Isoniazid urine spectrophotometry for prediction of serum pharmacokinetics in adults with TB.

Background: Isoniazid (INH) is an important drug in many TB regimens, and unfavorable treatment outcomes can be caused by suboptimal pharmacokinetics. Dose adjustment can be personalized by measuring peak serum concentrations; however, the process involves cold-chain preservation and laboratory techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS), which are unavailable in many high-burden settings. Urine spectrophotometry could provide a low-cost alternative with simple sampling and quantification methods.

Validity and Reliability of Handheld Dynamometry to Assess Isometric Hamstrings and Quadriceps Strength at Varying Muscle Lengths.

Context: The hamstrings are the most commonly injured muscle in sports and are especially injury prone in lengthened positions. Measuring knee muscle strength in such positions could be relevant to establish injury risk. Handheld dynamometry has been shown to be a valid, reliable, and practical tool to measure isometric muscle strength clinically.

Current warm-up practices before maximal sprinting in track-and-field (athletics).

Background: Warm-up is commonly performed by track-and-field athletes before performing maximal sprinting activities. Whilst some warm-up strategies may enhance athletes' physical and mental readiness, less is known about the current athletes' behaviors and warm-up practices in track and field. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the warm-up practices in a population of athletes performing in sprinting disciplines.

Protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of N-acetylcysteine in reducing adverse drug reactions among adults treated for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Tanzania.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) frequently occur in patients using second-line anti-tuberculosis medicine for treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). ADRs contribute to treatment interruptions which can compromise treatment response and risk acquired drug resistance to critical newer drugs such as bedaquiline, while severe ADRs carry considerable morbidity and mortality. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown promise in reducing ADRs for medications related to TB in case series or randomized controlled trials in other medical conditions, yet evidence is lacking in MDR-TB patients.

Hamstring Muscle Injuries and Hamstring Specific Training in Elite Athletics (Track and Field) Athletes.

Objective: We aimed to describe hamstring muscle injury (HMI) history and hamstring specific training (HST) in elite athletes. A secondary aim was to analyse the potential factors associated with in-championships HMI.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to collect data before and during the 2018 European Athletics Championships.

Successful Return to Performance After COVID-19 Infection in an Elite Athlete.

Purpose: To present training load (TL) and heart-rate variability (HRV) in an elite sprinter monitored before, during, and after a COVID-19 infection until successful return to performance.

Methods: TL, subjective morning fatigue (MF), and supine HRV were monitored during a 12-week period.

Results: During a high-TL period (training camp), MF and heart rate increased and vagally mediated HRV variables decreased.

Acute Effects of the Wim Hof Breathing Method on Repeated Sprint Ability: A Pilot Study.

The Wim Hof breathing method (WHBM) combines periods of hyperventilation (HV) followed by voluntary breath-holds (BH) at low lung volume. It has been increasingly adopted by coaches and their athletes to improve performance, but there was no published research on its effects. We determined the feasibility of implementing a single WHBM session before repeated sprinting performance and evaluated any acute ergogenic effects.

Pacing Strategy in Men's 400 m Hurdles Accounting for Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Elite Athletes.

The final result in a 400 m hurdles race (400mH) is relative to the motor preparation, technique of clearing hurdles as well as the adopted strategy of the race, including temporal aspects (split times in particular parts of the race) and spatial elements (the number of strides taken between subsequent hurdles). The objective of the study was to identify an optimal strategy for the 400mH race, including the stride pattern and split times. Data employed for this study were derived from results of 273 races held during the men's finals of international events (Olympic Games, World and European Championships) held from 1968 to 2015.

Low Horizontal Force Production Capacity during Sprinting as a Potential Risk Factor of Hamstring Injury in Football.

Clear decreases in horizontal force production capacity during sprint acceleration have been reported after hamstring injuries (HI) in football players. We hypothesized that lower is associated with a higher HI occurrence in football players. We aimed to analyze the association between sprint running horizontal force production capacities at low () and high () velocities, and HI occurrence in football.

Convalescent plasma for preventing critical illness in COVID-19: A phase 2 trial and immune profile.

Rationale: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an unprecedented event requiring rapid adaptation to changing clinical circumstances. Convalescent immune plasma (CIP) is a promising treatment that can be mobilized rapidly in a pandemic setting.

Objectives: We tested whether administration of SARS-CoV-2 CIP at hospital admission could reduce the rate of ICU transfer or 28 day mortality.

Gridlock from diagnosis to treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Tanzania: patients' perspectives from a focus group discussion.

Background: Molecular diagnostics have revolutionized the diagnosis of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Yet in Tanzania we found delay in diagnosis with more than 70% of MDR-TB patients having a history of several previous treatment courses for TB signaling prior opportunities for diagnosis. We aimed to explore patients' viewpoints and experiences with personal and socio-behavioral obstacles from MDR-TB diagnosis to treatment in an attempt to understand these prior findings.

From Sedentary and Physical Inactive Behaviours to an Ultra Cycling Race: A Mixed-Method Case Report.

In faculties of health sciences, almost 30% of nursing students exercise less than once a week. This mixed-method case report presents the 38-month evolution of the physiological and psychological health parameters of a sedentary and physically inactive nursing student. During this period, she first took part in a one-semester institutional physical activity (PA) program that was offered by her university before being selected for participation in the Race Across America (RAAM) with a university relay team.

Participating In The Race Across AMerica In A Team Of Eight Cyclists: Do Not Neglect Crew Preparation.

Background: The Race Across AMerica (RAAM) is considered as one of the longest, and most difficult cycling races in the world. It can be performed in solo or in relay of two, four or eight persons.

Purpose/method: The aim of the present study was to investigate several physiological, perceptual and psychological responses before, during and after RAAM in a team of eight amateur cyclists.

Postural Control Follows a Bi-Phasic Alteration Pattern During Mountain Ultra-Marathon.

It is well knows that postural control (PC) is deteriorated with neuromuscular fatigue, altitude or sleep deprivation induced by a mountain ultra-marathon (MUM). Several regulatory mechanisms have also been reported during this type of event and the changes in PC at different points of MUM remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of PC during an extreme MUM.

Hamstring Architectural and Functional Adaptations Following Long vs. Short Muscle Length Eccentric Training.

Most common preventive eccentric-based exercises, such as Nordic hamstring do not include any hip flexion. So, the elongation stress reached is lower than during the late swing phase of sprinting. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of hamstring architectural (fascicle length and pennation angle) and functional (concentric and eccentric optimum angles and concentric and eccentric peak torques) parameters following a 3-week eccentric resistance program performed at long (LML) vs.

Running Mechanics During the World's Most Challenging Mountain Ultramarathon.

The aim of study was to examine the effects of the world's most challenging mountain ultramarathon (Tor des Géants [TdG]) on running mechanics. Mechanical measurements were undertaken in male runners (n = 16) and a control group (n = 8) before (PRE), during (MID), and after (POST) the TdG. Contact (tc) and aerial (ta) times, step frequency (f), and running velocity (v) were sampled.

[Optimization of resistance training using elastic bands].

Resistance training using elastic bands allows to perform a large variety of exercises for upper and lower body. It can be considered as a real alternative to the use of fitness equipment or free weight. After having determined the goal of the resistance training (i.

Influence on Strength and Flexibility of a Swing Phase-Specific Hamstring Eccentric Program in Sprinters' General Preparation.

Hamstring injuries are common in sprinters and mainly occur during the terminal swing phase. Eccentric training has been shown to reduce hamstring injury rate by improving several risk factors. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that an additional swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric training in well-trained sprinters performed at the commencement of the winter preparation is more efficient to improve strength, ratio, optimum angle, and flexibility than a similar program without hamstring eccentric exercises.

Validity and reliability of maximal-strength assessment of knee flexors and extensors using elastic bands.

Context: In the field of sport rehabilitation, an easy, valid, and reliable assessment of maximal strength is crucial for efficient muscle rehabilitation. Classically, it is performed on fitness equipment that is not necessary available in the field. Thera-Band has developed elastic bands with different resistances depending on the color of the band and on the percentage of its stretch.

Alterations in postural control during the world's most challenging mountain ultra-marathon.

We investigated postural control (PC) effects of a mountain ultra-marathon (MUM): a 330-km trail run with 24000 m of positive and negative change in elevation. PC was assessed prior to (PRE), during (MID) and after (POST) the MUM in experienced ultra-marathon runners (n = 18; finish time = 126 ± 16 h) and in a control group (n = 8) with a similar level of sleep deprivation. Subjects were instructed to stand upright on a posturographic platform over a period of 51.