Search

Background: Emergent linkages between musculoskeletal injury and the nervous system have increased interest to evaluate brain activity during functional movements associated with injury risk. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a sophisticated modality that can be used to study brain activity during functional sensorimotor control tasks. However, technical limitations have precluded the precise quantification of lower-extremity joint kinematics during active brain scanning. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a new, MRI-compatible motion tracking system relative to a traditional multi-camera 3D motion capture system for measuring lower extremity joint kinematics., Methods: Fifteen subjects (9 females, 6 males) performed knee flexion-extension and leg press movements against guided resistance while laying supine. Motion tracking data were collected simultaneously using the MRI-compatible and traditional multi-camera 3D motion systems. Participants' sagittal and frontal plane knee angles were calculated from data acquired by both multi-camera systems. Resultant range of angular movement in both measurement planes were compared between both systems. Instrument agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC)., Results: The system demonstrated excellent validity in the sagittal plane (ICCs>0.99) and good to excellent validity in the frontal plane (0.84 < ICCs < 0.92). Mean differences between corresponding range of angular movement measurements ranged from 0.186 ° to 0.295 °., Conclusions: The present data indicate that this new, MRI-compatible system is valid for measuring lower extremity movements when compared to the gold standard 3D motion analysis system. As there is growing interest regarding the neural substrates of lower extremity movement, particularly in relation to injury and pathology, this system can now be integrated into neuroimaging paradigms to investigate movement biomechanics and its relation to brain activity., Level of Evidence: 3., (© 2020 by the Sports Physical Therapy Section.)

We are all faced with uncertainty about the future, but we can get the measure of some uncertainties in terms of probabilities. Probabilities are notoriously difficult to communicate effectively to lay audiences, and in this review we examine current practice for communicating uncertainties visually, using examples drawn from sport, weather, climate, health, economics, and politics. Despite the burgeoning interest in infographics, there is limited experimental evidence on how different types of visualizations are processed and understood, although the effectiveness of some graphics clearly depends on the relative numeracy of an audience. Fortunately, it is increasingly easy to present data in the form of interactive visualizations and in multiple types of representation that can be adjusted to user needs and capabilities. Nonetheless, communicating deeper uncertainties resulting from incomplete or disputed knowledge--or from essential indeterminacy about the future--remains a challenge.

Background: A national initiative in Ireland in 2000 defined 13 designated Units to provide care for symptomatic breast cancer, and resources, including an ability to develop audit programmes, were provided. In the absence of a national audit of breast cancer outcomes, the aim of this study is to provide a detailed report of one Unit's subsequent experience, in particular comparing process and outcome data with international norms and benchmarks, and to infer on the likely impact of the national initiative., Methods: A 5-year prospective audit of patients presenting to the Symptomatic Breast Clinic from 2001 to 2005 was conducted. All cancer diagnoses were discussed at the Breast Multidisciplinary Conference, and all clinicopathological treatment details and follow-up information were entered by a full-time data manager. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: Eight hundred and thirty-nine patients were diagnosed through the clinic, 18 (2%) Stage 0, 169 (20%) Stage I, 380 (45%) Stage II, 142 (17%) Stage III, and 123 (15%) Stage IV. At a median follow-up of 35 months the overall 5-year survival was 71%, with 100%, 91%, 83%, 72%, and 11% survival for Stages 0-IV, respectively, and disease-specific survival of 82%., Conclusions: The process and outcome data are consistent with international benchmarks. These data from one designated centre support the national initiatives in Ireland to restructure breast services.