Improving evaluation of the distribution and density of immunostained cells in breast cancer using computerized video image analysis

Quantitation of cell density in tissues has proven problematic over the years. The manual microscopic methodology, where an investigator visually samples multiple areas within slides of tissue sections, has long remained the basic ‘standard’ for many studies and for routine histopathologic reporting. Nevertheless, novel techniques that may provide a more standardized approach to quantitation of cells in tissue sections have been made possible by computerized video image analysis methods over recent years. The present study describes a novel, computer-assisted video image analysis method of quantitating immunostained cells within tissue sections, providing continuous graphical data. This technique enables the measurement of both distribution and density of cells within tissue sections. Specifically, the study considered immunoperoxidase-stained tumor infiltrating lymphocytes within breast tumor specimens, using the number of immunostained pixels within tissue sections to determine cellular density and number. Comparison was made between standard manual graded quantitation methods and video image analysis, using the same tissue sections. The study demonstrates that video image techniques and computer analysis can provide continuous data on cell density and number in immunostained tissue sections, which compares favorably with standard visual quantitation methods, and may offer an alternative

Test–re-test reliability and inter-rater reliability of a digital pelvic inclinometer in young, healthy males and females

Objective.The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of a digital pelvic inclinometer (DPI) for measuring sagittal plane pelvic tilt in 18 young, healthy males and females.Method.The inter-rater reliability and test–re-test reliabilities of the DPI for measuring pelvic tilt in standing on both the right and left sides of the pelvis were measured by two raters carrying out two rating sessions of the same subjects, three weeks apart.Results.For measuring pelvic tilt, inter-rater reliability was designated as good on both sides (ICC = 0.81–0.88), test–re-test reliability within a single rating session was designated as good on both sides (ICC = 0.88–0.95), and test–re-test reliability between two rating sessions was designated as moderate on the left side (ICC = 0.65) and good on the right side (ICC = 0.85).Conclusion.Inter-rater reliability and test–re-test reliability within a single rating session of the DPI in measuring pelvic tilt were both good, while test–re-test reliability between rating sessions was moderate-to-good. Caution is required regarding the interpretation of the test–re-test reliability within a single rating session, as the raters were not blinded. Further research is required to establish validity

Knee Menisci: A Review of Function, Presentation and Assessment Tool

The article provides an overview of knee meniscal Injuries. It will review elements relating the structure and function of the medial and lateral meniscai, the common mechanisms of injury, and the presentation of signs and symptoms following injury. The article also provides descriptions of the current assessment tests and procedures commonly used by practitioners in confirming diagnosis of this injury. Finally, the article review the research literature that evaluates the accuracy, specificity, sensitivity and predictive values of each test

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of foam rolling on range of motion, recovery and markers of athletic performance

Objective To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis assessing the effects of foam rolling on range of motion, laboratory- and field-based athletic measures, and on recovery. Data sources MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus and Science Direct were searched (2005–June 2018). Study selection Experimental and observational studies were included if they examined the effects of foam rolling on measures of athletic performance in field or laboratory settings. Data extraction Two investigators independently assessed methodologic quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale. Study characteristics including participant age, sex and physical activity status, foam rolling protocol and pre- and post-intervention mean outcome measures were extracted. Data synthesis A total of 32 studies (mean PEDro = 5.56) were included in the qualitative analysis, which was themed by range of motion, laboratory-based measures, field-based measures and recovery. Thirteen range of motion studies providing 18 datasets were included in the meta-analysis. A large effect (d = 0.76, 95% CI 0.55–0.98) was observed, with foam rolling increasing range of motion in all studies in the analysis. Conclusions Foam rolling increases range of motion, appears to be useful for recovery from exercise induced muscle damage, and there appear to be no detrimental effect of foam rolling on other athletic performance measures. However, except range of motion, it cannot be concluded that foam rolling is directly beneficial to athletic performance. Foam rolling does not appear to cause harm and seems to elicit equivalent effects in males and females

26th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2017): Part 3 - Meeting Abstracts - Antwerp, Belgium. 15–20 July 2017

This work was produced as part of the activities of FAPESP Research,\ud Disseminations and Innovation Center for Neuromathematics (grant\ud 2013/07699-0, S. Paulo Research Foundation). NLK is supported by a\ud FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship (grant 2016/03855-5). ACR is partially\ud supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

B03 An investigation into the effects of cryo-compression versus TECAR therapy on symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results from unaccustomed exercise in which the observed effects are reported to last up to 96h (Peake et al., 2017, J Appl Physiol, 122). The use of both cryotherapy and thermal interventions have been explored for reducing the symptoms of EIMD however their effectiveness has been debated with conflicting views on the efficacy of both interventions. This study aimed to directly contrast the effectiveness of cryotherapy and thermal applications on symptoms of EIMD. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Northampton Sport and Exercise Ethics Committee. Twenty-eight (N=28, 10 female) moderately active participants (120-180 min a week; age 19.9 ±1.38 years, stature 174.8 ± 8.9 cm, mass 73.8 ± 15.5 kg) participated in an independent-subject design trial. At 0 h participants performed baseline tests (VAS, MVIC, CMJ and MTC) and then a fatigue protocol (20 × 5 box drop-jumps at 60 cm). Measures of EIMD were assessed over 96 h before random allocation to 15-min of TECAR (0 h= 10%, 24 h= 20%, 48 h= 30%, 72 h= 40%), Game-Ready (1˚C with an average pressure of 50 mmhg over 180 s) or control groups (seated rest). A two-way mixed model ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc pairwise comparison analyses were conducted. A Friedmans ANOVA was conducted for combined VAS data with a post-hoc Wilcoxon test. Within-group analysis revealed significant differences in MVIC (P = 0.001, n2 = 0.573) with interaction effect by condition (P = 0.021, n2 = 0.161). Pairwise comparisons revealed effects following TECAR at 0-24 h, P=0.009 (−10.2%), 0-48 h, P=0.033 (−9.5%), Game-Ready at 0-24 h, P = 0.001 (−15.0%), 0-48 h, P = 0.001 (−16.5%), 0-72 h, P = 0.001 (−12.3%) and control at 0-24 h, P = 0.001 (−12.8%), 0-48 h, P=0.008 (-10.8%). No significant differences were found at baseline between VAS scores (P=0.154), but significant differences were found at all other time points for all conditions (P < 0.05). TECAR resulted in the least performance decrements but experienced the greatest pain, compared to the Game-Ready, which resulted in the greatest performance loss but experienced the least pain. Neither TECAR nor Game-Ready appear advantageous over each other in attenuating symptoms of EIMD