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Objective:To identify the prognostic significance of specific lymph node related characteristics for disease persistence and recurrence in patients with pre- or intra-operative evidence of neck metastases and no other risk factors.Method and resultsSixty-eight patients were identified; 50 per cent had persistent or recurrent disease. All underwent the same treatment strategy. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the patient- or tumour-related parameters when patients with and without persistence or recurrence were compared. Patients with recurrent or persistent disease had significantly larger (>3 cm) metastatic lymph nodes, but there were no differences regarding other lymph node related parameters (i.e. number, extracapsular extension, number of lymph nodes with extracapsular extension, and central vs lateral neck location). On multivariate analysis, however, none of the parameters were predictive of persistent or recurrent disease.Conclusion:In papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with no other risk factors, pre- or intra-operative evidence of cervical metastases was associated with a very high rate of disease persistence or recurrence. Specific lymph node characteristics were not shown to have prognostic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this article was to assess the effects of six-week pre-season training on whole-body and regional bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived parameters, body composition, power, and aerobic performance in professional soccer players. Ten professional soccer athletes participated in the present study. Whole-body and regional hamstrings BIA-derived parameters [resistance, reactance, impedance, phase angle (PhA)], body composition, total body water (TBW), intracellular (ICW), and extracellular (ECW) were measured before, at mid-point, and after sixth week of the pre-season. Power (countermovement jump and squat jump) and aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo test) were measured before and after pre-season. There was a significant increase in the regional PhA (+13.9%) but not in the whole-body. There was a reduction in fat mass (−4.1%), an increase in fat-free mass (+1.7%), TBW (+8.3%), ICW (+8.8%), and ECW (+7.6%), as well as an increase in jump height (+11.0%) and distance covered in the Yo-Yo test (+34.7%). From our results, it is possible to suggest that pre-season training can induce an increase in hamstring PhA as well as body recomposition and improvement of physical fitness in professional soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of efficacy of weight loss(WL) interventions is attributed in-part to low adherence to dietary/physical activity(PA) recommendations. However, some compensation may occur in PA as a response to energy restriction such as a decrease in non-exercise PA(NEPA) or non-exercise activity thermogenesis(NEAT). The current study aim was (1) to investigate whether adaptive thermogenesis(AT) in NEAT occurs after WL, and (2) to understand the associations of these compensations with WL. Ninety-four former athletes [mean±SD, age: 43.0±9.4y, BMI: 31.1±4.3 kg/m2, 34.0% female] were recruited and randomly assigned to intervention or control groups (IG, CG). The IG underwent a one-year lifestyle WL-intervention; no treatments were administered to the CG. PA was measured using accelerometery and NEAT was predicted with a model including sample baseline characteristics. AT was calculated as measuredNEAT4mo/12mo(kcal/d)–predictedNEAT4mo/12mo(kcal/d)-measuredNEATbaseline(kcal/d)–predictedNEATbaseline(kcal/d). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess fat-free mass and fat mass. No differences were found in the IG for NEAT or NEPA after WL. Considering mean values, AT was not found for either group. The SD of individual response (SDIR) for AT was −2(4-months) and 24(12-months) (smallest worthwhile change = 87kcal/d), suggesting that the interindividual variability regarding AT in NEAT is not relevant and the variability in this outcome might reflect a large within-subject variability and/or a large degree of random measurement error. No associations were found between AT in NEAT and changes in body composition. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the large variability in AT observed in NEAT and related changes in NEPA to better implement lifestyle-induced WL interventions. Highlights No significant differences were found for non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) or non-exercise physical activity (NEPA) after the weight loss (WL) intervention; Although a large variability was found for NEAT and NEPA, the interindividual variability regarding these outcomes is not relevant. The variability in these outcomes might reflect a large within-subject variability and/or a large degree of random measurement error; Although no energy conservation was observed in NEAT after moderate WL (mean values), further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the large variability in adaptive thermogenesis observed in NEAT and related changes in NEPA to better implement lifestyle-induced WL interventions. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03031951. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Qualified individualised nursing care should be provided to all communities and ethnic groups with free of ethnocentrism. Aims: To evaluate nurses' individualised care behaviours and ethnocentric attitudes and predict the relationship between their individualised care behaviours and ethnocentric attitudes. Design: A descriptive and exploratory study. Methods: This study was conducted with 250 nurses working in a public and two private hospitals in a city, an area with many refugees. Data were collected using the Ethnocentrism Scale and Individualised Care Behaviours Scale. Structural equation model analysis to test hypothetical model and descriptive statistics were used. Results: Nurses working in the private hospitals had a higher individualised care decision control mean score. Those nurses who enjoyed spending time with people from different cultures had lower mean ethnocentrism scale scores, higher individualised care clinical status, personal life and decision control status subscales mean scores compared to other nurses. Mean scores of the individualised care personal life and decision control status subscales of the nurses who followed the literature on transcultural nursing was higher. A significant relationship between the ethnocentrism levels and individualised care behaviours was identified. Accordingly, the ethnocentric attitudes of the nurses negatively affected their individualised care behaviours, and the model established between the two concepts is statistically appropriate. Conclusions: Nurses who work in private hospitals, receive intercultural nursing education and enjoy spending time with different cultures have higher individualised care behaviours and lower ethnocentrism levels. Ethnocentric attitudes of the nurses negatively affected their individualised care behaviours. Care strategies should be developed that consider the factors that will maximize individualised care practices that minimize ethnocentric behaviours among nurses. Implications for the Profession: Increasing awareness on individualised care behaviours, ethnocentric attitudes and effected factors will contribute to improve of nursing care quality of nurses while giving care to individuals from different cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to and sustainment of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are critical to its effectiveness. Adherence self-efficacy, i.e., confidence in one's ability to adhere to a particular medication, is a key psychological determinant of health behavior that strongly predicts HIV treatment adherence but has been understudied in PrEP research. This paper describes the psychometric evaluation and validation of the PrEP Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (PrEP-ASES), adapted from the previously validated HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES). Data are drawn from two studies conducted at a community health center, one focused on gay and bisexual cisgender men and the other on transgender women. Factor analyses support a one-factor score (eigenvalue = 6.78) that explained 75.3% of the variance, with good test–retest reliability (rs > 0.40). In both studies, higher PrEP-ASES scores were associated with PrEP uptake, adherence, and sustainment. Findings support the utility of the PrEP-ASES in research and suggest the importance of addressing self-efficacy in PrEP programs and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent research has suggested that too much self‐control (overcontrol) underpins a range of mental health disorders including certain Axis I mood and eating disorders, and Axis II presentations such as obsessive compulsive personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder. A novel group therapy intervention, Group Radical Openness (GRO), is proposed as a suitable treatment for overcontrol. Aims: To explore whether appropriate participants for the intervention can be recruited; to investigate whether outcome measures are fit for purpose; to determine whether the intervention is suitable and acceptable to participants; and to determine whether GRO shows promise with the intended population. Method: A mixed‐methods design was chosen, using statistical analysis on two primary measures and three secondary measures to assess pre–post outcomes and 6‐month follow‐up. This was combined with descriptive interpretive analysis of client interviews post‐intervention. Research participants were outpatients who attended GRO. The sample (N = 14; 6 females and 8 males; mean age 44.4 years; age range 18–58) attended 26, three‐hour group sessions. Results: Quantitative data were analysed using repeated‐measures ANOVA. Participant scores on the two primary measures, The Five‐Factor Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory—Short Form (FFOCI‐SF) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), yielded significant results that were maintained at 6‐month follow‐up. Qualitative data found that participants reported changes across the three themes that are addressed in the GRO programme. Discussion: This feasibility study found that GRO showed promise as a suitable intervention for individuals who are overcontrolled. Further intervention effectiveness research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identity fusion with the community has been previously found to mediate altruism in post‐disaster settings. However, whether this altruistic response is specifically triggered by ingroup threat, or whether it can also be triggered by global threats remains unclear. We evaluated willingness to sacrifice in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic across three survey waves. Against expectations, participants fused with the nation (vs. non‐fused) did not differentially respond to a national versus global threat condition. Conversely, social norms decisively influenced willingness to sacrifice in this sample, with fused individuals with stronger norms about social distancing reporting the highest altruistic response during the first weeks of the pandemic. Longitudinally, after an initial peak in the altruistic response, deteriorating social norms mediated decreases in willingness to sacrifice in individuals fused with the nation (vs. non‐fused). Implications of these results for the development of interventions aimed to address global challenges are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of risk stratification by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) pediatric thyroid cancer risk levels and BRAFV600E mutation to predict the response to treatment in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients ≤18 years old. Methods: Clinical outcomes during a median period of 6 (2-21.8) years were assessed in 70 patients, according to ATA pediatric risk stratification, BRAFV600E mutation status, and dynamic risk stratification (DRS) at final follow-up. Results: Of 70 patients, 44 (63%), 14 (20%), and 12 (17%) were classified initially as low-, intermediate-, and high-risk, respectively. BRAFV600E mutation analysis data was available in 55 (78.6%) patients, of whom 18 (32.7%) had the BRAFV600E mutation. According to the final DRS, 61 (87%), two (3%), six (9%), and one (1%) patients were classified as an excellent, incomplete biochemical, incomplete structural, and indeterminate response, respectively. All ATA low-risk patients showed excellent response to treatment, whereas the rate of excellent response was 65.4% in intermediate- and high-risk levels (p<0.001). The rates of excellent response in BRAFV600E positive and negative patients were 83% and 92%, respectively (p=0.339). The rate of locoregional recurrence was significantly higher in BRAFV600E positive vs negative patients (33.3% vs 2.7% respectively, p=0.001). Conclusion: ATA pediatric risk stratification is effective in predicting response to treatment in PTC patients ≤18 years old. The presence of BRAFV600E mutation was highly predictive for recurrence but had no significant impact on the rate of excellent response to treatment at final follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a highly effective method of HIV prevention but few women know about it, have access to it, or see it as relevant to them. In 2019, grassroots organization PrEPster piloted a peer-led intervention, MobPrESH (Mobilizing for Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Sexual Health), across three sites in England, to mobilize for PrEP and sexual health with communities of women and non-binary people most affected by HIV, including Black women and non-binary people, people of colour, migrants, and transgender (trans) women. Objectives: We aimed to explore the accessibility, feasibility, acceptability, and ‘fidelity’ of MobPrESH, from the perspectives of peer mobilizers and project staff. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions and qualitative interviews with nine peer mobilizers (most identified as Black cisgender (cis) women) and six project staff (including Black and white cis women and non-binary people). We analysed data thematically, iteratively, and inductively, informed by concepts of reproductive and social justice. Results: We present findings in five thematic areas: connecting and relating to situate sexual health discussions, navigating silence and stigma, connecting within and across communities, competing pressures and structural hostilities, and resources and continuity. Community knowledge-building about PrEP is a slow, iterative process that needs investment and creation of trusted spaces that centre communities’ needs and concerns. Peer mobilizers and the communities they engaged with had competing demands in their lives, and knowledge-raising about PrEP was impacted by intersecting stigmas, discrimination, and oppressions around HIV status, racism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, and anti-sex worker rhetoric. Conclusions: Peer-led PrEP interventions require funding and foregrounding, particularly for women and nonbinary people who are Black, trans, migrants, and people of colour, situated relative to their wider health needs, life pressures, and priorities. This requires concurrent challenge of the racist and patriarchal structures that continue to obscure the sexual and reproductive health needs of racially minoritized and marginalized women and non-binary people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used focus group methodology to examine South Asian (SA) American women's conceptualizations of eating disorders (EDs) and body dissatisfaction, and their perspectives regarding cultural influences on these conditions. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, seven focus groups were conducted (N = 54, mean age = 20.11 years, SD = 2.52). Themes (n = 15) were organized according to the amended objectification theory framework. Women described experiences of cultural stressors specifically related to living in the United States, and weight stigma from multiple sources, especially older women (e.g., mothers, relatives, and aunties). Participants also experienced pressures to achieve competing body and appearance ideals ("thin" and "healthy"). In addition, they reported pressures to possess light skin, dark black hair, minimal body hair, and marry young, and noted these pressures negatively impacted their body esteem. Findings indicate that a combination of "traditional" and culturally-influenced factors are important to consider when conceptualizing eating pathology and body image in young SA American women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social work profession's worldview, which is expressed through education and practice, is 'almost exclusively secular in colour and context'. This qualitative study in the phenomenological tradition of ten religious Jewish and ten religious Arab-Muslim students of social work in Israel found that both groups coped similarly with the secularity, despite their ethnic, national and religious differences. Most of them adopted emotion-focussed coping strategies that isolated them from their academic surroundings. The religious students who adopted a problem-focussed strategy opened themselves to new knowledge. Knowing about these strategies may help faculty and other personnel in social work schools not only to be better acquainted with this minority but also to provide an environment that is receptive to and respectful of the religious student. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People often rely on partner support and shared reality during stressful and uncertain times. As such, the current research explored how these may relate to relationship satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, 155 frontline health-care workers and their significant others completed measures of shared reality and relationship satisfaction, while also indicating their levels of perceived or provided support, respectively. We proposed that shared reality would foster partners providing and health-care workers perceiving support which would, in turn, promote greater relationship satisfaction. Overall, both shared reality and partner support were positively associated with relationship satisfaction for health-care workers and their significant others. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model with Mediation (APIMeM), we found shared reality to be associated with greater relationship satisfaction through health-care workers perceiving greater support from their partner. Our research demonstrates that shared reality may be a way for people under stress to perceive greater partner support, providing relational benefits for the couple as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the aspirin resistance prevalence in patients with previous ischemic cerebrovascular disease undergoing aspirin therapy for secondary prevention. Materials and Methods. Three hundred fifty patients presenting ischemic strokes and 100 healthy controls under aspirin treatment were evaluated using the optic platelet aggregation test. Results. Aspirin resistance was found in 7.4% of the patients with ischemic stroke and 4% of controls. Aspirin resistance was associated with stroke recurrence in univariate analysis (p = 0.004). Aspirin resistance was not associated with smoking, diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion. Aspirin resistance is present in Colombian patients with ischemic stroke as well as in healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Compensatory responses may attenuate the effectiveness of exercise training in weight management. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of moderate- and high-intensity interval training on eating behavior compensation. Methods: Using a crossover design, 10 overweight and obese men participated in 4-week moderate (MIIT) and high (HIIT) intensity interval training. MIIT consisted of 5-min cycling stages at ±20% of mechanical work at 45%VO2peak, and HIIT consisted of alternate 30-s work at 90%VO2peak and 30-s rests, for 30 to 45 min. Assessments included a constant-load exercise test at 45%VO2peak for 45 min followed by 60-min recovery. Appetite sensations were measured during the exercise test using a Visual Analog Scale. Food preferences (liking and wanting) were assessed using a computer-based paradigm, and this paradigm uses 20 photographic food stimuli varying along two dimensions, fat (high or low) and taste (sweet or nonsweet). An ad libitum test meal was provided after the constant-load exercise test. Results: Exercise-induced hunger and desire to eat decreased after HIIT, and the difference between MIIT and HIIT in desire to eat approached significance (p = .07). Exercise-induced liking for high-fat nonsweet food tended to increase after MIIT and decreased after HIIT (p = .09). Fat intake decreased by 16% after HIIT, and increased by 38% after MIIT, with the difference between MIIT and HIIT approaching significance (p = .07). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that energy intake compensation differs between MIIT and HIIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using electrocardiography and echocardiography, we screened elite men and women ballet dancers for abnormal cardiovascular conditions using an observation design with blinded clinical analysis of cardiac function tests. Fifty-eight (females n = 33) elite professional ballet dancers (age: 26.0 ± 5.7 years, body mass index: 19.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2) with no past or present history of cardiovascular disease volunteered. Participants were assessed via a 12-lead electrocardiography and two-dimensional echocardiography for cardiac function. Electrocardiography revealed that 83% of the dancers demonstrated normal axis, while 31% had incomplete right bundle branch block and 17% had sinus bradycardia; none showed any abnormal findings. Findings from the echocardiography were also normal for all participants and comparable to their counterparts in other sports. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected in almost all studied echocardiographic parameters between males and females. In conclusion, heart function and structure seem to be normal in elite ballet dancers, placing them at low risk for sudden cardiac death and performance-related cardiovascular complications. Larger samples are required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to analyze and compare functional training, interdisciplinary therapy, and interdisciplinary education on cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and anthropometric characteristics of women with obesity. Forty-four women (age = 39.7 ± 5.9 years, body mass index (BMI) = 35.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2) completed 30 weeks of intervention randomly assigned to 3 groups: functional training (FT) (n = 14), interdisciplinary therapy (IT) (n = 19), and interdisciplinary education (IE) (n = 11). The FT group participated in the training program (3/week), the IT group received the same training intervention plus nutrition (1/week) and psychology advice (1/week) and physical therapy (1/week). The IE group participated in interdisciplinary lectures on topics related to health promotion (1/month). CF (ergospirometry), anthropometry, and body composition (electrical bioimpedance) were measured pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post). CF increased (p ≤ 0.05) significantly (Pre vs. Post) in the FT (7.5%) and IT (10.8%) groups, but not in the IE group (1.8%). Body mass (BM), BMI, relative fat mass, and waist circumference significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased (Pre vs. Post) in IT (−4.4%, −4.4%, −2.3%, and −5.1%, respectively). The IE group showed a significant decrease in BM (−3.7%), BMI (−3.7%), and waist circumference (−3.5%), whereas the FT group promoted significant decrease in waist circumference (−3.4%). In conclusion, functional training increased CF but only interdisciplinary interventions improved the anthropometric profile of women with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 20 m shuttle tests, obese adolescents may have difficulty achieving maximum cardiorespiratory performance due to the presence of braking-relaunch phases (BRP). Nineteen obese adolescents aged 15.2 ± 1.5 years (body mass index [BMI] = 39.7 ± 5.9 kg.m−2) performed three graded walking exercises on a 50 m track at speeds between 3 and 6 km/h: a continuous-straight-line protocol (C), a continuous protocol that required turning back every 30 sec (C-BRP) and an intermittent protocol that consisted of successively walking then resting for 15 sec (15–15). Oxygen uptake (VO2), aerobic cost of walking (Cw), ventilation (VE) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at each stage during the protocols. During C-BRP, the responses were not significantly higher compared with C (p > 0.30). During 15–15, the VO2, Cw and VE were ~ 15 to 25% lower than during C beginning at 4 km/h (p < 0.05). In obese adolescents, the respiratory impact of sudden directional changes during the 20 m shuttle-type test appeared to be minor at walking speeds. During the 15–15 test, the intensity increases more progressively, and this design may encourage obese adolescents to walk further than during a continuous test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive forces and/or loading rates during landing may place ballet dancers at risk for overuse injury. The ability to estimate and monitor the landing forces of ballet dancers could help to improve injury prevention and rehabilitation; however, force platforms are not conducive to testing outside of a laboratory. Fortunately, it may be possible to indirectly assess landing forces via a wearable accelerometer. The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between impact accelerations, recorded via a pelvis-worn accelerometer, and the peak forces and loading rates during performance of a common ballet manoeuvre, and to examine if a wearable accelerometer is sensitive to fatigue-related changes in landing forces. Fifteen ballet dancers continuously performed a ballet manoeuvre until self-determined exhaustion while impact accelerations and landing forces were simultaneously recorded using an accelerometer and force platforms. We observed very strong, positive relationships between the impact accelerations and the peak forces and loading rates during the landings. In addition, the changes in impact accelerations with fatigue paralleled the changes in the peak forces and loading rates. As a result, it appears that a wearable accelerometer could be used to estimate and monitor landing forces in ballet dancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a major health issue. A community-based intervention was implemented on a college campus to help employees lose body weight and fat. Participants were scanned using the InBody device at pre- and post-intervention, measuring body weight, fat, and waist circumference. Participants attended 11 classes on healthy lifestyle education. A comparison of pre- and post-intervention measurements was made using a paired t-test, resulting in a statistically significant difference in outcome measures. Correlation between class attendance and pounds lost showed a moderate negative correlation. Findings support a community-based lifestyle behavior intervention for weight and fat loss for university employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood trauma severity is associated with the level of subsequent substance use as well as with the self-reported severity of dissociation. Classic psychedelics and dissociatives target neurotransmitter systems thought to be involved in the onset of dissociative symptoms and may evoke severe and long-lasting symptoms of depersonalization in some users. However, it is currently unclear whether drug use puts people with a history of childhood trauma at higher risk of developing dissociative symptoms. Objectives: The current study investigates whether the one-year prevalence of substance use significantly moderates the link between childhood trauma and the severity of depersonalization. Methods: Participants (n = 297, of which 80.2% were active users) filled out an online self-report questionnaire including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale (CDS), and information about their substance use. Results: Results indicate that childhood trauma and substance use are significant individual predictors of dissociation scores in this sample, but no moderation of substance use on the link between childhood trauma and depersonalization was established. Conclusions: It is hypothesized that the quality (particularly the context) of the experience of substance use rather than the sheer quantity may be responsible for the manifestation of depersonalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is rare in the young. Objectives: We characterized the clinical behavior of LSCC and assessed the presentation of second primary tumors (SPCs) in this patient population. Materials and methods: Data from the Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR) were used to identify an epidemiological series of LSCC patients diagnosed at the age of 40 years or under, during 1953–2012 in Finland. Data regarding primary treatment, survival, and SPCs were available. To further characterize the comorbidity and lifestyle factors of young patients with LSCC, institutional data were collected of patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital during 1967–2012. Results: We identified 151 patients, with a mean follow-up of 252 months. The 10-year overall survival (OS) was 75% and the disease-specific survival was 84%. SPCs were diagnosed in 26% (n ¼ 39), with a median delay of 28 years. Of the 35 patients in the institutional series from Helsinki, 22 (63%) were current or former smokers. LSCC recurred in 28% of patients. Conclusions and Significance: The delay to SPCs in young patients was significantly longer compared with the general LSCC population. As factors underlying this phenomenon cannot be identified by this retrospective study, further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resistance training on the immunologic response, body composition, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression obtained from blood leukocytes, and the cytokines interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, and C-reactive protein (CRP), in the elderly women (mean age 63 ± 2 y). A randomized controlled trial was performed using a bi-set training method for eight weeks in nineteen elderly women. Peripheral blood samples were collected by puncture in pretraining (Pre) and posttraining (Post) moments. In the resistance training group, there was a statistically significant decrease from 38.43 ± 9.48 pg/mL to 11.76 ± 5.19 pg/mL (p=0.01) in the serum levels of interleukin-6. Considering serum levels of TNF-alpha, there was a statistically significant difference, comparing the resistance training group at Pre (66.27 ± 10.31 pg/mL) and Post (37.85 ± 9.05 pg/mL) moments (p=0.01). In molecular analysis of TNF-alpha gene expression, there was a statistically significant decrease (p=0.007) between Pre (0.010 ± 0.01 ng/ml) and Post (0.0002 ± 0.0001 ng/ml) moments. Among CRP data, in the resistance training group, there was a statistically significant reduction, between Pre (2.04 ± 0.32 mg/L) and Post (0.90 ± 0.22 mg/L) moments (p=0.001). In the Control group, there was no statistical significance between these two moments. Therefore, the resistance training demonstrated changes in the TNF-alpha gene expression in elderly women, as well as decreased serum levels of interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, and CRP. Such conditions may be related to immune modulation and anti-inflammatory effects, since resistance training releases cytokines, especially interleukin-6, which acts as a TNF-alpha antagonist during exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of daytime aerobic exercise on the subsequent sleep and appetite of obese women. Materials and Methods: It was a semi-experimental study with pre and post-test design. Fifteen obese women were asked to do aerobic exercises three sessions a week for 2 weeks, with each session lasting 60 min at 60% of maximum heart rate either at 9:00 am or 18:00 pm. A body composition analyzer (InBody-320, South Korea) was used to measure weight, fat percentage, and body mass index (BMI). Nocturnal sleep–wake schedule data and sleep patterns in the two conditions (morning vs. evening) were recorded at 1-min intervals and scored with the Actiwatch Sleep Analysis 8 software. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Results (age, 46.9 ± 5.2 years; BMI, 33.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2; and percentage of body fat ≥35%) showed that sleep efficiency, wake bouts, actual sleep, and sleep latency were improved after exercise training (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, morning exercise condition resulted in a better improvement in sleep efficiency (73.41% ± 6.94%), wake bouts (15.81% ± 3.30%), and sleep latency (79.47% ± 6.09%) compared to that of evening exercise (P ≤ 0.05). It was also reported that the perceived satiety was not significantly different in the two conditions (P = 0.94 and P = 0.076, respectively, for morning and evening), while the perceived hungry was improved significantly in the morning condition (P = 0.003). Conclusion: As a result, aerobic exercises at the time of the morning can lead to a better quality of sleep and decline in hungry of obese women compared to the evening exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth athletes are known to be at high risk of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. Children in developed countries are increasingly adopting a sedentary lifestyle. Although some risk factors related to sports activities have been reported, the effect of lifestyle (i.e. screen time behaviour) on MSK pain in youth athletes is not well known. This study aimed to examine the association of game playing and TV viewing with MSK pain among youth athletes. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to youth athletes belonging to the Miyagi Amateur Sports Association. The final study population included 6,143 youth athletes (male, 71.1%; age range, 6-15 years). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of game playing and TV viewing behaviour with MSK pain. The point prevalence of MSK pain was 25.5%. The longest category of game playing time (≥3 h) was significantly associated with MSK pain as compared with the shortest category (<1 h) (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.73, p = 0.003). There was no significant association between TV viewing time and MSK pain. These results suggest that game playing time might be an associated factor for MSK pain among youth athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and Purpose: It is important to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of water‐based training programs in order to prescribe it as an alternative in cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have coronary artery disease (CAD). In these patients, autonomic dysfunction is an important physiological change strongly associated with adverse outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. Given that the beneficial effects of physical training in CAD patients have been traditionally evidenced with programs involving land‐based aerobic exercises, this study aims to evaluate the effects of water aerobic exercise training (WAET) on the autonomic modulation of heart rate (HR) and body composition, in the rehabilitation of CAD patients. Methods: Twenty‐six male subjects with CAD were randomly divided into a training group (n = 14), submitted to the WAET, and a control group (n = 12). The WAET consisted of 3 weekly sessions on alternate days, totalling 48 sessions. The analysis of HR variability was used to evaluate the autonomic modulation of HR, from the recording of R‐R intervals for 15 min, at rest in the supine position, and the body composition was evaluated through the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Only the training group participants had improvement in the HR variability indices; patterns without variation decreased (0V, p = .005) and an increase of patterns of two different variations (p < .001), Shannon entropy (p = .02), and normalized conditional entropy (p = .03), whereas the control group had an increase of 0V (p = .04) and a decrease of normalized conditional entropy (p = .01). All body composition variables remained unchanged. Conclusions: The WAET protocol improved the cardiac autonomic modulation of patients with CAD and can be considered as exercise training strategy in cardiac rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) may behave differently in prepubertal children as compared to pubertal children and adults. BRAF gene activating mutations may associate with PTC by creating aberrant activation. We aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of PTC patients with emphasis on the pubertal status and also to investigate the association of BRAFV600E mutation with disease characteristics. Methods: The medical records of 75 patients with PTC were reviewed retrospectively. BRAFV600E mutation status was available only in the medical records of 56 patients. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 12.4±3.8 years. There was no difference in sex, initial signs, tumor histopathology, and pathological evidence of tumor aggressiveness between prepubertal and pubertal children. Although not statistically significant, lateral neck nodal metastasis and lung metastasis at diagnosis were more prevalent in prepubertal children. After excluding patients with microcarcinoma, prepubertal children were found to require lateral neck dissection and further doses of radioactive iodine more frequently than pubertal patients. Recurrence was also more frequent in prepubertal children (p=0.016). Frequency of BRAFV600E mutation was similar in prepubertal and pubertal patients. BRAFV600E mutation was found in 14/56 (25%) patients and was high in the classic variant PTC (p=0.004). Multicentricity was high in BRAFV600E mutation (p=0.01). There was no relation between BRAFV600E mutation and lymph node and pulmonary metastasis at diagnosis, or between BRAFV600E mutation and pathological evidence of tumor aggressiveness. Conclusion: PTC is more disseminated in prepubertal children. BRAFV600E mutation does not correlate with a more extensive or aggressive disease. BRAFV600E mutation is not the cause of the differences in the biological behavior of PTC in prepubertal and pubertal children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop and validate an international set of classification criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) using guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). These criteria were developed for use in individuals with signs and/or symptoms suggestive of SS. Methods We assigned preliminary importance weights to a consensus list of candidate criteria items, using multi-criteria decision analysis. We tested and adapted the resulting draft criteria using existing cohort data on primary SS cases and non-SS controls, with case/non-case status derived from expert clinical judgment. We then validated the performance of the classification criteria in a separate cohort of patients. Results The final classification criteria are based on the weighted sum of 5 items: anti-SSA/Ro antibody positivity and focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with a focus score of ≥1 foci/4 mm2, each scoring 3; an abnormal ocular staining score of ≥5 (or van Bijsterveld score of ≥4), a Schirmer's test result of ≤5 mm/5 minutes, and an unstimulated salivary flow rate of ≤0.1 ml/minute, each scoring 1. Individuals with signs and/or symptoms suggestive of SS who have a total score of ≥4 for the above items meet the criteria for primary SS. Sensitivity and specificity against clinician-expert-derived case/non-case status in the final validation cohort were high, i.e., 96% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 92-98%) and 95% (95% CI 92-97%), respectively. Conclusion Using methodology consistent with other recent ACR/EULAR-approved classification criteria, we developed a single set of data-driven consensus classification criteria for primary SS, which performed well in validation analyses and are well-suited as criteria for enrollment in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chylothorax is a very rare but major complication in thyroid surgery and should be apparent to clinicians in this field. Case presentation: We report a case with chylothrax after thyroid surgery in our department that drew our attention. Methods: Systematic review of the literature to evaluate the incidence and the contributing factors of chylothorax after thyroid surgery. Database (PubMed) and hand searches to identify patients with thyroid surgery and postoperative chylothorax. Keywords included chylothorax, thyroidectomy, thyroid surgery and complications. Two independent reviewers screened studies against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient characteristics, risk factors, symptoms, treatments and etiopathogenesis were investigated. Results: We identified 13 articles in the literature describing 19 patients with chylothorax after thyroidectomy and described our own case. Ninety percent of the patients underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Sixteen patients (80 %) underwent thyroidectomy with at least a left lateral neck dissection, 2 patients (10 %) underwent thyroidectomy with sternotomy, and in the remaining 2 patients (10 %), thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection on both sides was performed with partial sternotomy. Our calculated incidence for chylothorax with total thyroidectomy and neck dissection was 1.85 %; for a thoracic approach the calculated incidence was 7.3 %. Conclusions: There are no reports of chylothorax after thyroidectomy without at least a left lateral neck dissection due to advanced thyroid cancer and/or sternotomy due to the thyroid size. The extension of thyroid surgery seems to be the main risk factor in developing chylothorax either through direct surgical trauma or through increased intraductal pressure after thoracic duct ligation. An early diagnosis of chylothorax may avoid severe metabolic or cardiopulmonary complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared SenseWear Armband versions (v) 2.2 and 5.2 for estimating energy expenditure in healthy adults. Thirty-four adults (26 women), 30.1 ± 8.7 years old, performed two trials that included light-, moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities: (1) structured routine: seven activities performed for 8-min each, with 4-min of rest between activities; (2) semi-structured routine: 12 activities performed for 5-min each, with no rest between activities. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry and predicted using SenseWear v2.2 and v5.2. Compared to indirect calorimetry (297.8 ± 54.2 kcal), the total energy expenditure was overestimated (P < 0.05) by both SenseWear v2.2 (355.6 ± 64.3 kcal) and v5.2 (342.6 ± 63.8 kcal) during the structured routine. During the semi-structured routine, the total energy expenditure for SenseWear v5.2 (275.2 ± 63.0 kcal) was not different than indirect calorimetry (262.8 ± 52.9 kcal), and both were lower (P < 0.05) than v2.2 (312.2 ± 74.5 kcal). The average mean absolute per cent error was lower for the SenseWear v5.2 than for v2.2 (P < 0.001). SenseWear v5.2 improved energy expenditure estimation for some activities (sweeping, loading/unloading boxes, walking), but produced larger errors for others (cycling, rowing). Although both algorithms overestimated energy expenditure as well as time spent in moderate-intensity physical activity (P < 0.05), v5.2 offered better estimates than v2.2. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Aims Prior studies by our group demonstrated the efficacy of a brief but intensive behavioral intervention for producing initial smoking abstinence among opioid-dependent patients. In the present study, our aim was to promote longer-duration abstinence in this population. Following an initial 2-week incentive intervention for smoking abstinence, we examined whether a 10-week maintenance arm involving continuation of contingent reinforcement will produce greater smoking abstinence than a similar duration of noncontingent reinforcement. Design Randomized, 12-week, parallel-group study. Setting Out-patient research clinic in Burlington, Vermont, USA. Participants Opioid-maintained smokers ( n = 88) who provided breath carbon monoxide and urinary cotinine specimens and received contingent reinforcement for smoking abstinence during weeks 1-2 (phase 1), with 63 randomized on day 14 to an extended contingent (EC; n = 31) or extended noncontingent (EN; n = 32) experimental condition for weeks 3-12 (phase 2). Intervention and control The EC condition consisted of voucher values that escalated across consecutive negative samples until they reached $30, after which they remained at $30 per negative sample. A positive or a missing sample resulted in no vouchers for that day and reset the value of the next negative same to $9. Two consecutive negatives returned the schedule to the pre-reset value. The EN control condition consisted of vouchers delivered for providing scheduled samples, but independent of smoking status. Measurements The primary outcome was percentage of biochemically abstinent samples during phase 2. Secondary measures included abstinence status at final study visit, complete abstinence, participants' longest duration of continuous abstinence, cotinine and carbon monoxide (CO) levels and self-reported cigarettes per day. Findings EC participants achieved greater smoking abstinence during phase 2 than EN participants [46.7 versus 23.5% negative samples, respectively; odds ratio (OR) = 2.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-7.65, χ21 = 5.0, P = 0.02]. When longest duration of continuous abstinence was compared between experimental groups, EC participants achieved twice the mean duration of continuous abstinence compared with EN participants (3.31 versus 1.68 weeks; t61 = 1.83, P = 0.07). An effect of experimental condition was also seen on mean cotinine levels (42.5 versus 210.6 ng/ml, respectively; F1,61=5.9, P = 0.02). Conclusions Among opioid-maintained smokers receiving an initial period of daily contingent incentives, a contingent reinforcement intervention appears to be more effective at extending smoking abstinence than noncontingent reinforcement over 10 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ConclusionLoco-regional recurrence-free survival was significantly decreased in the papillary thyroid cancer patients with > 6 metastatic lymph nodes and a lymph node ratio > 0.22. Also, the risk of lung metastasis was significantly increased in cases with bilateral neck node metastases. ObjectiveThis study focused on the metastatic lymph node status of the lateral neck compartment to understand its prognostic significance for loco-regional recurrence and distant metastasis. MethodsBetween January 2004 and December 2009, 1040 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and underwent treatment. ResultsIn a multivariate analysis, sex, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, and the lymph node ratio was significantly associated with loco-regional recurrence. The sensitivity/specificity of > 6 metastatic lymph nodes for predicting recurrence was 64.0%/69.7%. The 5-year loco-regional recurrence-free survival of patients with 0–6 metastatic lymph nodes and > 6 metastatic lymph nodes were 93.4% and 79.2%, respectively. The 5-year loco-regional recurrence-free survival of patients with a lymph node ratio ≤ 0.22 and a lymph node ratio > 0.22 were 97.1% and 78.8%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, only bilateral neck node metastases were significantly associated with lung metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Over 80% of people in methadone treatment smoke cigarettes, and existing smoking cessation interventions have been minimally effective. Objective: To develop an Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model of behavior change based smoking cessation intervention for methadone maintained smokers, we examined smoking cessation related IMB factors in this population. Methods: Current or former smokers in methadone treatment ( n = 35) participated in focus groups. Ten methadone clinic counselors participated in an individual interview. A content analysis was conducted using deductive and inductive approaches. Results: Commonly known IMB factors related to smoking cessation were described. These factors included: the health effects of smoking and treatment options for quitting (information); pregnancy and cost of cigarettes (motivators); and coping with emotions, finding social support, and pharmacotherapy adherence (behavioral skills). IMB factors specific to methadone maintained smokers were also described. These factors included: the relationship between quitting smoking and drug relapse (information), the belief that smoking is the same as using drugs (motivator); and coping with methadone clinic culture and applying skills used to quit drugs to quitting smoking (behavioral skills). IMB strengths and deficits varied by individual. Conclusions: Methadone maintained smokers could benefit from research on an IMB Model based smoking cessation intervention that is individualized, addresses IMB factors common among all smokers, and also addresses IMB factors unique to this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Skinfold prediction equations recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine underestimate body fat percentage. The purpose of this research was to validate an alternative equation for men created from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Two hundred ninety-seven males, aged 18–65, completed a skinfold assessment and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan to determine percent of body fat. Three American College of Sports Medicine equations (JP7, JP3a, and JP3b) and the new dual energy x-ray absorptiometry criterion equation were used to predict percent of body fat. Mean age was 32.4 ± 14.0 years and mean BMI was 25.6 ± 3.3 kg/m2. The mean dual energy x-ray absorptiometry percent of body fat was 18.0 ± 5.9. The mean percent of body fat for Dual Energy X-Ray Aborptiometry (DC), JP7, JP3a, and JP3b were 19.1 ± 6.3, 16.1 ± 7.4, 14.8 ± 6.8, 15.6 ± 6.7, respectively. The standard error of the estimate of DC was low (2.72%) and was highly correlated (R2= 0.87) with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The DC equation more accurately predicted percent of body fat across a general population of men than the recommended American College of Sports Medicine equations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Depersonalization experiences have been studied in the United States and Europe, but there is a dearth of investigations with Latino populations. In the current study we examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS) in 300 adult individuals from the community and compared the results with those reported previously with non-Latino clinical populations. Discrepant findings have been reported with respect to the factor structure of the CDS. We performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on the CDS items and compared our results with published analyses on other populations. Results revealed that the psychometric properties of the CDS, such as reliability, seem adequate, although the factor structure of the CDS seems to be inconsistent across studies. We selected a 4-factor solution that was most parsimonious and best fit our data. Furthermore, we obtained a moderate, statistically significant relationship (r =.64, p =.001) between the CDS and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Our results, utilizing a nonclinical sample of Puerto Rican adults, suggest that depersonalization experiences can be reliably measured in a Latino and Spanish-speaking population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe and compare ballet dancers' cardiorespiratory responses, muscle damage and oxidative stress levels during a ballet class (practice of isolated ballet exercises performed with barre/hand-rail support and across-the-floor movements to improve technical skills) and rehearsal (practice of ballet choreography involving technical-artistic skills to improve dancers' performance for shows). The 12 advanced female ballet dancers undertook three exercise sessions: maximum effort test, class and rehearsal. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (V̇O2) were continuously measured. Lactate was determined before 15 min and after class and rehearsal. Blood was sampled pre, post and 48 h after class and rehearsal for creatine kinase (CK), lipid peroxides (LPO) and glutathione analysis (GSSG/GSH). Class was of lower intensity than rehearsal as shown byV̇O2, HR and lactate values:V̇O2(mL.kg−1.min−1): 14.5±2.1 vs 19.1±1.7 (p <0.001); HR (bpm.min−1): 145.7±17.9 vs 174.5±13.8 (p <0.001); lactate (mmol.L−1): 4.2±1.1 vs 5.5±2.7 (p =0.049). CK (IU) increased following class and rehearsal, remaining high 48 h after: class (pre = 109.3±48.5; post = 144±60; 48 h = 117.2±64.6); rehearsal (pre = 78.6±52.1; post = 122±70.7; 48 h = 104.9±89.5). LPO (µM) increased from pre-class (1.27±0.19) to post-class (1.41±0.19) and went down after 48 h (1.20±0.22). No LPO time-course changes followed the rehearsal. GSSG/GSH decreased 48 h after class and rehearsal. Greater increases in LPO post-class suggest it promotes CK release by an oxidative membrane-damage mechanism. Physiological increases of LPO and CK in class indicate it prepares the dancers for exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage during rehearsals. Ballet dancers' muscle damage and oxidative stress responses seem not to be dependent on exercise intensity based onV̇O2responses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:The thyroid gland is removed en bloc during laryngectomy. There are no objective criteria for deciding the extent of thyroid gland resection in primary hypopharyngeal cancer cases. The present study aimed to determine the incidence of thyroid gland involvement in hypopharyngeal cancer and identify the various predictors of this involvement.Method:This paper reports a retrospective analysis of 358 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, who underwent total laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai between 2004 and 2010.Results:The mean age of this population was 61 years. The pyriform sinus was the most common hypopharyngeal subsite involved (in 89 per cent of cases). Most patients underwent hemi-thyroidectomy as part of their surgery. The thyroid gland was involved in only 13 per cent of cases.Conclusion:Thyroid gland involvement is not common in hypopharyngeal cancer. Cases that involved the post-cricoid area, subglottic extension, extralaryngeal spread or prior tracheostomy were associated with a higher risk of thyroid gland involvement. Ipsilateral thyroidectomy is sufficient in most patients undergoing surgery (laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy) for hypopharyngeal cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Accurate estimates of energy expenditure are required in clinical nutrition in order to determine the requirements of individuals and to inform feeding regimes. Calorimetry can provide accurate measurements but is often impractical in clinical or community settings; prediction equations are widely used to estimate resting energy expenditure ( REE) but have limited accuracy. A portable, self-calibrating, handheld calorimeter ( HHC) may offer an alternative way of determining REE. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether estimates of REE derived using an HHC are closer to accurate measurements than values calculated using selected prediction equations. Methods REE was measured in 36 healthy adults aged 21-58 years using a flow-through indirect calorimeter ( FIC) and HHC. Estimated REE was calculated using three predictive equations ( Harris & Benedict; Schofield; Henry). Differences in REE between the 'gold standard' values derived using the FIC and those derived using the HHC and equations were examined using paired t-tests and Bland Altman plots. Results Mean REEHHC was significantly lower than mean REEFIC [4556 ± 1042 kJ (1089 ± 249 kcal) versus 6230 ± 895 kJ (1489 ± 214 kcal), P = 0.000] and also significantly lower than mean values calculated using all three equations. The mean difference between REEHHC and REEFIC [1674 ± 908 kJ (400 ± 217 kcal)] was significantly greater ( P = 0.000) than the mean differences between the values calculated using the three prediction equations [272 ± 490 kJ (65 ± 117 kcal) (Harris-Benedict), 264 ± 510 kJ (63 ± 122 kcal) (Schofield), 84 ± 502 kJ (20 ± 120 kcal) (Henry)]. Conclusions The HHC provides estimates of REE in healthy people that are less accurate than those calculated using the prediction equations and so does not provide a useful alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine metabolic interaction between meal and exercise, 10 men and 10 women completed three trials: (1) exercise (E), (2) consumption of a meal (M), and (3) consumption of a meal followed by exercise (M+E). All trials commenced after an overnight fast and were preceded by a rest period in which resting metabolic rate (RMR) was determined. The meal contained 721 kilocalories composed of 41%, 36%, and 23% of carbohydrate, lipids, and protein, respectively. Exercise protocol consisted of three continuous 10-minute cycling at 50%, 60%, and 70% VO2peak. Measurement began 60 min after the start of the meal and included VO2 that was used to determine meal-induced thermogenesis (MIT). VO2 was greater (p <.05) in M+E than in E at 50% and 60% VO2peak. MIT was higher (p <.05) during exercise at 50% VO2peak than at rest. It appears that postprandial exercise of mild intensities can potentiate MIT, thereby provoking a greater increase in energy expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the factor structure of the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS; M. Sierra & G. E. Berrios, 2000), a 29-item self-report measure of depersonalization. The CDS was based on a conceptualization of depersonalization as a multidimensional construct, a theoretical perspective that has received limited empirical attention. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on CDS item scores in a sample of 534 trauma-exposed college students. Results failed to support factor structures of the CDS previously reported in the literature and instead supported a 2-factor solution, with 1 factor representing a sense of unreality and detachment and a 2nd factor representing emotional and physical numbing. Implications regarding the structural validity of the CDS are discussed. [Supplementary material is available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Trauma & Dissociation for the following resource: Four tables with the following information: inter-correlations among CDS items from Samples 1 and 2; Sierra et al. (2005) four-factor model and Simeon et al. (2008) five-factor model estimated factor loadings, covariances, and R-square in Sample 1; Factor loadings for 3-7 factor EFA models in Sample 1; and estimated factor loadings for one-factor CFA model in Sample 2.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low energy availability [(energy intake – exercise expenditure)/kg lean body mass], a component of the Female Athlete Triad, has been associated with menstrual disturbances and low bone mass. No studies have examined the energy availability of athletes across a season. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of, and what contributes to, low energy availability in Division I female soccer players across a season. Nineteen participants aged 18–21 years (mean[Vdot]O2max: 57.0 ± 1.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1) were studied during the pre, mid, and post season. Mean energy availability was overall lowest at mid season, and lower at mid than post season (35.2 ± 3.7 vs. 44.5 ± 3.7 kcal · kg−1lean body mass,P = 0.009). Low energy availability (<30 kcal · kg−1lean body mass) was observed in 5/19 (26.3%), 5/15 (33.3%), and 2/17 (11.8%) of participants during the pre, mid, and post season. Dietary energy intake was lower mid (P = 0.008) and post season (P = 0.022) than it was pre season (pre: 2794 ± 233 kcal · day−1; mid: 2208 ± 156 kcal · day−1; post: 2161 ± 143 kcal · day−1). Exercise energy expenditure decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001) over time (pre: 819 ± 57 kcal · day−1; mid: 642 ± 26 kcal · day−1; post: 159 ± 28 kcal · day−1). Low energy availability was due to lower dietary energy intake at lunch during pre season (P = 0.014) and during lunch and dinner during mid season (P ≤ 0.030). Energy availability was inversely related to body dissatisfaction (r = −0.62,P = 0.017) and drive for thinness (r = −0.55,P = 0.041) during mid season. Although most Division I female soccer players are not at risk for low energy availability, a concerning proportion exhibited low energy availability at pre or mid season. Further studies are needed to explore strategies to prevent and monitor low energy availability in these athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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The aims were both to determine lactate and ventilatory threshold during incremental resistance training and to analyze the acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during constant-load resistance exercise at lactate threshold (LT) intensity. Ten healthy men performed 2 protocols on leg press machine. The incremental test was performed to determine the lactate and ventilatory thresholds through an algorithmic adjustment method. After 48 h, a constant-load exercise at LT intensity was executed. The intensity of LT and ventilatory threshold was 27.1 ± 3.7 and 30.3 ± 7.9 % of 1RM, respectively ( P = 0.142). During the constant-load resistance exercise, no significant variation was observed between set 9 and set 15 for blood lactate concentration (3.3 ± 0.9 and 4.1 ± 1.4 mmol.L-1, respectively. P = 0.166) and BORG scale (11.5 ± 2.9 and 13.0 ± 3.5, respectively. P = 0.783). No significant variation was observed between set 6 and set 15 for minute ventilation (19.4 ± 4.9 and 22.4 ± 5.5 L. min-1 , respectively. P = 0.091) and between S3 and S15 for VO2 (0.77 ± 0.18 and 0.83 ± 0.16 L. min-1 , respectively. P = 1.0). Constant-load resistance exercise at LT intensity corresponds to a steady state of ventilatory, cardio-metabolic parameters and ratings of perceived exertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Conclusions A high suspicion of skull base involvement should be warranted, even if radiological findings are not atypical, in cases of chronic otitis media (COM) with cholesteatoma. Objective To investigate some clues indicating the development of skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) in patients who received mastoidectomy, through reviewing pre-operative temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT). Method Retrospective review of patients with SBO after mastoidectomy for COM. A total of five patients with SBO after mastoidectomy with available pre-operative TBCTs were enrolled in this study. Results All patients were diagnosed as COM with cholesteatoma and open cavity mastoidectomy was performed. After surgery, SBO were occurred. The recovery in these five patients was complicated by lower cranial nerve palsy, and one patient had a stroke due to lateral thrombophlebitis. Through re-interpretation of pre-operative TBCT, the bony destruction around the skull base missed at the initial diagnosis was observed in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was aimed to study international level dancesport dancer's aerobic capacity during incremental test and competition simulation in relation to the gender, dance style and international ranking. A total of 30 couples (12 Standard, 7 Latin American and 11 Ten Dance; aged 22.8±6.6 years male and 22.0±6.4 years female) performed an incremental treadmill test and competition simulation. In this study for the first time we carried out longer than one round competition simulation and compared three different dancesport styles (Standard, Latin American and Ten Dance). The results showed that dancers of these three dance styles had similar aerobic capacity values. The average maximal oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2max) values were 59.6±5.1 and 51.2±6.2 ml·min−1·kg−1for male and female dancers, respectively. Competition simulation showed that Latin American Dance discipline is physiologically more intensive compared to Standard and Ten Dance styles especially for the female dancers. It appeared that male and female Standard dancers tended to perform at lower intensity than anaerobic threshold (AT) during competition simulation (male 97.3±2.9%; female 97.9±3.6%), while Latin (male 101.4±2.9%; female 106.7±5.9%) and Ten Dance (male 100.7±6.4%; female 99.2±5.6%) competition intensity was higher compared to AT level of athletes. The highest heart rate during competition simulation was always found during the last dances (Paso Double, Jive or Quickstep) and in the last round of each dance style. No significant relationship between[Vdot]O2maxvalues and international rankings was registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]