EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CRANK ARM LENGTH AND LOAD ON POWER PRODUCTION IN RECUMBENT CYCLING

The purpose of this study was to determine the trend in peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and minimum power (MINP) with changes in load when cycling in a recumbent position. Fifteen female participants were randomly assigned to one of three crank arm length (CAL) conditions (110, 180, or 250 mm) and tested on a Monark Cycle ergometer with 5 loads varying from 75-165 gm/kg of body mass. The Wingate Anaerobic Cycling test was performed in a recumbent position (75 seat tube angle, backrest perpendicular to the ground). Curve estimation with regression analysis on incrementing loads revealed: (1) a quadratic trend in PP; (2) a quadratic trend in MP and MINP for the 110 and 180 mm CAL; and (3) a linear trend in MP and MINP for the 250 mm CAL. These trends suggest there is an optimal load for different CALs to maximize power production

Weed control and overstory reduction improve survival and growth of under‐planted oak and hickory seedlings

Weed control and overstory reduction are important silvicultural treatments for improving survival and growth of under‐planted oak and hickory seedlings. Mast‐producing trees in the bottomland forests of the blackland prairie and Post Oak Savannah ecoregions of Texas have declined in abundance. Oaks and hickories have been replaced by more shade‐tolerant species, including green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) and sugarberry (Celtis laevigata Willd.), which do not produce significant hard mast for priority wildlife species. A split‐plot experiment design was installed on three sites at Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area in Freestone County, Texas, studying the effects of canopy coverage and competition control on survival and growth of bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa Michx.), Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii Buckl.), and pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wagenh.) K. Koch) seedlings. Uprooting by hogs shortly after planting resulted in greater than 90% mortality of pecan on the two lower elevation sites. Year one survival of Shumard oak was significantly higher than bur oak. However, bur oak was more preferred by hogs than Shumard oak. Year one growth of bur oak was significantly greater than Shumard oak. Severe flooding during the second growing season caused complete mortality on the lower two sites. None of the species were well suited to such prolonged (3–4 months) inundation as seedlings. On the remaining site, density reduction and weed‐barrier mats improved growth and survival while herbaceous weed control with herbicides actually reduced both growth and survival

Steps towards evidence-based foot-care for children:behaviour and opinions of health professionals

Allied health professionals (AHPs) working with children need the appropriate knowledge, skills and experiences to provide high-quality care. This includes using research to drive improvements in care and ensuring that knowledge and practices are consistent and build upon the best available evidence. The aim of this work was to understand more about the shared behaviours and opinions of health professionals supporting children's foot health care; how they find information that is both relevant to their clinical practice as well as informing the advice they share. A qualitative design using semi-structured, one-to-one, telephone interviews with AHPs was adopted. Thematic analysis was used to generate meaning, identify patterns and develop themes from the data. Eight interviews were conducted with physiotherapists, podiatrists and orthotists. Five themes were identified relating to health professionals: (a) Engaging with research; (b) Power of experience; (c) Influence of children's footwear companies; (d). Dr Google - the new expert and (e) Referral pathways for children's foot care. The findings indicate that the AHPs adopted a number of strategies to develop and inform their own professional knowledge and clinical practice. There could be barriers to accessing information, particularly in areas where there is limited understanding or gaps in research. The availability of online foot health information was inconsistent and could impact on how AHPs were able to engage with parents during consultations. [Abstract copyright: © 2020 The Authors. Health and Social Care in the Community published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Preliminary Analysis of the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Whole Body Vibration as a Therapeutic Intervention in a Skilled Nursing Facility

Skeletal muscle sarcopenia results in loss of strength, power and functional capabilities leading to decreased independence and an increased reliance on the healthcare system. Exercise is an effective countermeasure to age related loss of muscle, but may be difficult in elderly patients with complex functional limitations. Whole body vibration (WBV) is a novel tool used to stimulate the neuromuscular system; research indicates it may improve strength, power, and balance in many populations. Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine if WBV training is feasible in a skilled nursing facility and if standard of care (SOC) with augmented WBV training improves physical function in patients compared to SOC alone. Methods: A prospective cohort design was used to accomplish the study objectives. Twelve patients (10 females; 2 males) who were residents at a skilled nursing facility consented to the study protocol and were divided into two groups. Group 1 (CON; 73.8 ± 5.7 y; 165.0 ± 0.03 cm; 77.5 ± 11.6kg) underwent SOC therapy intervention including progressive balance, strength, and range of motion exercises. Group 2 (VIB; 74.1 ± 2.3y; 169.0 ± 0.04cm; 70.5 ± 4.3kg) underwent a similar physical therapy intervention but also completed progressive WBV treatment on a symmetrically vibrating plate (2mm; 25-35 Hz). Patients completed clinical tests of physical function before and after the 23 ± 2.3 day intervention. Physical function tests included timed up-and-go (TUG) tests from a 40cm chair and a Berg balance assessment (BBA). Additionally, manual muscle tests were completed using a hand-held dynamometer for hip flexion (HF), hip abduction (HA), knee extension (KE), knee flexion (KF), plantar flexion (PF), and dorsi-flexion (DF). Student’s t-tests were used to compare the difference scores pre- and post-intervention; alpha was set at p\u3c0.05 to determine statistical significance. Results: No adverse effects were documented in either group throughout the study. Mean physical function improved in all tested variables for both groups. However, no between group differences (CON vs. VIB) were observed in BBA (p=0.52), TUG (p=0.07), HF (p=0.80), HA (p=0.47), KE (p=0.73), KF (p=0.97), PF (p=0.59), and DF (p=0.83). Conclusions: Use of WBV as an adjunct exercise intervention in a skilled nursing facility was feasible and safe in this small sample. Although no between group differences were evident, a larger sample is needed to definitively accept or reject the hypothesis. Moreover, systematic research is needed to develop precise protocols to effectively and efficiently utilize WBV in hospitalized elders

Timed Up-And-Go Scores are Associated with Balance but not Lower-Extremity Force Production in Elderly Skilled Nursing Facility Patients

Aging is associated with numerous deleterious muscular, skeletal, and neurologic adaptations that may result in functional performance decrements. These decrements are accelerated during periods of unplanned physical inactivity (e.g. hospitalization). Reductions in gait velocity are well documented in the elderly and may result from fear of falling, poor balance, or inability to accelerate because of reduced ground reaction force capabilities. Purpose: To determine if timed up-and-go scores were related to balance or lower extremity force production in skilled nursing facility patients. Methods: Data were collected on 40 patients (77.1±1.4y; 164.2±1.7cm; 75.3±3.3 kg) in an inpatient skilled nursing facility. The 15 males and 25 female patients had a mini mental exam score of \u3e20, and provided informed consent. Each patient completed a timed up-and-go (TUG) test where they stood from a 40cm chair and walked 3 meters before circling a cone and returning to the chair. Total time from the initiation of movement until patients regained the seated position was recorded and used for analysis. The Berg Balance Test was also completed by each patient; only composite scores were used for comparison. Manual muscle tests were completed on the hip, knee, and ankle using a hand-held dynamometer that provided isometric peak force. Isometric force tests were completed for hip flexion (HF), hip abduction (HA), knee extension (KE), knee flexion (KF), plantar flexion (PF), and dorsi-flexion (DF). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between TUG and Berg composite score and isometric force production at each joint. A multiple regression model was determined using backward elimination. For each comparison, an alpha of p\u3c0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results: Independently, TUG times were significantly associated with Berg (r=-0.61; p \u3c0.001), but not age (r=0.24), height (r=0.22), weight (r=0.00), or force production in HF (r=-0.04), HA (r=0.06), KE (r=0.07), KF (r=0.07), DF (r=0.07), or PF (r=-0.11). The final multiple regression model derived via backward elimination explained 53% of the variance in TUG (r=-0.74) and included Berg (p\u3c0.001), HA (p=0.001) and KF (p=0.02) scores. Conclusions: These data suggest that decrements in gait performance with an agility component (TUG) are associated with balance, but poorly associated with single-joint measurements of lower extremity force production. Experimental studies are needed to determine if therapeutic interventions improving balance result in improved gait performance or if multi-joint force production tests better predict gait velocity

Novel DNA methylation profiles associated with key gene regulation and transcription pathways in blood and placenta of growth-restricted neonates

BB/H012494/1/ Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Counci

Developmental Changes and Injury Induced Disruption of the Radial Organization of the Cortex in the Immature Rat Brain Revealed by In Vivo Diffusion Tensor MRI

During brain development, morphological changes modify the cortex from its immature radial organization to its mature laminar appearance. Applying in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the microstructural organization of the cortex in the immature rat was analyzed and correlated to neurohistopathology. Significant differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were detected between the external (I-III) and deep (IV-VI) cortical layers in postnatal day 3 (P3) and P6 pups. With cortical maturation, ADC was reduced in both cortical regions, whereas a decrease in FA was only seen in the deep layers. A distinct radial organization of the external cortical layers with the eigenvectors perpendicular to the pial surface was observed at both ages. Histology revealed maturational differences in the cortical architecture with increased neurodendritic density and reduction in the radial glia scaffolding. Early DTI after hypoxia-ischemia at P3 shows reduced ADC and FA in the ipsilateral cortex that persisted at P6. Cortical DTI eigenvector maps reveal microstructural disruption of the radial organization corresponding to regions of neuronal death, radial glial disruption, and astrocytosis. Thus, the combined use of in vivo DTI and histopathology can assist in delineating normal developmental changes and postinjury modifications in the immature rodent brai