What is the effect of ankle disk training and taping on proprioception deficit after lateral ankle sprains among active populations? - A systematic review.

To investigate the effect of disk training and tape application on diminished proprioception after Lateral Ankle Sprain (LAS) in active populations. Only clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of disk training and ankle tape on proprioception deficits following LAS by assessing JPS or kinaesthesia were included. Electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane and PEDro were searched. The main search was conducted in February 2022. The physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was utilised to assess the methodological quality of each article. The search yielded six studies investigating the effects of disk training and four studies investigating the effects of inelastic tape. Five articles showed a significant improvement on JPS after disk training. However, no difference across different intervention groups was observed in one study. Only one trial presented an immediate significant improvement when taped, while another study showed that external ankle supports significantly improved JPS after 2 weeks and after 2 months. Three of four studies found no immediate improvement on proprioceptive deficits by the use of tape. This review found that disk training may improve impaired proprioception after LAS, whilst the efficacy of inelastic tape was not evident due to methodological quality of the few available studies. Further studies are needed to establish whether these interventions can be used clinically with sufficient evidence. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Motion estimation and signaling techniques for 2D+t scalable video coding

We describe a fully scalable wavelet-based 2D+t (in-band) video coding architecture. We propose new coding tools specifically designed for this framework aimed at two goals: reduce the computational complexity at the encoder without sacrificing compression; improve the coding efficiency, especially at low bitrates. To this end, we focus our attention on motion estimation and motion vector encoding. We propose a fast motion estimation algorithm that works in the wavelet domain and exploits the geometrical properties of the wavelet subbands. We show that the computational complexity grows linearly with the size of the search window, yet approaching the performance of a full search strategy. We extend the proposed motion estimation algorithm to work with blocks of variable sizes, in order to better capture local motion characteristics, thus improving in terms of rate-distortion behavior. Given this motion field representation, we propose a motion vector coding algorithm that allows to adaptively scale the motion bit budget according to the target bitrate, improving the coding efficiency at low bitrates. Finally, we show how to optimally scale the motion field when the sequence is decoded at reduced spatial resolution. Experimental results illustrate the advantages of each individual coding tool presented in this paper. Based on these simulations, we define the best configuration of coding parameters and we compare the proposed codec with MC-EZBC, a widely used reference codec implementing the t+2D framework

The effects of training interventions on inter-limbs asymmetries: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Inter-limb asymmetries have been recently investigated in athletic populations. However, the effects of training interventions on inter-limb asymmetries have been scarcely examined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of training interventions on changes in inter-limb asymmetries from pre- to post-training. Furthermore, to examine the effects of training programs on intervention groups compared to control groups. A database search was completed (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus). Eight studies were then included in the meta-analysis. Results showed small reductions in inter-limb asymmetries in single leg broad jump (SLBJ) and change of direction (COD) speed from pre- to post-training interventions, whereas moderate effects were found in single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) and single leg (SL) lateral jump. When comparing the training interventions to the control groups, results showed small effects in favour of the training groups for reducing inter-limb asymmetries in SLBJ and large effects in SLCMJ, and COD speed. Thus, training interventions can evoke small to moderate reductions in inter-limb asymmetries from pre- to post-training programs. Strength training performed unilaterally or bilaterally may elicit these reductions. Furthermore, training interventions showed larger effects compared to the control groups in reducing inter-limb asymmetries. However, further research is needed

Reverse engineering in strength and conditioning: applications to agility training

Typically, a coach may follow a process in which they first identify the key performance indicators of their sport, determine the physical attributes that map back to them, and then distribute the development of those capacities over the allocated timeframe. Furthermore, effective training plans are based on a theoretical or biological basis for how we move and adapt to exercise stimuli, coupled with an understanding of how these are best sequenced, such that one stimulus and subsequent adaptation can potentiate the next. Thus, reverse or backward engineering, when appropriately converged with the plans of those devised around nutrition, conditioning, technical, and tactical training for example likely gives athletes the best chance of attaining their performance goals. The aim of this paper is to describe the application of reverse engineering, exampling it within the context of developing an athlete who can demonstrate a high level of agility

Melatonin, Immune Function and Aging

Aging is associated with a decline in immune function (immunosenescence), a situation known to correlate with increased incidence of cancer, infectious and degenerative diseases. Innate, cellular and humoral immunity all exhibit increased deterioration with age. A decrease in functional competence of individual natural killer (NK) cells is found with advancing age. Macrophages and granulocytes show functional decline in aging as evidenced by their diminished phagocytic activity and impairment of superoxide generation. There is also marked shift in cytokine profile as age advances, e.g., CD3+ and CD4+ cells decline in number whereas CD8+ cells increase in elderly individuals. A decline in organ specific antibodies occurs causing reduced humoral responsiveness. Circulating melatonin decreases with age and in recent years much interest has been focused on its immunomodulatory effect. Melatonin stimulates the production of progenitor cells for granulocytes-macrophages. It also stimulates the production of NK cells and CD4+ cells and inhibits CD8+ cells. The production and release of various cytokines from NK cells and T-helper lymphocytes also are enhanced by melatonin. Melatonin presumably regulates immune function by acting on the immune-opioid network, by affecting G protein-cAMP signal pathway and by regulating intracellular glutathione levels. Melatonin has the potential therapeutic value to enhance immune function in aged individuals and in patients in an immunocompromised state

What is the effect of ankle disk training and taping on proprioception deficit after lateral ankle sprains among active populations? – A Systematic Review

Objective: To investigate the effect of disk training and tape application on diminished proprioception after Lateral Ankle Sprain (LAS) in active populations. Eligibility criteria: Only clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of disk training and ankle tape on proprioception deficits following LAS by assessing JPS or kinaesthesia were included. Information sources: Electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane and PEDro were searched. The main search was conducted in February 2022. Risk of bias: The physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was utilised to assess the methodological quality of each article. Result: The search yielded six studies investigating the effects of disk training and four studies investigating the effects of inelastic tape. Five articles showed a significant improvement on JPS after disk training. However, no difference across different intervention groups was observed in one study. Only one trial presented an immediate significant improvement when taped, while another study showed that external ankle supports significantly improved JPS after 2 weeks and after 2 months. Three of four studies found no immediate improvement on proprioceptive deficits by the use of tape. Conclusions: This review found that disk training may improve impaired proprioception after LAS, whilst the efficacy of inelastic tape was not evident due to methodological quality of the few available studies. Further studies are needed to establish whether these interventions can be used clinically with sufficient evidence

CT-guided percutaneous drainage of abdominopelvic collections: a pictorial essay

CT-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective procedure that allows minimally invasive treatment of abdominopelvic abscesses and fluid collections. This technique has become an alternative for surgery with lower morbility and mortality rates. In this pictorial essay, we aim at providing an overview of the technical approaches, the main clinical indications and complications of CT-guided percutaneous drainage, in order to provide a practical guide for interventional radiologists, with a review of the recent literature. The focus will be the CT-guidance, preferred when the interposition of viscera, vascular and skeletal structures, counteracts the ultrasound guidance

Altered time structure of neuro-endocrine-immune system function in lung cancer patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The onset and the development of neoplastic disease may be influenced by many physiological, biological and immunological factors. The nervous, endocrine and immune system might act as an integrated unit to mantain body defense against this pathological process and reciprocal influences have been evidenced among hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pineal gland and immune system. In this study we evaluated differences among healthy subjects and subjects suffering from lung cancer in the 24-hour secretory profile of melatonin, cortisol, TRH, TSH, FT4, GH, IGF-1 and IL-2 and circadian variations of lymphocyte subpopulations. </p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In ten healthy male volunteers (age range 45-66) and ten male patients with untreated non small cell lung cancer (age range 46-65) we measured melatonin, cortisol, TRH, TSH, FT4, GH, IGF-1 and IL-2 serum levels and percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations on blood samples collected every four hours for 24 hours. One-way ANOVA between the timepoints for each variable and each group was performed to look for a time-effect, the presence of circadian rhythmicity was evaluated, MESOR, amplitude and acrophase values, mean diurnal levels and mean nocturnal levels were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A clear circadian rhythm was validated in the control group for hormone serum level and for lymphocyte subsets variation. Melatonin, TRH, TSH, GH, CD3, CD4, HLA-DR, CD20 and CD25 expressing cells presented circadian rhythmicity with acrophase during the night. Cortisol, CD8, CD8^bright, CD8^dim, CD16, TcRδ1 and δTcS1 presented circadian rhythmicity with acrophase in the morning/at noon. FT4, IGF-1 and IL-2 variation did not show circadian rhythmicity. In lung cancer patients cortisol, TRH, TSH and GH serum level and all the lymphocyte subsubsets variation (except for CD4) showed loss of circadian rhythmicity. MESOR of cortisol, TRH, GH, IL-2 and CD16 was increased, whereas MESOR of TSH, IGF-1, CD8, CD8^bright, TcRδ1 and δTcS1 was decreased in cancer patients. The melatonin/cortisol mean nocturnal level ratio was decreased in cancer patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The altered secretion and loss of circadian rhythmicity of many studied factors observed in the subjects suffering from neoplastic disease may be expression of gradual alteration of the integrated function of the neuro-immune-endocrine system</p