Recreational runners with Achilles tendinopathy have clinically detectable impairments: A case-control study

ObjectivesTo confirm what impairments are present in runners with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and explore the variance of AT severity in an adequately powered study.DesignCase-control study.SettingTwo private physiotherapy clinics in Australia and Spain.ParticipantsForty-four recreational male runners with AT and 44 healthy controls matched by age, height, and weight.Main outcome measuresDemographics, activity (IPAQ-SF), pain and function (VISA-A), pain during hopping (Hop pain VAS), hopping duration, psychological factors (TSK-11, PASS20), and physical tests regarding lower-limb maximal strength and endurance.ResultsBody mass index (BMI), activity, VISA-A, pain, and duration of hopping, TSK-11, PASS20, standing heel raise to failure, seated heel raise and leg extension 6RM, hip extension and abduction isometric torque were significantly different between groups (P < 0.05) with varied effect sizes (V = 0.22, d range = 0.05–4.18). 46% of AT severity variance was explained by higher BMI (β = −0.41; p = 0.001), weaker leg curl 6RM (β = 0.32; p = 0.009), and higher pain during hopping (β = −0.43; p = 0.001).ConclusionRunners with AT had lower activity levels, lower soleus strength, and were less tall. BMI, pain during hopping, and leg curl strength explained condition severity. This information, identified with clinically applicable tools, may guide clinical assessment, and inform intervention development.     

Attenuation Coefficient Estimation of Normal Placentas

Attenuation coefficient estimation has the potential to be a useful tool for placental tissue characterization. A current challenge is the presence of inhomogeneities in biological tissue that result in a large variance in the attenuation coefficient estimate (ACE), restricting its clinical utility. In this work, we propose a new Attenuation Estimation Region Of Interest (AEROI) selection method for computing the ACE based on the (i) envelope signal-to-noise ratio deviation and (ii) coefficient of variation of the transmit pulse bandwidth. The method was first validated on a tissue-mimicking phantom, for which an 18%–21% reduction in the standard deviation of ACE and a 14%–24% reduction in the ACE error, expressed as a percentage of reported ACE, were obtained. A study on 59 post-delivery clinically normal placentas was then performed. The proposed AEROI selection method reduced the intra-subject standard deviation of ACE from 0.72 to 0.39 dB/cm/MHz. The measured ACE of 59 placentas was 0.77 ± 0.37 dB/cm/MHz, which establishes a baseline for future studies on placental tissue characterization.     

Awareness of major cardiovascular risk factors and its relationship with markers of vascular aging: Data from the Brisighella Heart Study

Background and aimGeneral population awareness about cardiovascular risk factors is usually low. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vascular aging of subjects aware and not aware to be hypertensive, hypercholesterolemic, hypertriglyceridemic or diabetics in a general population sample.Methods and resultsWe interviewed 1652 subjects without atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (M: 46.6%, F: 53.4%) about their awareness of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia or type 2 diabetes. Then we compared the augmentation index and pulse wave velocity of subjects aware and not aware of the investigated cardiovascular risk factors. 1049 participants declared not to be hypertensive, while 32 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 23.5% and 50% were hypertensive. Subjects not aware of their hypertension had significantly higher aortic blood pressure than aware ones (p < 0.001). 841 participants declared not to be hypercholesterolemic, while 60 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 18.1% and 40% were hypercholesterolemic. Subjects not aware of their hypercholesterolemia had significantly higher augmentation index than the aware ones (p < 0.05). 1226 participants declared not to be hypertriglyceridemic, while 200 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 19.2% and 44% were hypertriglyceridemic. Subjects not aware of their hypertriglyceridemia had significantly higher TG levels aware ones (p < 0.05), although this seemed to not related to increased arterial stiffness. 1472 participants declared not to be diabetic, while 20 were not sure. Among them, respectively, 2.0% and 25.0% were diabetics. Subjects not aware of their diabetes had significantly higher augmentation index than the aware ones (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the lack of awareness of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia is relatively frequent in the general population and is associated to significantly higher arterial stiffness.     

冠心康方加减联合西药治疗冠心病合并2型糖尿病气虚痰瘀证疗效研究

目的:探讨冠心康方加减联合西药治疗冠心病合并2型糖尿病气虚痰瘀证的疗效。方法:选择冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者98例,按随机数字表法分为对照组47例和观察组51例。对照组给予西医常规治疗措施; 观察组在对照组治疗基础上加用冠心康方加减治疗,1剂/次,2 次/d。连续治疗6个月后,比较两组血糖血脂水平、中医证候评分、脉搏波传导速度(PWV)以及临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组的空腹血糖(6.71±1.04)mmol/L、餐后2 h血糖为(10.63±1.94)mmol/L、HbA1c(7.13±0.97)%、TG(2.50±0.40)mmol/L,TC(3.94±0.55)mmol/L均低于对照组[(6.89±1.13)mmol/L、(10.93±2.03)mmol/L、(7.22±1.25)%、(2.53±0.36)mmol/L、(4.01±0.53)mmol/L],两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后观察组HDL-C(1.23±0.22)mmol/L 与对照组(1.19±0.21)mmol/L比较上升,而观察组LDL-C(2.61±0.34)mmol/L比对照组(2.67±0.37)mmol/L下降,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后,观察组患者中医证候评分(1.76±0.27)分及BS-PWV(5.90±0.64)m/s、ES-PWV(7.59±0.94)m/s均明显低于对照组的[(2.13±0.31)分、(6.41±0.77)m/s、(8.43±1.31)m/s](P<0.05)。观察组和对照组的总有效率分别为70.59%和59.57%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:冠心康方加减联合西药治疗冠心病合并2型糖尿病气虚痰瘀证可有效改善患者的血糖、血脂、中医证候以及动脉硬化,提高临床疗效。     

Development and function of tissue resident macrophages in mice

Macrophages are important for tissue development, homeostasis as well as immune response upon injury or infection. For a long time they were only seen as one uniform group of phagocytes with a common origin and similar functions. However, this view has been challenged in the last decade and revealed a complex diversity of tissue resident macrophages. Here, we want to present the current view on macrophage development and tissue specification and we will discuss differences as well as common patterns between heterogeneous macrophage subpopulations.     

脑状态指数联合中枢神经系统感染评分表在重型脑外伤并发颅内感染患者中的应用

目的探讨脑状态指数(CSI)联合中枢神经系统(CNS)感染评分表在重型脑外伤并发颅内感染患者病情监测中的应用。方法选取2018年6月至2019年6月开封市中心医院神经外科收治的重型脑外伤患者78例,采用CSI评分及CNS评分对患者病情进行评估。结果CSI评分10~30分组、31~50分组、51~80分组、CNS评分0~13分组、14~26分组、27~39分组在性别、年龄、脑挫裂伤、颅内血肿等方面比较差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05),而CSI评分10~30分组、31~50分组、51~80分组在颅内感染发生率、死亡率、格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)、Barthel指数差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。CNS评分0~13分组、14~26分组、27~39分组颅内感染发生率及死亡率差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。经Pearson单因素分析可知,CSI评分与CNS评分呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论CSI评分联合CNS评分对重型脑外伤并发颅内感染患者病情判断及预后有重要的价值,可为患者实施预见性护理提供指导,从而降低重型脑外伤患者颅内感染率及死亡率,提高患者临床治疗效果。     

Neural selectivity,efficiency, and dose equivalence in deep brain stimulation through pulse width tuning and segmented electrodes

BackgroundAchieving deep brain stimulation (DBS) dose equivalence is challenging, especially with pulse width tuning and directional contacts. Further, the precise effects of pulse width tuning are unknown, and recent reports of the effects of pulse width tuning on neural selectivity are at odds with classic biophysical studies.MethodsWe created multicompartment neuron models for two axon diameters and used finite element modeling to determine extracellular influence from standard and segmented electrodes. We analyzed axon activation profiles and calculated volumes of tissue activated.ResultsWe find that long pulse widths focus the stimulation effect on small, nearby fibers, suppressing distant white matter tract activation (responsible for some DBS side effects) and improving battery utilization when equivalent activation is maintained for small axons. Directional leads enable similar benefits to a greater degree. Reexamining previous reports of short pulse stimulation reducing side effects, we explore a possible alternate explanation: non-dose equivalent stimulation may have resulted in reduced spread of neural activation. Finally, using internal capsule avoidance as an example in the context of subthalamic stimulation, we present a patient-specific model to show how long pulse widths could help increase the biophysical therapeutic window.DiscussionWe find agreement with classic studies and predict that long pulse widths may focus the stimulation effect on small, nearby fibers and improve power consumption. While future pre-clinical and clinical work is necessary regarding pulse width tuning, it is clear that future studies must ensure dose equivalence, noting that energy- and charge-equivalent amplitudes do not result in equivalent spread of neural activation when changing pulse width.     

Oxygen saturation target ranges and alarm settings in the NICU: What have we learnt from the neonatal oxygenation prospective meta-analysis (NeOProM)?

The Neonatal Oxygenation Prospective Meta-analysis combined the individual participant data of 4965 extremely preterm infants. They had been randomly assigned in 5 trials to arterial oxygen saturations of 85%–89% or 91%–95% using modified oximeters to mask the treatment allocation. The primary outcome of death or disability did not differ significantly between the groups. Assignment to the higher target range reduced the risks of death and severe necrotizing enterocolitis but increased the risk of treated retinopathy. Trade-offs between the benefits and risks of higher or lower saturation targets should be informed by the local patient risks and institutional rates for outcomes that may be affected by a policy change. Features of the oximeter masking algorithm introduced unanticipated artifacts into the saturation display that are not seen in routine care. NeOProM provides little guidance on where to set the oximeter alarms and how to respond to them.     

The challenges in scoring hypopneas in children: is pulse wave amplitude drop the answer?

BackgroundIdentifying electroencephalogram (EEG) cortical arousals are crucial in scoring hypopneas and respiratory efforts related arousals (RERAs) during a polysomnogram. As children have high arousal threshold, many of the flow limited breaths or hypopneas may not be associated with visual EEG arousals, hence this may lead to potential underestimation of the degree of sleep disordered breathing. Pulse wave amplitude (PWA) is a signal obtained from finger photoplethysmography which correlates directly to finger blood flow. The drop in PWA has been shown to be a sensitive marker for subcortical/autonomic and cortical arousals. Our aim was to use the drop in PWA as a surrogate for arousals to guide scoring of respiratory events in pediatric patients.MethodsTen polysomnograms for patients between the ages of 5–15 years who had obstructive apnea-hypopnea indices between 1 and 5 events/hour were identified. Patients with syndromes were excluded. A drop in PWA signal of at least 30% that lasted for 3 s was needed to identify subcortical/autonomic arousals. Arousals were rescored based on this criteria and subsequently respiratory events were rescored. Paired t-tests were employed to compare PSG indices scored with or without PWA incorporation.ResultsThe sample of 10 children included 2 females, and the average age was 9.8 ± 3.1 years. Overall, polysomnography revealed an average total sleep time of 464.1 ± 25 min, sleep efficiency of 92% +/−4.2, sleep latency of 19.6 ± 17.0 min, rapid eye movement (REM) latency 143 ± 66 min, N1 3.9% +/−2.0, N2 50.3% +/−12.0, N3 28.2% +/−9.1, REM 16.7% +/−4.0, and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO) 18.1 ± 7.5 min. Including arousals from PWA changes, respiratory indices significantly increased including total AHI (2.3 ± 0.7 vs 5.7 ± 2.1, p < 0.001), obstructive AHI (1.45 ± 0.7 vs 4.8 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), and RDI (2.36 ± 0.7 vs 7.6 ± 2.0, p < 0.001). Likewise, total arousal index was significantly higher (8.7 ± 2.3 vs 29.4 ± 6.5, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe drop in pulse wave amplitude signal is a useful marker to guide scoring arousals that are not otherwise easily identified in pediatric polysomnography and subsequently helped in scoring respiratory events that otherwise would not be scored. Further studies are needed to delineate if such methodology would affect clinical outcome.