Different electromyographic features of the gastrocnemius and the tibialis anterior muscles when comparing three types of service among young sportsmen and sportswomen

This study examines the electromyographic activity of lower extremities and, in particular, of the tibialis anterior among young tennis players aged 12-16 years when performing three types of service, namely flat, slice and topspin. The study sample included 9 athletes. In order to record the muscle electric activity, three active surface electrodes were used with a pre-amplifier (Motion Control Co). Fluctuation analysis did not show statistically significant differences between parameters. Differences were observed in the activation sequence between the two muscles. In the flat service, the gastrocnemius is the first one activated, followed by the tibialis anterior. Maximum activation of the gastrocnemius occurs at initial lift-off, while the tibialis anterior towards the end of lift-off. In slice service, the two muscles are activated together and their maximum activation occurs when lift-off starts. In topspin service, the gastrocnemius is the first one activated, followed by the tibialis anterior. Maximum activation of the gastrocnemius occurs at initial lift-off, while the tibialis anterior towards the end of lift-off. Maximum activation of the two muscles occurred at the start of lift-off in all three service modes. In conclusion, young athletes need training to strengthen the tibialis anterior so as to improve lift-off velocity/acceleration in the service motion. Additionally, strengthening the tibialis anterior is a tool to improve foot lead. Such techniques are of the utmost importance during training so that skills as elaborate as those required for tennis service may be developed among young players

Akkermansia muciniphila in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract: When, Where, and How?

Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium of the phylum Verrucomicrobia. Its abundance in the human intestinal tract is inversely correlated to several disease states. A. muciniphila resides in the mucus layer of the large intestine, where it is involved in maintaining intestinal integrity. We explore the presence of Akkermansia-like spp. based on its 16S rRNA sequence and metagenomic signatures in the human body so as to understand its colonization pattern in time and space. A. muciniphila signatures were detected in colonic samples as early as a few weeks after birth and likely could be maintained throughout life. The sites where Akkermansia-like sequences (including Verrucomicrobia phylum and/or Akkermansia spp. sequences found in the literature) were detected apart from the colon included human milk, the oral cavity, the pancreas, the biliary system, the small intestine, and the appendix. The function of Akkermansia-like spp. in these sites may differ from that in the mucosal layer of the colon. A. muciniphila present in the appendix or in human milk could play a role in the re-colonization of the colon or breast-fed infants, respectively. In conclusion, even though A. muciniphila is most abundantly present in the colon, the presence of Akkermansia-like spp. along the digestive tract indicates that this bacterium might have more functions than those currently known.Peer reviewe

Conceptualizing and Measuring Perceived Service Complexity

This study focuses on the notion of Perceived Service Complexity (PSC). PSC captures ‘the difficulty to assimilate the service delivery process, as perceived by frontline employees (FLEs)’ and is conceptualized and measured through the development and validation of a multidimensional construct consisting of three factors (Task-Related, Customer-Derived and ‘Service Nature’-Derived Complexity). The findings add to the organizational frontline literature and advance scholarly understanding of how aspects of FLEs’ working environment shape their ability to assimilate the service delivery process and successfully perform their roles during their interactions with customers. Based on these findings, managerial practice can be informed of the distinct elements that shape FLEs’ perceived service complexity as well as of its ramifications for designing successfully service delivery systems for different types of services

Synchronous Presence of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Marginal Zone (MALT-Type) B-Cell Lymphoma in the Pharynx

Synchronous malignancy of squamous cell carcinoma and malignant lymphoma in the head and neck region is extremely rare. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a nonlymphomatous, squamous cell carcinoma that occurs in the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Reported herein is a unique case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma occurring simultaneously with MALT-type lymphoma in an 83-year-old woman, who complained of deglutition dysfunction. Endoscopic examination of respective organs revealed a submucosal tumour on the posterior wall of pharynx. Biopsy of the hypopharynx was taken and sent for histological examination, which revealed two different neoplasms. Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis confirmed the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma coexisting with a MALT-type lymphoma

A rare tumoral combination, synchronous lung adenocarcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma of the pleura

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Coexistence of adenocarcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma in the same or different anatomical sites is extremely rare. We present a case of incidental discovery of primary lung adenocarcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma involving the pleura, during an axillary thoracotomy performed for a benign condition.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 73-year old male underwent bullectomy and apical pleurectomy for persistent pneumothorax. A bulla of the lung apex was resected en bloc with a scar-like lesion of the lung, which was located in proximity with the bulla origin, by a wide wedge resection. Histologic examination of the stripped-off parietal pleura and of the bullectomy specimen revealed the synchronous occurrence of two distinct neoplasms, a lymphoma infiltrating the pleura and a primary, early lung adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were performed. The morphologic, immunophenotypic and genetic findings supported the diagnosis of primary lung adenocarcinoma (papillary subtype) coexisting with a non-Hodgkin, B-cell lineage, mantle cell lymphoma involving both, visceral and parietal pleura and without mediastinal lymph node involvement. The neoplastic lymphoid cells showed the characteristic immunophenotype of mantle cell lymphoma and the translocation t(11;14). The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy, while pulmonary function tests precluded further pulmonary parenchyma resection (lobectomy) for his adenocarcinoma. The patient is alive and without clinical and radiological findings of local recurrence or distant relapse from both tumors 14 months later.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first reported case of a rare tumoral combination involving simultaneously lung and pleura, emphasizing at the incidental discovery of the two coexisting neoplasms during a procedure performed for a benign condition. Any tissue specimen resected during operations performed for non-tumoral conditions should be routinely sent for pathologic examination.</p

Dynamic metabolic interactions and trophic roles of human gut microbes identified using a minimal microbiome exhibiting ecological properties

Microbe-microbe interactions in the human gut are influenced by host-derived glycans and diet. The high complexity of the gut microbiome poses a major challenge for unraveling the metabolic interactions and trophic roles of key microbes. Synthetic minimal microbiomes provide a pragmatic approach to investigate their ecology including metabolic interactions. Here, we rationally designed a synthetic microbiome termed Mucin and Diet based Minimal Microbiome (MDb-MM) by taking into account known physiological features of 16 key bacteria. We combined 16S rRNA gene-based composition analysis, metabolite measurements and metatranscriptomics to investigate community dynamics, stability, inter-species metabolic interactions and their trophic roles. The 16 species co-existed in the in vitro gut ecosystems containing a mixture of complex substrates representing dietary fibers and mucin. The triplicate MDb-MM's followed the Taylor's power law and exhibited strikingly similar ecological and metabolic patterns. The MDb-MM exhibited resistance and resilience to temporal perturbations as evidenced by the abundance and metabolic end products. Microbe-specific temporal dynamics in transcriptional niche overlap and trophic interaction network explained the observed co-existence in a competitive minimal microbiome. Overall, the present study provides crucial insights into the co-existence, metabolic niches and trophic roles of key intestinal microbes in a highly dynamic and competitive in vitro ecosystem.Peer reviewe