Effect of combined balance exercises and kinesio taping on balance, postural stability, and severity of ankle instability in female athletes with functional ankle instability

Ankle sprain is a common musculoskeletal injury, and recurrent ankle sprains often lead to ankle instability. This study aimed to examine whether a 6-week balance training on a wobble board (WB) combined with kinesio taping (KT) is effective in improving balance, postural stability, and ankle stability among female athletes with functional ankle instability (FAI). Twenty-four female athletes with FAI were randomly assigned to study (SG) or control groups (CG). SG attended a 6-week training protocol of combined balance training on the wobble board with KT applied to ankles during exercise. CG only went through a 6-week balance training procedure that was the same as the SG. Before and after the training program, balance and postural stability and the severity of ankle instability were assessed by single-leg Biodex Balance system and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), respectively. The analysis revealed that the scores of balance and postural stability decreased after the 6-week training for CG (p = 0.002) and SG (p = 0.001), which indicates an improvement for these variables, and the score of CAIT increased, which means the severity of instability reduced (p = 0.001 for both groups). Significant between-group differences were found for balance and postural stability (t = 2.79, p = 0.011, g = −1.99) and the severity of instability (t = 2.082, p = 0.049, g = 1.36), favoring SG compared with CG. This study showed that the addition of KT to balance training is more effective than balance training alone in improving balance, postural stability, and severity of ankle instability in female athletes with FAI. Our findings could provide a preliminary reference for designing combined balance and KT programs for delivering health benefits to females with FAI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efficacy of Er,Cr Laser incision Corticotomy in Rapid Maxillary Canine Retraction: A Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of lasercision corticotomy for the acceleration of the canine movement. Our secondary objectives were assessing the canine rotation, the rate of anchorage control, the level of pain, and the gingival index (GI).Methods: Twelve orthodontic patients (9 females and 3 males) referring to the School of Dentistry and one dental clinic from May 2019 to September 2019 participated in this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. The allocation of the test and control sides was performed by flipping a coin. The mean age of patients was 18.91±3.87 years (range 15-30 years). The treatment plan included maxillary first premolar extraction. Following the initial leveling and alignment phase, an initial impression was made. Corticotomy was carried out with the erbium, chromium-doped yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser (3.5 W, 30 Hz, 40% air, 80% water) in one maxillary quadrant (the laser side). Canine retraction was immediately initiated following surgery using nickel-titanium closed-coil springs with 150 g force. The impression was repeated 1 month after the onset of retraction. The casts were scanned, and the distance between the canine cusp tip and the rugae line was measured to quantify the amount of anteroposterior canine movement. The molar anchorage control was also evaluated by measuring the distance between the mesial contact of the permanent first molar and the rugae line. Gingival health was evaluated using the GI. The modified McGill pain questionnaire was used to assess the level of patients’ pain.Results: Lasercision corticotomy accelerated canine retraction with no adverse effect on gingival health. Anchorage loss in the posterior teeth and pain scores were not significantly different between the control and laser sides.Conclusion: Laser corticotomy can effectively accelerate canine retraction with no complications or discomfort for the patients

Comparison of Official and Friendly Matches through Acceleration, Deceleration and Metabolic Power Measures: A Full-Season Study in Professional Soccer Players

Soccer is a popular team sport and highly demanding activity that requires high effort and long-term training plans. The goals of this study were to compare the accelerations, decelerations and metabolic power between official and friendly full matches, between the first and second halves of the matches, and between both halves of official and friendly matches. Twelve professional soccer players (age, 28.6 ± 2.7 years; height, 182.1 ± 8.6 cm; body mass, 75.3 ± 8.2 kg; BMI, 22.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2 ) participated in this study. A total of 33 official and 10 friendly matches were analyzed from the Iranian Premier League. All matches were monitored using GPSPORTS systems Pty Ltd. The following variables were selected: total duration of the matches, metabolic power, accelerations Zone1 (<2 m·s −2 ) (AccZ1), accelerations Zone2 (2 to 4 m·s −2 ) (AccZ2), accelerations Zone3 (>4 m·s −2 ) (AccZ3), decelerations Zone1 (<−2 m·s −2 ) (DecZ1), decelerations Zone2 (−2 to −4 m·s −2 ) (DecZ2) and decelerations Zone3 (>−4 m·s −2 ) (DecZ3). The major finding was shown in metabolic power, where higher values occurred in friendly matches (p < 0.05 with small effect size). Furthermore, total duration, AccZ3, DecZ1, DecZ2, and DecZ3 were revealed to be higher in official matches, while AccZ1 and AccZ2 were higher in friendly matches. The second half of the official matches revealed higher values for total duration compared to friendly matches (p < 0.05, moderate effect size). In conclusion, this study observed higher values of metabolic power in friendly matches compared to official matches. AccZ3, DecZ1, DecZ2, and DecZ3 were higher in official matches, while AccZ1 and AccZ2 were higher in friendly matches.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Grant/Award Number UIDP/ 04748/202

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Specific Antibodies in Recovered Patients by Different ELISA Kits

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. As long as the 27th of December 2021, approximately 280 million people have been infected with coronavirus, resulting in more than 5,418,421 deaths worldwide. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, different methods were introduced for diagnosing coronavirus-infected patients and evaluating the immune response, following the vaccination.Objective: The current study aimed to compare the level of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific IgG in a group of patients who recovered from COVID-19, measured by three different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on sera from patients who recovered from a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 in Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran. SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) protein IgG levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Comparison between groups was made using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests.Results: The mean titer of anti-N IgG was significantly higher for the PishtazTeb Diagnostics kit than the Ideal Tashkhis Atieh kit (p<0.05). There was no correlation between the titer of anti-N IgG (PishtazTeb Diagnostics and Ideal Tashkhis Atieh) and anti-S IgG (Chemobind Company) antibodies.Conclusion: This study indicates that the domestic ELISA kits have variable but acceptable sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies

Effect of CO2 Laser on the Prevention of White Spot Lesions During Fixed Orthodontic Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective:This study aimed to assess the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on prevention of white spot lesions (WSLs) associated with fixed orthodontic treatment.Methods:In this parallel controlled trial, 554 maxillary anterior teeth in 95 patients with age range of 12-30 years were included. The samples were randomly divided in two groups: 1) CO2 laser (n=278) and 2) control (n=276) groups. Following bracket attachment, the teeth in the laser group were exposed to CO2 laser (0.4 mw, 10.6 μm, 5 Hz) for 20 s, and the control group received placebo light. Incidence, severity, and extent of the lesions were assessed in four surface regions (gingival, incisal, mesial, and distal) at baseline and 6 months post-irradiation. The inter-group comparison was performed by the Mann-Whitney U test and McNemar analysis.Results:A significant difference regarding WSLs incidence in all teeth was observed between the two study groups (p<0.001). The two study groups illustrated a significant difference in lesion extent and incidence in incisal, mesial, and distal regions (p<0.05). The WSLs were significantly different in terms of severity in the incisal and mesial sites (p<0.05).Conclusion:The CO2 laser irradiation seemed to effectively prevent incidence of WSLs. In addition, its effectiveness varied depending on the surface region

A study of the association between cognitive abilities and dietary intake in young women

Background: Cognitive abilities comprise activities that relate to receiving and responding to information from the environment, internal processing, making complex decisions, and then responding to this in the context of behavior. Aim: The current study investigated the association between dietary intake and seven aspects of cognitive abilities among healthy young women. Methods: The study was carried out among 182 women aged 18–25 years. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire containing 65 food items was used to estimate dietary intake. Neuropsychological function and cognitive abilities of participants were determined using standard questionnaires. Results: Significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, stress, physical, and mental health-related quality of life as well as daytime sleepiness for the participants in different quartiles of cognitive abilities score (p<0.05). Participants in the fourth quartile of cognitive abilities score consumed significantly higher energy, carbohydrate, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, and riboflavin compared to those in the lowest quartile (p<0.05). There were strong correlations between total cognitive abilities score and dietary sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and thiamin (p<0.05). Using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, iron and thiamin were statistically significant factors for the prediction of cognitive abilities. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that neurocognitive function is related to dietary macro and micronutrients including energy, carbohydrate, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, and riboflavin on cognitive performance among young women without memory deficit

A study of the association of cognitive abilities and emotional function with allergic disorders in young women

Background Allergic disorders may have a bidirectional causal relationship with mental disorders. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the associations between cognitive abilities and emotional function tests and quality of life with the presence of allergic disease in young women. Methods A diagnosis of allergic disorders, comprising allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD), was confirmed by a specialist in allergy. The presence and severity of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia and sleepiness were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Cognitive abilities and quality of life were assessed using standard instruments. Results Among 181 female young participants, the prevalence of AR, asthma and AD were 26.5%, 2.8%, and 14.9% respectively. The AR group had higher scores than the non-AR group for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and lower scores for physical and mental health-related quality of life. Moreover, the AD cases had higher scores on the depression and stress scale compared to those without it (p < 0.05). Asthmatic patients also had significantly higher insomnia severity and lower physical health-related quality of life than non-asthmatic. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of psychological/psychiatric disorders that included: anxiety, and sleep problems among allergic women, and a reduced quality of life that may be associated with it

Impact of a Nordic diet on psychological function in young students

Background: There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of psychiatric and psychological disease, and this has attracted interest in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that may affect an individual’s mood. Diet is one potential lifestyle factor that may affect psychological function. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adherence to the health-promoting Nordic diet (ND) with neuropsychological function in young women. Methods: The study comprised 181 female students aged between 18 and 25 years. Psychological function was evaluated using a series of standardized questionnaires, including the Cognitive Ability Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleep Scale and Quality of Life Questionnaire. A validated food frequency questionnaire, which included 65 types of foods, was used to evaluate the amount of different foods consumed. Results: Evaluation of the dietary composition of the participants showed that the rate of adherence to the ND was positively associated with total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fibre, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, folate, phosphorus, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, carotene, whole grain, legumes, cabbage/vegetables, vegetables and fruit (p<0.05). Linear regression showed cabbage/vegetable consumption was inversely related to scores of stress (β=–0.04; p=0.038) and anxiety (β=–0.02; p=0.049) and directly associated with the quality-of-life score (0.02; p=0.036). Conclusions: Adherence to a ND with a high intake of cabbage/vegetables was inversely associated with stress and anxiety scores and directly associated with health-related quality of life

Fluctuations of Training Load Variables in Elite Soccer Players U-14 throughout the Competition Season

Excessive daily training load (TL) can affect the musculoskeletal system health of youth elite soccer players. The purposes of this study were (i) to describe the TL and session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) throughout the competition season; (ii) to analyze the weekly (w) differences of acute (daily) workload (wAWL), chronic workload (wCWL), acute–chronic workload ratio, training monotony (wTM), and training strain (wTS) among three periods over the season (early-, mid-, and end-season) by playing position; and (iii) to compare the TL variables during competition periods for the whole team. Twenty young elite soccer players in the under-14 category participated in this study. The game positions were considered as six wide defenders and wide midfielders (WM), five central defenders and central midfielders, and four strikers (ST). Daily monitoring was continued for 26 weeks during a full competition season. According to the league schedule, the season was divided into three periods: early-season from w1 to w8, mid-season from w9 to w17, and end-season from w18 to w26. The main results were that the higher TLs were detected in the early- and mid-season. There was a wAWL and wCWL decrease for all playing positions from early- to mid- and end-season, but the wCWL change was significant only from early- to mid-season (p ≤ 0.05). For all playing positions but ST, there was a considerable wTM increase from early- to mid-season. When compared with all other playing positions in terms of wAWL and wCWL, WM showed significantly greater values (p ≤ 0.05). Throughout the season periods, all workload indicators showed a considerable reduction, although there was a significant increase in the three other workload-derived variables (all with p ≤ 0.05) and namely: (i) wACWLR from mid- to end-season; (ii) wTM from early- to mid- and end-season; and (iii) wTS from early- to mid-season. Daily training load and s-RPE had significant fluctuations during all macrocycles of the competition season (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, in the mid-season, wTM and wTS were higher. Training load monitoring (in terms of, e.g., wAWL, wCWL, and s-RPE) could be the key for coaches of soccer teams to prevent overtraining and injury, especially in U-14 players, who are more susceptible to being affected by high workload

Analiza uczuleń na pyłki lokalnych roślin wśród studentów medycyny we Wschodnim Iranie z użyciem testów nakłucia naskórka

Background: Allergic disorders are among the most common health problems, have a high impact on patients’ quality of life and constitute a significant economic burden. Pollen grains are the most significant trigger of allergic symptoms. Knowing pollen allergy potency of common plants in each area is essential for preventing allergic symptoms. Objective: This study aims to evaluate allergic sensitivity to local plant pollen among medical students in East of Iran using skin prick test Methods: Types of allergenic pollen grains were determined based on geoclimatic factors. Ten different pollen grains from common regional plants, including Eucalyptus tree, Helianthus trees, Rosa damascene flowers, Jasminum sp flowers, Chinaberry trees (Melia azedarach), pomegranate trees, black olive trees, pistachio trees, Palm trees, and Crambe cordifolia flowers, as well as seven standard commercial extracts including grass mixture, tree mixture, Fraxinus, Amaranthus retroflexus, Cypress, Betula, and Prosopis pollens were collected. After purification, the aqueous extract was prepared from each pollen. Skin prick test with ten domestic extracts and some commercial extracts was performed on the participants. The ethics committee of Birjand University of Medical Sciences approved the study and all participants signed consent form. Results: One hundred and twelve volunteer medical students (mean age: 22.29 range: 19 to 34 years, M/F ratio:1.1) enrolled in this study. The overall frequency of sensitivity to any allergenic extracts was reported at 80.59%. In domestic pollen, the highest skin sensitivity rate was for Eucalyptus pollen, Rosa damascene flowers pollen, and Jasminum sp pollen (59.3%, 53.1%, and 50.0%, respectively). In the case of commercial extract, Amaranthus retroflexus and the tree mixture pollens were the most common (66.6% and 45.7%, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed high allergic potency of some common regional plants, including Rose flower, Eucalyptus tree, and Jasminum sp flower.Wprowadzenie: Choroby alergiczne stanowią jeden z najbardziej powszechnych problemów zdrowotnych, wpływają na jakość życia pacjenta i stanowią poważne obciążenie ekonomiczne. Ziarna pyłków roślin są najistotniejszym czynnikiem wywołującym objawy alergii. Znajomość siły alergizacji pyłków roślin występujących na danym obszarze ma zasadnicze znaczenie dla zapobiegania objawom alergii. Cel pracy: Celem badania była ocena występowania uczuleń na pyłki lokalnych roślin wśród studentów medycyny we wschodnim Iranie za pomocą testów nakłucia naskórka (prick test). Materiał i metody: Typy uczulających pyłków dobrane zostały w oparciu o analizę danych geoklimatycznych. Do badań użyto dziesięć ziaren pyłków roślin typowych dla regionu, w tym drzewa Eucalyptus, drzewa Helianthus, kwiatów Rosa damascene i Jasminum sp, drzewa Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), drzewa granatu, czarnych oliwek, drzewa pistacjowego, palm i kwiatów Crambe cordifolia, a także siedem standardowych, komercyjne dostępnych zestawów ekstraktów, w tym mieszanek traw, drzew i pyłków Fraxinus, Amaranthus retroflexus, Cypress, Betula i Prosopis. Po oczyszczeniu preparatów, przygotowywano wodne roztwory ekstraktów pyłków. Badania przeprowadzano u ochotników metodą nakłucia naskórka (prick test) ze wszystkimi dziesięcioma ekstraktami lokalnych roślin oraz kilkoma ekstraktami komercyjnymi. Badanie zostało zatwierdzone przez komisję ds. etyki Uniwersytetu Medycznego Birjand, a wszyscy uczestnicy podpisali formularz zgody. Wyniki: W badaniu wzięło udział 112 studentów medycyny (średni wiek: 22,29, zakres: 19–34 lata, stosunek M / K: 1,1). Ogólna częstość występowania uczulenia na pyłki co najmniej jednego z ekstraktów wynosiła 80,59%. W przypadku pyłków roślin lokalnych największe odczyny skórne stwierdzono dla pyłków drzewa Eucalyptus, kwiatów Rosa damascene i Jasminum sp (odpowiednio 59,3%, 53,1% i 50,0%). W odniesieniu do ekstraktów dostępnych komercyjnie najczęściej stwierdzano uczulenia na Amaranthus retroflexus i mieszaninę pyłków drzew (odpowiednio 66,6% i 45,7%). Wnioski: Wyniki badań wskazują na wysoką siłę alergizującą niektórych pospolitych roślin regionalnych, w tym kwiatu róży, drzewa eukaliptusa i kwiatu jaśminu