MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ACHILLES TENDON IN RELATION TO VARIOUS SPORT ACTIVITIES OF COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether mechanical properties of Achilles tendon adapt to the mechanics of diffrent sport activities. Subjects included thirty-five male collegiate track and field athletes (Sprinters, Long distance runners, Jumpers), swimmers, and non-athletes (Controls). The elongation of the Achilles tendon during isometric voluntary plantar flexion contraction was measured. Jumpers and swimmers displayed larger elongation, strain, tendon force and stress of the Achilles tendon when compared to long distance runners and controls. However, the stiffness and Young’s modulus of the Achilles tendon were not significantly different between groups. These results suggested that mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon were unchanged with load characteristics of each sport activity

THE DIFFERENCES IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL KINETICS IN LOWER LIMB JOINTS OF SPRINTERS AND NOVICE RUNNERS DURING A START DASH

The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in the three-dimensional joint moments of lower limbs between sprinters and novice runners. A total of 12 male sprinters and 11 healthy male college students participated in a start-dash experiment. At pushing the front starting block, in hip joint, extension moment of sprinters was significantly greater than that of novices. On the other hands, in ankle joint, not only the plantarflexion moments but also the inversion moment of sprinters was significantly greater than those of novices. Moreover, the peak value of the plantarflexion moment was positively correlated with that of the inversion moment. These results suggest that the greater ankle flexion-extension moment is achieved by coordinating with the greater inversion moments when attempting to increase acceleration ability

ASSESSMENT OF ANALYZING BLOCK START PERFORMANCE WITHOUT ARM GROUND REACTION FORCES

The purpose of this study was to assess the analysing reaction time (RT) and normalized power when calculated using two different methods: a method using ground reaction forces (GRFs) of only the legs (legs F-based method) and a method using GRFs of arms and legs (whole F-based method). In total, 127 block start motions from fourteen male sprinters were analysed from all participants. The RT of the legs F-based method was not similar to that of the whole F-based method: the mean difference was 7.4 ms and the 95% CI was –45.1–59.8 ms. In contrast, the normalized power of the legs F-based method was similar to that of the whole F-based method. This information will help reconsider the golden standard methods currently used to analyse RT and encourage the use of analysis methods to analyse the performance in block starts

Acute intraabdominal hemorrhage from an aneurysm on uterine artery

A 36-year-old woman was underwent emergency laparotomy for acute intraabdominal hemorrhage, but bleeding points were not found. Abdominal pains continued after the laparotomy, and rupture of aneurysm on uterine artery was found in angiography. An transcatheter arterial embolization was done for the uterine artery, and the aneurysm was found to disappear in 4-day-after the angiography. Rupture of an aneurysm on uterine artery should be considered for the causes of acute intraabdominal hemorrhage

Rapid Elimination of the Persistent Synergid through a Cell Fusion Mechanism

SummaryIn flowering plants, fertilization-dependent degeneration of the persistent synergid cell ensures one-on-one pairings of male and female gametes. Here, we report that the fusion of the persistent synergid cell and the endosperm selectively inactivates the persistent synergid cell in Arabidopsis thaliana. The synergid-endosperm fusion causes rapid dilution of pre-secreted pollen tube attractant in the persistent synergid cell and selective disorganization of the synergid nucleus during the endosperm proliferation, preventing attractions of excess number of pollen tubes (polytubey). The synergid-endosperm fusion is induced by fertilization of the central cell, while the egg cell fertilization predominantly activates ethylene signaling, an inducer of the synergid nuclear disorganization. Therefore, two female gametes (the egg and the central cell) control independent pathways yet coordinately accomplish the elimination of the persistent synergid cell by double fertilization

Risk factors for suicide in Bali: a psychological autopsy study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The suicide rate in Bali has significantly increased in recent years. However, to date, there have been no case-control studies investigating risk factors for suicide.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A psychological autopsy study was conducted comparing 60 suicide cases and 120 living controls matched in age, sex, and area of residence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the following risk factors for suicide: at least one diagnosis of axis-I mental disorder (OR: 14.84 CI: 6.12 - 35.94); low level of religious involvement (OR: 7.24 CI: 2.28 - 22.95); and severe interpersonal problems (OR: 3.86 CI: 1.36 - 11.01). Forty-eight (80.0%) of the suicide cases were diagnosed with mental disorders; however, only 16.7% visited a primary care health professional and none received psychiatric treatment during the 1 month prior to death.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Clinical, religious, and psychosocial factors were associated with suicide. These results highlight the significance of early recognition and treatment of mental disorders, religious activities, and interpersonal problem-solving strategies for suicide prevention in Bali.</p