Sustained inflation at birth did not alter lung injury from mechanical ventilation in surfactant-treated fetal lambs.

BackgroundSustained inflations (SI) are used with the initiation of ventilation at birth to rapidly recruit functional residual capacity and may decrease lung injury and the need for mechanical ventilation in preterm infants. However, a 20 second SI in surfactant-deficient preterm lambs caused an acute phase injury response without decreasing lung injury from subsequent mechanical ventilation.HypothesisA 20 second SI at birth will decrease lung injury from mechanical ventilation in surfactant-treated preterm fetal lambs.MethodsThe head and chest of fetal sheep at 126±1 day GA were exteriorized, with tracheostomy and removal of fetal lung fluid prior to treatment with surfactant (300 mg in 15 ml saline). Fetal lambs were randomized to one of four 15 minute interventions: 1) PEEP 8 cmH2O; 2) 20 sec SI at 40 cmH2O, then PEEP 8 cmH2O; 3) mechanical ventilation with 7 ml/kg tidal volume; or 4) 20 sec SI then mechanical ventilation at 7 ml/kg. Fetal lambs remained on placental support for the intervention and for 30 min after the intervention.ResultsSI recruited a mean volume of 6.8±0.8 mL/kg. SI did not alter respiratory physiology during mechanical ventilation. Heat shock protein (HSP) 70, HSP60, and total protein in lung fluid similarly increased in both ventilation groups. Modest pro-inflammatory cytokine and acute phase responses, with or without SI, were similar with ventilation. SI alone did not increase markers of injury.ConclusionIn surfactant treated fetal lambs, a 20 sec SI did not alter ventilation physiology or markers of lung injury from mechanical ventilation

Does a SLAP lesion affect shoulder muscle recruitment as measured by EMG activity during a rugby tackle?

Background: The study objective was to assess the influence of a SLAP lesion on onset of EMG activity in shoulder muscles during a front on rugby football tackle within professional rugby players. Methods: Mixed cross-sectional study evaluating between and within group differences in EMG onset times. Testing was carried out within the physiotherapy department of a university sports medicine clinic. The test group consisted of 7 players with clinically diagnosed SLAP lesions, later verified on arthroscopy. The reference group consisted of 15 uninjured and full time professional rugby players from within the same playing squad. Controlled tackles were performed against a tackle dummy. Onset of EMG activity was assessed from surface EMG of Pectorialis Major, Biceps Brachii, Latissimus Dorsi, Serratus Anterior and Infraspinatus muscles relative to time of impact. Analysis of differences in activation timing between muscles and limbs (injured versus non-injured side and non injured side versus matched reference group). Results: Serratus Anterior was activated prior to all other muscles in all (P = 0.001-0.03) subjects. In the SLAP injured shoulder Biceps was activated later than in the non-injured side. Onset times of all muscles of the noninjured shoulder in the injured player were consistently earlier compared with the reference group. Whereas, within the injured shoulder, all muscle activation timings were later than in the reference group. Conclusions: This study shows that in shoulders with a SLAP lesion there is a trend towards delay in activation time of Biceps and other muscles with the exception of an associated earlier onset of activation of Serratus anterior, possibly due to a coping strategy to protect glenohumeral stability and thoraco-scapular stability. This trend was not statistically significant in all cases

A multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial protocol to assess Traumeel injection vs dexamethasone injection in rotator cuff syndrome : the TRAumeel in ROtator cuff syndrome (TRARO) study protocol

Background: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom with a wide range of potential causes; however, the majority of conditions can be managed with conservative treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Traumeel injections versus corticosteroid injections and placebo in the treatment of rotator cuff syndrome and bursitis and expand the current evidence base for the conservative treatment of rotator cuff syndrome. Methods/Design: This is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, 16-week, three-arm, parallel-group, active-and placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Traumeel 2 ml injection versus dexamethasone 8 mg injection versus placebo (saline solution). Patients will be randomly allocated to Traumeel, dexamethasone or placebo in a 2: 2: 1 randomization. After 1 week screening, patients will receive 3 injections at weekly intervals (days 1, 8 and 15) with additional follow-up assessments on day 22, a telephone consultation in week 9 and a final visit at week 15. Male and female patients aged 40 to 65 years, inclusive, will be recruited if they have acute episodes of chronic rotator cuff syndrome and/or bursitis. Patients with calcifications in the shoulder joint or a complete rotator cuff tear will be excluded. At least 160 patients will be recruited. All subacromial injections will be performed under ultrasound guidance utilizing a common technique. The only rescue medication permitted will be paracetamol (acetaminophen), with usage recorded. The primary endpoint is change from baseline in abduction-rotation pain visual analog scale (0-100 mm scale, 0 corresponds to no pain and 100 to extreme pain) at day 22 (Traumeel injections versus dexamethasone injections) for active external rotation. Secondary efficacy parameters include range of motion, disability of arm, shoulder, hand score and patient's/investigator's global assessment. Clinical efficacy will be assessed as non-inferiority of Traumeel with respect to dexamethasone regarding the primary efficacy parameter. Discussion: It is hoped that the results of this trial will expand the treatment options and evidence base available for the management of rotator cuff disease

Low Shrinkage Bleaching of Unbleached Neutral Sulphite Semichemical Pulp

The main objective of this research project was the investigation of the most feasible method for the bleaching of a soft-cooked unbleached neutral sulphite semichemical aspen pulp cooked to a 70 percent yield. Furthermore, treatment of unbleached, laboratory bleached and commercially bleached neutral sulphite semichemical pulp with a new chemical, sodium borohydride, was also carried out. The results of our experimental work showed that, the best bleaching procedure was when 15 percent chlorine as hypochlorite was used in the first stage, followed by a hydrochloric acid soaking stage with a final treatment of 2.6 percent hydrogen peroxide. With the above procedure brightness values over 80 percent were obtained with the yields in the 90 percent range based on the weight of the pulp. Sodium borohydride treatment of the three pulps showed that, with regards to ultra-violet light and heat stability the chemical, sodium borohydride, had no effect on the unbleached and the bleached lignin-containing pulps. Treatment of the commercially bleached, lignin-free, pulp however showed that the chemical had a marked effect in improving the heat and light stability of the pulp. It was noted that with all three types of pulp the chemical sodium borohydride did procedure a bleaching effect

The Effect of Tommy John (UCL) Reconstructive Surgery on a Pitcher’s Arm and Career Progression

Injuries have plagued professional athletes since their sports have been in existence. The examination of how teams can diminish the side effects of the injuries en route to a speedy recovery remains an evolving process and a topic of concern for all. Injury preventative tactics have been implemented by coaching staffs and various training personnel. Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers are noticing an increase in the number of surgeries performed each year. The tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow has become a predominant injury among pitchers in the MLB. Reconstructive surgery, also known as Tommy John surgery, has been a necessity for any pitcher wishing to return to the mound. The goal of this research is to examine performance of players who elect to undergo Tommy John surgery. The development of a predictive model can only go so-far to include factual statistical data to determine the stress of pitchers’ arms. However, the byproducts of teams acquiring this knowledge has a large impact on their decision making abilities. The research includes analytical techniques to predict future outcomes of MLB pitchers as well as an avenue to provide statistical evidence of the before and after effects on their arms

In depth review of the 1979 AIAA Lighter-Than-Air Systems Technology Conference

The lighter than air (LTA) systems technology conference is reviewed. Highlights of the conference were: (1) the interest shown in patrol and surveillance airships, particularly for coastal patrol missions; (2) the session devoted to overviews of foreign activity; and (3) heavy lift and long range transport aircraft design considerations

Evaluation of the Fourth Millennium Development Goal Realisation Using Robust and Nonparametric Tools Offered by Data Depth Concept

We briefly communicate results of a nonparametric and robust evaluation of effects of \emph{the Fourth Millennium Development Goal of United Nations}. Main aim of the goal was reducing by two thirds, between 1990--2015, the under five months child mortality. Our novel analysis was conducted by means of very powerful and user friendly tools offered by the \emph{Data Depth Concept} being a collection of multivariate techniques basing on multivariate generalizations of quantiles, ranges and order statistics. Results of our analysis are more convincing than results obtained using classical statistical tools.Comment: The paper is basing on a poster submitted to IASC 2014 Data Competition - the poster was the runner-up (the second place

Rehabilitation of shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff injuries: an evidence-based review

Rehabilitation of the patient with glenohumeral impingement requires a complete understanding of the structures involved and the underlying mechanism creating the impingement response. A detailed clinical examination and comprehensive treatment programme including specific interventions to address pain, scapular dysfunction and rotator cuff weakness are recommended. The inclusion of objective testing to quantify range of motion and both muscular strength and balance in addition to the manual orthopaedic clinical tests allows clinicians to design evidence-based rehabilitation programmes as well as measure progression and patient improvement

Prospective associations between loneliness and emotional intelligence

Loneliness has been linked cross-sectionally to emotional skill deficits (e.g., Zysberg, 2012), but missing from the literature is a longitudinal examination of these relationships. The present study fills that gap by examining the prospective relationships between loneliness and emotional functioning in young adolescents in England. One hundred and ninety-six adolescents aged 11-13 years (90 females) took part in the study and completed the youth version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT-YV) and the peer-related subscale of the Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents (LACA) at two time points, which were 10 months apart. Prospective associations were obtained for male and female adolescents separately using cross-lagged statistical techniques. Our results showed prospective links between understanding and managing emotions and loneliness for both females and males. Perceiving and using emotions were prospectively linked to loneliness in males only. Possible explanations and directions for future research are discussed