4 research outputs found
Biomechanical Effects of Obesity on Balance
Get PDFInternational Journal of Exercise Science 5(4) : 301-320, 2012. The objective of this review was to analyze the current literature related to the effects of obesity on balance. These effects were observed during conditions of static balance, perturbed balance and dynamic balance during gait. The literature review included studies focused on the biomechanical effects of obesity, the relationship between weight loss and balance, and the relative efficacy of weight loss as a balance intervention. The older adult population, which faces increased risk of falls and related injuries, was highlighted where targeted research was available. The existing literature provides evidence for a strong link between obesity and balance impairments. This meta-analysis supports the efficacy of weight loss as an intervention to improve balance in the obese. Additional investigations are needed to confirm the reliability of relationships noted in this review paper, and to explore the potential of weight loss in simple and combined interventions. Future research should also determine whether efficacy differs among populations
Increased Depth of Cellular Imaging in the Intact Lung Using Far-Red and Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes
Get PDFScattering of shorter-wavelength visible light limits the
fluorescence imaging depth of thick specimens such as whole
organs. In this study, we report the use of four newly synthesized
near-infrared and far-red fluorescence probes
(excitation/emission, in nm: 644/670; 683/707; 786/814; 824/834)
to image tumor cells in the subpleural vasculature of the intact
rat lungs. Transpelural imaging of tumor cells labeled with
long-wavelength probes and expressing green fluorescent protein
(GFP; excitation/emission 488/507 nm) was done in the intact rat
lung after perfusate administration or intravenous injection. Our
results show that the average optimum imaging depth for the
long-wavelength probes is higher (27.8 ± 0.7
μm) than for GFP (20 ± 0.5
μm; p = 0.008; n = 50), corresponding to a
40% increase in the volume of tissue accessible for
high-resolution imaging. The maximum depth of cell visualization
was significantly improved with the novel dyes (36.4 ± 1
μm from the pleural surface) compared with GFP (30.1 ± 0.5
μm; p = 0.01; n = 50). Stable binding of the long-wavelength
vital dyes to the plasma membrane also permitted in vivo tracking
of injected tumor cells in the pulmonary vasculature. These probes
offer a significant improvement in the imaging quality of in situ
biological processes in the deeper regions of intact lungs
