Criterion-related validity of four clinical tests used to measure hamstring flexibility in professional futsal players

Objective

To examine the criterion related validity of the sit-and-reach test (SR), toe touch test (TT), modified sit-and-reach test (MSR) and back-saver sit-and-reach test (BSSR) for estimating hamstring flexibility measured through the passive straight leg raise test (PSLR) in professional futsal players.

Design

Correlation laboratory study.

Setting

Controlled laboratory environment.

Participants

One hundred and three futsal players (55 males age 26 ± 4 years, 48 females age 23 ± 5 years).

Main outcome measures

Two trials of SR, TT, MSR, BSSR (left and right) and PSLR right and left (hamstring criterion measure) in a randomized order.

Results

Regression analysis was performed to examine the association of SR, TT, MSR and BSSR with PSLR in both males and females separately. In males, only MSR test had moderate association criterion with PSLR (R² = 0.57). In females, SR (R² = 0.86), TT (R² = 0.85), MSR (R² = 0.53) and average BSSR (R² = 0.82) were associated with PSLR.

Conclusions

SR, TT, MSR and BSSR had moderate criterion related validity for estimating hamstring flexibility in female but not male professional futsal players. The authors recommend that researchers, clinicians, and physical therapists adopt one angular test as a measure of hamstring muscle length in futsal players.     

Évolution chez l'homme de l'Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I dans le liquide interstitiel musculaire suite à un exercice en résistance

Introduction

The impact of resistance exercise on the growth of the vastus lateralis was assessed through interstitial microdialysis measurement of free Insulin-like Growth Factor-I at +3 h30, +4 h50 and +6 h after exercise in 4 healthy subjects.

Results

We observed 3 h30 after exercise an interstitial increase in 3 over 4 subjects, and thereafter a progressive decrease. In the mean time, free or total plasma concentrations did not change.

Conclusion

Resistance exercise seemed to induce an early increase of muscle interstitial free Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in order to initiate muscle growth by an autocrine – paracrine way.     

Mid-term outcomes of computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty

Purpose  

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a navigation system after a minimum of 5 years.     

Computed tomography angiography of the carotid arteries at low kV settings: a prospective randomised trial assessing radiation dose and diagnostic confidence

Objective  

To assess radiation dose and diagnostic image quality of a low-dose (80 kV) versus a standard-dose (120 kV) protocol for computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the supra-aortic arteries.     

Is Grading of Breast Fibrosis with Mammography Feasible?

Purpose:   

To establish a grading system for mammographic fibrosis and correlate it with clinical fibrosis.     

Systolic acquisition of coronary dual-source computed tomography angiography: feasibility in an unselected patient population

Objective  

To determine the practicability and potential dose saving of an imaging algorithm incorporating a pulsing scheme applying systolic data acquisition at heart rates >75 beats per minute (bpm).     

Hepatic arterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to the liver

Purpose  

This study was designed to evaluate short (<3 months) and intermediate-term (>3 months) follow-up in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor to the liver who underwent hepatic arterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads at a single institution.     

Intra-individual, randomised comparison of the MRI contrast agents gadobutrol and gadoterate in imaging the distal lower limb of patients with known or suspected osteomyelitis, evaluated in an off-site blinded read

Objective  

To prove that 1.0 M gadobutrol provides superior contrast enhancement in suspicion of osteomyelitis of the feet compared with 0.5 M gadoterate.     

Modular MR-compatible lower leg exercise device for whole-body scanners

Purpose  

To develop a modular MR-compatible lower leg exercise device for muscle testing using a clinical 3 T MR scanner.     

Percutaneous Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Malformations in Children: Long-Term Clinical Outcome

Purpose  

This study was designed to assess the rate of complications and clinical failure at 3 and 12 months after percutaneous treatment of vascular malformations in children. Furthermore, we describe patient satisfaction of treatment results during 5 years of follow-up.     

Specificity of unenhanced CT for non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic steatosis: implications for the investigation of the natural history of incidental steatosis

Objectives  

To determine a highly specific liver attenuation threshold at unenhanced CT for biopsy-proven moderate to severe hepatic steatosis (≥30% at histology).     

Comparisons of I-123 diagnostic and I-131 post-treatment scans for detecting residual thyroid tissue and metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer

Objective  

We assessed the performance of 37 MBq I-123 as a diagnostic imaging agent in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer using comparisons with their corresponding high-dose post-treatment I-131 scans.     

MR-guided breast biopsy at 3T: diagnostic yield of large core needle biopsy compared with vacuum-assisted biopsy

Objective  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate two MR-guided biopsy techniques at 3 T, large core needle breast biopsy (LCNB) and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) and to compare the diagnostic yield and rate of complications to determine the optimal biopsy technique at 3 T.     

What is the optimal b value in diffusion-weighted MR imaging to depict prostate cancer at 3T?

Objective  

To determine an optimal b value to visualise prostate cancer using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T.     

A comparison of the clinical outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a hamstring tendon autograft with special emphasis on the timing of the reconstruction

Purpose  

The aim of the study was to compare the results 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a hamstring tendon (HT) autograft in patients operated within 5 months after the injury (Group A) and patients operated more than 24 months after the injury (Group B).     

Endovascular coil embolization of very small intracranial aneurysms

Introduction  

Endovascular coil embolization of very small (maximum dome diameter ≤3 mm) aneurysms is controversial because of a high risk for procedural rupture and technical difficulty. We report clinical and angiographic results of coil embolization of these aneurysms.     

Distortion correction in whole-body imaging of live mice using a 1-Tesla compact magnetic resonance imaging system

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to establish a distortion correction applicable to whole-body imaging of live mice.     

Measurements of the normal fetal brain at gestation weeks 17 to 23: a MRI study

Introduction  

To obtain measurements of the normal fetal brain before 24 weeks of gestation (GW), a deadline for medical decisions on fetal viability in a large number of countries.     

Ultrasound for the evaluation of femoroacetabular impingement of the cam type. Diagnostic performance of qualitative criteria and alpha angle measurements

Objective  

To develop and assess a technique to evaluate cam type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) using ultrasound (US).     

Successful Antibiotic Treatment of Severe Staphylococcal Infection of a Long Stent Graft in the Superficial Femoral Artery with Graft Preservation in the Long Term

Introduction  

Bacterial infection of endovascular stent grafts is a serious condition, regularly leading to graft replacement by open bypass surgery.