Sex Differences in the Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusion Pressure

The measurement of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) prior to the use of blood flow restriction during exercise is recommended. Not all previous studies that have included both male and female participants have reported sex differences in AOP. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the superficial femoral artery AOP of the dominant and non-dominant legs between males and females. METHODS: Ultrasound (GE LOGIQ) was used to detect blood flow through the superficial femoral artery of both legs in a random order in 20 males and 20 females. Circumference of the upper thigh, leg volume, and skinfold thickness were measured in both legs. Blood pressure was continuously monitored using a CNAP device. An inflatable cuff was placed around the upper thigh. The cuff was inflated to 50 mmHg and then inflated continuously (10 mmHg/10 s) until arterial blood flow and pulse waves were no longer detectable by the ultrasound. The AOP was then measured in the opposite leg. The AOP data were analyzed with a mixed model analysis of variance while maintaining a family-wise p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: The AOP of the dominant leg in males (209.4 ± 29.4 mmHg) and females (212.3 ± 8.3 mmHg) were not significantly different (p=0.844). Likewise, the AOP of the non-dominant leg in males (206.8 ± 32.5 mmHg) was not significantly different (p=0.804) than the AOP in the non-dominant legs of females (203.5 ± 50.9 mmHg). When combining the data for the dominant and non-dominant legs, the average AOP for males (208.1 ± 30.6 mmHg) and females (207.9 ± 53.1 mmHg) were not significantly different (p=0.986). Thigh circumference was the only variable that significantly (p=0.027) contributed to AOP. On the average the thigh circumference in the dominant and non-dominant legs of males (59.6 ± 5.5; 59.2 ± 5.2 cm) was greater than that for females (56.0 ± 2.9; 55.6 ± 3.2 cm), respectively. There were no sex differences in thigh skinfold thickness or thigh volume between males and females in either the dominant or non-dominant legs. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in AOP of the superficial femoral artery of the dominant and non-dominant legs between males females despite males having larger legs. Factors other than limb circumference likely have a role in determining AOP

Differences in Arterial Occlusion Pressure of the Superficial Femoral Artery Between the Dominant and Non-Dominant Legs

The arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) is dependent on limb circumference. Previous research seldom reports the AOP of both limbs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the superficial femoral artery AOP measured in the dominant and non-dominant legs. METHODS: Ultrasound (GE LOGIQ) was used to detect blood flow through the superficial femoral artery of both legs in a random order in 20 males and 20 females. Circumference of the upper thigh, leg volume, and skinfold thickness were measured in both legs. Blood pressure was continuously monitored using a CNAP device. An inflatable cuff was placed around the upper thigh. The cuff was inflated to 50 mmHg and then inflated continuously (10 mmHg/10 s) until arterial blood flow and pulse waves were no longer detectable by the ultrasound. The AOP was then measured in the opposite leg. The AOP data were analyzed with a mixed model analysis of variance while maintaining a family-wise p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: In males, the AOP of the dominant (209.4 ± 29.4 mmHg) and non-dominant legs (206.8 ± 32.5 mmHg) were not significantly different (p=0.790). Likewise, in females the AOP of the dominant (212.3 ± 58.3 mmHg) and non-dominant legs (203.5 ± 50.9 mmHg) were not significantly different (p=0.386). When combining the data for males and females, the AOP of the dominant (210.9 ± 45.6 mmHg) and non-dominant legs (205.2 ± 40.7 mmHg) were not significantly different (p=0.412). Thigh circumference was the only variable that significantly (p=0.027) contributed to AOP. In both males and females, there were no differences in thigh skinfold thickness, circumference, and volume between the dominant and non-dominant legs. The dominant leg was larger in 24 (60%) of the subjects; the larger leg had a higher AOP in 19 (47.5%) of the subjects; and the dominant leg had a higher AOP in 26 (65%) of the subjects. Although the AOP between the dominant and nondominant legs was not statistically significant, the largest difference in AOP between the two legs was 124 mmHg. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in AOP of the superficial femoral artery between the dominant and non-dominant legs in either males or females. Because of the potentially larger differences in the AOP between the two legs, we recommend measuring the AOP in both limbs when using blood flow restriction during exercise

Reliability of Arterial Occlusion Pressure Measurements Using Two Different Cuff Inflation Protocols

Although previous studies have used two different cuff inflation protocols to measure AOP, no studies have reported the reliability of AOP measurements using both protocols. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of two measurements of AOP in the superficial femoral artery using two different cuff inflation protocols. METHODS: Ultrasound (GE LOGIQ) was used to detect blood flow through the superficial femoral artery of both legs in 20 males and 20 females. The AOP of the artery was measured twice in each leg. The artery was occluded using a continuous (CONT) cuff inflation protocol in one leg and an increment (INCR) cuff inflation protocol in the opposite leg. The CONT protocol involved inflating the cuff to 50 mmHg then continuously inflating the cuff at a rate of 10 mmHg/10 s until blood flow could no longer be detected using the ultrasound. The INCR protocol involved initially inflating the cuff to 50 mmHg for 30 s, and then deflating the cuff for 10 s. The cuff was then inflated incrementally with each subsequent inflation increasing by 30 mmHg for 30 s followed by deflating the cuff for 10 s. Once blood flow was occluded, cuff pressure was decreased in increments of 10 mmHg until there was evidence of blood flow. The cuff was then gradually inflated until blood flow was no longer detected. The pressure at which blood flow could no longer be detected was recorded as the AOP. The data were analyzed with a mixed model analysis of variance while maintaining a family-wise p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: The difference in the two measurements of AOP using the CONT and INCR cuff inflation protocols in males (0.9 ± 5.4 and 0.5 ± 5.1 mmHg) and females (1.9 ± 11.4 and 2.3 ± 12.2 mmHg), or when combining the data from males and females (0.4 ± 8.9 and 0.9 ± 9.3 mmHg), respectively, were not statistically significant. The correlations between the two measurements of AOP using the CONT and INCR cuff inflation protocols all exceeded 0.99. CONCLUSION: Measurements of AOP using a continuous or increment cuff inflation protocol are highly reliable. Either cuff inflation protocol can be used when making multiple measurements of AOP

Differences in Arterial Occlusion Pressure Using Two Different Cuff Inflation Protocols

The occlusion pressure used during blood flow restriction during exercise is based on the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP). Although previous studies have measured AOP using two different cuff inflation protocols, no studies have compared the AOP measured using both protocols. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the superficial femoral artery AOP when measured using two different cuff inflation protocols. METHODS: Ultrasound (GE LOGIQ) was used to detect blood flow through the superficial femoral artery of both legs in 20 males and 20 females. An inflatable cuff was placed on the upper thigh. The superficial femoral artery was occluded using two different cuff inflation protocols in a random order in both legs. The continuous (CONT) protocol involved inflating the cuff to 50 mmHg then continuously inflating the cuff at a rate of 10 mmHg/10 s until blood flow could no longer be detected using the ultrasound. The incremental (INCR) protocol involved inflating the cuff to 50 mmHg for 30 s, and then deflating the cuff for 10 s. The cuff was then inflated incrementally with each subsequent inflation increasing by 30 mmHg for 30 s followed by deflating the cuff for 10 s. Once blood flow was occluded, cuff pressure was decreased in increments of 10 mmHg until there was evidence of blood flow. The cuff was then gradually inflated until blood flow was no longer detected. RESULTS: In males, the AOP measured in the dominant (209.4 ± 29.4; 208.2 ± 27.1) and non-dominant (206.8 ± 32.5; 206.2 ± 32.7) legs using the CONT and INCR cuff inflation protocols, respectively, were not significantly different (p\u3e0.05). Likewise, in females the AOP measured in the dominant (212.3 ± 58.3; 213.7 ± 53.9) and non-dominant (203.5 ± 50.9; 207.0 ± 50.2) legs using the CONT and INCR protocol, respectively, were not significantly different (p\u3e0.05). When combining male and female data, there were no significant differences in the AOP between the CONT and INCR cuff inflation protocols in either leg or when combining legs. CONCLUSION: Using a continuous or incremental protocol for occluding the superficial femoral artery resulted in similar AOP values. Either protocol can be used in future research as well as in settings where AOP is determined prior to the use of blood flow restriction during exercise

Differences in Arterial Occlusion Pressure as Measured using Ultrasound and a Hand-Held Doppler Device

In the research lab and clinical settings, expensive ultrasound machines are used to measure arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) prior to the use of blood flow restriction during exercise. Alternatively, inexpensive hand-held Doppler ultrasound devices may be used to measure AOP in various applications and settings. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the superficial femoral artery AOP as measured using ultrasound and a hand-held Doppler device. METHODS: Participants included 20 males and 20 females. An inflatable cuff was placed on the upper thigh. The superficial femoral artery was occluded by inflating the cuff to 50 mmHg then continuously inflating the cuff at a rate of 10 mmHg/10 s. A GE LOGIQ ultrasound was used to detect blood flow in the superficial femoral artery just below the cuff. A hand-held Doppler device was used simultaneously to detect blood flow (pulse waves) at the anterior medial malleolar artery of the ankle. The pressure at which blood flow could no longer be detected using the ultrasound and the hand-held Doppler were recorded as the AOP. The measurement of AOP using both devices simultaneously was performed on both legs in a random order. The data were analyzed with a mixed model analysis of variance while maintaining a family-wise p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: On the average, the AOP measured using the hand-held Doppler device was significantly (pCONCLUSION:Although the differences in the AOP measured using the Ultrasound and the hand-held Doppler in both legs in males and females was statistically significant, for all practical purposes, the small differences were of not practical importance. In settings in which blood flow restriction during exercise is employed, a hand-held Doppler device is a viable alternative to using expensive ultrasound machines to measure AOP

Measuring Brachial Artery Occlusion Pressure Using a Hand-held Doppler and Pulse Oximeter

The measurement of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) is recommended for the safe and effective use of blood flow restriction (BFR) during training. PURPOSE: This study compared measurements of brachial artery AOP using Doppler ultrasound (US), a hand-held Doppler (HHDOP) and a pulse oximeter (PO). METHODS: The AOP of the brachial artery was measured simultaneously using US, HHDOP, and a PO in the dominant arm of males (n=36) and females (n=49). The blood flow restriction cuff was inflated using a continuous cuff inflation protocol. RESULTS: A mixed model ANOVA revealed small but significant (p \u3c 0.05) overall main effects (combined males and females) between AOP measured using US (119.8 ± 13.2 mmHg), HHDOP (119.1 ± 13.1 mmHg) and PO (118.0 ±13.2 mmHg), and between males (125.3 ± 13.1 mmHg) and females (114.3 ± 11.1 mmHg). The differences in AOP between males and females was consistent across all three methods of measuring AOP (US, HHDP, PO) and may be attributed to sex differences in limb circumference and systolic blood pressure. The small overall difference between US and HHDOP (0.74 ± 2.7 mmHg) was not significant but the difference between US and PO (1.81 ± 3.3 mmHg) measures of AOP was significant (

Use of a handheld Doppler to measure brachial and femoral artery occlusion pressure

Objective: Measurement of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) is essential to the safe and effective use of blood flow restriction during exercise. Use of a Doppler ultrasound (US) is the “gold standard” method to measure AOP. Validation of a handheld Doppler (HHDOP) device to measure AOP could make the measurement of AOP more accessible to practitioners in the field. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of AOP measurements of the brachial and femoral arteries using an HHDOP.Methods: We simultaneously measured AOP using a “gold standard” US and a HHDOP in the dominant and non-dominant arms (15 males; 15 females) and legs (15 males; 15 females).Results: There were no differences in limb circumference or limb volume in the dominant and non-dominant arms and legs between males and females or between the dominant and non-dominant arms and legs of males and females. The differences between US and HHDOP measures of AOP in the dominant and non-dominant arms and legs were either not significant or small (<10 mmHg) and of little practical importance. There were no sex differences in AOP measurements of the femoral artery (p > 0.60). Bland–Altman analysis yielded an average bias (−0.65 mmHg; −2.93 mmHg) and reasonable limits of agreement (±5.56 mmHg; ±5.58 mmHg) between US and HHDOP measures of brachial and femoral artery AOP, respectively.Conclusion: HHDOP yielded acceptable measures of AOP of the brachial and femoral arteries and can be used to measure AOP by practitioners for the safe and effective use of blood flow restriction. Due to the potential differences in AOP between dominant and non-dominant limbs, AOP should be measured in each limb

Characterization of Cronobacter sakazakii Strains Originating from Plant-Origin Foods Using Comparative Genomic Analyses and Zebrafish Infectivity Studies

Cronobacter sakazakii continues to be isolated from ready-to-eat fresh and frozen produce, flours, dairy powders, cereals, nuts, and spices, in addition to the conventional sources of powdered infant formulae (PIF) and PIF production environments. To understand the sequence diversity, phylogenetic relationship, and virulence of C. sakazakii originating from plant-origin foods, comparative molecular and genomic analyses, and zebrafish infection (ZI) studies were applied to 88 strains. Whole genome sequences of the strains were generated for detailed bioinformatic analysis. PCR analysis showed that all strains possessed a pESA3-like virulence plasmid similar to reference C. sakazakii clinical strain BAA-894. Core genome analysis confirmed a shared genomic backbone with other C. sakazakii strains from food, clinical and environmental strains. Emerging nucleotide diversity in these plant-origin strains was highlighted using single nucleotide polymorphic alleles in 2000 core genes. DNA hybridization analyses using a pan-genomic microarray showed that these strains clustered according to sequence types (STs) identified by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). PHASTER analysis identified 185 intact prophage gene clusters encompassing 22 different prophages, including three intact Cronobacter prophages: ENT47670, ENT39118, and phiES15. AMRFinderPlus analysis identified the CSA family class C β-lactamase gene in all strains and a plasmid-borne mcr-9.1 gene was identified in three strains. ZI studies showed that some plant-origin C. sakazakii display virulence comparable to clinical strains. Finding virulent plant-origin C. sakazakii possessing significant genomic features of clinically relevant STs suggests that these foods can serve as potential transmission vehicles and supports widening the scope of continued surveillance for this important foodborne pathogen

Brangus cows have ovarian reserve parameters more like Brahman than Angus cows

Bos indicus females have more surface antral follicles than Bos taurus females; however, histological studies demonstrated no difference in total number of primordial follicles between these two biological types of cattle. Primordial follicle density in the ovary was less in Nelore ovaries compared to Angus ovaries, but no studies have examined the primordial follicle density in Bos indicus cross-bred females. It, therefore, was hypothesized that primordial follicle density in the ovary would decrease as percentage Bos indicus increased. Ovaries were collected from cross-bred Angus (n=32, no Bos indicus influence), Brangus (n=15), or Brahman (n=9) cows and prepared for histological evaluation. There was no difference in total number of primordial follicles per ovary between breeds (P \u3e 0.10). When numbers of primordial follicles were expressed on a per gram of ovarian tissue basis, there were fewer primordial follicles per gram of ovarian tissue in Brangus and Brahman cows than in Angus cows (P \u3c 0.05). Brangus cows did not differ from Brahman cows in primordial follicle density (P \u3e 0.10). Differences in primordial follicle density could indicate differences in capacity of ovarian stroma to produce factors necessary for oogonial proliferation and primordial follicle formation among breeds. Identifying these factors could improve the aprroach for culturing pre-antral follicles of cattle. Furthermore, these results explain why ultrasonographic antral follicle counts may need to be adjusted to a greater threshold to predict size of the ovarian reserve and determine ovarian reserve related reproductive traits in Bos indicus females

Comparative Genomic Characterization of the Highly Persistent and Potentially Virulent Cronobacter sakazakii ST83, CC65 Strain H322 and Other ST83 Strains

Cronobacter (C.) sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen and has been associated with serious infections with high mortality rates predominantly in pre-term, low-birth weight and/or immune compromised neonates and infants. Infections have been epidemiologically linked to consumption of intrinsically and extrinsically contaminated lots of reconstituted powdered infant formula (PIF), thus contamination of such products is a challenging task for the PIF producing industry. We present the draft genome of C. sakazakii H322, a highly persistent sequence type (ST) 83, clonal complex (CC) 65, serotype O:7 strain obtained from a batch of non-released contaminated PIF product. The presence of this strain in the production environment was traced back more than 4 years. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of this strain together with four more ST83 strains (PIF production environment-associated) confirmed a high degree of sequence homology among four of the five strains. Phylogenetic analysis using microarray (MA) and WGS data showed that the ST83 strains were highly phylogenetically related and MA showed that between 5 and 38 genes differed from one another in these strains. All strains possessed the pESA3-like virulence plasmid and one strain possessed a pESA2-like plasmid. In addition, a pCS1-like plasmid was also found. In order to assess the potential in vivo pathogenicity of the ST83 strains, each strain was subjected to infection studies using the recently developed zebrafish embryo model. Our results showed a high (90–100%) zebrafish mortality rate for all of these strains, suggesting a high risk for infections and illness in neonates potentially exposed to PIF contaminated with ST83 C. sakazakii strains. In summary, virulent ST83, CC65, serotype CsakO:7 strains, though rarely found intrinsically in PIF, can persist within a PIF manufacturing facility for years and potentially pose significant quality assurance challenges to the PIF manufacturing industry