Search Results (6,551)

This study investigated the association between the risk of low energy availability, disordered eating, and anxiety in collegiate female athletes. Female athletes (n = 115) completed questionnaires that assessed disordered eating (Disordered Eating Screen for Athletes, DESA-6; and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short, EDE-QS), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) and the risk of low energy availability (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire; LEAF-Q). The athletes were 19.9 ± 0.1 years old and presented with no anxiety (14.8%), mild (33.0%), moderate (24.3%), and severe (27.8%) anxiety. The EDE-QS scores revealed that 22.6% of the participants had a high risk of an eating disorder, while the DESA-6 scores revealed that 31.3% of the participants scored positive for a risk of disordered eating. The LEAF-Q total scores revealed that 68.7% of the participants were at risk of low energy availability. Increased GAD-7 scores were associated (p < 0.001) with measures of disordered eating (EDE-QS and DESA-6) and the risk of low energy availability (LEAF-Q total score). Non-parametric partial correlations demonstrated that anxiety (increased GAD-7 scores) correlated with the risk of low energy availability (increased LEAF-Q total scores) while controlling for eating disorder scores (EDE-QS) (r (112) = 0.353, p < 0.001), or while controlling for the risk of disordered eating (DESA-6 scores) (r (112) = 0.349, p < 0.001). In female collegiate athletes, both disordered eating and the risk of low energy availability were positively associated with increased anxiety. Full article

Ultrasound is a versatile and well-established technique using sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper limit of human hearing. Typically, therapeutic and diagnosis ultrasound operate in the frequency range of 500 kHz to 15 MHz with greater depth of penetration into the body. However, to achieve improved spatial resolution, high-frequency ultrasound (>15 MHz) was recently introduced and has shown promise in various fields such as high-resolution imaging for the morphological features of the eye and skin as well as small animal imaging for drug and gene therapy. In addition, high-frequency ultrasound microbeam stimulation has been demonstrated to manipulate single cells or microparticles for the elucidation of physical and functional characteristics of cells with minimal effect on normal cell physiology and activity. Furthermore, integrating machine learning with high-frequency ultrasound enhances diagnostics, including cell classification, cell deformability estimation, and the diagnosis of diabetes and dysnatremia using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). In this paper, current efforts in the use of high-frequency ultrasound from imaging to stimulation as well as the integration of deep learning are reviewed, and potential biomedical and cellular applications are discussed. Full article

Chronic inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs) are characterized by altered intestinal permeability, prompting inflammatory, oxidative stress, and immunological factors. Gut microbiota disorders impact brain function via the bidirectional gut–brain axis, influencing behavior through inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter levels. This study highlights the potential effect of integrating lyophilized milk kefir alone and lyophilized milk kefir as solid carriers loaded with a self-nanoemulsifying self-nanosuspension (SNESNS) of licorice extract on an induced chronic IBD-like model in rats. Licorice-SNESNS was prepared by the homogenization of 30 mg of licorice extract in 1 g of the selected SNEDDS (30% Caraway oil, 60% Tween 20, and 10% propylene glycol (w/w)). Licorice-SNESNS was mixed with milk kefir and then freeze-dried. Dynamic TEM images and the bimodal particle size curve confirmed the formation of the biphasic nanosystems after dilution (nanoemulsion and nanosuspension). Daily oral administration of lyophilized milk kefir (100 mg/kg) loaded with SNESNS (10 mg/kg Caraway oil and 1 mg/kg licorice) restored normal body weight and intestinal mucosa while significantly reducing submucosal inflammatory cell infiltration in induced rats. Importantly, this treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to lyophilized milk kefir alone by leading to a more significant alleviation of neurotransmitter levels and improved memory functions, thereby addressing gut–brain axis disorders. Additionally, it normalized fecal microbiome constituents, inflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress in examined tissues and serum. Moreover, daily administration of kefir-loaded SNESNS normalized the disease activity index, alleviated histopathological changes induced by IBD induction, and partially restored the normal gut microbiota. These alterations are associated with improved cognitive functions, attributed to the maintenance of normal neurotransmitter levels and the alleviation of triggered inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 8-week exercise programs (aerobic, stretching, and aerobic plus stretching) in improving menstrual characteristics in female adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, seventy-eight healthy female adolescents aged 12–18 from secondary and high schools in Riyadh participated. Participants were divided into three groups and subjected to different types of exercises (aerobic, stretching, and aerobic plus stretching) for 20–30 min, three times a week. Menstrual pain, stress, and attitudes were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale, Adolescent Stress Questionnaire Short Version, and Adolescent Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire, respectively. Assessments were conducted before the intervention and after the third menstrual period post-intervention. Results: The aerobic exercise group experienced a significant reduction in the mean length of the menstrual cycle (p = 0.025). The aerobic plus stretching group had the most significant reduction in mean menstrual pain scores (p < 0.0001). Stress scores were significantly reduced in the stretching group (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: We conclude that combining aerobic and stretching exercises significantly reduces menstrual pain, while aerobic exercise decreases menstrual cycle length and pain. Full article

Older adults demonstrate gait impairments that increase their risk for falls. These age-related mobility impairments are in part due to declines in muscle mass and strength. High-intensity exercise can improve muscle strength and mobility but may not be tolerable for older adults due to musculoskeletal injury and pain. Blood flow restriction (BFR) with lower-intensity exercise offers a strategy that may be more tolerable for older adults, but whether BFR improves gait and mobility in older adults is unclear. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of BFR on gait and mobility in healthy older adults. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were systematically searched for articles utilizing BFR in older adults. Articles were included if adults were over 60 years, did not have chronic health conditions, had undergone randomized controlled trials, and presented objectively measured gait outcomes. The search identified 1501 studies, of which 9 were included in the systematic review and 8 studies in the meta-analysis. Outcome measures included the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), 400 m walk test, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and 10 m walk test. Meta-analyses found improvements in the TUG (mean difference (MD) = −0.71; 95% CI = −1.05, −0.37; p < 0.001) and SPPB (MD = −0.94; 95% CI = −1.48, −0.39; p < 0.001) in BFR compared to no BFR. There were no differences in gait speed (MD = 0.59; 95% CI = −0.22, 1.41; p = 0.16). BFR may be effective for gait and mobility tasks over shorter distances. Clinicians may consider incorporating BFR to improve mobility and gait function in older adults. Full article

Background/Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality rates in a community-dwelling spinal cord injury (SCI) population in Ontario. Methods: Using health administrative databases, monthly mortality rates were evaluated pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic from March 2014 to May 2024. Data were stratified by sex, injury etiology, and mental health status. Group differences were evaluated using t-tests. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models evaluated the pandemic’s impact on mortality rates. Results: A significant increase of 21.4% in mortality rates during the pandemic was found for the SCI cohort. With the exception of the traumatic group, all subgroups also experienced a significant increase in mortality rates (males: 13.9%, females: 31.9%, non-traumatic: 32.3%, mental health diagnoses: 19.6%, and mental health diagnoses: 29.4%). During the pandemic, females had a significantly higher mortality rate than males. The non-traumatic group had higher mortality rates than the traumatic group at all time periods. Individuals with mental health diagnoses had higher mortality rates than those without at the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Conclusions: The variation in mortality rates across groups highlights inequitable access to medical care in the SCI population, with further research and interventions needed. Full article

Background/objectives: Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, poses significant risks to physical health, leading to a reduced quality of life (QoL), increased disability, and higher mortality rates among older adults. Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent the cascading effects of sarcopenia, including falls, fractures, and hospitalization. This study determined an optimal cut-off point of the SarQoL^® score that can serve as an effective screening tool among community-dwelling Korean older adults. Methods: The study involved 451 South Korean older adults, assessing the correlation between SarQoL^® scores and sarcopenia as defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. Participants completed the Korean version of the SarQoL questionnaire. Results: Findings revealed that individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia had significantly lower SarQoL^® scores compared to non-sarcopenic participants, with a cut-off score of ≤58.5 providing good diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.768, sensitivity = 69.3%, specificity = 75.2%). Conclusions: These results underscore the questionnaire’s reliability and validity in screening for sarcopenia-related QoL impairment and its potential utility as a clinical tool. Implementing the SarQoL^® in routine assessments could improve clinical outcomes by enabling earlier and more precise identification of sarcopenia. Full article

Strength assessment is one of the main fields in sports performance, physical rehabilitation, physical activity, and health. We aimed to compare maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and paired voluntary isometric contractions (VICs) of knee extensors between an isokinetic dynamometer (BIODEX) and a portable and lightweight device (DINABANG). From 19 volunteers (age: 28.7 ± 7 years; body mass: 72 ± 10 kg; and height: 173 ± 7 cm) we obtained 114 paired MVIC measures and, from the force–time curves of these repetitions, 22,507 paired VIC measures of knee extensors. We observed “excellent” repeatability for MVICs (ICC:1.00; p < 0.001) between BIODEX (247 ± 79.5 Nm) and DINABANG (247 ± 74.8 Nm), with “trivial” effect (mean difference: 0.12 Nm (0.02%); 95%CI: −0.13 to 0.23 Nm; p = 0.606; d = 0.048). Bland–Altman plots revealed high accuracy for MVIC (bias: 0.12 Nm) and consistent distribution (precision) inside the limits of agreement (−4.81 to 5.06 Nm) and respective 95%CI. “Excellent” repeatability was also observed for VICs (ICC:1.00; p < 0.001) between BIODEX (219 ± 84.1 Nm) and DINABANG (218 ± 84.0 Nm), with “trivial” effect (0.24 Nm (0.11%); 0.08 to 0.11 Nm; p < 0.001; d = 0.100). Bland–Altman plots revealed high accuracy for VICs (bias: 0.24 Nm) and consistent distribution (precision) inside the limits of agreement (−4.5 to 4.9 Nm) and respective 95%CI. DINABANG is accurate, precise, and reliable in torque measurement. Full article

Background and Objectives: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects individuals aged 10–18 years and is characterized by spinal deformity, three-dimensional axis deformation, and vertebral rotation. Schroth method exercises and braces have been shown to reduce the Cobb angle and halt spinal deformity progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a 12-month, supervised Schroth exercise program on scoliosis severity and quality of life in adolescents with AIS. Materials and Methods: Eighty adolescents with AIS (aged 10–17 years) were prescribed a brace and were divided into two groups. The intervention group followed a supervised Schroth exercise program three times a week for 12 months in addition to wearing a brace. The control group used only the brace. Outcomes included the Cobb angle of the main curvature and the sum of curves using radiography, the maximum angle of trunk rotation (ATR maximum, using a scoliometer), and quality of life with the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, after 12 months, and 6 months post-intervention. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for statistical analysis (p-Value < 0.05). Results: The intervention group showed statistically significant improvement compared to the control group in the 12th month in Cobb angle (mean differences, 95% CI: −3.65 (−5.81, −1.53), p-Value < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.30), ATR maximum (mean differences, 95% CI: −3.05 (−3.86, −2.23), p-Value < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.74), and SRS-22 score (mean differences, 95% CI: 0.87 (0.60, 1.13), p-Value < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.58). Differences in ATR maximum and SRS-22 score remained significant at the 18-month measurement. No significant differences were found between groups in the sum of curves (p-Value > 0.05). Conclusions: A 12-month supervised Schroth exercise program in AIS patients undergoing brace treatment significantly improves scoliosis severity (Cobb angle and ATR maximum) and quality of life. Improvements were greater than those in shorter-duration studies, suggesting a linear dose–response relationship. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify the impact of long-term Schroth programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The role of the gut microbiome in the development and progression of many diseases has received increased attention in recent years. Boron, a trace mineral found in dietary sources, has attracted interest due to its unique electron depletion and coordination characteristics in chemistry, as well as its potential role in modulating the gut microbiota. This study investigates the effects of inorganic boron derivatives on the gut microbiota of mice. Methods: For three weeks, boric acid (BA), sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB), and sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT) were dissolved (200 mg/kg each) in drinking water and administered to wild-type BALB/c mice. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed to determine the impact of these treatments. Results: The administration of BA significantly altered the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in a rise in advantageous species such as Barnesiella and Alistipes. Additionally, there was a decrease in some taxa associated with inflammation and illness, such as Clostridium XIVb and Bilophila. Notable increases in genera like Treponema and Catellicoccus were observed, suggesting the potential of boron compounds to enrich microbial communities with unique metabolic functions. Conclusions: These findings indicate that boron compounds may have the potential to influence gut microbiota composition positively, offering potential prebiotic effects. Further research with additional analyses is necessary to fully understand the interaction between boron and microbiota and to explore the possibility of their use as prebiotic agents in clinical settings. Full article

Objectives: This study analyzed the effect of different positions on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in women with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: This study included women with (n = 17, research group) and without (n = 25, control group) SUI. Using abdominal ultrasound, PFM function (maximum contraction and endurance) was measured in four different positions: lying, sitting, standing and squatting. The level of difficulty perceived by the participants was recorded. Results: In both groups, the best contraction was observed in the standing position and the weakest in the lying position. Women with SUI showed a lower ability to perform PFM contraction. A significant difference was found between the groups in the sitting and standing positions, and it was smaller in the research group. In the research group, the contraction displacement during sitting was 2.68 (1.67) mm versus 4.51 (2.62) mm in the control. The displacement during standing was 6.92 (3.50) mm versus 9.18 (5.05) mm, respectively (p < 0.05). In the research group, 52.9% reported the sitting position as the most difficult compared with only 12% in the control group. Conclusions: Women with SUI have lower PFM function while standing or sitting, but not while lying, than those without SUI. Variations in PFM function across different positions exist. A new protocol for PFM examination should be written with the standing position included. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the capability of several B-mode ultrasound (US) and shear wave elastography (SWE) metrics to differentiate subjects with chronic non-specific neck pain from asymptomatic subjects. Methods: A diagnostic accuracy study recruiting a sample of patients with chronic neck pain and asymptomatic controls was conducted. Data collection included sociodemographic information (i.e., gender, age, height, weight and body mass index), clinical information (pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale and pain-related disability using the Neck Disability Index) and B-mode ultrasound and shear wave elastography features of the cervical multifidus muscle (cross-sectional area, perimeter, mean echo intensity, fat infiltration, shear wave speed and Young’s modulus). After analyzing between-group differences for left/right sides, cases and controls, and males and females, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cut-off point, the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR for each metric were calculated. A total of 316 individuals were recruited in this study (n = 174 cases with neck pain and n = 142 asymptomatic controls). Results: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between cases and controls for most variables, except for fatty infiltration, which was significantly higher in chronic neck pain cases (p < 0.001). Gender differences were significant across all US and SWE metrics (all, p < 0.001 except p = 0.015 for fatty infiltrates). A slight asymmetry was observed between the left and right sides for area (p = 0.038). No significant interactions between group, gender and side (all metrics, p > 0.008) were identified. Fatty infiltration was the most effective discriminator, with a ROC value of 0.723, indicating acceptable discrimination. The optimal cut-off point for fatty infiltration was 25.77, with a moderate balance between sensitivity (59.8%) and specificity (20.5%). However, its positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 0.75 suggests limited usefulness in confirming the condition. Conclusions: Fatty infiltration was significantly higher in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain compared to those without symptoms, while other muscle metrics were similar between both groups. However, since fat infiltration had moderate diagnostic accuracy and the other metrics showed poor discriminatory power, US cannot be used solely to discriminate patients with idiopathic neck pain. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the development of 3D chitosan-x-cobalt ferrite scaffolds (x = 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) with interconnected porosity for potential biomedical applications. The objective was to evaluate the effects of magnetic particle incorporation on the scaffolds’ structural, mechanical, magnetic, and biological properties, specifically focusing on their biocompatibility and antimicrobial performance. Methods: Scaffolds were synthesized using freeze-drying, while cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were produced via a pilot-scale combustion reaction. The scaffolds were characterized for their physical and chemical properties, including porosity, swelling, and mechanical strength. Hydrophilicity was assessed through contact angle measurements. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using time kill kinetics and agar diffusion assays, and biocompatibility was confirmed through cytotoxicity tests. Results: The incorporation of cobalt ferrite increased magnetic responsiveness, altered porosity profiles, and influenced swelling, biodegradation, and compressive strength, with a maximum value of 87 kPa at 7.5 wt% ferrite content. The scaffolds maintained non-toxicity and demonstrated bactericidal activity. The optimal concentration for achieving a balance between structural integrity and biological performance was found at 7.5 wt% cobalt ferrite. Conclusions: These findings suggest that magnetic chitosan-cobalt ferrite scaffolds possess significant potential for use in biomedical applications, including tissue regeneration and advanced healing therapies. The incorporation of magnetic properties enhances both the structural and biological functionalities, presenting promising opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches in reconstructive procedures. Full article

Background: Neck self-awareness, related to sensorimotor dysfunction, can be monitored with the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ). The cross-cultural adaptation of the FreNAQ in Greek (FreNAQ-GR) and an assessment of its psychometric properties were conducted. Methods: This study included 104 participants (65 female) with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). Once the cross-cultural adaptation process of the FreNAQ-GR was complete, the testing of its construct validity was conducted via an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The construct validity examination also included a correlational analysis with a Pain Intensity Visual Analogue Scale (PI-VAS), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and demographics. The internal consistency of the FreNAQ-GR was also examined. A sub-sample of participants (n = 30) completed the FreNAQ-GR again after 5–7 days. Results: The dataset was appropriate for EFA (measure of sampling adequacy KMO = 0.763 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity p < 0.001). The FreNAQ-GR demonstrated a single-factor 6-item structure (items 7–9 removed), explaining 53.69% of the common variance. Statistically significant correlations (Spearman’s) were registered between the FreNAQ-GR (both versions) and the NDI (r = 0.33/0.29, p < 0.001), the TSK (r = 0.46/0.41, p < 0.001), and the PCS (r = 0.37/0.33, p < 0.001). For the 9-item and the 6-item FreNAQ-GR, the internal consistency (Chronbach’s a/McDonald’s ω) was 0.80/0.79 and 0.826/0.816, respectively. The test–retest reliability was excellent for both versions ICC_2,1 (95% CI) = 0.98/0.98 (0.97–0.99/0.95–0.99), with low error values SEM = 0.90/0.74 and MDC_95% = 2.49/2.05 points. Conclusions: The FreNAQ-GR is suitable for assessing neck self-awareness in Greek-speaking patients with NSCNP. Full article

Children and adolescents (C&As) with congenital heart defects (CHDs) have decreased functional capacity and executive functioning (EF) due to brain abnormalities and decreased cerebral perfusion. Exercise may improve EF via increased cognitive demands and cerebral blood supply. The purpose of this review was to identify evidence describing the impact of physical activity (PA) interventions on EF in C&As with CHDs. The following databases were searched from 2000 to 2024: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, CENTRAL, and PsycInfo. The inclusion criteria consisted of participants aged from birth to 18 years with CHD, interventions related to PA, and EF as an outcome measure. Articles were excluded if adults were included, translation to English was impossible, and full access was unavailable. Of 613 initial articles, 3 were analyzed, with only 1 meeting all inclusion criteria. The included study found significant improvements in self-reported cognitive functioning and parent-reported social functioning after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise in children aged 10–15 years with CHDs. Common themes among the reviewed articles indicated that EF remains impaired throughout the lifespan, children have unique interventional and developmental needs, and research remains limited despite theoretical benefits. Further investigation of the effect of PA on EF in C&As with CHDs is needed. Full article