Application of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) to office based workers

Background The workplace is a setting where sedentary behaviour is highly prevalent. Accurately measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour is crucial to assess the impact of behavioural change interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) and compare with data collected by accelerometers. Methods A test-retest study was undertaken on 99 participants using the OSPAQ. Data were then compared to accelerometer records of 41 participants. Reliability was assessed by paired t-test and intra-class correlations (ICC) via a two-way mixed model based on absolute agreement. Difference and agreement were measured by comparison of mean self-reported data with accelerometer data using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots. Results The ICCs for minutes spent sitting (0.66), standing (0.83) and walking (0.77) showed moderate to strong test-retest reliability. No significant differences were found between the repeated measurements taken seven days apart. Correlations with the accelerometer readings were moderate. The Bland-Altman plots showed moderate agreement for standing time and walking time but systematic variation for sedentary time. Conclusion The OSPAQ appears to have acceptable reliability and validity measurement properties for application in the office workplace setting

Surfing the spectrum - what is on the horizon?

Diagnostic imaging techniques have evolved with technological advancements - but how far? The objective of this article was to explore the electromagnetic spectrum to find imaging techniques which may deliver diagnostic information of equal, or improved, standing to conventional radiographs and to explore any developments within radiography which may yield improved diagnostic data. A comprehensive literature search was performed using Medline, Web of Knowledge, Science Direct and PubMed Databases. Boolean Operators were used and key-terms included (not exclusively): terahertz, X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infra-red, magnetic resonance, dental, diagnostic, caries and periodontal. Radiographic techniques are primarily used for diagnostic imaging in dentistry, and continued developments in X-ray imaging include: phase contrast, darkfield and spectral imaging. Other modalities have potential application, for example, terahertz, laser doppler and optical techniques, but require further development. In particular, infra-red imaging has regenerated interest with caries detection in vitro, due to improved quality and accessibility of cameras. Non-ionising imaging techniques, for example, infra-red, are becoming more commensurate with traditional radiographic techniques for caries detection. Nevertheless, X-rays continue to be the leading diagnostic image for dentists, with improved diagnostic potential for lower radiation dose becoming a reality

Acute Exercise-Induced Response of Monocyte Subtypes in Chronic Heart and Renal Failure

Purpose. Monocytes (Mon1-2-3) play a substantial role in low-grade inflammation associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The effect of an acute exercise bout on monocyte subsets in the setting of systemic inflammation is currently unknown. This study aims (1) to evaluate baseline distribution of monocyte subsets in CHF and CKD versus healthy subjects (HS) and (2) to evaluate the effect of an acute exercise bout. Exercise-induced IL-6 and MCP-1 release are related to the Mon1-2-3 response. Methods. Twenty CHF patients, 20 CKD patients, and 15 HS were included. Before and after a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test, monocyte subsets were quantified by flow cytometry: CD14++CD16−CCR2+ (Mon1), CD14++CD16+CCR2+ (Mon2), and CD14+CD16++CCR2− (Mon3). Serum levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 were determined by ELISA. Results. Baseline distribution of Mon1-2-3 was comparable between the 3 groups. Following acute exercise, %Mon2 and %Mon3 increased significantly at the expense of a decrease in %Mon1 in HS and in CKD. This response was significantly attenuated in CHF (P<0.05). In HS only, MCP-1 levels increased following exercise; IL-6 levels were unchanged. Circulatory power was a strong and independent predictor of the changes in Mon1 (β=-0.461, P<0.001) and Mon3 (β=0.449, P<0.001); and baseline LVEF of the change in Mon2 (β=0.441, P<0.001). Conclusion. The response of monocytes to acute exercise is characterized by an increase in proangiogenic and proinflammatory Mon2 and Mon3 at the expense of phagocytic Mon1. This exercise-induced monocyte subset response is mainly driven by hemodynamic changes and not by preexistent low-grade inflammation

Effect of BNT162b2 mRNA booster vaccination on VO2max in recreational athletes : a prospective cohort study

Background and AimsThe goal of the present study was to systematically evaluate the effect of a booster vaccination with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA; Pfizer-BioNTech (R)) vaccine on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), potential signs of (peri)myocarditis, and sports participation. MethodsRecreational athletes who were scheduled to undergo booster vaccination were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography, serum measurements of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP) and high-sensitivity troponin I, and a bicycle cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with serum lactate evaluation before the booster vaccine administration. Seven days postvaccination the test battery was repeated. Additionally, the subjects were asked to fill in a questionnaire on side effects and a subjective evaluation of their relative training volume and intensity as compared to the weeks before vaccination. ResultsA group of 42 analysed athletes showed a statistically significant 2.7% decrease in VO2max after vaccination (mean standard error of mean pre: 48.6 (1.4) ml/kg/min; post: 47.3 (1.4) ml/kg/min; p = 0.004). A potentially clinically relevant decrease of 8.6% or more occurred in 8 (19%) athletes. Other CPET parameters and lactate curves were comparable. We found no serological or echocardiographic evidence of (peri)myocarditis. A slight but significant increase in hsCRP was noted 1 week after vaccination. Side effects were mild and sports participation was generally unchanged or mildly decreased after vaccination. ConclusionIn our population of recreational endurance athletes, booster vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine resulted in a statistically significant decrease in VO2max 7 days after vaccination. The clinical impact hereof needs to be further determined. No major adverse events were observed

Laser Doppler flowmetry

An early determination of pulpal vitality is crucial with respect to a correct differential diagnosis of revascularisation or necrosis and its treatment. The use of sensibility tests (cold, heat, electric pulp test) in combination with X-ray is commonly promoted. However, these tests are arbitrary, based on sensations, and therefore not always reliable. In such situation, registration of pulpal blood flow will be more than an added value. The most studied and well-documented method for registration of pulpal blood flow is laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a non-invasive technique with direct and objective registrations. In this chapter, we describe pulpal blood flow, LDF and its characteristics, this method’s advantages and disadvantages and recent developments regarding LDF. Despite a low implementation of LDF in dentistry, this technique has proven to be an indisputable, basic asset of a dental clinic