Repeatability of Clinical, Biomechanical, and Motor Control Profiles in People with and without Standing-Induced Low Back Pain

A major research focus is optimization of interventions for low back pain (LBP). Predisposing factors for LBP development have been previously identified. To differentiate changes in these factors with intervention, factor stability over time must be determined. Twenty-three volunteers without LBP participated in a LBP-inducing standing protocol on two separate days. Outcome measures included visual analog scale (VAS) for LBP and trunk/hip muscle coactivation patterns. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to examine repeatability. Between-day repeatability of outcome measures was excellent (ICCs >0.80). Individuals were consistent in subjective LBP, with 83% reporting similar day-to-day VAS levels. Muscle co-activation patterns and LBP reports are stable measures over time for this LBP-inducing protocol. Changes in these measures following intervention can be considered to be treatment effects and are not due to natural variability. This provides support for use of this protocol in studying interventions for standing-induced LBP

N-Arachidonoyl Dopamine Modulates Acute Systemic Inflammation via Nonhematopoietic TRPV1.

N-Arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) is an endogenous lipid that potently activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which mediates pain and thermosensation. NADA is also an agonist of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2. We have reported that NADA reduces the activation of cultured human endothelial cells by LPS and TNF-α. Thus far, in vivo studies using NADA have focused on its neurologic and behavioral roles. In this article, we show that NADA potently decreases in vivo systemic inflammatory responses and levels of the coagulation intermediary plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in three mouse models of inflammation: LPS, bacterial lipopeptide, and polymicrobial intra-abdominal sepsis. We also found that the administration of NADA increases survival in endotoxemic mice. Additionally, NADA reduces blood levels of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide but increases the neuropeptide substance P in LPS-treated mice. We demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory effects of NADA are mediated by TRPV1 expressed by nonhematopoietic cells and provide data suggesting that neuronal TRPV1 may mediate NADA's anti-inflammatory effects. These results indicate that NADA has novel TRPV1-dependent anti-inflammatory properties and suggest that the endovanilloid system might be targeted therapeutically in acute inflammation

Biomechanical Predictors of Functionally Induced Low Back Pain, Acute Response to Prolonged Standing Exposure, and Impact of a Stabilization-Based Clinical Exercise Intervention

Purpose: Biomechanical differences between people with low back pain (LBP) and healthy controls have been shown previously. LBP has been associated with standing postures in occupational settings. A transient pain-generating model allows for comparisons between pain developers (PD) and non-pain developers (NPD). The first objective was to utilize a multifactorial approach to characterize differences between PD and NPD individuals. The second objective was to investigate the impact of exercise on LBP during standing. Methods: Forty-three participants without any history of LBP volunteered for this study. Participants performed pre- and post-standing functional movements and 2-hours of standing. Continuous electromyography (EMG) data were collected from 16 trunk and hip muscles, kinematic and kinetic data were used to construct an 8-segment rigid link model. Vertebral joint rotation stiffness (VJRS) measures were calculated. Participants completed visual analog scales (VAS) rating LBP every 15 minutes during the 2-hr standing. Participants were classified as PD or NPD based on greater than 10 mm increase in VAS. Participants were assigned to exercise (EX) or control (CON) groups. All participants returned for a second data collection following 4-weeks. Results: Forty percent of participants developed LBP during standing. The PD group had elevated muscle co-activation prior to reports of pain (p 0.80 for the majority of the outcome measures. Conclusions: There were clear differences between PD/NPD groups in muscle activation patterns, prior to subjective reports of LBP, supporting the hypothesis that some of the differences observed between these groups may be predisposing rather than adaptive. An exercise intervention resulted in positive changes in the PD group, both in subjective pain scores as well as muscle activation profiles. Elevated muscle co-activation in the first 15-30 minutes of standing may indicate that an individual is at increased risk for LBP during standing

Juegos tradicionales para el desarrollo de habilidades sociales en la Institución Educativa 1564 - Nuevo Chimbote; 2019

El estudio realizado ha considerado como propósito determinar cómo influyen los Juegos tradicionales en las habilidades sociales en estudiantes de la Institución Educativa Nº 1564, distrito de Nuevo Chimbote, 2019. Asumió la investigación cuantitativa, para un diseño pre - experimental aplicando Pre y Post test al grupo seleccionado como muestra, siendo estos 41 estudiantes de 04 y 05 años, el acopio de información utilizó la lista de cotejo que permitió recolectar información sobre el desarrollo de habilidades sociales en cada una de las dimensiones, el referido instrumento cuenta con los criterios de validez y confiablidad necesarios, los resultados permitieron establecer como efectos que las habilidades sociales posterior a la ejecución de los juegos tradicionales con la muestra, evidencian que el 41,5 % se coloca en el nivel de proceso; aun cuando, 58.5% se encuentra en un nivel de logrado; en relación con la observación hecha a los estudiantes; ante lo cual, se llegó a establecer como conclusión sobre los juegos tradicionales influyen favorablemente en el desarrollo de habilidades sociales en los educandos.Tesi

Loss of androgen signaling in mesenchymal sonic hedgehog responsive cells diminishes prostate development, growth, and regeneration.

Prostate embryonic development, pubertal and adult growth, maintenance, and regeneration are regulated through androgen signaling-mediated mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. Specifically, the essential role of mesenchymal androgen signaling in the development of prostate epithelium has been observed for over 30 years. However, the identity of the mesenchymal cells responsible for this paracrine regulation and related mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we provide the first demonstration of an indispensable role of the androgen receptor (AR) in sonic hedgehog (SHH) responsive Gli1-expressing cells, in regulating prostate development, growth, and regeneration. Selective deletion of AR expression in Gli1-expressing cells during embryogenesis disrupts prostatic budding and impairs prostate development and formation. Tissue recombination assays showed that urogenital mesenchyme (UGM) containing AR-deficient mesenchymal Gli1-expressing cells combined with wildtype urogenital epithelium (UGE) failed to develop normal prostate tissue in the presence of androgens, revealing the decisive role of AR in mesenchymal SHH responsive cells in prostate development. Prepubescent deletion of AR expression in Gli1-expressing cells resulted in severe impairment of androgen-induced prostate growth and regeneration. RNA-sequencing analysis showed significant alterations in signaling pathways related to prostate development, stem cells, and organ morphogenesis in AR-deficient Gli1-expressing cells. Among these altered pathways, the transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) pathway was up-regulated in AR-deficient Gli1-expressing cells. We further demonstrated the activation of TGFβ1 signaling in AR-deleted prostatic Gli1-expressing cells, which inhibits prostate epithelium growth through paracrine regulation. These data demonstrate a novel role of the AR in the Gli1-expressing cellular niche for regulating prostatic cell fate, morphogenesis, and renewal, and elucidate the mechanism by which mesenchymal androgen-signaling through SHH-responsive cells elicits the growth and regeneration of prostate epithelium

Long-Range Exciton Diffusion in Two-Dimensional Assemblies of Cesium Lead Bromide Perovskite Nanocrystals

F\"orster Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET)-mediated exciton diffusion through artificial nanoscale building block assemblies could be used as a new optoelectronic design element to transport energy. However, so far nanocrystal (NC) systems supported only diffusion length of 30 nm, which are too small to be useful in devices. Here, we demonstrate a FRET-mediated exciton diffusion length of 200 nm with 0.5 cm2/s diffusivity through an ordered, two-dimensional assembly of cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (PNC). Exciton diffusion was directly measured via steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) microscopy, with physical modeling providing deeper insight into the transport process. This exceptionally efficient exciton transport is facilitated by PNCs high PL quantum yield, large absorption cross-section, and high polarizability, together with minimal energetic and geometric disorder of the assembly. This FRET-mediated exciton diffusion length matches perovskites optical absorption depth, opening the possibility to design new optoelectronic device architectures with improved performances, and providing insight into the high conversion efficiencies of PNC-based optoelectronic devices

Improving primary care Access in Context and Theory (I-ACT trial): a theory-informed randomised cluster feasibility trial using a realist perspective

Background Primary care access can be challenging for older, rural, socio-economically disadvantaged populations. Here we report the I-ACT cluster feasibility trial which aims to assess the feasibility of trial design and context-sensitive intervention to improve primary care access for this group and so expand existing theory. Methods Four general practices were recruited; three randomised to intervention and one to usual care. Intervention practices received £1500, a support manual and four meetings to develop local, innovative solutions to improve the booking system and transport. Patients aged over 64 years old and without household car access were recruited to complete questionnaires when booking an appointment or attending the surgery. Outcome measures at 6 months included: self-reported ease of booking an appointment and transport; health care use; patient activation; capability; and quality of life. A process evaluation involved observations and interviews with staff and participants. Results Thirty-four patients were recruited (26 female, eight male, mean age 81.6 years for the intervention group and 79.4 for usual care) of 1143 invited (3% response rate). Most were ineligible because of car access. Twenty-nine participants belonged to intervention practices and five to usual care. Practice-level data was available for all participants, but participant self-reported data was unavailable for three. Fifty-six appointment questionnaires were received based on 150 appointments (37.3%). Practices successfully designed and implemented the following context-sensitive interventions: Practice A: a stacked telephone system and promoting community transport; Practice B: signposting to community transport, appointment flexibility, mobility scooter charging point and promoting the role of receptionists; and Practice C: local taxi firm partnership and training receptionists. Practices found the process acceptable because it gave freedom, time and resource to be innovative or provided an opportunity to implement existing ideas. Data collection methods were acceptable to participants, but some found it difficult remembering to complete booking and appointment questionnaires. Expanded theory highlighted important mechanisms, such as reassurance, confidence, trust and flexibility. Conclusions Recruiting older participants without access to a car proved challenging. Retention of participants and practices was good but only about a third of appointment questionnaires were returned. This study design may facilitate a shift from one-size-fits-all interventions to more context-sensitive interventions

Early life exposure to farm animals and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema : an ISAAC Phase Three study

We are grateful to the children and parents who willingly cooperated and participated in ISAAC Phase Three and the coordination and assistance by the school staff is sincerely appreciated. The authors also acknowledge and thank the many funding bodies throughout the world that supported the individual ISAAC centres and collaborators and their meetings. The funders of the study had no role in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.Background: Associations between early life exposure to farm animals and respiratory symptoms and allergy in children have been reported in developed countries, but little is known about such associations in developing countries. Objective: To study the association between early life exposure to farm animals and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in a worldwide study. Methods: Phase Three of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was carried out in 6- to 7-year-old children in urban populations across the world. Questions about early life exposure to farm animals (at least once/week) were included in an additional questionnaire. The association between such exposures and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema was investigated with logistic regression. Adjustments were made for gender, region of the world, language, gross national income and 10 other subject-specific covariates. Results: A positive association was found between early exposure to farm animals and the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema, especially in non-affluent countries. In these countries, odds ratios (ORs) for 'current wheeze', 'farm animal exposure in the first year of life' and 'farm animal exposure in pregnancy' were 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.44] and 1.38 (95% CI 1.21-1.58), respectively. The corresponding ORs for affluent countries were 0.96 (95% CI 0.86-1.08) and 0.95 (95% CI 0.84-1.08), respectively. Conclusion: Exposure to farm animals during pregnancy and in the first year of life was associated with increased symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in 6- to 7-year-old children living in non-affluent but not in affluent countries.peer-reviewe