Experimental Approach of Quadriceps Strength Measurement: Implications for Assessments in Critically Ill Survivors

(1) Background: The supine testing position is suitable for early quadriceps strength (QS) assessment in intensive care unit, while a seated position is more appropriate for survivors who have regained mobility. Acquiring consistent measurements is essential for longitudinal follow-up. We compared the QS generated in different settings in healthy volunteers. (2) Methods: Isometric QS was assessed using a MicroFet2 and standardised protocols comparing different modalities. Hip and knee flexion angles were, respectively, 45° and 40° (H45-K40) in the supine position, and both at 90° (H90-K90) in the seated position. Dynamometer was either handheld (non-fixed configuration, NFC), or fixed (FC) in a cubicle. (3) Results: QS in H90–K90 and H45-K40 positions were strongly correlated, but QS was higher in the later position regardless of the configuration. Compared to H45-K40, biases of 108.2N (or 28.05%) and 110.3N (27.13%) were observed in H90-K90 position, respectively, in the NFC and FC. These biases were independently and positively associated with QS (p < 0.001). For both position, there were no significant differences between QS measured in NFC or FC. (4) Conclusions: The quadriceps was less efficient in the seated position, compared to the supine position, in healthy volunteers. These findings have practical implications for further assessments and research in critically ill patients.

Target strength measurement of Caroun croaker (Johnius sp.) and acoustic fish density estimation in Musi Estuary, South Sumatra

Caroun Croaker ( Johnius sp.) is one of the dominant estuarine fish that has a reasonably high economic value. The target strength (TS) value measurement is essential in calculating the density of fish stocks using the hydroacoustic method. Target strength measurement of Caroun Croaker (Johnius sp.) and an acoustic survey in Musi Estuary Waters of South Sumatra Province was conducted in December 2019. The result of TS measurement will be used to estimate the acoustic density along the survey area. The TS measurement used the standard tethered method, tying placing the fish in a fixed cage, transmitting the acoustic pulse, and analyzing its return using the scientific acoustic instrument Biosonic DT-X 200 KHz. The fisheries acoustic survey was carried out in the area around the Musi estuary with a predetermined survey design. The results of the measurements have obtained the TS-length relationship, as TS= 20 LOG L-78.79 with determinant value of R2= 0.67 for fish length ranges from 18.1-23.3 cm, and an acoustic survey showed that the estimated stock density value was 286 kg/ha for the total surveyed area of 1.612 ha.

Hand-Held Dynamometry to Safely Measure Muscle Strength in Patients In Intensive Care

Background: Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) has been increasingly studied and associated with prognostic factors of negative outcomes during the hospitalization of critically ill patients. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the muscle strength of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with accurate quantitative tools, such as the hand-held dynamometer (HHD), which directly measures the strength of large muscle groups, providing earlier and more accurate decision making. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of using HHD to measure the strength of large muscle groups in ICU patients, in addition to determining the prevalence of muscle imbalance in these patients, and correlating HHD measures with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, inferring the impact of strength measurement of the main muscle groups using HHD on vital signs, dyspnea, and pain. The occurrence of adverse events during the evaluation was also observed. Safety was assessed using the paired t-test, calculating the prevalence of muscle imbalance in the sample and Pearson’s correlation between the strength measurement instruments. Results: The sample consisted of 46 volunteers, and no clinically significant variability was observed for pre- and post-safety variables. A high prevalence of muscle imbalance was found in the sample, and there was a strong correlation between HHD and MRC. Discussion: Strength measurement using HHD in the ICU is safe and well-tolerated, providing information on the individual condition of large muscle groups and improving the ability to diagnose muscle imbalance in the ICU patients.

A Study on the Treatment Effect and Wave Efficiency of Heat Perm Added Camellia Oil

This study is for the treatment effect and wave efficiency shown by using camellia oil, a natural material, for hair damaged by heat perm, a chemical treatment. For this, An experimental group containing camellia oil and a control group without it were prepared. and then, hair tensile strength measurement, absorbance measurement, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope) observation, and hair gloss measurement were tested. First, in the tensile strength measurement, the tensile strength of the heat perm with camellia oil was higher than that of the heat perm without camellia oil. And as a result of absorbance measurement using methylene blue, the average absorbance of hair containing camellia oil was low. Second, in SEM, heat perm containing camellia oil showed less cuticle damage. Also, there was no cuticle damage in the heat perm containing camellia oil compared to the heat perm without camellia oil in the time observation. As a result of the gloss measurement, the degree of damage according to the time of the heat perm increased, but the damage was less in the heat perm including camellia oil. Based on these results, it was found that camellia oil had a high treatment effect of heat perm.

Effect of Expiration Muscle Exercise Using Positive Expiratory Pressure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

In this COVID-19 pandemic era, it is important to obtain objective expiratory muscle strength measurement in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients (COPD).

Effectiveness of Continuous Grip Strength Measurement Using Social Assistive Robots on Older Adults at Home

In this study, the effect of social assistive robots (SARs) on the continuity of health management activities was verified through the measurement of daily grip strength. We proposed and developed an intervention system for grip strength measurement and installed it in a SAR. Then, 23 older adults used the system at home with and without a SAR. Each setup was applied for three weeks and the rates at which the participants forgot their daily grip strength measurements were compared at the end of the period. The rates at which the daily measurements were forgotten decreased significantly when a SAR was used. In particular, 9 participants were able to decrease their rate of forgotten measurements after they used a SAR. Thus, the SAR enabled the participants to regularly perform grip strength measurement activities. These findings indicate that appropriate intervention measures using SARs are effective in promoting the continuity of daily healthcare activities of older adults living at home.