scholarly journals Substantial Achilles adaptation following strength training has no impact on tendon function during walking

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255221
Author(s):  
C. M. Waugh ◽  
A. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽  
Training Adaptations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Tendon Adaptation ◽  
Stretch Shortening Cycle

Tendons are responsive to mechanical loading and their properties are often the target of intervention programs. The tendon’s mechanical properties, particularly stiffness, also govern its function, therefore changes to these properties could have substantial influence on energy-saving mechanisms during activities utilizing the stretch-shortening cycle. We investigated Achilles tendon (AT) function in vivo during walking with respect to a training intervention that elicited significant increases in AT stiffness. 14 men and women completed 12-weeks of isometric plantarflexor strength training that increased AT stiffness, measured during isometric MVC, by ~31%. Before and after the intervention, participants walked shod at their preferred velocity on a fully-instrumented treadmill. Movement kinematics, kinetics and displacement of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon junction were captured synchronously using 3D motion capture and ultrasound imaging, respectively. A MANOVA test was used to examine changes in AT force, stress, strain, stiffness, Young’s modulus, hysteresis and strain energy, measured during walking, before and following strength training. All were non-significant for a main effect of time, therefore no follow-up statistical tests were conducted. Changes in joint kinematics, tendon strain, velocity, work and power and muscle activity during the stance phase were assessed with 1D statistical parametric mapping, all of which also demonstrated a lack of change in response to the intervention. This in vivo examination of tendon function in walking provides an important foundation for investigating the functional consequences of training adaptations. We found substantial increases in AT stiffness did not impact on tendon function during walking. AT stiffness measured during walking, however, was unchanged with training, which suggests that increases in stiffness may not be evident across the whole force-elongation relation, a finding which may help explain previously mixed intervention results and guide future investigations in the functional implications of tendon adaptation.

scholarly journals The Effect of Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm Laser in the Treatment of Onychomycosis In Vivo

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostas Kalokasidis ◽  
Meltem Onder ◽  
Myrto-Georgia Trakatelli ◽  
Bertrand Richert ◽  
Klaus Fritz
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Prospective Clinical Study ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
532 Nm

In this prospective clinical study, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser (Light Age, Inc., Somerset, NJ, USA) was used on 131 onychomycosis subjects (94 females, 37 males; ages 18 to 68 years). Mycotic cultures were taken and fungus types were detected. The laser protocol included two sessions with a one-month interval. Treatment duration was approximately 15 minutes per session and patients were observed over a 3-month time period. Laser fluencies of 14 J/cm2were applied at 9 billionths of a second pulse duration and at 5 Hz frequency. Follow-up was performed at 3 months with mycological cultures. Before and after digital photographs were taken. Adverse effects were recorded and all participants completed “self-evaluation questionnaires” rating their level of satisfaction. All subjects were well satisfied with the treatments, there were no noticeable side effects, and no significant differences were found treating men versus women. At the 3-month follow-up 95.42% of the patients were laboratory mycologically cured of fungal infection. This clinical study demonstrates that fungal nail infections can be effectively and safely treated with Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser. It can also be combined with systemic oral antifungals providing more limited treatment time.

ATTENTIONAL FOCUS AND FEAR OF BLUSHING: A CASE STUDY

1999 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Mulkens ◽  
Susan M. Bögelts ◽  
Peter J. de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Fear Avoidance ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fear Of Blushing

By means of a single case study, the effects of redirecting attention above exposure only on fear of blushing, avoidance, and idiosyncratic dysfunctional beliefs were tested. A social phobic patient with fear of blushing as the predominant complaint received sessions of Task Concentration Training (TCT) and Exposure in Vivo (EXP) alternately, after a steady baseline had been established. The treatment consisted of 14 individual sessions. Assessments were held before and after baseline, after treatment, after 4 weeks follow-up, and after 1-year follow-up. Continuous measurements were held throughout the treatment in order to measure the differential effects of TCT and EXP on fear, avoidance and beliefs. TCT and EXP together, turned out to be an effective treatment for fear of blushing: large effects were observed on all three outcome measurements. When differential effects are closely looked at, EXP seemed more effective in decreasing fear of blushing. However, the patient appeared to have used TCT strategies as well during the EXP weeks, which may have contributed to the favourable effects of EXP.

Assessments of Stress of Conscience, Perceptions of Conscience, Burnout, and Social Support Before and After Implementation of a Participatory Action-Research-Based Intervention

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Ericson-Lidman ◽  
Johan Åhlin
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stress Of Conscience ◽  
Nonparametric Statistical ◽  
Difficult Situations

Interventions aiming to constructively address stress of conscience are rare. The aim of the study was to compare assessments of stress of conscience, perceptions of conscience, burnout, and social support among health care personnel (HCP) working in municipal residential care of older adults, before and after participation in a participatory action research (PAR) intervention aiming to learn to constructively deal with troubled conscience. Questionnaire data were collected at baseline and at follow-up (1-year interval; n = 29). Descriptive statistics and nonparametric statistical tests were used to make comparisons between baseline and follow-up. HCP gave significantly higher scores to the question, “Are your work achievements appreciated by your immediate superior?” at follow-up compared with baseline. No significant differences in levels of stress of conscience and burnout at follow-up were found. The results suggested that a PAR intervention aiming to learn HCP to deal with their troubled conscience in difficult situations could be partially successful.

scholarly journals Biodegraded magnetosomes with reduced size and heating power maintain a persistent activity against intracranial U87-Luc mouse GBM tumors

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edouard Alphandéry ◽  
Ahmed Idbaih ◽  
Clovis Adam ◽  
Jean-Yves Delattre ◽  
Charlotte Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Absorption Rate ◽  
Heating Power ◽  
Cellular Internalization ◽  
Persistent Activity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity ◽  
Nanoparticle Sizes

Abstract Background An important but rarely addressed question in nano-therapy is to know whether bio-degraded nanoparticles with reduced sizes and weakened heating power are able to maintain sufficient anti-tumor activity to fully eradicate a tumor, hence preventing tumor re-growth. To answer it, we studied magnetosomes, which are nanoparticles synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria with sufficiently large sizes (~ 30 nm on average) to enable a follow-up of nanoparticle sizes/heating power variations under two different altering conditions that do not prevent anti-tumor activity, i.e. in vitro cellular internalization and in vivo intra-tumor stay for more than 30 days. Results When magnetosomes are internalized in U87-Luc cells by being incubated with these cells during 24 h in vitro, the dominant magnetosome sizes within the magnetosome size distribution (DMS) and specific absorption rate (SAR) strongly decrease from DMS ~ 40 nm and SAR ~ 1234 W/gFe before internalization to DMS ~ 11 nm and SAR ~ 57 W/gFe after internalization, a behavior that does not prevent internalized magnetosomes to efficiently destroy U87-Luc cell, i.e. the percentage of U87-Luc living cells incubated with magnetosomes decreases by 25% between before and after alternating magnetic field (AMF) application. When 2 µl of a suspension containing 40 µg of magnetosomes are administered to intracranial U87-Luc tumors of 2 mm3 and exposed (or not) to 15 magnetic sessions (MS), each one consisting in 30 min application of an AMF of 27 mT and 198 kHz, DMS and SAR decrease between before and after the 15 MS from ~ 40 nm and ~ 4 W/gFe down to ~ 29 nm and ~ 0 W/gFe. Although the magnetosome heating power is weakened in vivo, i.e. no measurable tumor temperature increase is observed after the sixth MS, anti-tumor activity remains persistent up to the 15th MS, resulting in full tumor disappearance among 50% of treated mice. Conclusion Here, we report sustained magnetosome anti-tumor activity under conditions of significant magnetosome size reduction and complete loss of magnetosome heating power.

Growth rate of serous pancreatic neoplasms in vivo: a retrospective, observational study

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-440
Author(s):  
Chan Park ◽  
Hyoung Jung Kim ◽  
So Yeon Kim ◽  
Seung Soo Lee ◽  
Jae Ho Byun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Pancreatic Neoplasms ◽  
Needle Aspiration ◽  
Tumor Growth Rate ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
In Vivo Growth

Background Determining the growth rate of pancreatic cystic lesions on follow-up imaging is important in managing patients with these lesions. However, the growth rates of serous pancreatic neoplasms (SPNs) have been reported to vary among studies. Purpose To determine the in vivo growth rate of SPNs. Material and Methods This retrospective, single-institutional study included patients diagnosed with SPNs during 2006–2015. The diagnosis of SPNs was based on the results of surgery, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy (CNB), or typical radiologic features of SPN. A linear mixed-effects model was utilized to determine whether the diagnostic intervention was associated with tumor growth rate in all patients. The in vivo growth rate of SPNs was estimated from patients without or before diagnostic intervention. SPN growth rates were compared before and after diagnostic intervention. Results SPN growth rates in the overall patient cohort (n = 304) differed significantly between patients who did and did not undergo diagnostic interventions. The in vivo SPN growth rate in 204 patients without or before diagnostic intervention was 1.9 mm/year (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6–2.2). In the 130 patients who underwent diagnostic intervention, the SPN growth rate was significantly greater before than after diagnostic intervention (1.8 vs. 0.2 mm/year). Conclusions In the absence of diagnostic intervention, the in vivo growth rate of SPNs was 1.9 mm/year (95% CI = 1.6–2.2). EUS-guided FNA or CNB may affect the growth rate of SPNs.

scholarly journals In vivo comparison of braided (Accero) and laser-cut intracranial stents (Acclino, Credo): evaluation of vessel responses at subacute and mid-term follow-up in a rabbit model

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mühl-Benninghaus Ruben ◽  
Tomori Toshiki ◽  
Krajewski Stefanie ◽  
Dietrich Philipp ◽  
Simgen Andreas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Antiplatelet Medication ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate in vivo two stent technologies, with particular emphasis on thrombogenicity and inflammatory vessel remodeling processes. The micro-stents tested in this study were developed for intracranial aneurysm treatment. In our study twelve, New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups: 18 laser-cut stents (LCS) and 18 braided stents (BS) were impanated without admiration of antiplatelet medication. Three stents were implanted into each animal in the common carotid artery, subclavian artery, and abdominal aorta. Digital subtraction angiography was performed before and after stent implantation and at follow-up for the visualization of occurring In-stent thromboembolism or stenosis. The Stents were explanted for histopathological examination at two different timepoints, after 3 and 28 days. Angiographically neither in-stent thrombosis nor stenosis for both groups was seen. There was a progressive increase in the vessel diameter, which was more pronounced for BS than for LCS. We detected a higher number of thrombi adherent to the foreign material on day 3 for BS. On day 3, the neointima was absent, whereas the complete formation observed was on day 28. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the thickness of the neointima. The in vivo model of our study enabled the evaluation of blood and vessel reactions for two different stent technologies. Differences in vessel dimension and tissue around the stents were observed on day 28. Histological analysis on day 3 enabled the assessment of thrombotic reactions, representing an important complementary result in long-term studies.

scholarly journals Confocal Microscopy and Lentigo Maligna: An in vivo Pilot Study for the Assessment of Response to Imiquimod Therapy

Dermatology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 235 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flurin L. Brand ◽  
S. Morteza Seyed Jafari ◽  
Robert E. Hunger
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Lentigo Maligna ◽  
Noninvasive Technique ◽  
Important Benefit ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Atypical Cells

Background: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive technique that provides real-time in vivo images of the epidermal layer. Imiquimod has been recommended as an alternative treatment in lentigo maligna (LM) when surgical excision is not the treatment of choice. In the present study we compare the results of in vivo RCM to the histopathological examination before and after treatment of LM with topical imiquimod. Methods: Thirty-four patients with confirmed LM were included. Imiquimod 5% was applied until a weeping erosion appeared in the LM-affected skin. Evaluation was performed by clinical examination, dermatoscopy, histopathology and RCM. Results: During the follow-up, 27 of 34 patients (79.42%) demonstrated a total tumor clearance by imiquimod treatment. In the treated area, a significant decrease of atypical cells was detected using RCM (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation in the detected atypical cells was shown using confocal microscopy and histology (p = 0.0001, r = 0.7335, respectively). Conclusion: In patients not suitable for surgical intervention imiquimod treatment is an appropriate treatment alternative. Thereby, in vivo RCM was demonstrated to be an excellent examining device, which not only allows diagnosis of LM, but also therapy and follow-up examinations. An important benefit of RCM, in contrast to conventional histopathology, is the simple handling with in vivo examination of epidermal skin without any pain for the patient.

scholarly journals Coper Classification Early After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture Changes With Progressive Neuromuscular and Strength Training and Is Associated With 2-Year Success: The Delaware-Oslo ACL Cohort Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 807-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise M. Thoma ◽  
Hege Grindem ◽  
David Logerstedt ◽  
Michael Axe ◽  
Lars Engebretsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Strength Training ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Acl Rupture ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Some athletes demonstrate excellent dynamic stability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and return to sport without ACL reconstruction (ACLR) (copers). Others demonstrate persistent instability despite rehabilitation (noncopers) and require surgical stabilization. Testing to determine coper classification can identify potential copers early after rupture. It is unclear how coper classification changes after a brief intervention and how early classification relates to long-term outcomes. Purpose: (1) To evaluate the consistency of early coper classification (potential coper vs noncoper) before and after progressive neuromuscular and strength training (NMST) among athletes early after acute ACL rupture and (2) to evaluate the association of early coper classification with 2-year success after ACL rupture. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This was a prospective analysis from the Delaware-Oslo ACL Cohort Study, composed of athletes consecutively enrolled early after ACL rupture. Participants (n = 271) were tested and classified as potential copers or noncopers according to established criteria before and after a 10-session NMST program. Success 2 years after ACLR or nonoperative rehabilitation was defined as meeting or exceeding sex- and age-matched norms for knee function, no ACL graft rupture, and ≤1 episode of giving way within the previous year. The McNemar test evaluated changes in coper classification pre- to posttraining. Logistic regression adjusted for baseline characteristics was used to evaluate the association of early coper classification and surgical status with 2-year success. Results: Of 300 athletes enrolled, 271 (90%) completed the posttraining data collection, and 219 (73%) returned for the 2-year follow-up. The coper classifications were different between time points: nearly half of those classified initially as noncopers became potential copers ( P < .001). At the 2-year follow-up, 66% of the ACLR group and 74% of the nonoperative group were successful. Athletes who were potential copers posttraining and chose ACLR or nonoperative rehabilitation had 2.7 (95% CI, 1.3-5.6) and 2.9 (95% CI, 1.2-7.2) times the odds of success, respectively, as compared with noncopers who chose ACLR. Conclusion: Coper classification improved after NMST; more athletes became potential copers. Athletes who were potential copers after NMST were more likely to succeed 2 years later regardless of whether they had surgery, strongly supporting the addition of NMST before ACLR. Persistent noncopers fared poorly, indicating that more intensive rehabilitation may be needed.

Radiolabeled r-Hirudin as a Measure of Thrombin Activity at, or within, the Rabbit Aorta Wall In Vitro and In Vivo

1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (04) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W C Hatton ◽  
Bonnie Ross-Ouellet
Keyword(s):  
Rabbit Aorta ◽  
Balloon Injury ◽  
Recombinant Hirudin ◽  
Aorta Wall ◽  
Thrombin Activity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Matrix

SummaryThe behavior of 125I-labeled recombinant hirudin towards the uninjured and de-endothelialized rabbit aorta wall has been studied in vitro and in vivo to determine its usefulness as an indicator of thrombin activity associated with the aorta wall. Thrombin adsorbed to either sulfopropyl-Sephadex or heparin-Sepharose bound >95% of 125I-r-hirudin and the complex remained bound to the matrix. Binding of 125I-r-hirudin to the exposed aorta subendothelium (intima-media) in vitro was increased substantially if the tissue was pre-treated with thrombin; the quantity of l25I-r-hirudin bound to the de-endothelialized intima-media (i.e. balloon-injured in vitro) correlated positively with the quantity of bound 131I-thrombin (p <0.01). Aortas balloon-injured in vivo were measured for thrombin release from, and binding of 125I-r-hirudin to, the de-endothelialized intimal surface in vitro; 125I-r-hirudin binding correlated with the amount of active thrombin released (p <0.001). Uptake of 125I-r-hirudin by the aorta wall in vivo was proportional to the uptake of 131I-fibrinogen (as an indicator of thrombin activity) before and after balloon injury. After 30 min in the circulation, specific 125I-r-hirudin binding to the uninjured and de-endo- thelialized (at 1.5 h after injury) aorta wall was equivalent to 3.4 (± 2.5) and 25.6 (±18.1) fmol of thrombin/cm2 of intima-media, respectively. Possibly, only hirudin-accessible, glycosaminoglycan-bound thrombin is measured in this way.

The Effect of Active Site-inhibited Factor VIIa on Tissue Factor-initiated Coagulation Using Platelets before and after Aspirin Administration

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (04) ◽  
pp. 1202-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Kjalke ◽  
Julie A Oliver ◽  
Dougald M Monroe ◽  
Maureane Hoffman ◽  
Mirella Ezban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Factor Viia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Antithrombotic Agent ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ic50 Values

SummaryActive site-inactivated factor VIIa has potential as an antithrombotic agent. The effects of D-Phe-L-Phe-L-Arg-chloromethyl ketone-treated factor VIla (FFR-FVIIa) were evaluated in a cell-based system mimicking in vivo initiation of coagulation. FFR-FVIIa inhibited platelet activation (as measured by expression of P-selectin) and subsequent large-scale thrombin generation in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 1.4 ± 0.8 nM (n = 8) and 0.9 ± 0.7 nM (n = 7), respectively. Kd for factor VIIa binding to monocytes ki for FFR-FVIIa competing with factor VIIa were similar (11.4 ± 0.8 pM and 10.6 ± 1.1 pM, respectively), showing that FFR-FVIIa binds to tissue factor in the tenase complex with the same affinity as factor VIIa. Using platelets from volunteers before and after ingestion of aspirin (1.3 g), there were no significant differences in the IC50 values of FFR-FVIIa [after aspirin ingestion, the IC50 values were 1.7 ± 0.9 nM (n = 8) for P-selectin expression, p = 0.37, and 1.4 ± 1.3 nM (n = 7) for thrombin generation, p = 0.38]. This shows that aspirin treatment of platelets does not influence the inhibition of tissue factor-initiated coagulation by FFR-FVIIa, probably because thrombin activation of platelets is not entirely dependent upon expression of thromboxane A2.

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