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The human genome is extensively folded into 3-dimensional organization. However, the detailed 3D chromatin folding structures have not been fully visualized due to the lack of robust and ultra-resolution imaging capability. Here, we report the development of an electron microscopy method that combines serial block-face scanning electron microscopy with in situ hybridization (3D-EMISH) to visualize 3D chromatin folding at targeted genomic regions with ultra-resolution (5 × 5 × 30 nm in xyz dimensions) that is superior to the current super-resolution by fluorescence light microscopy. We apply 3D-EMISH to human lymphoblastoid cells at a 1.7 Mb segment of the genome and visualize a large number of distinctive 3D chromatin folding structures in ultra-resolution. We further quantitatively characterize the reconstituted chromatin folding structures by identifying sub-domains, and uncover a high level heterogeneity of chromatin folding ultrastructures in individual nuclei, suggestive of extensive dynamic fluidity in 3D chromatin states., The genome is folded in 3-dimensions, though the lack of robust ultra-resolution imaging makes this difficult to visualise. Here, the authors present 3D-EMISH that combines serial block-face scanning electron microscopy with in situ hybridization.

Background Omalizumab improves clinical outcomes in patients with asthma. Several studies have shown lung function improvements with omalizumab; however, this has not been examined exclusively in adolescents. Objective To assess the effect of omalizumab on lung function and eosinophil counts in adolescents with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. Methods In this post hoc analysis, data from adolescents aged 12 to 17 years from 8 randomized trials of omalizumab were pooled (studies 008, 009, and 011, and SOLAR, INNOVATE, ALTO, ETOPA, and EXTRA). Changes from baseline to end of study in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and blood eosinophil counts were assessed by fitting an analysis of covariance model and calculating least squares mean (LSM) difference for omalizumab vs placebo. Results A total of 340 adolescents were identified (omalizumab, n = 203 [59.7%]; placebo, n = 137 [40.3%]). Omalizumab increased all baseline lung function variables more than placebo by end of study: LSM treatment differences (95% confidence interval) were 3.0% (0.2%-5.7%; P = .035), 120.9 mL (30.6-211.2 mL; P = .009), and 101.5 mL (8.3-194.6 mL; P = .033) for ppFEV1, absolute FEV1, and FVC, respectively. The LSM difference demonstrated a greater reduction in eosinophil counts for omalizumab vs placebo: −85.9 cells/μL (−137.1 to −34.6 cells/μL; P = .001). Conclusion Omalizumab was associated with lung function improvements and circulating eosinophil counts reductions in adolescents with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma. Findings emphasize the effect of omalizumab in young patients and the need to optimize treatment early in the disease course. https://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT00314574, NCT00046748, NCT00401596

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit dem Vergleich der Zeit, die die ÜbersetzerInnen brauchen, um einen neuronal maschinell erstellten Fachtext nachzubearbeiten und einen Fachtext ohne Einsatz der maschinellen Übersetzung zu übertragen. Beide Fachtexte werden im Sprachenpaar Deutsch-Polnisch analysiert. Zusätzlich wird die Einstellung der ÜbersetzerInnen zu der neuronalen maschinellen Übersetzung und ihrem Post-Editing untersucht. Aufgrund der vorhandenen Theorien wurden Hypothesen aufgestellt und Forschungsfragen gestellt. Es wird zunächst ein Überblick über die maschinelle Übersetzung mit besonderem Schwerpunkt auf der neuronalen maschinellen Übersetzung sowie die Einstellung der ÜbersetzerInnen zur maschinellen Übersetzung anhand der aktuellen Forschungsergebnisse gegeben. Des Weiteren werden der Begriff Post-Editing und die Einstellung der ÜbersetzerInnen zum Post-Editing analysiert. Das besondere Augenmerk wird dabei auf die Unterschiede zwischen Post-Editing und Humanübersetzung sowie die aktuellen Untersuchungen in Bezug auf den unterschiedlichen Zeitaufwand des Post-Editings und der Humanübersetzung gelenkt. Anschließend wird der Stand der polnischen Sprache in der digitalen Sprachindustrie diskutiert. Im empirischen Teil werden anhand von 15 „fortgeschrittenen“ Studenten, genannt ÜbersetzerInnen, die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung darstellt. Anhand ihrer posteditierten und manuell übersetzten Fachtexte zusammen mit Screen-Recording-Videos wird sowohl die Zeit des Post-Editings und der Übersetzung ohne Einsatz der maschinellen Übersetzung als auch die Einstellung zur neuronalen maschinellen Übersetzung und ihrem Post-Editing gemessen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Post-Editing des neuronal maschinell erstellten Fachtextes im Polnischen weniger Zeit in Anspruch nimmt als die selbständige Übersetzung aus dem Deutschen ins Polnische. Außerdem hat sich ergeben, dass die maschinelle Übersetzung die Arbeit der ÜbersetzerInnen erleichtert. Die kürzere Zeit für das Post-Editing hängt jedoch von einer breiteren Palette von Faktoren ab, als nur eine schnelle Erstellung der Übersetzung. Die Ergebnisse sind für die vorliegende Arbeit relevant und können einen Beitrag zur weiteren Verbesserung bzw. Entwicklung der neuronalen maschinellen Übersetzung leisten., The present paper focuses on the comparison of the time translators need to post-edit a neuronally generated technical text and to translate a technical text without using machine translation. Both technical texts are analyzed in the language pair German-Polish. In addition, the translators' attitude to neuronal machine translation and its post-editing is examined. The hypotheses and research questions were based on the current theories. First, an overview of the machine translation with a focus on neuronal machine translation and the attitude of the translators towards machine translation based on current research results is provided. Furthermore, the term post-editing and the attitude of translators to post-editing will be analyzed. The importance will be paid to the differences between post-editing and human translation, as well as to current research on the time required for post-editing and human translation. Afterwards, the state of the Polish language in the digital language industry will be discussed. The empirical part presents the results of the study. Using post-edited and manually translated technical texts by 15 “advanced” students, called translators, together with screen recording videos, both the time of post-editing and translation without the use of machine translation and the attitude towards neural machine translation and its post-editing will be measured. The results show that the post-editing of the neuronally machine-translated technical text in Polish takes less time than the manual translation from German into Polish. It has also been shown that machine translation makes the work of translators easier. However, the shorter time of post-editing depends on a wider range of factors than just a quick translation. The results are relevant to this paper and may contribute to the further improvement or development of neuronal machine translation.

Background: Declines in percent predicted FVC (% predicted FVC), declines in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and respiratory hospitalizations are events associated with disease progression and mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The incidence of multiple events in the same patient over 12 months of pirfenidone treatment is unknown. Methods: Patients who received pirfenidone 2,403 mg/d (n = 623) or placebo (n = 624) in the ASCEND (study 016; NCT01366209) and CAPACITY (studies 004 and 006; NCT00287716 and NCT00287729) phase III trials were included in this post hoc analysis. Disease progression events were defined as relative decline in % predicted FVC ≥ 10%, absolute decline in 6MWD ≥ 50 m, respiratory hospitalization, or death from any cause. The incidence of disease progression events over 12 months was assessed. Results: The most frequent disease progression events were declines in % predicted FVC (pirfenidone vs placebo; 202 vs 304 events) and declines in 6MWD (pirfenidone vs placebo; 265 vs 348 events). Fewer patients who received pirfenidone had more than one progression event compared with placebo (17.0% vs 30.1%; P

Summary Study aim: to investigate the impact of heels of different height on static balance of teenagers and young women not accustomed to high heels. Material and methods: The study involved 71 young women aged 21.09 ± 2.91 years. We used a stabilometric platform to take measurements barefoot and with heels: of 4 cm and of 10 cm. Two types of measurements were taken: with eyes open and with eyes closed. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in values of the measured stabilographic parameters with 4 cm and 10 cm heels, in comparison to measurements taken with bare feet. Measurements with eyes closed revealed significantly greater distortions to static balance than measurements with eyes open. A comparison of measurements – both with eyes open and with eyes closed – barefoot, with 4 cm heels and with 10 cm heels revealed statistically significant differences. Conclusions: High heels in the population of young women significantly worsen static balance. Heel height and the exclusion of visual control are important factors diminishing static balance.

Normal pericardium consists of an outer sac called fibrous pericardium and an inner one called serous pericardium. The two layers of serous pericardium: visceral and parietal are separated by the pericardial cavity, which contains 20 to 60 mL of the plasma ultrafiltrate. The pericardium acts as mechanical protection for the heart and big vessels, and a lubrication to reduce friction between the heart and the surrounding structures. A very important role in all aspects of pericardial functions is played by mesothelial cells. The mesothelial cells form a monolayer lining the serosal cavity and play an important role in antigen presentation, inflammation and tissue repair, coagulation and fibrinolysis. The two major types of mesothelial cells, flat or cuboid, differ substantially in their ultrastructure and, probably, functions. The latter display abundant microvilli, RER, Golgi dense bodies, membrane-bound vesicles and intracellular vacuoles containing electron-dense material described as dense bodies. The normal structure and functions of the pericardium determine correct healing after its injury as a result of surgery or microbial infection. The unfavorable resolution of acute or chronic pericarditis leads to the formation of adhesions between pericardial leaflets which may lead to serious complications.

Recently in the pages of The Classical Quarterly Mathias Hanses convincingly demonstrated the existence of a fourth occurrence of the programmatic adjective λεπτός in Aratus, Phaen. 783–7. This new example occurs in the form of a diagonal acrostic alongside the known ‘gamma-acrostic’ (formed by the λεπτή that is the first word of the passage and the vertical acrostic λεπτή made up of the first letters of each line) and the occurrence of the same form of the adjective in line 784. Jerzy Danielewicz has now proposed yet a fifth instance of λεπτή in the form of an acronym spread over two lines and meant to be read anticlockwise.

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of rehabilitation protocol applied during competitive period for the treatment of patellar tendinopathy. A total of 28 male volleyball players were divided into two groups. Fifteen from experimental group (E) and 13 from control group (C) fulfilled the same tests 3 times: before the training program started (first measurement), after 12 weeks (second measurement) and after 24 weeks (third measurement). The above-mentioned protocol included the following: USG imagining with color Doppler function, clinical testing, pain intensity evaluation with VISA-P questionnaire, leg muscle strength and power and jumping ability measurements. The key element of the rehabilitation program was eccentric squat on decline board with additional unstable surface. The essential factor of the protocol was a set of preventive functional exercises, with focus on eccentric exercises of hamstrings. Patellar tendinopathy was observed in 18% of the tested young volleyball players. Implementation of the presented rehabilitation protocol with eccentric squat on decline board applied during sports season lowered the pain level of the young volleyball players. Presented rehabilitation protocol applied without interrupting the competitive period among young volleyball players together with functional exercises could be an effective method for the treatment of patellar tendinopathy.

Background Postural stability is of great importance because imbalances and muscle weakness are significant risk factors for falls experienced by the elderly. Hip arthrosis, which causes pain and gait disorders that affect balance control, is common in the ageing population. Aim The aim of this study was to assess postural stability in patients with unilateral hip arthrosis before total hip arthroplasty. Methods The study population consisted of 52 patients with hip arthrosis (study group) and 47 subjects with no history of clinical symptoms of hip pain. The groups did not differ statistically in terms of age and BMI. Static balance was assessed by conducting a quantitative analysis of balance reaction parameters in a quiet standing position with the eyes open and closed. Results Analysis of the collected data revealed numerous statistically significant differences between patients with unilateral hip arthrosis before total hip arthoplasty and the asymptomatic group for parameters tested with eyes closed (p

BACKGROUND: Decrease of physiological curvatures of the spine can lead to back pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the curvatures of the spine and body posture parameters in three positions: relaxed standing, relaxed sitting, corrected sitting. METHODS: The study included 40 healthy persons aged 18–32 years (mean 24.7 ± 2.3), with body height 152–195 cm (mean 171.8 ± 9.3), weight 47–115 kg (mean 66.4 ± 13.7), BMI 17.9–32.5 kg/m 2 (mean 22.3 ± 3.0). The study was performed using the photogrammetric method. RESULTS: After changing the position from relaxed standing to relaxed sitting, significant decrease of the inclination of the thoracolumbar region, the thoracic kyphosis depth and the lumbar lordosis depth were observed. Lumbar lordosis angle increased significantly. After the sitting position correction, the inclination of the upper thoracic and thoracolumbar region decreased, and the depth of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis increased. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In the relaxed sitting position, the lumbar lordosis was significantly smaller than in the standing position. 2. A change from the standing to the sitting position results in flattening of thoracic kyphosis. 3. The corrected sitting position does not adequately correct the spinal curvatures.

Background Few data are available that describe response patterns in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)/chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) treated with omalizumab. Objective We sought to describe response patterns by using data from the 3 pivotal omalizumab CIU/CSU trials. Methods Every 4 weeks, randomized patients received dosing with placebo or 75, 150, or 300 mg of omalizumab (ASTERIA I: n = 318, 24 weeks; ASTERIA II: n = 322, 12 weeks) or placebo or 300 mg of omalizumab (GLACIAL: n = 335, 24 weeks). Response was defined as well-controlled urticaria (weekly Urticaria Activity Score [UAS7] ≤ 6) or complete response (UAS7 = 0). Results Response rates were dose dependent and highest with 300 mg of omalizumab. Some patients responded early (before week 4). At week 12, a higher proportion of patients treated with 300 mg of omalizumab reported a UAS7 ≤ 6 (26.0% [75 mg of omalizumab], 40.0% [150 mg of omalizumab], 51.9% [300 mg of omalizumab], and 11.3% [placebo] for ASTERIA I; 26.8% [75 mg of omalizumab], 42.7% [150 mg of omalizumab], 65.8% [300 mg of omalizumab], and 19.0% [placebo] for ASTERIA II; and 52.4% [300 mg of omalizumab] and 12.0% [placebo] for GLACIAL) or a UAS7=0 (11.7% [75 mg of omalizumab], 15.0% [150 mg of omalizumab], 35.8% [300 mg of omalizumab], and 8.8% [placebo] for ASTERIA I; 15.9% [75 mg of omalizumab], 22.0% [150 mg of omalizumab], 44.3% [300 mg of omalizumab], and 5.1% [placebo] for ASTERIA II; and 33.7% [300 mg of omalizumab] and 4.8% [placebo] for GLACIAL). In patients receiving 300 mg of omalizumab with 24 weeks of treatment, median time to achieve a UAS7 ≤ 6 was 6 weeks (ASTERIA I and GLACIAL) and median time to achieve a UAS7=0 was 12 or 13 weeks (ASTERIA I and GLACIAL, respectively). Some patients who achieved well-controlled urticaria or complete response sustained response throughout the treatment period. Conclusion Benefits of omalizumab treatment were evident early (before week 4) in some patients and persisted to week 24. Use of 300 mg of omalizumab demonstrated best results in controlling CIU/CSU symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Spinal canal stenosis is the most common reason for spinal surgeries in patients over 65 years of age. The aim of the study was to assess static balance in patients prior to and after surgical decompression of lumbar spinal canal stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population consisted of 30 patients suffering from spinal canal stenosis. Their static balance was measured, i.e. quantitative analysis of balance reaction parameters in quiet standing was performed. RESULTS The analysis of the collected data did not reveal any statistically significant differences between parameters measured prior to and after the surgery (for p< 0.05). A tendency for a decrease of measured parameters was observed. The regularity of changes was determined; in addition, for this analysis, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of the collected data did not reveal any statistically significant improvement of balance reactions after spinal canal stenosis surgery. In spite of pain reduction, there was no improvement in balance reactions, as behavioural patterns for balance reactions had been fossilised before surgery.

The aim of this study was an evaluation of the musculoskeletal system in women and men with Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH). The study included 87 participants- 40 with Generalized Joint Hypermobility (aged 21.2 ±1.8 years) and 47 (aged 21.0 ±1.3 years) in the control group (CG). The study included the Beighton score, the measurements of body composition, muscle flexibility (Straight Leg Raise test, Popliteal Angle test, Modified Thomas Test), and the measurements of muscle strength and muscle power. T-test and Mann-Whitney U Test were applied to assess the differences between independent groups. The study showed that there were no significant differences (p>.05) in the assessed body composition and the muscle flexibility between both women and men with GJH and the participants in the CG. Under isokinetic conditions for the non-dominant lower extremity, men from the CG received significantly higher (p = .02) flexion peak torque at 180°/s angular velocity. Women from the CG received a statistically significantly lower (p = .04) F/E ratio at 180°/s velocity. Under isometric conditions for both women and men with GJH, there were no statistically significant differences (p>.05) in the maximum torques in knee extension and flexion compared to the CG. For women and men with GJH, the maximum power in the lower extremities and jumping ability were not significantly different (p>.05) compared to the CG participants. The body composition, muscle flexibility, muscle strength, and muscle power of adults with Generalized Joint Hypermobility did not differ compared to healthy participants. The fact that there are no differences does not exclude the efficacy of strength training in increasing levels of muscle strength and its impact on body posture and proprioception or coordination.

Sports coaching in Hungary is an established profession. The coaching workforce, which is diverse in terms of age and coaching experience, is trained and paid. This study aimed to illustrate the impact of age on coaches’ values, beliefs and attitudes towards various aspects of their jobs. A total of 152 basketball coaches (105 male and 47 female) working in Hungary, with an average of 12.9 years (±11.5) coaching experience participated in an online survey. They were categorized into five age-groups i.e. < 23 years, 23-35 years, 36-45 years, 46-55 years and > 55 years; one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests were used to identify the differences between groups. Regardless of their ages, coaches shared similar viewpoints on a range of aspects concerning coaching. Significant distinctions were mainly seen between coaches aged over 55 years and other age-groups suggesting that age has some effect on coaches’ beliefs and attitudes. Because respondents’ age and coaching experience were closely related, these differences could be attributed to age and commensurate experience.

The past decades have provided remarkable insights into how the eukaryotic cell nucleus and the genome within it are organized. The combined use of imaging, biochemistry and molecular biology approaches has revealed several basic principles of nuclear architecture and function, including the existence of chromatin domains of various sizes, the presence of a large number of non-membranous intranuclear bodies, non-random positioning of genes and chromosomes in 3D space, and a prominent role of the nuclear lamina in organizing genomes. Despite this tremendous progress in elucidating the biological properties of the cell nucleus, many questions remain. Here, we highlight some of the key open areas of investigation in the field of nuclear organization and genome architecture with a particular focus on the mechanisms and principles of higher-order genome organization, the emerging role of liquid phase separation in cellular organization, and the functional role of the nuclear lamina in physiological processes. ispartof: HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY vol:150 issue:6 pages:579-592 ispartof: location:Germany status: published

Omalizumab has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials of patients with asthma, but real-world data are needed.To assess outcomes after omalizumab initiation in patients with asthma in a real-world setting.Patients aged 12 years and older with allergic asthma who were candidates for omalizumab on the basis of physician-assessed need were enrolled in a US-based, prospective, single-arm, 48-week multicenter study, the Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate Predictors of Clinical Effectiveness in Response to Omalizumab. Monthly assessments included exacerbations, health care utilization, asthma control test (ACT), and adverse events. At baseline, 6 months, and end of study, biomarkers (blood eosinophils and fractional exhaled nitric oxide) were collected and spirometry performed.Of 806 enrollees, 801 (99.4%) received omalizumab and 622 (77.2%) completed the study. The exacerbation rate significantly improved from a mean of 3.00 ± 3.28 in the 12 months before baseline to 0.78 ± 1.37 through month 12 (P .001) and was similar in adults and adolescents; there was a reduction of 81.9% in the percentage of patients with 1 or more hospitalizations. Lung function remained generally unchanged. A mean improvement of 4.4 ± 4.9 in ACT scores was observed. Eighty-seven percent of patients were responders on the basis of clinical improvement in exacerbations, lung function, or ACT scores. Baseline biomarker status was associated with ACT scores and lung function improvement, but the magnitude of this improvement was not clinically relevant. No new safety signals emerged.Omalizumab initiation in patients with asthma resulted in improved exacerbation rates, reduced hospitalizations, and improved ACT scores compared with pretreatment values, regardless of biomarker status.

Streszczenie Proces starzenia się człowieka charakteryzuje się licznymi zmianami, które dotyczą struktur na poziomie molekularnym, komórkowym, narządowym oraz całego organizmu. Jednym ze skutków zmniejszającej się aktywności fizycznej oraz postępujących procesów starzenia się organizmu człowieka jest systematyczne obniżanie się siły mięśniowej, któremu towarzyszy pogorszenie sprawności w podstawowych czynnościach codziennych. Ćwiczenia fizyczne, w tym ćwiczenia ukierunkowane na zwiększenie siły mięśniowej, wykonywane przez osoby starsze spowalniają proces starzenia się i zapobiegają występowaniu wielu chorób. Jakkolwiek nawet stała i regularna aktywność fizyczna nie może zapobiec spadkowi siły wraz z wiekiem, to zmiany adaptacyjne w centralnym układzie nerwowym i mięśniowym wywołane stosowaniem ćwiczeń siłowych w dużym stopniu mogą rekompensować ten proces. Ćwiczenia ukierunkowane na zwiększenie siły i masy mięśniowej, nazywane ćwiczeniami siłowymi, są na świecie powszechnie znane i stosowane przez ludzi w podeszłym wieku. W Polsce model usprawniania fizycznego osób starszych bazuje prawie wyłącznie na ćwiczeniach wytrzymałościowych i rozciągających, a stosowanie klasycznych ćwiczeń siłowych często wywołuje obawy. Celem pracy jest uzasadnienie potrzeby stosowania ćwiczeń ukierunkowanych na zwiększenie siły mięśniowej w usprawnianiu osób starszych i przedstawienie efektów ich zastosowania.

Introduction: Omalizumab reduces asthma exacerbations in children with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. There are few data on omalizumab efficacy by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) asthma severity status. Methods: Children ≥6 to Results: The study enrolled 384 omalizumab and 192 placebo patients (years 2004-2008); most had severe asthma. During weeks 1-24, exacerbation rates declined 14% (rate ratio [RR; 95% CI]: 0.86 [0.52, 1.42]) in patients with moderate and 32% (RR: 0.68 [0.50, 0.92]) in those with severe persistent asthma. During weeks 1-52, exacerbation rates declined 35% (RR: 0.65 [0.43, 0.99]) in patients with moderate and 43% (RR: 0.57 [0.43, 0.75]) in those with severe persistent asthma (Table). Conclusions: Omalizumab reduces exacerbation rates at 24 and 52 weeks in moderate and severe asthma, and these benefits appear more pronounced with long (52 weeks) than short (24 weeks) treatment and in severe than moderate persistent asthma.

The pain, motor and sensory deficits are common symptoms of the lumbar disc disorder, and they can significantly affect human postural control. The aim of this study was to assess postural stability in patients with severe symptoms of lumbar spine disc disease qualifying them for surgical treatment and to compare them with a control group.The study involved 103 subjects: 54 patients and 49 healthy subjects. Patient's mean age was 46.4 ± 11.3 years, mean body height 172.2 ± 10.3 cm, mean body mass 83.1 ± 18.9 kg, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.9 ± 5.2 kg m-2. The mean time of their recent pain episode was 9.7 ± 8.5 months.We found statistically significant differences between postural stability in patients with lumbar spine disc disease and the control group. The measurements taken with eyes closed, as compared with the clinical control group, revealed higher and statistically significant values of the mean amplitude of COP, mean amplitude of COP on sagittal plane, and maximal sway in sagittal plane parameters. The analysis of pressure value differences between the right and left lower limbs in both groups revealed statistical significance. In the study population the difference was significantly greater in comparison to the control group. The patients had significantly greater asymmetry of lower limb load.1. Patients with lumbar spine discogenic pain had decreased postural control. 2. The patients had significant asymmetry in foot pressure resulting from pain radiating to a lower limb.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess static balance in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis who qualified for surgical decompression of associated neural structures and compare them with asymptomatic participants. Methods This case-controlled study evaluated a sample of 50 patients with spinal canal stenosis (stenosis group) and 48 participants with no history of clinical symptoms of back pain. Static balance was assessed by conducting quantitative analysis of balance reaction parameters in quiet standing with the eyes closed. Results Higher values were observed in total length of center of pressure (COP) path, length of COP path in the anterior-posterior plane, mean amplitude of COP projection in the anterior-posterior plane, maximal amplitude between the 2 most distant points in the anterior-posterior plane, mean COP velocity, and sway area marked by the moving COP in the stenosis group compared with the asymptomatic group. Conclusions This study showed statistically significant differences in static balance parameters between patients with spinal canal stenosis compared with the asymptomatic group.

In the present study we investigated kinematical characteristics of the knee and ankle extensors to estimate the length change properties of the contractile and the passive elements in countermovement jumps (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ) performed with small (40°) and large (80°) range of joint motion (SRM and LRM). At SRM the accelerations at maximal muscle lengths compared with the last phase of joint flexion were greater for the gastrocnemius and the soleus (124.9% and 79.4%) and also were greater than at the beginning of joint extension, while no difference was measured at LRM. The differences suggest that at LRM the length change of the serial passive elements from the end of joint flexion to the beginning of joint extension is minimal and simultaneously the length change of the contractile elements is significant, but at SRM - especially in the plantar flexors - the length change of the contractile elements is minimal while in the passive elements significant. It can be presumed that for SRM at the end of joint flexion significant elastic energy is stored and at the beginning of joint extension reused, while for LRM elastic energy storage is not dominant.