The FOOT GROUND REACTION ON THE SOCCER AND RUGBY PLAYER

Introduction The body’s motion must be interpreted a succession of elementary movements that can be studied as the combination of translational and rotational motions. The correct expression of a motion is dependent on the balance between internal and external forces. The vector and scalar characteristics of the reaction are related to the physical and mechanical characteristics of two structures coming in contact Methods and Materials The analysis is performed during the normal strike and the running of the soccer and the rugby player. We have used a dynamometric platform Kistler that provided the complete progression of the foot ground reaction which deve1opes during the stage of placing of the fool on the ground.24 soccer p layers of Italian national team and 40 soccer players with high ability and performance and 50 rugby players are examined and the tests are correlated with a control reference group of normal subjects. Results The analysis of the soccer players’ foot-ground reaction on the sagittal plane has revealed: during the normal strike an impact phase characterized by high force both maximum and medium and high velocity of progression of application's point. A support phase characterized by velocity of progression of application point lower compared to the impact phase and by the backward inclination of vectors. A propulsive phase with a presence of a peak of force lower than the first one in the contact phase and with rotational moment significantly increased compared to the normal. The trace diagram show a wider extension of internal rotation during the contact phase and movement with a predominance of an external rotation during the support phase. The analysis of the rugby players' fool-ground reaction has revealed on the sagittal plane: during the normal strike an impact phase with high force both maximum and medium and high velocity of progression of application's point. In comparison of the soccer player’s ground reaction the data show values reduced of force during the impact phase. A support phase shows backward inclination of vectors and a reduced velocity of progression compared to the impact phase. A propulsive phase demonstrate a presence of a peak of force same that the first one during the contact phase. On the horizontal plane, the trace diagram shows a normal extension of internal rotation and a significantly extension of external rotation. Conclusions: The ground reaction pattern of the professional soccer player is repetitive, typical and different by the pattern of the vectorial diagram of the rugby player

Effects of dual renin-angiotensin system blockade on proteinuria in a hypertensive black African HIV infected patient

Kidney diseases manifesting as proteinuria or elevated creatinine are increasingly prevalent complications of HIV infection. We report the effects of dual renin-angiotensin system blockade on proteinuria in a hypertensive black African HIV-infected patient

Early detection of pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis by bedside lung ultrasound: A case report and review of literature

We present a case in which lung ultrasound (LUS) was relevant to reach an early diagnosis of lung tuberculosis and to manage the patient in the right setting. Moreover, ultrasound allowed to detect and treat massive pleural effusion through an ultrasound-guided thoracentesis

-Dual nucleoside therapy for HIV infection: analysis of results and factors influencing viral response and long term efficacy.

We performed a retrospective analysis of our experience with dual nucleoside regimens to look for predictors of long term benefit. We evaluated a cohort of 68 HIV-infected patients treated at 3 Italian hospital-based facilities. The results were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Fourty-three males and 25 females were treated for 22 ± 14 months. Sixty three patients (92.6%) suffered no or low-grade side-effects. Thirty-four patients (50 %) reached a viral load 150/μl pre-treatment viremia 1,500/μl, and no previous exposure to NRTI. Total lymphocyte counts and CD4+ T-cells showed a significant correlation. Dual NRTI regimens may be still considered for patients unable to tolerate HAART regimens and presenting with favourable predictors of response

Impact of social determinants on antiretroviral therapy access and outcomes entering the era of universal treatment for people living with HIV in Italy

Background: Social determinants are known to be a driving force of health inequalities, even in high income countries. Aim of our study was to determine if these factors can limit antiretroviral therapy (ART) access, outcome and retention in care of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Italy. Methods: All ART naïve HIV+ patients (pts) of Italian nationality enrolled in the ICONA Cohort from 2002 to 2016 were included. The association of socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, risk factor for HIV infection, educational level, occupational status and residency area) with time to: ART initiation (from the first positive anti-HIV test), ART regimen discontinuation, and first HIV-RNA < 50 cp/mL, were evaluated by Cox regression analysis, Kaplan Meier method and log-rank test. Results: A total of 8023 HIV+ pts (82% males, median age at first pos anti-HIV test 36 years, IQR: 29-44) were included: 6214 (77.5%) started ART during the study period. Women, people who inject drugs (PWID) and residents in Southern Italy presented the lowest levels of education and the highest rate of unemployment compared to other groups. Females, pts aged > 50 yrs., unemployed vs employed, and people with lower educational levels presented the lowest CD4 count at ART initiation compared to other groups. The overall median time to ART initiation was 0.6 years (yrs) (IQR 0.1-3.7), with a significant decrease over time [2002-2006 = 3.3 yrs. (0.2-9.4); 2007-2011 = 1.0 yrs. (0.1-3.9); 2012-2016 = 0.2 yrs. (0.1-2.1), p < 0.001]. By multivariate analysis, females (p < 0.01) and PWID (p < 0.001), presented a longer time to ART initiation, while older people (p < 0.001), people with higher educational levels (p < 0.001), unemployed (p = 0.02) and students (p < 0.001) were more likely to initiate ART. Moreover, PWID, unemployed vs stable employed, and pts. with lower educational levels showed a lower 1-year probability of achieving HIV-RNA suppression, while females, older patients, men who have sex with men (MSM), unemployed had higher 1-year risk of first-line ART discontinuation. Conclusions: Despite median time to ART start decreased from 2002 to 2016, socio-demographic factors still contribute to disparities in ART initiation, outcome and durability

High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chocolate is rich in flavonoids that have been shown to be of benefit in disparate conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The effect of polyphenol rich chocolate in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has not been studied previously.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a double blinded, randomised, clinical pilot crossover study comparing high cocoa liquor/polyphenol rich chocolate (HCL/PR) in comparison to simulated iso-calorific chocolate (cocoa liquor free/low polyphenols(CLF/LP)) on fatigue and residual function in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome. Subjects with CFS having severe fatigue of at least 10 out of 11 on the Chalder Fatigue Scale were enrolled. Subjects had either 8 weeks of intervention in the form of HCL/PR or CLF/LP, with a 2 week wash out period followed by 8 weeks of intervention with the other chocolate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ten subjects were enrolled in the study. The Chalder Fatigue Scale score improved significantly after 8 weeks of the HCL/PR chocolate arm [median (range) Exact Sig. (2-tailed)] [33 (25 - 38) vs. 21.5 (6 - 35) 0.01], but that deteriorated significantly when subjects were given simulated iso-calorific chocolate (CLF/CP) [ 28.5 (17 - 20) vs. 34.5 (13-26) 0.03]. The residual function, as assessed by the London Handicap scale, also improved significantly after the HCL/PR arm [0.49 (0.33 - 0.62) vs. 0.64 (0.44 - 0.83) 0.01] and deteriorated after iso-calorific chocolate [00.44 (0.43 - 0.68) vs. 0.36 (0.33 - 0.62)0.03]. Likewise the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score also improved after the HCL/PR arm, but deteriorated after CLF/CP. Mean weight remained unchanged throughout the trial.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggests that HCL/PR chocolate may improve symptoms in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome.</p

Novel HBsAg mutations correlate with hepatocellular carcinoma, hamper HBsAg secretion and promote cell proliferation in vitro

An impaired HBsAg-secretion can increase HBV oncogenic-properties. Here, we investigate genetic-determinants in HBsAg correlated with HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and their impact on HBsAg-secretion and cell-proliferation

Clinical Symptoms in Fibromyalgia Are Better Associated to Lipid Peroxidation Levels in Blood Mononuclear Cells Rather than in Plasma

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.[Background] We examined lipid peroxidation (LPO) in blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) and plasma, as a marker of oxidative damage, and its association to clinical symptoms in Fibromyalgia (FM) patients. [Methods]: We conducted a case–control and correlational study comparing 65 patients and 45 healthy controls. Clinical parameters were evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), visual analogues scales (VAS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Oxidative stress was determined by measuring LPO in BMCs and plasma. [Results]: We found increased LPO levels in BMCs and plasma from FM patients as compared to normal control (P<0.001). A significant correlation between LPO in BMCs and clinical parameters was observed (r = 0.584, P<0.001 for VAS; r = 0.823, P<0.001 for FIQ total score; and r = 0.875, P<0.01 for depression in the BDI). We also found a positive correlation between LPO in plasma and clinical symptoms (r = 0.452, P<0.001 for VAS; r = 0.578, P<0.001 for FIQ total score; and r = 0.579, P<0.001 for depression in the BDI). Partial correlation analysis controlling for age and BMI, and sex, showed that both LPO in cells and plasma were independently associated to clinical symptoms. However, LPO in cells, but not LPO in plasma, was independently associated to clinical symptoms when controlling for depression (BDI scores). [Discussion]: The results of this study suggest a role for oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia and that LPO in BMCs rather than LPO in plasma is better associated to clinical symptoms in FM.This work was supported by Spanish FIS PI080500 grant, and FIS EC08/00076 grant, Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain, and Federación Andaluza de Fibromialgia y Fatiga Crónica (ALBA Andalucía). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe