Acute effects of different foam rolling volumes in the interset rest period on maximum repetition performance

Background: Foam rolling (FR) is a ubiquitous intervention utilised for the purpose of acutely increasing the range of motion without subsequent decreases in performance. Thus, it is commonly used during the periworkout period—that is, prior to, during, or after an athlete's workout. Objective: This study investigated how different FR durations applied to the quadriceps during the interset rest periods affects the numbers of repetitions in the knee extension exercise. Methods: Twenty-five females completed four sets of knee extensions with 10 repetitions of maximum load to concentric failure on four occasions. Between each set, a 4-minute rest interval was implemented in which participants either passively rested or performed FR for different durations (60 seconds, 90 seconds, and 120 seconds). The 95% confidence intervals revealed a dose-dependent relationship in which longer durations of FR resulted in fewer completed repetitions. Results: On average, the number of repetitions with PR was 13.8% greater than that in FR120, 8.6% greater than that in FR90, and 9.1% greater than that in FR60. Conclusion: For the purposes of performance and likely adaptation, interset FR seems to be detrimental to a person's ability to continually produce force, and should not be applied to the agonist muscle group between sets of knee extensions

Glutaraldehyde-Modified Recombinant Fel d 1: A Hypoallergen With Negligible Biological Activity but Retained Immunogenicity

Background Recombinant allergens are under investigation for replacing allergen extracts in immunotherapy. Site-directed mutagenesis has been suggested as a strategy to develop hypoallergenic molecules that will reduce the risk of side effects. For decades, chemically modified allergen extracts have been used for the same reason.Aim To evaluate whether glutaraldehyde modification is a good strategy to produce hypoallergenic recombinant allergens with retained immunogenicity.Methods Fel d 1 was cloned as a single construct linking both chains of the molecule and expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. After physicochemical purification, recombinant (r) Fel d 1 was chemically modified using glutaraldehyde. The effect of modification on immune reactivity was evaluated using radioallergosorbent test, CAP inhibition, competitive radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, basophil histamine release, and T-cell proliferation assays. Both natural and recombinant unmodified Fel d 1 were used as controls.Results rFel d 1 demonstrated similar IgE binding and biologic activity as its natural counterpart. Upon modification, IgE-binding potency decreased >1000-fold, translating into a >106-fold reduction in biologic activity assessed by basophil histamine release. In contrast, the modified recombinant did not show a decreased but even a moderately increased capacity (1.5-fold) to stimulate proliferation of T cells (P < 0.01). Finally, it induced specific IgG antibodies in rabbits that recognized the unmodified allergen.Conclusions Chemical modification is a practical and highly effective approach for achieving hypoallergenicity of recombinant allergens with retained immunogenicity. Keywords: allergoid, Felis domesticus, hypoallergen, immunotherapy, rFel d

Middle-Range Theory of Occupational Stress in Health Professionals

Introduction Occupational stress affects health professionals; however, no literature was found on the middle-range theory for this outcome in health professionals. Methods Methodological study for the theoretical validation of a nursing diagnosis using the theoretical framework of Walker and Avant and the Betty Neuman systems models. The research was conducted in five stages: comprehension of the system model; selection and review of studies; development of the conceptual–theoretical–empirical structure; elaboration of a diagram and proposition of a nursing diagnosis; and evaluation of the empirical adequacy of the theory and validity of the system model. These steps were conducted using a scoping review and a sample of 138 articles selected in the Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. A data extraction instrument was developed, and study variables (attributes, antecedents, and clinical consequences) were analyzed using descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequencies) and presented in tables. Results The middle-range theory comprised 16 concepts, 20 propositions, and one diagram. A total of 15 related factors, 29 defining characteristics, six at-risk populations, and one associated condition were indicated to propose the nursing diagnosis for occupational stress. Conclusion The middle-range theory supported elaborating elements to propose a nursing diagnosis for occupational stress

Impact of Sesamoid Coverage on Clinical Foot Function Following Fourth-Generation Percutaneous Hallux Valgus Surgery

Background: The impact of pronation and sesamoid coverage on clinical outcomes following percutaneous hallux valgus surgery are not currently known. The aim of this study was to investigate if sesamoid coverage was associated with worse clinical outcomes at 12-month follow-up following percutaneous hallux valgus surgery. Methods: Retrospective comparative observational study of clinical and radiographic outcomes based on a previously published prospective dataset. Patients were stratified into 3 cohorts based on the degree of sesamoid coverage (normal, mild, or moderate) on 12-month weightbearing radiographs following fourth-generation percutaneous hallux valgus surgery. Primary outcome was a validated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM), the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ). Secondary outcomes included Euroqol-5D, VAS Pain, and radiographic deformity correction. Results: Forty-seven feet underwent primary fourth-generation HV surgery and were stratified into 3 cohorts. There were 19, 16, and 12 feet in the normal, mild, and moderate cohorts respectively. There was no significant difference in either pre- or postoperative foot function (all MOXFQ domains, P  > .05) or health-related quality of life (EQ-5D Index or VAS, P  > .05). The MOXFQ Index preoperatively was as follows: normal cohort, 56.1 ± 26.9; mild cohort, 54.1 ± 17.9; and severe cohort, 49.6 ± 23.8; and postoperatively was as follows: normal cohort, 15.6 ± 21.5; mild cohort, 11.4 ± 15.5; and severe cohort, 11.4 ± 13.6 ( P  = .737-.908). There was significantly worse hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) between the cohorts ( P  < .01). Although HVA and IMA were corrected to normal parameters following surgery in all cohorts, there was a significantly worse postoperative HVA in the moderate sesamoid coverage (5.3 ± 3.9 vs 7.9 ± 5.3 vs 11.4 ± 3.7, P  < .01); however, IMA was not significantly different (3.4 ± 2.2 vs 4.1 ± 2.7 vs 5.2 ± 2.9, P  = .168). Conclusion: This study found that cases where the sesamoids were not reduced had a poorer correction and had worse preoperative deformity. Clinical outcomes and foot function following fourth-generation percutaneous hallux valgus surgery were not affected by sesamoid coverage at the 12-month follow-up. The long-term implications in the difference in radiographic deformity between the 3 cohorts are not known, and further work should explore the relationship of first ray pronation and sesamoid position, particularly with regard to recurrence. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study of prospectively collected data

Optimization of an Arterialized Venous Fasciocutaneous Flap in the Abdomen of the Rat

Background:. Although numerous experimental models of arterialized venous flaps (AVFs) have been proposed, no single model has gained widespread acceptance. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the survival area of AVFs produced with different vascular constructs in the abdomen of the rat. Methods:. Fifty-three male rats were divided into 4 groups. In group I (n = 12), a 5-cm-long and 3-cm-wide conventional epigastric flap was raised on the left side of the abdomen. This flap was pedicled on the superficial caudal epigastric vessels caudally and on the lateral thoracic vein cranially. In groups II, III, and IV, a similar flap was raised, but the superficial epigastric artery was ligated. In these groups, AVFs were created using the following arterial venous anastomosis at the caudal end of the flap: group II (n = 13) a 1-mm-long side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the femoral artery and vein laterally to the ending of the superficial caudal epigastric vein. In group III (n = 14), in addition to the procedure described for group II, the femoral vein was ligated medially. Finally, in group IV (n = 14), the superficial caudal epigastric vein was cut from the femoral vein with a 1-mm-long ellipse of adjacent tissue, and an end-to-side arterial venous anastomosis was established between it and the femoral artery. Results:. Seven days postoperatively, the percentage of flap survival was 98.89 ± 1.69, 68.84 ± 7.36, 63.84 ± 10.38, 76.86 ± 13.67 in groups I–IV, respectively. Conclusion:. An optimized AVF can be produced using the vascular architecture described for group IV