Measuring Mobility of the Metacarpophalangeal Joints II, III, IV, and V in the Dorso-Volar Plane

An electronic gravity goniometer was developed for determining the passive range of movement of the MCP joints II, III, IV, and V in the dorso-volar plane by the use of preset torques. Test–retest measurements on 23 healthy subjects between the ages of 18 and 57 demonstrated high intrarater and interrater agreement for determining the total range. In the determination of the amounts of flexion and extension the measurement of the flexion was less reliable. There was overall evidence of a declining tendency of reliability from MCP joint II to MCP joint V, probably caused by different reactions of the joints to repeated measurements. The higher total range of the MCP joints in women was principally caused by a higher range of extension. In the case of men and women the range of MCP joint V was noticeably greater than that of the other three joints. The mobility of the four MCP joints correlates relatively closely as a whole, however, in the case of the non-adjacent joints less closely than with the adjacent joints. Reliability and validity of the examination method were balanced against one another with regard to testing of the biomechanical pre-conditions for manual dexterity.

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Hydrogeology correction in the gravitational field from satellite data

Geodesy and Cartography ◽

10.22389/0016-7126-2018-931-1-2-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 931 (1) ◽

pp. 2-7

Author(s):

V.D. Jushkin ◽

L.V. Zotov ◽

O.A. Khrapenko

Keyword(s):

Gravitational Field ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Geological Factors ◽

Grace Satellite ◽

Gas Pumping ◽

Acceleration Of Gravity ◽

Determination Of Parameters ◽

Gravity Acceleration

The results of repeated measurements of the acceleration of gravity by the Russian absolute ballistic field gravimeter GABL-M on points of oil and gas deposits in the permafrost over a five year period are presented. The changes of gravity acceleration by the absolute gravimeter and GRACE satellite were compared. The results of comparisons of differences gravity acceleration by ballistic gravimeter GABL-M and relative Canadian gravimeters CG5 were [i]shown. The errors in determination of parameters of the gravitational field ballistic gravimeter GABL-M and CG5 gravimeters group were presented. The method of measurement with the gravimeter GABL-M and the method of determining the vertical gradients relative CG5 gravity meters was described. The necessity of introducing corrections of hydrogeology is caused by influence of hydro geological factors on the gravitational field in the permafrost. They are comparable with the values of the field change in the result of gas pumping.

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Urinary gonadotropin measurements by enhanced luminometric assays (LIA) for the evaluation of pubertal development

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2020-0598 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

And Demir ◽

Adem Aydın ◽

Atilla Büyükgebiz ◽

Ulf-Håkan Stenman ◽

Matti Hero

Keyword(s):

Healthy Subjects ◽

Reliable Method ◽

Pubertal Development ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Tanner Stage ◽

Time Resolved ◽

Stage 1 ◽

Sensitive Detection Technique ◽

Serum And Urine

Abstract Objectives Determination of LH in urine has proved to be a reliable method for evaluation of pubertal development. The human LH assay based on time-resolved immunofluorometric (IFMA) technology (AutoDELFIA, PerkinElmer, Wallac) has been found to be suitable for this purpose thanks to its high sensitivity but other assays have not been evaluated. We have analyzed our data obtained by another potentially sensitive detection technique, enhanced luminometric assay (LIA) with the objective of finding a viable alternative to IFMA since these may not be available in the future. Methods LIA was used to measure LH and FSH in serum and urine samples from 100 healthy subjects of each Tanner stage and both genders, whose pubertal development has been determined. Results Urinary gonodotropin concentrations measured by LIA correlated well with Tanner stage [(r=0.93 for girls, r=0.81 for boys; p<0.01 for LH) and (r=0.81 for girls, r=0.73 for boys; p<0.01 for FSH)]. LIA determinations revealed the increase in U-LH concentrations during the transition from Tanner stage 1–2 in both girls and boys (p<0.001), whereas U-FSH and S-LH were able to detect the increase from Tanner stage 1–2 only in boys or girls, respectively (both p<0.001). Conclusions Measurement of urinary gonadotropin concentrations by LIA may be useful for the evaluation of overall pubertal development and also in the detection of transition from prepuberty to puberty.

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Measuring the force perception in knee flexor/ extensor muscles in patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury and healthy subjects

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-200208 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Bahram Amirshakeri ◽

Minoo Khalkhali Zavieh ◽

Mandana Rezaei ◽

Hakimeh Adigozali

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Acl Injury ◽

Injured Limb ◽

Knee Flexor ◽

Force Perception ◽

Extensor Muscles ◽

Anterior Cruciate ◽

Flexion And Extension

BACKGROUND: Force perception as a contributor to the neuromuscular control of the knee joint may be altered after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the force perception accuracy in the knee joints of patients with ACL injury and healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with ACL injury and 26 healthy subjects participated in this case-control study. Participants were asked to produce 50% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the knee muscles as a target force and reproduce it in their limbs in flexion and extension directions. RESULTS: There were significant interactions between group and condition as well as group, condition, and limb in the force perception error respectively (P< 0.05). The highest amount of error was seen in the contralateral limb of the ACL injury group when the reference force was produced in the injured limb (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that the force perception accuracy in the knee flexor/extensor muscles of individuals with ACL injury is impaired. Moreover, error is most evident when the patient produces force in the injured limb and replicates it in the uninjured limb in both flexion and extension directions. Therefore, the rehabilitation programs should encompass neuromuscular training in both quadriceps and hamstrings after ACL injury.

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Are the Naranjo Criteria Reliable and Valid for Determination of Adverse Drug Reactions in the Intensive Care Unit?

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.1g177 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 39 (11) ◽

pp. 1823-1827 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Sandra L Kane-Gill ◽

Levent Kirisci ◽

Dev S Pathak

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Adverse Drug Reactions ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Kappa Statistic ◽

Weighted Kappa ◽

Drug Reactions ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Cronbach Alpha

BACKGROUND The Naranjo criteria are frequently used for determination of causality for suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs); however, the psychometric properties have not been studied in the critically ill. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Naranjo criteria for ADR determination in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS All patients admitted to a surgical ICU during a 3-month period were enrolled. Four raters independently reviewed 142 suspected ADRs using the Naranjo criteria (review 1). Raters evaluated the 142 suspected ADRs 3–4 weeks later, again using the Naranjo criteria (review 2). Inter-rater reliability was tested using the kappa statistic. The weighted kappa statistic was calculated between reviews 1 and 2 for the intra-rater reliability of each rater. Cronbach alpha was computed to assess the inter-item consistency correlation. The Naranjo criteria were compared with expert opinion for criterion validity for each rater and reported as a Spearman rank (rs) coefficient. RESULTS The kappa statistic ranged from 0.14 to 0.33, reflecting poor inter-rater agreement. The weighted kappa within raters was 0.5402–0.9371. The Cronbach alpha ranged from 0.443 to 0.660, which is considered moderate to good. The rs coefficient range was 0.385–0.545; all rs coefficients were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Inter-rater reliability is marginal; however, within-rater evaluation appears to be consistent. The inter-item correlation is expected to be higher since all questions pertain to ADRs. Overall, the Naranjo criteria need modification for use in the ICU to improve reliability, validity, and clinical usefulness.

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Limits to the Control of the Human Thumb and Fingers in Flexion and Extension

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00797.2009 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 278-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

W. S. Yu ◽

H. van Duinen ◽

S. C. Gandevia

Keyword(s):

Control System ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Neural Control ◽

Force Production ◽

Total Force ◽

Neural Drive ◽

Antagonist Muscles ◽

Hand Performance ◽

The Difference ◽

Flexion And Extension

In humans, hand performance has evolved from a crude multidigit grasp to skilled individuated finger movements. However, control of the fingers is not completely independent. Although musculotendinous factors can limit independent movements, constraints in supraspinal control are more important. Most previous studies examined either flexion or extension of the digits. We studied differences in voluntary force production by the five digits, in both flexion and extension tasks. Eleven healthy subjects were instructed either to maximally flex or extend their digits, in all single- and multidigit combinations. They received visual feedback of total force produced by “instructed” digits and had to ignore “noninstructed” digits. Despite attempts to maximally flex or extend instructed digits, subjects rarely generated their “maximal” force, resulting in a “force deficit,” and produced forces with noninstructed digits (“enslavement”). Subjects performed differently in flexion and extension tasks. Enslavement was greater in extension than in flexion tasks ( P = 0.019), whereas the force deficit in multidigit tasks was smaller in extension ( P = 0.035). The difference between flexion and extension in the relationships between the enslavement and force deficit suggests a difference in balance of spillover of neural drive to agonists acting on neighboring digits and focal neural drive to antagonist muscles. An increase in drive to antagonists would lead to more individualized movements. The pattern of force production matches the daily use of the digits. These results reveal a neural control system that preferentially lifts fingers together by extension but allows an individual digit to flex so that the finger pads can explore and grasp.

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Quantitative determination of nystatin in human plasma using LC–MS after inhalative administration in healthy subjects

Journal of Chromatography B ◽

10.1016/j.jchromb.2006.07.015 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 844 (1) ◽

pp. 84-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

E SCHEUCH ◽

T GIESMANN ◽

W SIEGMUND

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Determination ◽

Human Plasma ◽

Healthy Subjects

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Factorial invariance of the Physical Self-Concept Scale in Mexican students (Invarianza factorial de la escala de autoconcepto físico en hombres y mujeres estudiantes universitarios)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i34.59618 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 114-116

Author(s):

Elia Verónica Benavides Pando ◽

José René Blanco Ornelas ◽

Jesús Enrique Peinado Pérez ◽

Julio César Guedea Delgado ◽

Martha Ornelas Contreras

Keyword(s):

Physical Attractiveness ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Total Sample ◽

Self Concept ◽

Factorial Structure ◽

Motor Competence ◽

Men And Women ◽

Mexican Students ◽

Two Factors ◽

Estudiantes Universitarios

Abstract. The present study analyses the psychometric properties proposed by Blanco, Blanco, Viciana, and Zueck (2015) for the Physical Self-Concept Scale (CAF). The total sample consisted of 1,500 Mexican university students, with a mean age of 20.69 years (± SD = 2.33). Confirmatory factorial analyses showed that a two-factor structure is viable and adequate for both studied groups (men and women). The structure of two factors (motor competence and physical attractiveness), according to statistical and substantive criteria, has shown adequate indicators of reliability and validity adjustment. In addition, the factorial structure, factor loads and intercepts are considered invariant in the two groups studied. However, differences between the two groups for the factor means were found. Further research should replicate these findings in larger samples.Resumen. El presente estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas propuestos por Blanco, Blanco, Viciana y Zueck (2015) para la escala de autoconcepto físico (CAF). La muestra total fue de 1500 universitarios mexicanos, con una edad media de 20.69 años (± DE=2.33). Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios mostraron que una estructura de dos factores es viable y adecuada para ambos grupos (hombres y mujeres). La estructura de dos factores (competencia motora y atractivo físico), atendiendo a criterios estadísticos y sustantivos, ha mostrado adecuados indicadores de ajuste de fiabilidad y validez. Además, la estructura factorial, las cargas factoriales y los interceptos se consideran invariantes en las dos poblaciones estudiadas; sin embargo, existen diferencias entre las poblaciones para las medias de los factores. Futuras investigaciones deberían replicar estos hallazgos en muestras más amplias.

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UPLC-MS/MS Determination of Linezolid and Heme in Plasma of Infected Patients and Correlation Analysis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/6679076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yingying Wang ◽

Xuemei Ye ◽

Qin Lan ◽

Xiaofang Ke ◽

Lufeng Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Correlation Analysis ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Haematological Toxicity ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

High Concentration ◽

High Positive Correlation ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Early Diagnose ◽

The Relationship

Linezolid can cause serious haematological toxicity, such as thrombocytopenia and aneamia. Heme, composed of iron and porphyrin, is an important component of hemoglobin. In order to investigate the relationship between the concentration of linezolid and heme in the plasma of infected patients, a UPLC-MS/MS method that can determine the concentrations of linezolid and heme simultaneously was developed and validated. A total of 96 healthy subjects and 81 infected patients, who received blood routine blood tests, were included and determined by the UPLC-MS/MS method. The results showed that the concentration of linezolid was 5.08 ± 3.46 μ g / mL in infected patients who were treated with linezolid. The heme in healthy subjects was 7.05 ± 8.68 μ g / mL , and it was significantly decreased to 0.88 ± 0.79 μ g / mL in infected patients ( P < 0.01 ). Spearman correlation analysis showed that linezolid had a high negative correlation with platelet (PLT) ( R = − 0.309 ). Heme had a high positive correlation with hemoglobin (Hb) ( R = 0.249 ) in healthy subjects and infected patients. The ROC analysis showed that heme had diagnostic value to distinguish low Hb (110 g/L). In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between heme and Hb, and this correlation was also observed in infected patients. A high concentration of linezolid was inclined to decrease PLT. Monitoring of heme and linezolid helps in the early diagnose of low Hb and PLT.

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Substantiation of the perspectivity of improving of the population informing about the criteria of the correct choice of modern multivitamin drugs

ScienceRise Biological Science ◽

10.15587/2519-8025.2021.249494 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 4-9

Author(s):

Tetiana Kutsenko ◽

Dmitro Semeniv ◽

Katherina Shchokina ◽

Galina Belik ◽

Yurii Stoletov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Correct Choice ◽

General Information ◽

The Internet ◽

Health Care Education ◽

Men And Women ◽

Educational Levels ◽

Additional Information ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Pharmaceutical Education

The aim. Determination of the need to raise awareness of the population about multivitamins and the criteria for their rational choice. Materials and research methods. To achieve the goal of the study, it was necessary to develop a questionnaire for visitors to pharmacies and carry out an anonymous survey of them. All adult visitors of the pharmacy were attracted to the survey. The developed questionnaire consisted of 3 parts and contained 32 questions processed in the course of our own research. Research results. Among the pharmacy visitors we surveyed, the majority were between the ages of 35–55, approximately equally divided were men and women who mainly lived in the Kiev region (87 %), were not students and did not have educational levels of bachelor or master, and had no relation in health care education. Summarizing the information obtained in the course of processing questionnaires with the answers of visitors to pharmacies, it can be noted that in the surveyed group of respondents there is a certain interest and indifference to the discussed aspects, but quite often there is a lack of knowledge in this regard. Conclusions. In the course of analyzing the results of the questionnaire survey, the level of awareness of the population regarding general information about the pharmacology of multivitamin drugs and the criteria for their correct choice was determined. From the data obtained, it can be concluded that on many issues the respondents showed an insufficient level of knowledge, which justifies the need for additional information about multivitamins, and indicates that better it should be done with participation of a specialist with a pharmaceutical education or physician. Mostly the population lacks knowledge on the issues listed in the second part of the questionnaire, namely, on general information about the biological and pharmacological properties of vitamins. It was found that the information obtained from the Internet or other media, including advertising, has a significant impact on the awareness and decision of the respondents

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