'Sportmotorische Bestandesaufnahme': criterion- vs. norm-based reference values of fitness tests for Swiss first grade children.

Health is closely linked to physical activity and fitness. It is therefore important to monitor fitness in children. Although many reports on physical tests have been published, data comparison between studies is an issue.

Psychometric properties and clinical relevance of the adolescent sleep hygiene scale in Dutch adolescents.

Objective: This study investigated reliability, validity, and clinical relevance of the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale (ASHS) in Dutch adolescents.

Methods: The Dutch translation of the ASHS was administered to 186 normal-sleeping adolescents and 112 adolescents with insomnia. Their sleep variables were measured using sleep logs and questionnaires.

Influenza at the animal-human interface: a review of the literature for virological evidence of human infection with swine or avian influenza viruses other than A(H5N1).

Factors that trigger human infection with animal influenza virus progressing into a pandemic are poorly understood. Within a project developing an evidence-based risk assessment framework for influenza viruses in animals, we conducted a review of the literature for evidence of human infection with animal influenza viruses by diagnostic methods used. The review covering Medline, Embase, SciSearch and CabAbstracts yielded 6,955 articles, of which we retained 89; for influenza A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), the official case counts of t he World Health Organization were used.

Formal thought disorder in autism spectrum disorder predicts future symptom severity, but not psychosis prodrome.

Formal thought disorder (FTD) is a disruption in the flow of thought, which is inferred from disorganisation of spoken language. FTD in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) might be a precursor of psychotic disorders or a manifestation of ASD symptom severity. The current longitudinal study is a seven-year follow-up of 91 individuals aged 5-12 years with ASD.

Usability and Effects of an Exergame-Based Balance Training Program.

Post-stroke recovery benefits from structured, intense, challenging, and repetitive therapy. Exergames have emerged as promising to achieve sustained therapy practice and patient motivation. This study assessed the usability and effects of exergames on balance and gait.

Reliability and validity of the extended timed-get-up-and-go test in patients with bilateral vestibular loss.

Background: The aim of his study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Expanded Timed Get-up-and-Go (ETGUG) test in patients with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL).

Methods: 21 BVL patients (58 ± 14 years) were recruited and measured twice by two raters. After a one hour break ETGUG was repeated by the first rater.

Computational Intelligence and Game Design for Effective At-Home Stroke Rehabilitation.

Objective: The aim of this article is to describe a game engine that has all the characteristics needed to support rehabilitation at home. The low-cost tracking devices recently introduced in the entertainment market allow measuring reliably at home, in real time, players' motion with a hands-free approach. Such systems have also become a source of inspiration for researchers working in rehabilitation.

Criteria for validation and selection of cognitive tests for investigating the effects of foods and nutrients.

This review is an output of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Europe Marker Initiative, which aims to identify evidence-based criteria for selecting adequate measures of nutrient effects on health through comprehensive literature review. Experts in cognitive and nutrition sciences examined the applicability of these proposed criteria to the field of cognition with respect to the various cognitive domains usually assessed to reflect brain or neurological function. This review covers cognitive domains important in the assessment of neuronal integrity and function, commonly used tests and their state of validation, and the application of the measures to studies of nutrition and nutritional intervention trials.

Reduced NF1 expression confers resistance to EGFR inhibition in lung cancer.

Activating mutations in the EGF receptor (EGFR) are associated with clinical responsiveness to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), such as erlotinib and gefitinib. However, resistance eventually arises, often due to a second EGFR mutation, most commonly T790M. Through a genome-wide siRNA screen in a human lung cancer cell line and analyses of murine mutant EGFR-driven lung adenocarcinomas, we found that erlotinib resistance was associated with reduced expression of neurofibromin, the RAS GTPase-activating protein encoded by the NF1 gene.

Randomized controlled ferret study to assess the direct impact of 2008-09 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine on A(H1N1)pdm09 disease risk.

During spring-summer 2009, several observational studies from Canada showed increased risk of medically-attended, laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 illness among prior recipients of 2008-09 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). Explanatory hypotheses included direct and indirect vaccine effects. In a randomized placebo-controlled ferret study, we tested whether prior receipt of 2008-09 TIV may have directly influenced A(H1N1)pdm09 illness.

Recommendations for standardizing validation procedures assessing physical activity of older persons by monitoring body postures and movements.

Physical activity is an important determinant of health and well-being in older persons and contributes to their social participation and quality of life. Hence, assessment tools are needed to study this physical activity in free-living conditions. Wearable motion sensing technology is used to assess physical activity.

Virtual reality rehabilitation as a treatment approach for older women with mixed urinary incontinence: a feasibility study.

Background: Motivated patients are more likely to adhere to treatment resulting in better outcomes. Virtual reality rehabilitation (VRR) is a treatment approach that includes video gaming to enhance motivation and functional training.

Aims: The study objectives were (1) to evaluate the feasibility of using a combination of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) exercises and VRR (PFM/VRR) to treat mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in older women, (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of the PFM/VRR program on MUI symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and (3) gather quantitative information regarding patient satisfaction with this new combined training program.

The role of podiatry in the prevention of falls in older people: a JAPMA special issue.

Given the age-related decline in foot strength and flexibility, and the emerging evidence that foot problems increase the risk of falls, established guidelines for falls prevention recommend that older adults have their feet examined by a podiatrist as a precautionary measure. However, these guidelines do not specify which intervention activities might be performed. Published in this special issue of JAPMA are nine high-quality articles, including seven original studies and two basic science reviews, focusing on the benefit and impact of footwear and foot and ankle interventions in reducing the risk of falling.

Intra-tumor heterogeneity: lessons from microbial evolution and clinical implications.

Multiple subclonal populations of tumor cells can coexist within the same tumor. This intra-tumor heterogeneity will have clinical implications and it is therefore important to identify factors that drive or suppress such heterogeneous tumor progression. Evolutionary biology can provide important insights into this process.

Cardiovascular rehabilitation soon after stroke using feedback-controlled robotics-assisted treadmill exercise: study protocol of a randomised controlled pilot trial.

Background: After experiencing a stroke, most individuals also suffer from cardiac disease, are immobile and thus have low endurance for exercise. Aerobic capacity is seriously reduced in these individuals and does not reach reasonable levels after conventional rehabilitation programmes. Cardiovascular exercise is beneficial for improvement of aerobic capacity in mild to moderate stroke.

Tablet-based strength-balance training to motivate and improve adherence to exercise in independently living older people: a phase II preclinical exploratory trial.

Background: Reaction time, coordination, and cognition performance typically diminish in older adults, which may lead to gait impairments, falls, and injuries. Regular strength-balance exercises are highly recommended to reduce this problem and to improve health, well-being, and independence in old age. However, many older people face a lack of motivation in addition to other strong barriers to exercise.

Evaluation of a reverse line blot assay for genotyping common human rotaviruses.

To allow high-throughput genotyping of group A rotaviruses (RVA) in a routine surveillance setting, we developed a reverse line blotting method for the determination of the most common human RVA G- and P-genotypes: G1-G4, G9, G12, P[4], P[6] and P[8]. Using the reverse line blotting method on 951 clinical RVA positive feces samples, in 905 (95%) of the samples the G-genotyping yielded a result while in 945 (99%) of the samples the P-genotyping was successful. Comparison of the reverse line blotting-method as it is used currently to a sequence based method for genotyping RVAs showed an agreement of 96% for single strain infections (75 out of 78) but only 48% for mixed infections (10 out of 21).

Brain imaging and human nutrition: which measures to use in intervention studies?

The present review describes brain imaging technologies that can be used to assess the effects of nutritional interventions in human subjects. Specifically, we summarise the biological relevance of their outcome measures, practical use and feasibility, and recommended use in short- and long-term nutritional studies. The brain imaging technologies described consist of MRI, including diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional MRI, as well as electroencephalography/magnetoencephalography, near-IR spectroscopy, positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computerised tomography.

Efficacy of internet and group-administered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in adolescents: a pilot study.

Research indicates that adolescents are at risk for insomnia, but are reluctant to seek help. Treatment of insomnia has been extensively examined in adults, but studies with adolescents are sparse. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess feasibility and efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) for adolescents in both group and Internet settings.

Population-level antibody estimates to novel influenza A/H7N9.

There are no contemporary data available describing human immunity to novel influenza A/H7N9. Using 1723 prospectively collected serum samples in southern Vietnam, we tested for antibodies to 5 avian influenza virus antigens, using a protein microarray. General-population antibody titers against subtype H7 virus are higher than antibody titers against subtype H5 and lower than titers against H9.

The maximal width of the base of support (BSW): clinical applicability and reliability of a preferred-standing test for measuring the risk of falling.

The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of a preferred-standing test for measuring the risk of falling. The preferred-standing position of elderly fallers and non-fallers and healthy young adults was measured. The maximal BSW was measured.

Assessment of the test-retest reliability of a foot placement accuracy protocol in assisted-living older adults.

Introduction: This study assessed the test-retest reliability of a foot placement accuracy protocol in a population of assisted-living elderly. The goal was to evaluate the execution of foot placement performance with increasing complexity of the walking condition.

Methods: Twenty-five elderly participants (5 males, 20 females, 80.

Feedback-controlled robotics-assisted treadmill exercise to assess and influence aerobic capacity early after stroke: a proof-of-concept study.

Purpose: The majority of post-stroke individuals suffer from low exercise capacity as a secondary reaction to immobility. The aim of this study was to prove the concept of feedback-controlled robotics-assisted treadmill exercise (RATE) to assess aerobic capacity and guide cardiovascular exercise in severely impaired individuals early after stroke.

Method: Subjects underwent constant load and incremental exercise testing using a human-in-the-loop feedback system within a robotics-assisted exoskeleton (Lokomat, Hocoma AG, CH).

Psychiatric Comorbidity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comparison with Children with ADHD.

The present study was conducted with the aim to identify comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) ( = 40) and to compare those comorbidity rates to those in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ( = 40). Participants were clinically referred children aged 7-18 years. DSM-IV classifications were used for the primary diagnosis (ASD/ADHD), while comorbid psychiatric disorders were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview, the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV, childhood diagnoses (KID-SCID).