Effects of footwear variations on three-dimensional kinematics and tibial accelerations of specific movements in American football

American football is associated with a high rate of non-contact chronic injuries. Players are able to select from both high and low cut footwear. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the influence of high and low cut American football specific footwear on tibial accelerations and three-dimensional (3D) kinematics during three sport specific movements. Twelve male American football players performed three movements, run, cut and vertical jump whilst wearing both low and high cut footwear. 3D kinematics of the lower extremities were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system alongside tibial acceleration parameters which were obtained using a shank mounted accelerometer. Tibial acceleration and 3D kinematic differences between the different footwear were examined using either repeated measures or Friedman’s ANOVA. Tibial accelerations were significantly greater in the low cut footwear in comparison to the high cut footwear for the run and cut movements. In addition, peak ankle eversion and tibial internal rotation parameters were shown to be significantly greater in the low cut footwear in the running and cutting movement conditions. The current study indicates that the utilization of low cut American football footwear for training/performance may place American footballers at increased risk from chronic injuries

Infrared imaging and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings correlate with microperimetry in acute macular neuroretinopathy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings in a patient with acute macular neuroretinopathy, and correlation with functional defects on microperimetry, are presented.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 25-year old Caucasian woman presented with bitemporal field defects following an upper respiratory tract infection. Her visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes and a dilated fundus examination revealed bilateral hyperpigmentary changes in the papillomacular bundle. Our patient underwent further evaluation with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, infrared and fundus autofluorescence imaging. Functional changes were assessed by microperimetry. Infrared imaging showed the classic wedge-shaped defects and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography exhibited changes at the inner segment-outer segment junction, with a thickened outer plexiform layer overlying these areas. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography did not demonstrate any perfusion defects or any other abnormality. Microperimetry demonstrated focal elevation in threshold correlating with the wedge-shaped defects in both eyes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings provide new evidence of the involvement of the outer plexiform layer of the retina in acute macular neuroretinopathy.</p

Biologic Causes of Occupational Dermatoses

Many virus skin infections may be of occupational origin: the most classical are orf, milkers’ node, herpes simplex, butchers’ warts, and hepatitis B. Bacterial skin infections of occupational origin are manifold: staphylococcal, streptococcal, erysipeloid, brucellosis, warty tuberculosis, BCG vaccination complications, anthrax, tularemia, and fish tank granuloma (mycobacteriosis). MRSA and CA-MRSA are an emerging problem of prime importance. A large variety of mycoses are related to occupational and/or recreational activities. They include most kinds of dermatophytoses, candidiasis, and subcutaneous and deep mycoses, the latter being predominantly imported skin diseases. Protothecosis is the only occupational skin disease due to an algae, Prototheca, mainly in tropical and subtropical countries