Tag: pubmed

J Phys Ther Sci. 2021 Apr;33(4):369-374. doi: 10.1589/jpts.33.369. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

ABSTRACT

[Purpose] The present study aimed to examine the existence and degree of possible asymmetries of functional test performance and their intercorrelations in the lower extremities of young basketball players. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-seven healthy male basketball players (age: 15.52 ± 1.37 years) were examined for the symmetric function of their lower extremities using triple hop for distance tests in the sagittal and frontal plane (medial-lateral), the Y-balance test and a vertical jump test. [Results] Participants exhibited statistically significant side-to-side differences in only the medial triple hop test, as they jumped further on their non-dominant for stability lower limb. No other asymmetries were observed in the rest of the functional tests. Significant correlations were also indicated between the vertical jumptest and the three directions of the triple hop test for both lower limbs. [Conclusion] Our findings proved that young basketball players present a symmetrical picture of functional performance, as revealed by the evaluation of various functional tests. The only significant asymmetric adaptation observed in the medial triple hop test will have to be strengthened by future studies to be implemented in injury prevention programs.

PMID:33935363 | PMC:PMC8079892 | DOI:10.1589/jpts.33.369

J Cytol. 2021 Jan-Mar;38(1):21-30. doi: 10.4103/JOC.JOC_70_20. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Radiology and pathology are pivotal tools in the investigational artillery for management of wide spectrum of hepatic lesions and early detection is of a paramount importance.

AIMS: The study aimed at analyzing the efficacy, comparative yield and validity of image-guided aspiration cytology (FNA)/core biopsy (CB) in focal hepatic lesions.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted in departments of Pathology and Radiology and Imaging of a tertiary care center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of focal hepatic lesions that underwent percutaneous image guided-FNA reported (2011-2018) were analyzed. Cytological-histopathological correlation was performed where available. FNA diagnoses were divided into four categories-positive for malignancy (group 1), atypical (group 2), negative for malignancy (group 3), and non-diagnostic (group 4).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Categorical data was depicted in the form of frequencies and proportions. Validity of percutaneous image-guided FNA diagnosis was collated with the final diagnosis and results were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 338 FNA of focal hepatic lesions were reported in which 217 (68.2%) cases in group 1; 21 (6.2%) in group 2; 58 (17.2%) in group 3 and 42 (12.4%) in group 4. CB correlation was available in 123 cases. Based on clinical, radiological and pathological findings, conclusive final diagnoses were obtained and the cases were regrouped [malignant cases-245, benign lesions-57 and uncertain lesions-36]. Metastasis was the most common malignancy (175/245; 71.4%). Sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy of FNA to categorize the lesion as benign or malignant were 96.94%, 100% and 97.51%, respectively. However, the cytology-histopathology correlation revealed discordance of subtyping the lesion in 20% of cases and sensitivity and specificity reduced to 80% and 50% respectively in rendering the specific diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous image-guided FNA is a sensitive and specific tool with high diagnostic accuracy in evaluating focal hepatic lesions. The study highlights the pre-eminence of interventional radiology and cytology in the care of patients with liver lesions.

PMID:33935388 | PMC:PMC8078618 | DOI:10.4103/JOC.JOC_70_20

Vet World. 2021 Mar;14(3):585-588. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.585-588. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The concentration of serum progesterone is commonly used to determine the optimal mating time in bitches, and to diagnose reproductive-related abnormalities. This study aims to compare the serum progesterone results obtained by rapid fluorescence immunochromatography assay (RFICA) with those obtained by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) from the same serum samples to develop a standard guideline for optimal breeding time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum progesterone levels were measured in 124 bitches using RFICA and CMIA. Simple linear regression and correlation analyses were performed to analyze the data. The percentage difference between the maximum and minimum progesterone values in the same serum sample in the same assay was compared using Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test.

RESULTS: The present study showed a strong linear dependence of the results obtained by RFICA on those obtained by CMIA as R²=0.8976, with regression coefficient of 0.9474 and p<0.05, including the regression model was CMIA = (0.9483 × RFICA) – 0.761. Moreover, five critical measurement times during estrous in bitches showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05), except at the fertilizable period, which showed a non-significant difference (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that it is presumably acceptable to use the RFICA and CMIA methods interchangeably for quality progesterone measurements in serum samples from bitches. However, when considering the use of the RFICA method, it is advisable to carefully interpret the results and follow the interpretation guidelines. Finally, RFICA in the present study provides a reliable and convenient option for veterinarian practitioners to measure canine progesterone levels in-house.

PMID:33935401 | PMC:PMC8076448 | DOI:10.14202/vetworld.2021.585-588

Contemp Jew. 2021 Apr 23:1-22. doi: 10.1007/s12397-021-09366-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In June 2020, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in England and Wales published the results of an investigation into mortality from COVID-19 by religious group. The analysis revealed a significant “Jewish penalty”: coronavirus mortality of Jews was shown to be relatively high compared to the British Christian majority. This paper considers these findings in the light of the literature on Jewish mortality and undertakes a re-analysis of the results alongside the additional data on Jewish deaths provided by the British Jewish communal statistics. It asks two questions: (1) To what extent is elevated British Jewish mortality from COVID-19 a result of the presence of long-standing vulnerability and ill health among Jews? (2) What role do strictly Orthodox Jews play in elevating coronavirus mortality levels among British Jews? The primary contribution of the paper is to explore, via analyses of alternative data sources, the ONS finding of elevated Jewish mortality from coronavirus, to explain why it is surprising, to test whether it is real and to eliminate certain explanations. Such process of elimination in itself will highlight other alternative explanations, but the paper falls short of decisively explaining the phenomenon of the elevated British Jewish mortality from coronavirus. It ends with an outline of future directions of research in this area.

PMID:33935336 | PMC:PMC8064418 | DOI:10.1007/s12397-021-09366-2

Soc Indic Res. 2021 Apr 28:1-23. doi: 10.1007/s11205-021-02680-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This article proposes a quantitative analysis to measure social vulnerability in a urban space, specifically in the area of the Municipality of Rome. Social vulnerability can be defined as a situation in which people are characterized by a condition of multidimensional deprivation that encompasses multiple aspects of life and exposes population to different risks and hazards produced by natural, environmental, socioeconomic and epidemic factors. The analysis that follows presents the use of multivariate methods and models to provide an index for every dimensions of vulnerability (housing quality, social context, education, employment, urban mobility, social relations and economic conditions) and a global index for mapping social vulnerability. The analysis also succeeds in identifying significant vulnerability spatial patterns and to measure how and if vulnerability can be different in case of an observed heterogeneity in urban space.

PMID:33935346 | PMC:PMC8080097 | DOI:10.1007/s11205-021-02680-0

J Phys Ther Sci. 2021 Apr;33(4):345-350. doi: 10.1589/jpts.33.345. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

ABSTRACT

[Purpose] In Japan, the government issued a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19 in April 2020. In this study, we measured physical activity before and after the state of emergency, and assessed the factors that affected physical activity. [Participants and Methods] We included thirteen elderly people living in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, in the study. The participants wore 3-axis accelerometer on their hips to measure physical activity for a week, before (in October 2019) and after the state of emergency. According to the median rate of decrease in physical activity (23.6%), we divided the participants into two groups: one group had participants with a high rate of decrease (low physical activity) and the other had participants with a low rate of decrease (high physical activity). [Results] The following factors decreased after the state of emergency: total physical activity, amount of moderate-intensity physical activity and activities of daily living, amount of light-intensity physical activity and walking, daily activity time, and daily steps. Statistical analysis showed that engaging in housework was associated with high physical activity. [Conclusion] Elderly people who engaged in household chores had a smaller decrease in physical activity. In order to reduce the decrease in physical activity and the risk of cardiovascular events, the elderly should perform as many daily activities and hobbies as they can while paying attention to the infection control measures.

PMID:33935359 | PMC:PMC8079888 | DOI:10.1589/jpts.33.345

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2021 Apr;56(2):251-255. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1721832. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

ABSTRACT

Objective The present study aims to identify the energy required for synthetic proximal femoral fracture after removal of three implant types: cannulated screws, dynamic hip screws (DHS), and proximal femoral nail (PFN). Methods Twenty-five synthetic proximal femur bones were used: 10 were kept intact as the control group (CG), 5 were submitted to the placement and removal of 3 cannulated screws in an inverted triangle configuration (CSG), 5 were submitted to the placement and removal of a dynamic compression screw (DHSG), and 5 were submitted to the placement and removal of a proximal femur nail (PFNG). All samples were biomechanically analyzed simulating a fall on the greater trochanter using a servo-hydraulic machine to determine the energy (in Joules [J]) required for fracture. Results All samples presented basicervical fractures. The energy required for fracture was 7.1 J, 6.6 J, 6 J, and 6.7 J for the CG, CSG, DHSG and PFNG, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (considering a 95% confidence interval) in energy among the study groups ( p = 0.34). Conclusion There was no statistically significant difference in the energy required to cause a synthetic proximal femoral fracture after removing all three implant types and simulating a fall over the greater trochanter.

PMID:33935322 | PMC:PMC8075645 | DOI:10.1055/s-0040-1721832

Scientometrics. 2021 Apr 26:1-8. doi: 10.1007/s11192-021-03961-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The h-index is an indicator of the scientific impact of an academic publishing career. Its hybrid publishing/citation nature and inherent bias against younger researchers, women, people in low resourced countries, and those not prioritizing publishing arguably give it little value for most formal and informal research evaluations. Nevertheless, it is well-known by academics, used in some promotion decisions, and is prominent in bibliometric databases, such as Google Scholar. In the context of this apparent conflict, it is important to understand researchers’ attitudes towards the h-index. This article used public tweets in English to analyse how scholars discuss the h-index in public: is it mentioned, are tweets about it positive or negative, and has interest decreased since its shortcomings were exposed? The January 2021 Twitter Academic Research initiative was harnessed to download all English tweets mentioning the h-index from the 2006 start of Twitter until the end of 2020. The results showed a constantly increasing number of tweets. Whilst the most popular tweets unapologetically used the h-index as an indicator of research performance, 28.5% of tweets were critical of its simplistic nature and others joked about it (8%). The results suggest that interest in the h-index is still increasing online despite scientists willing to evaluate the h-index in public tending to be critical. Nevertheless, in limited situations it may be effective at succinctly conveying the message that a researcher has had a successful publishing career.

PMID:33935333 | PMC:PMC8072298 | DOI:10.1007/s11192-021-03961-8

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2021 May 3. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000000940. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), as a minimally invasive procedure for removal of early gastrointestinal neoplasms, is a standard approach in Asian countries. Outcomes of ESD in Western European countries significantly differ, which makes it more difficult to apply this procedure to daily-basis clinical routine. The aim of this study is to analyze the safety and efficiency of colorectal ESD based on a large series of cases performed by a single operator after finishing the learning curve period in a western referral center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 601 patients who underwent ESD procedure for colorectal neoplasm from January 2016 to December 2019 in a tertiary colorectal ESD center in Poland.

RESULTS: The overall en bloc resection was achieved in 88.02%. Complete histologic resection rate (R0) was reported at a level of 86.36%. Lesions located in the right colon were characterized by statistically lower en bloc, R0 resection, and success rate (73.95%, 71.43%, 69.75%, respectively). In 9.82% (n=59) of cases, the ESD procedure-related complications have been observed. Post-ESD bleeding occurred in 23 patients (3.83%) and perforation in 32 patients (5.32%). Twenty-seven patients were treated endoscopically (4.49%) and 5 required surgery (0.83%). Analysis of complications showed that tumors located within the right colon were characterized by the highest perforation rate at 10.92%. Within the rectum there were minimal number of perforations (2.69%), whereas the bleeding rate was 4.48%.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results represent the largest material concerning ESD of colorectal lesions in the West and show that ESD is characterized by a high rate of successful resections with a low risk of complications. Thus, confirming that it is possible to obtain results similar to Asian centers and that colorectal ESD procedures can be implemented in clinical routine in western countries. Nevertheless, ESD in the right colon is still related with high rate of complications, so qualification for the ESD procedure should be very careful and discussed with the patient and should be performed by an experienced endoscopist after the learning curve.

PMID:33935259 | DOI:10.1097/SLE.0000000000000940

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2021 Apr;56(2):230-234. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1722578. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

ABSTRACT

Objectives The present study aims to identify preoperative characteristics of the patient, of the injury, as well as of imaging, which would point towards a type IV fracture. The present study shall help the operating team to predict more accurately the type IV pattern preoperatively, leading to improved counselling of the caregivers, planning of surgery, as well as preparedness regarding open reduction, if such situation arises. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including patients that met the following criteria: 1) age < 16 years old; 2) Gartland type-III and type-IV supracondylar fractures; and 3) with complete records. Demographic data like age, gender, laterality, mode of injury, hospital duration of the injury, history of previous attempts of closed reduction, open/closed fracture, distal neurovascular status, and radiographic data like angulation, translation, osseous apposition and fracture comminution were collected. Results Hospital duration of the injury and previous attempts of closed reduction were the factors that had a statistically significant difference among types III and IV fractures ( p < 0.05). A diagnosis of type IV supracondylar fractures was significantly more likely in the presence of valgus angulation of the distal fragment ≥ 17° (odds ratio [OR] = 20.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.45-118.65). Flexion angulation ≥ 10° (OR = 5.32; 95% CI = 0.24-119.88) of the distal fragment predicted Gartland type IV with a sensitivity of 41% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusion The preoperative evaluation of suspected Gartland IV fractures can help the operating surgeon in predicting such injuries. Nonradiographic factors like increased hospital duration of the injury, attempts at previously closed reduction, and radiographic parameters like valgus and flexion angulation were more likely to be associated with type IV fractures. Level of evidence III.

PMID:33935319 | PMC:PMC8075635 | DOI:10.1055/s-0040-1722578