associated with positive incidence and the second caused by negative incidence at lower span fractions. The second loss is reduced by opening the rotor stagger setting, and the first increases with rotor suction surface Mach number. The higher mass flow at more open rotor settings provide higher gross thrust, up to 49% of the forward take-off value, but is limited by the increased loss at high speed.
Adaptive Synchronization of Complex Dynamical Networks in Presence of Coupling Connections With Dynamical Behavior
Authors: Kazemy Ali , Shojaei Khoshnam
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the synchronization of complex dynamical networks (CDNs) is investigated, where coupling connections are expressed in terms of state-space equations. As it is shown in simulation results, such links can greatly affect the synchronization and cause synchronization loss, while many real-world networks have these types of connections. With or without time-delay, two different models of the CDNs are presented. Then, by introducing a distributed adaptive controller, the synchronization conditions are derived by utilizing the Lyapunov(–Krasovskii) theorem. These conditions are provided in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be easily solved by standard LMI solvers even for large networks due to a few numbers of scalar decision variables. At the end, illustrative numerical examples are given to specify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Modification of the Infinite-Dimensional Neutral-Type Time-Delay Dynamic Model for the Coupled Axial–Torsional Vibrations in Drill Strings With a Drag Bit
Authors: Tashakori Shabnam , Vossoughi Gholamreza , Zohoor Hassan , Yazdi Ehsan Azadi
Published: March 2019

Drill strings are subjected to complex coupled dynamics. Therefore, accurate dynamic modeling, which can represent the physical behavior of real drill strings, is of great importance for system analysis and control. The most widely used dynamic models for such systems are the lumped element models, which neglect the system distributed feature. In this paper, a dynamic model called neutral-type time delay model is modified to investigate the coupled axial–torsional vibrations in drill strings. This model is derived directly from the distributed parameter model by employing the d'Alembert method. Coupling of axial and torsional vibration modes occurs in the bit–rock interface. For the first time, the neutral-type time delay model is combined with a bit–rock interaction model that regards cutting process in addition to frictional contact. Moreover, mistakes made in some of the related previous studies are corrected. The resulting equations of motion are in terms of neutral-type delay differential equations with two constant delays, related to the oscillatory behavior of the system, and a state-dependent delay, induced by the bit–rock interaction. Illustrative simulation results are presented for a representative drill string, which demonstrates intense axial and torsional vibrations that may lead to system failure without a controller.
Negligible Effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Free Acid and Calcium Salt on Strength and Hypertrophic Responses to Resistance Training: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Tritto Aline C. , Bueno Salomão , Rodrigues Rosa M.P. , Gualano Bruno , Roschel Hamilton , Artioli Guilherme G.
Published: March 2019

This study evaluated the effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) and calcium salt (HMB-Ca) on strength, hypertrophy, and markers of muscle damage. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 44 resistance-trained men (age: 26 ± 4 years; body mass: 84.9 ± 12.0 kg) consuming ≥1.7 g·kg−1·day−1 of protein received HMB-FA (3 g/day; n = 14), HMB-Ca (3 g/day; n = 15), or placebo (PL; cornstarch, 3 g/day; n = 15) for 12 weeks, while performing a periodized resistance training program. Before and after intervention, lean body mass (measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry), maximal dynamic strength (one-repetition maximum), knee extension maximal isometric strength (maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]), cross-sectional area (measured with ultrasound), and muscle soreness were assessed. MVIC was also measured 48 hr after the first and the last training sessions. All groups increased lean body mass (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 1.8 ± 1.8 kg; HMB-Ca: 0.8 ± 1.4 kg; PL: 0.9 ± 1.4 kg), cross-sectional area (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 6.6 ± 3.8%; HMB-Ca: 4.7 ± 4.4%; PL: 6.9 ± 3.8%), one-repetition maximum bench press (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 14.8 ± 8.4 kg; HMB-Ca: 11.8 ± 7.4 kg; PL: 11.2 ± 6.6 kg), MVIC (main time effect: p < .0001; HMB-FA: 34.4 ± 39.3%; HMB-Ca: 32.3 ± 27.4%; PL: 17.7 ± 20.9%) after the intervention, but no differences between groups were shown. HMB-FA group showed greater leg press strength after the intervention than HMB-Ca and PL groups (Group × Time interaction: p < .05; HMB-FA: 47.7 ± 31.2 kg; HMB-Ca: 43.8 ± 31.7 kg; PL: 30.2 ± 20.9 kg). MVIC measured 48 hr after the first and the last sessions showed no attenuation of force decline with supplementation. Muscle soreness following the first and last sessions was not different between groups. The authors concluded that neither HMB-Ca nor HMB-FA improved hypertrophy or reduced muscle damage in resistance-trained men undergoing resistance training ingesting optimal amounts of protein. HMB-FA but not HMB-Ca resulted in a statistically significant yet minor improvement on leg press one-repetition maximum.
Resistance Training, Antioxidant Status, and Antioxidant Supplementation
Authors: Ismaeel Ahmed , Holmes Michael , Papoutsi Evlampia , Panton Lynn , Koutakis Panagiotis
Published: March 2019

Resistance training is known to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species. Although this can likely upregulate the natural, endogenous antioxidant defense systems, high amounts of reactive oxygen species can cause skeletal muscle damage, fatigue, and impair recovery. To prevent these, antioxidant supplements are commonly consumed along with exercise. Recently, it has been shown that these reactive oxygen species are important for the cellular adaptation process, acting as redox signaling molecules. However, most of the research regarding antioxidant status and antioxidant supplementation with exercise has focused on endurance training. In this review, the authors discuss the evidence for resistance training modulating the antioxidant status. They also highlight the effects of combining antioxidant supplementation with resistance training on training-induced skeletal muscle adaptations.
On-Ice Physical Demands of World-Class Women’s Ice Hockey: From Training to Competition
Authors: Douglas Adam , Rotondi Michael A. , Baker Joseph , Jamnik Veronica K. , Macpherson Alison K.
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To compare on-ice external and internal training loads in world-class women’s ice hockey during training and competition. Methods: On-ice training loads were collected during 1 season from 25 world-class ice hockey players via wearable technology. A total of 105 on-ice sessions were recorded, which consisted of 61 training sessions and 44 matches. Paired and unpaired t tests compared training and competition data between and across playing positions. Results: For training data, there was a difference between positions for PlayerLoad (P < .001, effect size [ES] = 0.32), PlayerLoad·minute−1 (P < .001, ES = 0.55), explosive efforts (P < .001, ES = 0.63), and training impulse (P < .001, ES = 0.48). For the competition data, there were also differences between positions for PlayerLoad (P < .001, ES = 0.26), PlayerLoad·minute−1 (P < .001, ES = 0.38), explosive efforts (P < .001, ES = 0.64), and training impulse (P < .001, ES = 1.47). Similar results were found when positions were viewed independently; competition had greater load and intensity across both positions for PlayerLoad, training impulse, and explosive efforts (P < .001, ES = 1.59–2.98) and with PlayerLoad·minute−1 (P = .016, ES = 0.25) for the defense. Conclusions: There are clear differences in the volume and intensity of external and internal workloads between training and competition sessions. These differences were also evident when comparing the playing positions, with defense having lower outputs than forwards. These initial results can be used to design position-specific drills that replicate match demands for ice hockey athletes.
The Effects of Long Sprint Ability–Oriented Small-Sided Games Using Different Ratios of Players to Pitch Area on Internal and External Load in Soccer Players
Authors: Castagna Carlo , D’Ottavio Stefano , Cappelli Stefano , Araújo Póvoas Susana Cristina
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To examine the internal and external load imposed by long sprint ability–oriented small-sided games (SSG) using different ratios of players to pitch area (densities) in soccer players. Methods: A total of 19 professional soccer players from the same soccer club (age = 17.1 [0.3] y, height = 1.76 [0.69] m, and body mass = 69.7 [9.4] kg) participated in this study. Players performed 4 × 30-s (150 s recovery) all-out 1-vs-1 SSG considering 300, 200, and 100 m2 per player (48 h apart). Players’ external loads were tracked with global positioning technology (20 Hz). Heart rate, blood lactate concentration (BLc), and rating of perceived exertion characterized players’ internal load. Peak BLc was assessed with a 30-s all-out test on a nonmotorized treadmill (NMT). Results: SSG300 produced higher BLc than SSG200 (moderate) and SSG100 (large). The SSG300, SSG200, and SSG100 BLc were 97.8% (34.8%), trivial; 74.7% (24.9%), moderate; and 43.4% (15.7%), large, of the NMT30s peak BLc, respectively. Players covered more distance at high intensity during the SSG300 than in other SSG conditions (huge to very large differences). High-intensity deceleration distance was largely lower in SSG200 than in SSG300. SSG100 elicited very large to huge and large to very large lower external load values than SSG300 and SSG200, respectively. Conclusions: The main finding of this study showed an inverse association between ball-drill density and internal/external loads in long sprint ability–oriented SSG. The SSG300 provided BLc closer to individual maximal, thus satisfying the all-out construct assumed for the development of long sprint ability. Further studies using the SSG300 as a training intervention and/or investigating other different SSG formats using the same density are warranted.
Physical Impairments Disrupt the Association Between Physical Activity and Loneliness: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Boekhout Janet M. , Berendsen Brenda A.J. , Peels Denise A. , Bolman Catherine A.W. , Lechner Lilian
Published: March 2019

This study explores the association between physical activity (PA), loneliness, and the presence of physical chronic impairments among single older adults. A longitudinal study (N = 575; mean age 76 ± 8 years) was conducted. The association between self-reported weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous PA, loneliness, and presence of physical impairments was assessed with multilevel analyses at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Improvements in moderate to vigorous PA were associated with decreases in loneliness (B = −0.09, SE = 0.04, p = .020); this association became nonsignificant when including the presence of physical impairments in the analyses (p = .824), which in itself was positively associated with loneliness (B = 0.51, SE = 0.10, p < .001). Findings indicate that physical impairments have a larger influence on loneliness than the level of PA. Interventions targeting PA and loneliness should tailor specifically to physical impairments.
There Is Still Time to Be Active: Self-Perceptions of Aging, Physical Activity, and the Role of Perceived Residual Lifetime Among Older Adults
Authors: Beyer Ann-Kristin , Wiest Maja , Wurm Susanne
Published: March 2019

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are a resource in later life. As aging is accompanied with perceptions of the finitude of life, it is assumed that perceived residual lifetime may play a role in the relationship between SPA and health behavior. Among older adults aged 65 years and older, the present study tested whether the relationships between gain- and loss-related SPA and two kinds of physical activity are moderated by perceived residual lifetime. Data were based on 2.367 participants over a 3-year period. Participants with less gain-related SPA were less likely to walk on a regular basis; however, a longer residual lifetime compensated for this negative effect. In addition, participants did sports more often if they not only held less loss-related SPA but also perceived a longer residual lifetime. These results emphasize the importance of perceived residual lifetime in health promotion interventions targeting physical activity in older adults.
Turn Characteristics During Gait Differ With and Without a Cognitive Demand Among College Athletes
Authors: Brown Lauren A. , Hall Eric E. , Ketcham Caroline J. , Patel Kirtida , Buckley Thomas A. , Howell David R. , Vallabhajosula Srikant
Published: March 2019

Context: Sports often involve complex movement patterns, such as turning. Although cognitive load effects on gait patterns are well known, little is known on how it affects biomechanics of turning gait among athletes. Such information could help evaluate how concussion affects turning gait required for daily living and sports. Objective: To determine the effect of a dual task on biomechanics of turning while walking among college athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Fifty-three participants performed 5 trials of a 20-m walk under single- and dual-task conditions at self-selected speed with a 180° turn at 10-m mark. The cognitive load included subtraction, spelling words backward, or reciting the months backward. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Turn duration, turning velocity, number of steps, SD of turn duration and velocity, and coefficient of variation of turn duration and velocity. Results: Participants turned significantly slower (155.99 [3.71] cm/s vs 183.52 [4.17] cm/s; P < .001) and took longer time to complete the turn (2.63 [0.05] s vs 2.33 [0.04] s; P < .001) while dual tasking, albeit taking similar number of steps to complete the turn. Participants also showed more variability in turning time under the dual-task condition (SD of turn duration = 0.39 vs 0.31 s; P = .004). Conclusions: Overall, college athletes turned slower and showed more variability during turning gait while performing a concurrent cognitive dual-task turning compared with single-task turning. The slower velocity increased variability may be representative of specific strategy of turning gait while dual tasking, which may be a result of the split attention to perform the cognitive task. The current study provides descriptive values of absolute and variability turning gait parameters for sports medicine personnel to use while they perform their concussion assessments on their college athletes.
Sex-Specific Dependence of Linear and Nonlinear Postural Control Metrics on Anthropometrics During Clinical Balance Tests in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Glass Stephen M. , Cone Brian L. , Rhea Christopher K. , Duffy Donna M. , Ross Scott E.
Published: March 2019

Context:Previous work suggests that balance behavior is a sex-dependent, complex process that can be characterized by linear and nonlinear metrics. Although a certain degree of center of pressure variability may be expected based on sexual dimorphism, there is evidence to suggest that these effects are obscured by potential interactions between sex and anthropometric factors. To date, no study has accounted for such interactive effects using both linear and nonlinear measures.Objective:This investigation sought to analyze interactive models featuring sex, height, and weight as predictors of linear and nonlinear aspects of postural control.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Controlled laboratory.Participants:A total of 26 males (23.80 [3.44] y, 177.87 [6.44] cm, 81.70 [10.80] kg) and 28 females (21.14 [2.03] y, 169.57 [8.80] cm, 64.48 [8.86] kg) were sampled from a healthy university population.MainOutcomeMeasures:Linear (range [RNG], velocity [VEL], and SD) and nonlinear (detrended fluctuation analysis scaling exponent, multivariate multiscale sample entropy [MMSECI]) summary metrics of center of pressure time series.Procedure:Participants stood on a force plate for 20 seconds in 3 conditions: double (D), single (S), and tandem (T) stance. Data for each stance condition were analyzed using regression models with interaction terms for sex × height and sex × weight. In D, weight had a positive, significant main effect on VELy, MMSECId, and MMSECIv. In men, height was observed to have a positive effect on SDy (S), RNGy (S), and RNGx (T) and a negative effect on MMSECIv (T). In women, weight was observed to have a positive effect on SDy and VELx (both T).Conclusions:Our findings suggest that men and women differ with respect to certain linear and nonlinear aspects of balance behavior, and that these differences may reflect sex-specific behavioral patterns in addition to effects related to sexual dimorphism.
Effects of Short-Foot Exercises on Foot Posture, Pain, Disability, and Plantar Pressure in Pes Planus
Authors: Unver Banu , Erdem Emin Ulas , Akbas Eda
Published: March 2019

Context:Pes planus is a prevalent chronic condition that causes foot pain, disability, and impaired plantar load distribution. Short-foot exercises are often recommended to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles and to prevent excessive decrease of medial longitudinal arch height.Objective:To investigate the effects of short-foot exercises on navicular drop, foot posture, pain, disability, and plantar pressures in pes planus.Design:Quasi-experimental study.Setting:Biomechanics laboratory.Participants:A total of 41 participants with pes planus were assigned to the short-foot exercises group (n = 21) or the control group (n = 20).Intervention:Both groups were informed about pes planus, usual foot care, and appropriate footwear. Short-foot exercises group performed the exercises daily for 6 weeks.Main Outcome Measures:Navicular drop, Foot Posture Index, foot pain, disability, and plantar pressures were assessed at the baseline and at the end of 6 weeks.Results:Navicular drop, Foot Posture Index, pain, and disability scores were significantly decreased; maximum plantar force of midfoot was significantly increased in short-foot exercises group over 6 weeks (P < .05). No significant differences were determined between the baseline and the sixth week outcomes in control group (P > .05).Conclusions:Six-week short-foot exercises provided a reduction in navicular drop, foot pronation, foot pain, and disability and increment in plantar force of medial midfoot in pes planus.
The Relationship Between the Golf-Specific Movement Screen and Golf Performance
Authors: Speariett Sophie , Armstrong Ross
Published: March 2019

Context: Golf requires effective movement patterns to produce an effective swing and performance. Objective: To determine the relationship between the Titleist Performance Institute golf-specific functional movement screening (GSFMS) composite and individual element scores and golf performance by assessing a player’s handicap, clubhead speed, side accuracy, ball speed, peak pelvis rotation speed, swing sequence, and common swing faults. Design: Cohort study, clinical measurement. Setting: English golf club. Participants: A total of 11 amateur golfers: 5 males (age: 37.2 [18.7] y, height: 184.4 [9.6] cm, body mass: 89.5 [13.4] kg, and handicap: 9 [6.6]) and 6 females (age: 53.7 [15.0] y, height: 166.8 [5.5] cm, body mass: 67.9 [16.6] kg, and handicap: 13 [6.1]). Main Outcome Measures: GSFMS composite and individual element scores and golf performance variables. Results: Significant relationships existed between GSFMS composite scores and handicap (r = −.779, P = .01); clubhead speed (r = .701, P = .02); ball speed (r = .674, P = .02); and peak pelvis rotation speed (r = .687, P = .02). Significant relationships existed between 90°/90° golf position and clubhead speed (r = .716, P = .01); ball speed (r = .777, P = .01); seated trunk rotation and peak pelvis rotation speed (r = .606, P = .048); single-leg balance and handicap (r = −.722, P = .01); torso rotation and handicap (r = −.637,P = .04); and torso rotation and peak pelvis rotation speed (r = .741, P = .01). Single-leg balance, overhead deep squat, and pelvic tilt were the GSFMS tests which participants had most difficulty in performing. The most common swing faults identified included loss of posture, slide, chicken winging, and early hip extension. Conclusions: The GSFMS may be used to identify movement limitations that relate to golfing performance. These findings may potentially allow intervention to correct movement patterns and potentially improve golf performance.
Mutations in the NPxxY motif stabilize pharmacologically distinct conformational states of the α
1B
- and β
2
-adrenoceptors
Authors: Ragnarsson Lotten , Andersson Åsa , Thomas Walter G. , Lewis Richard J.
Published: March 2019

Inactive conformations of α
1B
-AR and β
2
-AR are structurally similar but exhibit distinct pharmacological properties.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Outcomes of Omadacycline in Women with Cystitis: Results from a Phase 1b Study
Authors: Overcash J. Scott , Bhiwandi Pouru , Garrity-Ryan Lynne , Steenbergen Judith , Bai Stephen , Chitra Surya , Manley Amy , Tzanis Evan
Published: March 2019

Omadacycline, an aminomethylcycline antibiotic, is approved as once-daily intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) monotherapy for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, and it is under development for treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI). This is a phase 1b, randomized, open-label study of omadacycline in women with cystitis (defined as UTI symptoms and a positive urine leukocyte esterase test).
Factors That Influence the Immune Response to Vaccination
Authors: Zimmermann Petra , Curtis Nigel
Published: March 2019

There is substantial variation between individuals in the immune response to vaccination. In this review, we provide an overview of the plethora of studies that have investigated factors that influence humoral and cellular vaccine responses in humans.
Cell-to-Cell Spread Blocking Activity Is Extremely Limited in the Sera of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1)- and HSV-2-Infected Subjects
Authors: Criscuolo Elena , Castelli Matteo , Diotti Roberta A. , Amato Virginia , Burioni Roberto , Clementi Massimo , Ambrosi Alessandro , Mancini Nicasio , Clementi Nicola
Published: March 2019

Despite its importance in the physiopathology of HSV-1 and -2 infections, the cell-to-cell spreading mechanism is still poorly understood. The data shown here suggest that infection-elicited neutralizing antibodies capable of inhibiting cell-to-cell virus spread can be underrepresented in most infected subjects. These observations can be of great help in better understanding the role of humoral immunity in controlling virus reactivation and in the perspective of developing novel therapeutic strategies, studying novel correlates of protection, and designing effective vaccines.
The C-Terminal End of HIV-1 Vpu Has a Clade-Specific Determinant That Antagonizes BST-2 and Facilitates Virion Release
Authors: Sharma Shilpi , Jafari Moein , Bangar Amandip , William Karen , Guatelli John , Lewinski Mary K.
Published: March 2019

Although targeted by a variety of restriction mechanisms, HIV-1 establishes chronic infection in most cases, in part due to the counteraction of these host defenses by viral accessory proteins. Using conserved motifs, the accessory proteins exploit the cellular machinery to degrade or mistraffic host restriction factors, thereby counteracting them. The Vpu protein counteracts the virion-tethering factor BST-2 in part by displacing it from virion assembly sites along the plasma membrane, but a previously identified determinant of that activity is clade specific at the level of protein sequence and not found in the clade C viruses that dominate the pandemic. Here, we show that clade C Vpu provides this activity via a leucine-containing sequence rather than the tryptophan-containing sequence found in clade B Vpu. This difference seems likely to reflect the different evolutionary paths taken by clade B and clade C HIV-1 in human populations.
The Use of Defined Microbial Communities To Model Host-Microbe Interactions in the Human Gut
Authors: Elzinga Janneke , van der Oost John , de Vos Willem M. , Smidt Hauke
Published: March 2019

The human intestinal ecosystem is characterized by a complex interplay between different microorganisms and the host. The high variation within the human population further complicates the quest toward an adequate understanding of this complex system that is so relevant to human health and well-being.