Physical working capacity and mile run performance in adolescent boys.

The degree of generality between the endurance characteristics of the one mile run and PWC170 tests was examined with a group of fifteen year old boys who performed both tests once a week for three weeks. A significant improvement in performance of both tests was found between trials 1 and 2, which was sustained between trials 2 and 3. These results suggest that norm scales regarding performance in both tests should be based on the average of at least two trials following a practice trial. The results of the present study also suggest that when average scores are used, rather than single scores, the amount of generality between the endurance characteristics of the one mile run and PWC170 test is high enough to allow physical working capacity to be predicted fairly accurately from performance in the one mile run.     

恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤与血小板计数的研究

目的研究恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤与血小板（PLT）计数的临床意义。方法收集2003年1月～2012年12月我院妇科收治的恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤患者120例为观察组,并以同期收治的150例良性卵巢上皮性肿瘤患者为对照组。取患者术前、术后晨起空腹静脉血化验PLT和CA125并进行统计分析。结果恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤的术前PIJT计数升高的比例是59．17％,术后PLT计数下降（P〈0．05）。术前与良性肿瘤组相比,早期卵巢上皮癌的PLT计数升高无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,而晚期卵巢上皮癌的PLT计数升高有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论晚期恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤患者术前PLT计数增高明显．手术后PLT计数降低。PLT计数的变化为恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤的诊治及预后评估提供了一项重要参考指标。     

Perceptions of Australian clients towards male radiographers working in breast imaging: Quantitative results from a pilot study

AimBreast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australian women, therefore early breast cancer detection is essential. Female radiographers currently conduct breast screening in Australia; however there is a projected shortage. With many women already feeling apprehensive about attending a breast examination, possible proposals to fill this shortage must be carefully considered. Training male radiographers is one proposal however, this raises some gender concerns. This study aimed to pilot an investigation into whether it would change women's willingness to attend breast screening if conducted by a male radiographer.MethodA questionnaire completed by 146 women aged over 40 asked questions on attitude, initial reaction and how they would proceed if attended to by a male in three clinical situations (Mammography; Ultrasound and Breast Surgery).ResultsThe results revealed that women would have had their mammogram (90%), ultrasound (95%) and surgery (100%) conducted by a male, though some would have preferred a female for mammography (25%), ultrasound (24%) and surgery (12%). A total of 9% of women agreed to the statement ‘If there were male radiographers I would not return for another screening appointment’ and 9% agreed to the statement ‘if I heard there could be male radiographers it would change my opinion of Breast Screening for the worse'.ConclusionsThis first Australian study investigating the perceptions of women to male radiographers in the breast screening arena suggest that a mix of male and female radiographers could be accommodated and indicates the need for a larger national survey.     

Quantitative effects of a water exercise program on functional and physiological capacity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating disease that often affects the knees. Patients suffer from pain and disability and have associated reductions in muscle and cardiopulmonary function. We quantitatively evaluated the effects of an 8-week water exercise program (WEP) on muscle, cardiovascular, and functional capacity on patients with knee OA. Functional capacity (walking time, Jette functional status index, habitual physical activity questionnaire), muscle function (strength, endurance, contraction speed of the quadriceps and hamstrings), and cardiovascular function (oxygen consumption, blood pressure, heart rate) were evaluated before and after WEP on 9 men and 9 women with knee OA. After 8 weeks of WEP, no significant changes were observed in any of the measured variables. Although patients with knee OA enjoyed the WEP and thought that it was beneficial to them, it did not significantly improve muscle and cardiovascular fitness or functional capacity.     

High-resolution scintimammography: a pilot study.

This study evaluated a novel high-resolution breast-specific gamma camera (HRBGC) for the detection of suggestive breast lesions. METHODS: Fifty patients (with 58 breast lesions) for whom a scintimammogram was clinically indicated were prospectively evaluated with a general-purpose gamma camera and a novel HRBGC prototype. The results of conventional and high-resolution nuclear studies were prospectively classified as negative (normal or benign) or positive (suggestive or malignant) by 2 radiologists who were unaware of the mammographic and histologic results. All of the included lesions were confirmed by pathology. RESULTS: There were 30 benign and 28 malignant lesions. The sensitivity for detection of breast cancer was 64.3% (18/28) with the conventional camera and 78.6% (22/28) with the HRBGC. The specificity with both systems was 93.3% (28/30). For the 18 nonpalpable lesions, sensitivity was 55.5% (10/18) and 72.2% (13/18) with the general-purpose camera and the HRBGC, respectively. For lesions < or = 1 cm, 7 of 15 were detected with the general-purpose camera and 10 of 15 with the HRBGC. Four lesions (median size, 8.5 mm) were detected only with the HRBGC and were missed by the conventional camera. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of indeterminate breast lesions with an HRBGC results in improved sensitivity for the detection of cancer, with greater improvement shown for nonpalpable and < or =1-cm lesions.     

Interpretation of skull radiographs for facial fractures by medical staff working in UK emergency departments: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: This was a pilot study to determine the ability of hospital doctors (1) to assess the technical quality of occipitomental (OM) radiographs and (2) to identify facial fractures. METHOD: Twenty-two doctors from four UK Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments participated in a two part study: Part A was a postal questionnaire containing questions on demographic data, educational background, selection criteria, assessing radiographs and radiation protection; and Part B was a clinical viewing session to interpret 20 randomized OM radiographs divided into four groups; technically good and poor without fractures, and technically good and poor with fractures. RESULTS: Study participants ranged from junior house officers to senior consultants. There was considerable variation in educational background and radiographic interpretation instruction at undergraduate and postgraduate level. OM radiographs constituted 10% of all skull radiographs examined per week, yet only 40% of the doctors felt confident when assessing technical quality. The majority of participants had only a limited knowledge of radiation protection legislation. During the viewing session, only 50% of the participants correctly identified those radiographs with fractures and those with technique errors. There was no significant difference between house officers and other grades of staff. A higher level of seniority did not equate with greater interpretative ability. Subjective confidence in assessing film quality did not correlate with the actual film viewing. CONCLUSION: Only half of the A&E doctors taking part in the study were able to correctly assess film quality and identify facial fractures on OM radiographs. If the pilot sample is representative, then the findings are of considerable concern.     

A study of the physical working capacity of Gaelic footballers and hurlers.

The possible contribution of endurance fitness to performance in the Gelic games, football and hurling, has been investigated. Two groups of 15 players were compared. The first consisted of members of teams reaching interprovincial finals and the second were similar members of comparable but less successful teams. The measurements taken were: height and weight, skinfold thicknesses on the triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac sites, and the physical working capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC 170). The more successful players were found to be taller and heavier and to have a higher PWC 170. There was no difference in estimated percentage of fat. The difference in PWC 170 of the two groups remained after correction for the difference in body weight. A group of seven of the players who participated in two or more finals was studied longitudinally. In six of these subjects PWC 170 was higher at the time of these matches than before or after. These findings are discussed and it is suggested that endurance fitness is a factor contributing to performance in football and hurling.     

Physical activity level in Achilles tendinosis is associated with blood levels of pain-related factors: a pilot study

Physical activity affects the pain symptoms for Achilles tendinosis patients. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and their receptors have been detected in human Achilles tendon. This pilot study aimed to compare serum BDNF and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFRI) levels in Achilles tendinosis patients and healthy controls and to examine the influence of physical activity, and BMI and gender, on these levels. Physical activity was measured with a validated questionnaire, total physical activity being the parameter analyzed. Physical activity was strongly correlated with BDNF among tendinosis women [Spearman's rho (ρ)=0.90, P<0.01] but not among control women (ρ=-0.08, P=0.83), or among tendinosis and control men. Physical activity was significantly correlated with sTNFRI in the entire tendinosis group and among tendinosis men (ρ=0.65, P=0.01), but not in the entire control group or among control men (ρ=0.04, P=0.91). Thus, the physical activity pattern is related to the TNF and BDNF systems for tendinosis patients but not controls, the relationship being gender dependent. This is new information concerning the relationship between physical activity and Achilles tendinosis, which may be related to pain for the patients. This aspect should be further evaluated using larger patient materials.     

Blood platelet count and severity of decompression sickness in rats after a provocative dive

INTRODUCTION: Previous animal studies reported that platelet count (PC) is decreased following decompression. Adherence and aggregation of platelets to the bubble surface has been demonstrated in severe decompression sickness (DCS). The present study was designed to clarify the relationship between post-dive platelet levels and the severity of DCS in a rat model. METHODS: A total of 57 male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to either one experimental group with a hyperbaric exposure (N = 22) or one control group (N = 27). Rats were compressed to 1000 kPa (90 msw) for 45 min while breathing air and decompressed to surface in 38 min with stops at 200, 160, and 130 kPa. Onset of neurological DCS and death time were recorded during a 120-min observation period after surfacing. In the control group, rats were maintained at atmospheric pressure in the same chamber for an equivalent period of time. Blood samples for PC were taken 30 min before and immediately after exposure in two groups. RESULTS: Blood PC after hyperbaric exposure had significantly decreased, whereas PC had increased in the control group. We found a correlation between % fall in PC and latency to death time. The platelet loss tended to decrease when fatal DCS was delayed. Rats suffering from severe DCS with a short latency to death presented a pronounced decline in platelets. DISCUSSION: The present study highlighted a relationship between the post-dive decrease in PC and DCS severity in rats. Platelet consumption could offer a new index for evaluating decompression stress.     

Helicopter pilot back pain: a preliminary study

Because of the high prevalence of back pain experienced by U.S. Army helicopter pilots, a study was conducted to ascertain the feasibility of reproducing these symptoms in the laboratory. A mock-up of a UH-1H seat and control configuration was mounted to a multi-axis vibration simulator (MAVS). Eleven subjects were tested on the apparatus for two 120-min periods. During one period, the MAVS was programmed to reproduce vibrations recorded from a UH-1H in cruise flight. The subjects received no vibration during the other test period. All subjects reported back pain which they described as identical to the pain they experience during flight, during one or more of their test periods. There was no statistical difference between the vibration and nonvibration test conditions (p greater than 0.05) in terms of time of onset of pain or intensity of pain as measured by a visual analog scale. It appears the vibration at the frequencies and amplitudes tested plays little or no role in the etiology of the back symptoms reported by these pilots. It is proposed that the primary etiological factor for these symptoms is the poor posture pilots are obliged to assume for extended periods while operating helicopters.     

CT-guided suprascapular nerve blocks: a pilot study

Objective The objective of this study was to describe the suprascapular nerve block using CT guidance and to evaluate the short- and medium-term efficacy in a range of shoulder pathologies.Design and patients CT-guided infiltration around the suprascapular nerve was performed with bupivacaine and Celestone Chronodose on 40 consecutive patients presenting with chronic shoulder pathologies unresponsive to conventional treatment. Patients were interviewed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) before the procedure, 30 min after the procedure and at 3 days, 3 weeks and 6 weeks afterwards.Results Within 30 min of the block overall pain scores decreased from a mean (±SEM) pain score of 7.0 (±0.4) to 3.5 (±0.5) (n=39, P<0.001). At 3 days after the procedure, the mean overall improvement of the pain and disability scores were 20.4% (±4.9, P<0.001) and 16.8% (±4.8, P=0.004) respectively. Sustained pain relief and reduced disability were achieved in 10 of 35 (29%) patients at 3 weeks and longer. Patients suffering from soft tissue pathologies were the most likely patients to benefit from the injection. No serious side effects were noted.Conclusions In some patients with chronic soft tissue pathologies who do not respond to conventional treatment, a CT-guided suprascapular nerve block can provide safe short- and medium-term relief from pain and disability.     

Facial recognition and laser surface scan: a pilot study

Surface scanning of the face of a suspect is presented as a way to better match the facial features with those of a perpetrator from CCTV footage. We performed a simple pilot study where we obtained facial surface scans of volunteers and then in blind trials tried to match these scans with 2D photographs of the faces of the volunteers. Fifteen male volunteers were surface scanned using a Polhemus FastSCAN Cobra Handheld Laser Scanner. Three photographs were taken of each volunteer’s face in full frontal, profile and from above at an angle of 45° and also 45° laterally. Via special software (MIMICS^® and Photoshop^®) the surface scans were matched with the photographs in blind trials. The matches were graded as: a good fit; possible fit; and no fit. All the surface scans and photos were matched correctly, although one surface scan could be matched with two angled photographs, meaning that the discriminatory value was 86.7%. We also tested the surface scanner in terms of reliability in establishing point measures on skulls, and compared with physical measurements performed by calipers. The variation was on average 1 mm for five cranial measures. We suggest how surface scanning might be applied in forensic facial identification.     

弗氏志贺菌2a GadB蛋白的功能研究

目的探究gadB基因的潜在功能及其对弗氏志贺菌2a 301株致病能力的影响。方法利用λ-Red重组系统构建弗氏志贺菌2a 301株的gadB缺失突变株,随后进行基本的表型实验测评,并初步评价其毒力,最后制备突变株和野生株全菌蛋白样品,利用双向电泳技术比较二者在蛋白表达谱上的差异。结果成功获得gadB基因缺失株;生化实验发现缺失株不能利用甘油发酵;而豚鼠角膜实验发现突变株炎症反应稍轻于野生株;全菌蛋白表达谱中发现10个差异蛋白。结论利用双向电泳鉴定到一些可能与GadB有关的蛋白,为gadB潜在功能的研究提供了线索。