Reliability and validity of a method to measure trunk rotation angle from images using a camera and posture mirror.

This study aimed to measure trunk rotation angle representations from images using a single camera combined with a posture mirror and to examine its reliability and validity. We applied a trunk rotation angle model using a tripod and markers simulating trunk rotation. We compared two methods of trunk rotation angle measurement: the conventional method from the superior aspect using a manual goniometer and a novel measurement method using images from a digital camera and a posture mirror.

Exploring Blood Cell Count-Derived Ratios as Practical Diagnostic Tools for Scabies in Vulnerable Populations.

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease and represents a considerable global burden. Although consensus diagnostic criteria for scabies have been recently published, diagnosing scabies infestation remains challenging in clinical practice. We investigated the diagnostic utility of complete blood cell count (CBC) and CBC-derived ratios obtained at diagnosis in a set of 167 patients who are Vietnamese with confirmed scabies.

Effect of controlled start position on the reach distance distribution range in the functional reach test among community-dwelling older adults.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of controlled start position (CSP) on the reach distance distribution range (RDDR) in the functional reach test (FRT) in community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 34 community-dwelling older adults. We compared the RDDR in CSP and non-CSP and analyzed the relationship between the mean reach distance (MRD) and the length of movement of the center of pressure (LMCOP).

The Kuchi-kara Taberu index as a predictive marker of oral intake recovery in patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Aim: In recent years, the Kuchi-kara Taberu (KT) index has been used as a new tool for the evaluation of dysphagia; however, its predictive ability remains unknown. This study was conducted to examine the validity of oral intake recovery prediction using the KT index in patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Methods: The subjects were older inpatients admitted to an acute-care hospital for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia.

Development of Connective Tissue Area Increases by Initial Impact With High-Intensity Exercise After Reloading in Rat Soleus Muscle.

Objective: The aim of the study is to clarify whether high-intensity exercise in atrophied skeletal muscle after reloading (1) increases the injury and promotes the development of the muscle connective tissue area in the soleus muscle and (2) delays muscle strength recovery.

Design: Rats had their hindlimbs suspended for 14 days followed by hindlimb reloading and squat exercise of 30% or 70%-one-repetition maximum exercise until 14 days of reloading. The influences of reloading and exercise in muscles were examined by histological and immunofluorescence analyses based on the exercise load.

Effect of a controlled starting position on the relationship between the forward reach distance and movement distance of the center of pressure in the functional reach test using the ankle joint strategy.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify whether the distribution range of the forward reach distance and the relationship between the forward reach distance and the movement distance of the center of pressure differed depending on whether the controlled starting standing position during the functional reach test with an ankle joint strategy. [Participants and Methods] Sixteen healthy male volunteers participated in the study. The distribution range of the forward reach distance and the relationship between the forward reach distance and movement distance of the center of pressure in the controlled starting standing position and non-controlled starting standing position conditions were analyzed.

Effects of long-term treatment with dietary theobromine on rat skeletal muscles.

Background: Plastic changes of skeletal muscles, such as hypertrophy and atrophy, are dependent on physiological activities and regulated by a variety of signaling pathways, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway. The cAMP inducing agents, such as the β2-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol, are known to induce muscle hypertrophy, and has been reported to induce slow-to-fast transitions in rat soleus muscle. Theobromine, one of the active components of cacao, functions as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase and increases cAMP.

Inflammatory myopathies overlapping with systemic sclerosis: a systematic review.

We performed a systematic review of the clinical manifestations and complementary exams of patients with myopathies and systemic sclerosis overlap syndrome (MyoSScOS). Systematic review from January 1976 to November 2021 according PRISMA protocol on three electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Studies were analyzed based on the following eligibility criteria: at least one combination of the terms described in the search strategy appears in the title; written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish; and addresses MyoSScOS.

The effects of the pressure on the coccygeal skin on the perception of backward-leaning sitting positions in stroke patients.

The present study investigated the effects of an additional pressure stimulus on coccygeal skin using an original tool to evaluate the perceptibility of sitting while leaning backward in 13 chronic stroke patients who were able to walk independently and 12 age-matched healthy subjects. Each participant's perception of the trunk reference angle at which they felt the highest-pressure stimulation of the coccygeal skin while leaning backward from a quiet sitting position was evaluated based on the accuracy of each reproduction under both normal and additional pressure conditions. The absolute error under the pressure condition was significantly smaller than that under the normal condition in the control group, while no marked difference between conditions was found in the stroke group.

Blood lipid profile changes in type 2 diabetic rats after tail suspension and reloading.

Purpose: The effects of the tail suspension and reloading on the protein and lipid metabolism in muscle and blood in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are unclear. This study evaluated the hypothesis that skeletal muscle catabolism is greater in T2DM than in non-diabetes mellitus (non-DM) rats and that the activity-dependent changes in the intramuscular lipid accumulation and blood lipid profile are poorer in T2DM than in non-DM rats.

Methods: T2DM and non-DM rats were suspended for two weeks followed by reloading for two weeks.

Effect of performing daily activities while standing on the quantity and quality of the thigh muscles in adults with severe cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.

[Purpose] To observe the effect of daily standing, as indicated by gross motor function, on the quantity and quality of the thigh muscles in adults with severe cerebral palsy and to obtain data to determine an appropriate intervention that will improve their quality of life. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-three adults with severe cerebral palsy participated in the study. We assessed the gross motor function using the GMFM-66-IS.

The role of the pressure information from the heel on the perception of the backward-leaning standing position.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the functional role of the heel pressure information for perceiving a backward-leaning position through a decrease in sensory information using local cooling on the heel in healthy participants (n = 11). The position of the center of pressure in the anteroposterior direction (CoPy position) while standing was represented as the percentage distance (%FL) from the hindmost point of the heel (0 %FL) in relation to the foot length. The most backward-leaning position was measured under cool-heel condition and normal-heel condition.

Fast repetitive stretch suppresses denervation-induced muscle fibrosis.

Background: We aimed to examine the influence of different speeds of stretching on denervation-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis.

Methods: Stretching was passively applied to rat plantaris muscle denervated by sciatic nerve excision in three different cycles of 0.5, 3, or 12 cycles/min, for 20 min/d for 2 weeks.

Host-microbe interactions in the pathogenesis and clinical course of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by the development of granulomas in various organs, especially in the lungs and lymph nodes. Clinics of the disease largely depends on the organ involved and may range from mild symptoms to life threatening manifestations. Over the last two decades, significant advances in the diagnosis, clinical assessment and treatment of sarcoidosis have been achieved, however, the precise etiology of this disease remains unknown.

Measurement of the cross-sectional area of the hamstring muscles during initial and stretch positions with gravity magnetic resonance imaging.

[Purpose] We aimed to investigate the change rate in the cross-sectional area of each hamstring component to evaluate muscle extensibility and to contribute to the studies on hamstring strain prevention. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen healthy young males volunteered to participate in this study. They performed a knee extension test.

Effect of hindlimb unloading and reloading on the soleus and plantaris muscles in diabetic rats.

[Purpose] This study aimed to induce disuse muscle atrophy in Goto-Kakizaki rats, a type 2 diabetes model, to investigate the effects of reloading on the soleus and plantaris muscles. [Materials and Methods] Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were divided into 6 groups: Wistar Control (WC), GK Control (GC), Wistar Tail suspension (WS), GK Tail suspension (GS), and Wistar Reload (WR), GK Reload (GR). [Results] Investigation of myofiber cross-sectional area in Goto-Kakizaki rat soleus muscles indicated that the GS group showed significantly lower values than the GC and GR groups.

Anteroposterior perception of the trunk position while seated without the feet touching the floor.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the trunk position perception in the anteroposterior direction in young participants sitting without their feet touching the floor to avoid the influence of the hamstrings tension and the feet pressure on the perception. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen healthy volunteers were seated on a chair fitted with an original manual goniometer. There were 7 reference positions set at 5° increments, from -15° to 15°, and reproductions of each position were conducted 5 times.

Perception of leaning backward while standing and patellar movement.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the patellar movement and the standing backward leaning perceptibility. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen volunteers who were confirmed presence of upward patellar movement during backward leaning from the quiet standing posture participated in this study. The quiet standing position, the standing backward leaning position at patellar movement onset and standing position perceptibility were measured.

Patellar movement perception related to a backward-leaning standing position.

[Purpose] To investigate the patellar movement perception related to backward-leaning standing. [Subjects and Methods] Both the patellar range of motion during backward-leaning standing and perception related to patellar movement were analyzed using television-x irradiation images in 12 randomly selected healthy young individuals. [Results] Starting in a relaxed condition, two types of patellar movements were confirmed: those where the patella moves (patellar movement trials) and those where the patella does not move (patellar non-movement trials) during backward-leaning standing.

Gnetin-C and other resveratrol oligomers with cancer chemopreventive potential.

Resveratrol has been extensively studied to investigate its biological effects, including its chemopreventive potential against cancer. Over the past decade, various resveratrol oligomers, both naturally occurring and synthetic, have been described. These resveratrol oligomers result from the polymerization of two or more resveratrol units to form dimers, trimers, tetramers, or even more complex derivatives.

The Repeated Administration of Resveratrol Has Measurable Effects on Circulating T-Cell Subsets in Humans.

Preclinical studies have shown that resveratrol exerts immunomodulatory effects with potential clinical value in the amelioration of autoimmune disorders and cancer prevention; however, little is known about the in vivo effects of this naturally occurring polyphenol on human immune cells. We assessed the effects of repeated doses of resveratrol (1000 mg/day for 28 days) on circulating immune cells in healthy Japanese individuals. Resveratrol was safe and well tolerated and was associated with significant increases in the numbers of circulating T cells and regulatory T cells and resulted in small, yet significant, decreases in the plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF- and MCP-1 and a significant increase in the plasma antioxidant activity compared with the corresponding antioxidant baseline activity and with that in four control individuals.

Walking gait changes after stepping-in-place training using a foot lifting device in chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] The goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy of stepping-in-place training using a foot lifting assist device on the walking gait of chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. [Subjects] Seven patients with chronic hemiplegic stroke (age 80.9±4.

Relationship between the ability to perform the sit-to-stand movement and the maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles in patients with stroke.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the ability to perform the sit-to-stand movement and the maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles of patients. [Subjects] Thirty-two stroke patients (66.7±7.

Age-related Changes in Maximum Pelvic Anteversion and Retroversion Angles Measured in the Sitting Position.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between age and the maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles, as well as the associated pelvic range of motion, measured in a sitting position with free knee movement. [Subjects] A total of 132 healthy volunteers (74 women, 58 men; age range, 20-79 years) were divided into six groups based on age (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 years). [Methods] The maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles were measured manually five times by a goniometer in a sitting position that allowed free movement of the knee joints.