The reliability and validity of the measurement of lateral trunk motion in two-dimensional video analysis during unipodal functional screening tests in elite female athletes

ObjectiveTo investigate the reliability and validity of the measurement of lateral trunk motion (LTM) in two-dimensional (2D) video analysis of unipodal functional screening tests.DesignObservational study.SettingResearch laboratory.ParticipantsForty-three injury-free female athletes.Main outcome measuresKnee valgus (KV) and lateral trunk motion (LTM) angles were measured with a standard digital camera during the single leg squat and the single leg drop vertical jump (SLDVJ). Three-dimensional motion analysis was used during the SLDVJ to measure peak external knee abduction moment (pKAM). Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the intra- and intertester reliability of the LTM angle. Correlations between 2D angles and pKAM were calculated for the SLDVJ.ResultsExcellent intraclass correlation coefficients for the LTM angle were found within (0.99–1.00) and between testers (0.98–0.99). The sum of KV and LTM was significantly correlated with the pKAM during the SLDVJ for the dominant (r = −0.36; p = 0.017) and non-dominant leg (r = −0.32; p = 0.034), while either angle alone was not.ConclusionsLTM can be measured with excellent intra- and intertester reliability. The combination of KV and LTM was moderately associated with pKAM and thus including LTM may aid assessment of movement quality and injury risk.     

Predicting gait events from tibial acceleration in rearfoot running: A structured machine learning approach

BackgroundGait event detection of the initial contact and toe off is essential for running gait analysis, allowing the derivation of parameters such as stance time. Heuristic-based methods exist to estimate these key gait events from tibial accelerometry. However, these methods are tailored to very specific acceleration profiles, which may offer complications when dealing with larger data sets and inherent biological variability.Research questionCan a structured machine learning approach achieve a more accurate prediction of running gait event timings from tibial accelerometry, compared to the previously utilised heuristic approaches?MethodsForce-based event detection acted as the criterion measure in order to assess the accuracy, repeatability and sensitivity of the predicted gait events. 3D tibial acceleration and ground reaction force data from 93 rearfoot runners were captured. A heuristic method and two structured machine learning methods were employed to derive initial contact, toe off and stance time from tibial acceleration signals.ResultsBoth a structured perceptron model (median absolute error of stance time estimation: 10.00 ± 8.73 ms) and a structured recurrent neural network model (median absolute error of stance time estimation: 6.50 ± 5.74 ms) significantly outperformed the existing heuristic approach (median absolute error of stance time estimation: 11.25 ± 9.52 ms). Thus, results indicate that a structured recurrent neural network machine learning model offers the most accurate and consistent estimation of the gait events and its derived stance time during level overground running.SignificanceThe machine learning methods seem less affected by intra- and inter-subject variation within the data, allowing for accurate and efficient automated data output during rearfoot overground running. Furthermore offering possibilities for real-time monitoring and biofeedback during prolonged measurements, even outside the laboratory.     

Osteocondroma de la columna cervical provocando tortícolis y hemiparesia

Osteochondromas are slow-growing benign bone tumors that are located frequently in the long bones. Approximately 1-4% of them occur in the spine. Solitary spinal osteochondromas may produce a wide variety of symptoms depending on their location and relationship to associated structures.We report a case of a 74-year old woman who was admitted to our hospital with complaints of progressive left hemibody weakness and cervicalgia. Neurological examination disclosed mild left-sided hemiparesis and left torticollis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine revealed an expansive lesion affecting the left C3-C4 facet joint. The patient underwent a posterior C3 and C4 hemilaminectomy, complete excision of the lesion and instrumented posterior cervical fixation. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. After surgery her symptoms improved progressively with no neurological sequels.     

Cervical cytology screening among low-income,minority adolescents in New York City following the 2009 ACOG guidelines

ObjectivesIn December 2009, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that cervical cancer screening begin at age 21 for young women. In this study, we examine receipt of first lifetime Papanicolaou (Pap) test and predictors of over-screening among adolescents within a large urban ambulatory care network.MethodsWe compared the proportion of first lifetime Pap test of adolescents aged 13–20 years between June 2007 — November 2009 (n = 7700) and December 2009–June 2012 (n = 9637) using electronic health records. We employed multivariable regression models to identify demographic and health care factors associated with receiving a first lifetime Pap test at age < 21 years in the post-guideline period (over-screening).ResultsThe proportion of Pap tests declined from 19.3% to 4.2% (p < 0.001) between the two periods. Multivariable logistic regression results showed receiving care from gynecologic/obstetric/family planning clinics compared to pediatric clinics, having more clinic encounters, and older age were associated with over-screening in the post-guideline period.ConclusionsWe found that guideline adherence differed by clinic type, insurance status, and health care encounters. In the quickly evolving field of cervical cancer control, it is important to monitor practice trends as they relate to shifts in population-based guidelines, especially in high-risk populations.     

Prevalence and correlates of participation in fall prevention exercise/physical activity by older adults

ObjectiveTo examine older people's participation in fall prevention exercise/physical activities.MethodsParticipants comprised 5,681 randomly selected older people (≥ 65 years) who took part in the 2009 New South Wales (Australia) Fall Prevention telephone survey (61% response-rate). The instrument consisted of 11 prompted activities including two separate questions on participation in strength and balance training. Tai chi, dance, team sports, golf, bowls and specific balance training were classified as balance-challenging activities. Correlates of low participation were examined using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOne in eight older people (12.0%, 95% CI: 11.0–13.0) participated in strength training, 6.0% (95% CI: 5.2–6.7) participated in balance training and 21.8% (95% CI: 20.5–23.0) participated in balance-challenging activities. Adherence to public health recommendations (≥ 2 days/week) for strength or balance-challenging activities was reported by 21.0% (95% CI: 9.8–22.2) with 5.3% adhering to both forms. Engagements in strength or in balance-challenging activities were lower among those who had low education (< high-school), lived in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, were obese, had fair/poor self-rated health, had problems with walking or used a walking aid or had fallen in the past year.ConclusionParticipation in best practice exercise to prevent falls is low. Population-based approaches and targeted strategies for high-risk group are needed.     

‘For me… it's a miracle’: Injecting beauty among kathoeis in a provincial Thai city

BackgroundThe Thai term kathoei refers to non-gender-normative females, males and intersexual individuals at different stages of the transitional spectrum with recognized social and cultural roles in society. Nevertheless, kathoeis are only tolerated in Thai society. Many kathoeis seek social acceptance through beauty and turn to the off-label injection of various ‘beauty drugs’.MethodsThe first author conducted an ethnographic study of injection parties at a wedding studio in a Central Thai provincial city between April and September 2011. Data were gathered through participant observation, focus group discussions and narrative interviews with six participants. All data were collected and analyzed in Thai, and later translated.ResultsWhile injection parties provide opportunities for kathoeis to socialize, bond, and share experiential knowledge on chemically assisted transformation, they also reproduce ideologies of gender, beauty and sexuality that reinforce the notion that if a kathoei is to maintain her beauty, she must use medicines more frequently and in higher doses.ConclusionInjection parties among Thai kathoeis feature drug use that is entirely reasonable in terms of their own lay knowledge. Empowering kathoeis, by providing accessible information on chemicals and health in a way that reflects the complexity and diversity of their practices, would be one way to reduce health risks. Society must give more long-term options to kathoeis to build their sense of self, based on things besides being beautiful.