Measurements of scapular position and rotation: a reliability study

Smooth motion of the scapula and humerus with respect to the thorax is essential for shoulder function and abnormalities may indicate clinical entities. Recent studies have made an attempt to devise simple, practical means of quantifying scapular position. The aim of this study was to examine the intra-tester and inter-tester reliability of two methods and to determine if significant differences existed between the dominant versus non-dominant extremity. Seventeen healthy volunteers (4 M; 13 F) were examined by two testers. The tape measurements consisted of the classic methods of Kibler and DiVeta in three sitting postures, expanded by the measurement of the linear distance from the medial border to the thoracic mid-line, and the scapular size measure. The SAS software package was used for data analysis. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) intra-tester reliability ranged between 0.96–0.8 for both methods without significant differences, whereas the ICC for inter-tester reliability ranged between 0.42–0.9 with higher values (moderate and good) for the Kibler technique. In the additional tests high values were also obtained for ICC intra-tester, except for the measurements of the linear distance of the medial border of the scapula to the thoracic mid-line and the distance of the inferior process of the acromion to the third vertebra, both in 90° abduction and internal rotation. The ICC for inter-tester was only acceptable for the DiVeta measurement on 45° abduction. Significant differences were noted between both testers on the following measures: Kibler in 45° abduction, DiVeta in 45° abduction and 90° abduction and the scapular size measure. The comparison of dominant versus non-dominant extremity revealed larger but not significantly different means for the dominant extremity in the classic methods. Significant differences occurred for Tester 1 in the measurement of the distance of the medial border to the thoracic mid-line and Tester 2 in DiVita in 45° abduction. The SEM values never exceeded 1 cm. We believe that the Kibler technique holds promise for further studies, has the advantage of measuring in three positions and with some familiarisation can be reliable. Further research is necessary in patients with pathological conditions. Copyright © 1996 Whurr Publishers Ltd.     

Maternal psychopathology and offspring mental health service utilization in adolescents without mental disorders: a national representative survey

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - We investigated whether maternal psychopathology predicts offspring mental health service utilization in adolescents without mental disorders. We used...     

Caregiver Nutritional Health Outcomes of the Simple Suppers Study: Results from a 10 Week,Two-Group Quasi-Experimental Family Meals Intervention

Individuals from racial minority backgrounds, especially those in low income situations, are at increased risk for obesity. Family meals positively impact child nutritional health; however, there is limited evidence examining the impact on caregivers, particularly racial minority and income-restricted individuals. The objective of this intervention study was to determine the effect of Simple Suppers, a 10 week family meals program, on caregiver diet and nutrition outcomes. Intervention versus waitlist control participants were compared from baseline (T0) to post-intervention (T1). In addition, intervention participants were assessed at a 10 week follow-up time point (T2). This study was a two-group quasi-experimental intervention trial. Lessons (10 total) were delivered on a weekly basis for 90 min. Data were collected from intervention and waitlist control participants at T0 and T1, and intervention participants at T2. After baseline (T0) data collection, families enrolled in the immediate upcoming session of Simple Suppers (intervention group) or waited for 10 weeks (waitlist control group) to begin the program. Participants were caregivers of children ages 4–10 years. This study was conducted in a faith-based community center for underserved families in Columbus, Ohio. Primary outcomes were: diet quality assessed by Healthy Eating Index (HEI) total and component scores, and total energy intake (kcal/day); body mass index (BMI) (kg/m²), waist circumference (cm), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (mmHG); and self-efficacy for having healthy meals and menu planning (both scalar). The impact of the intervention (T0:T1) was assessed using generalized mixed-effects linear regression models. Maintenance of change in study outcomes among intervention participants (T1:T2) was examined with paired t-tests. 109 caregivers enrolled in this study. The retention rate at T1 was 90% (i.e., 98 participants). 56 of 68 intervention participants completed T2, resulting in a retention rate of 82%. Almost all (99%) were female, 61% were Black, and 50% were between 31 and 40 years old. In total, 40% had low income and 37% had low or very low food security. At T1, intervention vs. waitlist controls had a lower daily energy intake (p = 0.04), but an HEI-2010 component score for fatty acids (adequacy) that was lower indicating a lower dietary intake of fatty acids (p = 0.02), and a component score for empty calories (moderation) that was significantly lower indicating a higher intake of empty calorie foods (p = 0.03). At T1, intervention vs. waitlist controls also had a lower BMI (p < 0.001) and systolic BP (p = 0.04), and higher self-efficacy (p = 0.03). There were no group differences in other outcomes. At T2, intervention participants maintained the changes in daily energy intake, BMI, systolic BP, and self-efficacy that improved during the intervention period. There was no change (improvement) in the component score for fatty acids; however, the component score for empty calories significantly improved (p = 0.02). Engagement in the Simple Suppers program led to improvements in caregivers’ daily caloric intake, weight status, systolic blood pressure, and self-efficacy for family meals. Future research should further explore the dietary and nutritional health benefits of family meals among caregivers at the highest risk for obesity.     

不同糖耐量个体血浆内脂素水平的变化

目的探讨不同糖耐量人群血浆内脂素(visfatin)水平变化及其与体重指数(BMI)、腰臀比(WHR)、血糖、血浆胰岛素水平等的关系。方法采用酶联免疫法测定了2型糖尿病(DM)、糖耐量受损(IGT)患者和正常健康人空腹和糖负荷后2h血浆内脂素水平,并分析血浆内脂素与BMI、WHR、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、血脂、血糖、血浆胰岛素和游离脂肪酸(FFA)水平等的关系。结果(1)2型DM患者空腹和糖负荷后2h血浆内脂素水平明显低于正常对照组[(11.63±7.48)μg/L vs(16.82±6.06)μg/L和(12.02±6.86)μg/L vs(16.26±7.78)μg/L,均P＜0.05],IGT组内脂素水平介于2型DM和对照组之间；肥胖组血浆内脂素水平较非肥胖组有升高趋势；(2)相关性研究显示,血浆内脂素水平与WHR呈正相关(r=0.42,P＜0.01),与糖负荷后2h血糖(2hPG)和HbA_(IC)呈明显负相关(r=-0.33,P＜0.01和r=～0.25,JP＜0.05)；(3)多元线性逐步回归分析表明WHR、HbA_(IC)空腹血糖、2hPG、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇分别是影响血浆内脂素水平的独立相关因素。结论血浆内脂素水平与糖代谢状态有关,并可能在肥胖和2型糖尿病的发生和发展中具有一定的作用。     

Efficacy of Fumonisin Esterase in Piglets as Animal Model for Fumonisin Detoxification in Humans: Pilot Study Comparing Intraoral to Intragastric Administration

Fumonisins, a group of highly prevalent and toxic mycotoxins, are suspected to be causal agents of several diseases in animals and humans. In the animal feed industry, fumonisin esterase is used as feed additive to prevent mycotoxicosis caused by fumonisins. In humans, a popular dosage form for dietary supplements, with high patient acceptance for oral intake, is capsule ingestion. Thus, fumonisin esterase provided in a capsule could be an effective strategy against fumonisin intoxication in humans. To determine the efficacy of fumonisin esterase through capsule ingestion, two modes of application were compared using piglets in a small-scale preliminary study. The enzyme was administered intraorally (in-feed analogue) or intragastrically (capsule analogue), in combination with fumonisin B1 (FB1). Biomarkers for FB1 exposure; namely FB1, hydrolysed FB1 (HFB1) and partially hydrolysed forms (pHFB1a and pHFB1b), were measured both in serum and faeces using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, and toxicokinetic parameters were calculated. Additionally, the serum sphinganine/sphingosine (Sa/So) ratio, a biomarker of effect, was determined using LC-MS/MS. A significantly higher Sa/So ratio was shown in the placebo group compared to both esterase treatments, demonstrating the efficacy of the esterase. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum FB1 area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and an increase of faecal HFB1 AUC were observed after intraoral esterase administration. However, these effects were not observed with statistical significance after intragastric esterase administration with the current sample size.     

“Spontaneously” hypertensive mice: A potential genetic model for the study of the relationship between heart size and blood pressure

Abstract

Mice selected genetically for high and low blood pressure (BP) were compared with regard to heart weight and heart/body ratios. Two experiments were performed with mice ranging in age from 1.3 to 9 months and 11 to 23 months respectively. In a third experiment C57BL/6J mice were compared to the high and low BP mice. Heart/body ratios and heart weights, adjusted for body weight via covariance analysis, were significantly greater for the high BP mice, but no Age x BP Genotype interaction was observed. Results were discussed in terms of a possible relationship between heart weight and BP via genetic linkage or pleiotropy. The possibility was also raised that compensatory mechanisms for high blood pressure, e.g., cardiac hypertrophy, may operate very early in development for animals who are hypertensive by virtue of selective breeding for blood pressure extremes.     

Graded synaptic transmission at the Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction

Most neurotransmission is mediated by action potentials, whereas sensory neurons propagate electrical signals passively and release neurotransmitter in a graded manner. Here, we demonstrate that Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junctions release neurotransmitter in a graded fashion. When motor neurons were depolarized by light-activation of channelrhodopsin-2, the evoked postsynaptic current scaled with the strength of the stimulation. When motor neurons were hyperpolarized by light-activation of halorhodopsin, tonic release of synaptic vesicles was decreased. These data suggest that both evoked and tonic neurotransmitter release is graded in response to membrane potential. Acetylcholine synapses are depressed by high-frequency stimulation, in part due to desensitization of the nicotine-sensitve ACR-16 receptor. By contrast, GABA synapses facilitate before becoming depressed. Graded transmission and plasticity confer a broad dynamic range to these synapses. Graded release precisely transmits stimulation intensity, even hyperpolarizing inputs. Synaptic plasticity alters the balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs into the muscle in a use-dependent manner.