MOTION OF CENTRE OF PRESSURE DURING STANDING ON TIP TOE ON ONE LEG: ASSOCIATION WITH FOREFOOT SHAPE OF CLASSIC BALLET DANCERS

This study clarified how the centre of pressure (COP) is kept in the forefoot area during standing on tip toe on one leg by classical ballet dancers. During standing on tip toe on one leg with ballet shoes, the weight is distributed around the first and second toes and at the distal point of the second metatarsal bone ideally. Thus, the supporting surface during standing on tip toe on one leg would be affected by alignment of the metatarsal bones. Motions of the COP during standing on tip toe on one leg were investigated for ten female recreational dancers and six female professional dancers in classical ballet. The results suggested that balance holding time tended to be longer as the distal points of the metatarsal bones aligned more like a straight line in recreational dancers

Gene Organization in Rice Revealed by Full-Length cDNA Mapping and Gene Expression Analysis through Microarray

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a model organism for the functional genomics of monocotyledonous plants since the genome size is considerably smaller than those of other monocotyledonous plants. Although highly accurate genome sequences of indica and japonica rice are available, additional resources such as full-length complementary DNA (FL-cDNA) sequences are also indispensable for comprehensive analyses of gene structure and function. We cross-referenced 28.5K individual loci in the rice genome defined by mapping of 578K FL-cDNA clones with the 56K loci predicted in the TIGR genome assembly. Based on the annotation status and the presence of corresponding cDNA clones, genes were classified into 23K annotated expressed (AE) genes, 33K annotated non-expressed (ANE) genes, and 5.5K non-annotated expressed (NAE) genes. We developed a 60mer oligo-array for analysis of gene expression from each locus. Analysis of gene structures and expression levels revealed that the general features of gene structure and expression of NAE and ANE genes were considerably different from those of AE genes. The results also suggested that the cloning efficiency of rice FL-cDNA is associated with the transcription activity of the corresponding genetic locus, although other factors may also have an effect. Comparison of the coverage of FL-cDNA among gene families suggested that FL-cDNA from genes encoding rice- or eukaryote-specific domains, and those involved in regulatory functions were difficult to produce in bacterial cells. Collectively, these results indicate that rice genes can be divided into distinct groups based on transcription activity and gene structure, and that the coverage bias of FL-cDNA clones exists due to the incompatibility of certain eukaryotic genes in bacteria

Marked locations in MR images on each metatarsal heads

The locations marked as the bottom of the metatarsal head are shown in the figure. Note that the slice levels at which each bottom of a metatarsal head was defined, are not the same. The slice level of the figure, on which the marked points are shown in red, is selected since the figure can show approximate locations of all the metatarsal heads in a figure. Hence, some points in the figure may not be located within the metatarsal heads.  </p

Kinematics ans kinetics data during tiptoe standing on one leg.xlsx

This is averaged kinematics and kinetics of lower limbs during tiptio standing on one leg by recreational classical ballet dancers who trained for long years.   </p

Physical Activity and Its Diurnal Fluctuations Vary by Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: An Exploratory Study

Background: This exploratory study investigated the association between non-motor symptoms (NMS) and both physical activity and diurnal activity patterns in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD). Methods: Participants included PwPD with modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–3. The presence of NMS was assessed with Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part I. Physical activity was measured using a waist-mounted triaxial accelerometer. Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations between NMS and physical activity; furthermore, diurnal fluctuation in physical activity due to NMS was examined by ANCOVA. Results: Forty-five PwPD were included in the study. Among the domains of NMS, pain and other sensations (OR, 8.36; 95% CI, 1.59–43.94) and fatigue (OR, 14.26; 95% CI, 1.85–109.90) were associated with low daily step count (p = 0.20, ES = 0.36) and fatigue (p = 0.08, ES = 0.38). Conclusion: Our exploratory study suggested that PwPD with pain and other sensations and fatigue recorded lower step counts than their asymptomatic counterparts. Therefore, PwPD with pain and fatigue may need more support in promoting physical activity