The Impact of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Spasticity in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

Context: Spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) is a condition characterized by muscle stiffness and involuntary movements, which greatly affect movement abilities and overall well-being. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has emerged as a treatment option for managing spasticity, though the current evidence varies.

Objective: This systematic review seeks to assess the efficacy of LLLT on spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.

Trauma-Based Sexually Dimorphic Changes in the Connectome and Its Association with Central Sensitization Syndromes-A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Chronic pain syndromes pose a significant global health challenge to patients and physicians with a complex relationship of biological and psychosocial factors that are only partly understood. Emerging research suggests an association between prenatal and childhood adversity and the development of somatic syndromes, particularly in females. This study aims to explore the relationship between sexual dimorphic epigenetic changes in the connectome and prenatal and early life adversity (ELA).

Effects of Cervical Spinal Manipulation on Saccadic Eye Movements.

Quantifying saccadic eye movements can assist in identifying dysfunctional brain networks in both healthy and diseased people. Infrared Oculography is a simple and non-invasive approach to capturing and quantifying saccades, providing information that might aid in diagnosis and outcome assessments. The effect of spinal manipulation on quantified saccadic performance parameters has not been fully studied despite known post-manipulative effects on the brain and brainstem regions controlling them.

An EMG dataset for Arabic sign language alphabet letters and numbers.

Nowadays, surface electromyography (sEMG) is evolving as a technology for hand gesture recognition. Detailed studies have revealed the capacity of EMG signals to access detailed information, particularly in the classification of hand gestures. Indeed, this advancement emerges as an interesting element in refining the recognition and interpretation of sign languages and exploring deeper into the phonology of signed languages.

Sign Language Recognition Using the Electromyographic Signal: A Systematic Literature Review.

The analysis and recognition of sign languages are currently active fields of research focused on sign recognition. Various approaches differ in terms of analysis methods and the devices used for sign acquisition. Traditional methods rely on video analysis or spatial positioning data calculated using motion capture tools.

Exercise improves depression through positive modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A review based on 100 manuscripts over 20 years.

The aim of this review was to explore the relevant neurobiology and the association between peripheral levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acute and short to long-term exercise regimes, as well as its relation to depression and antidepressant treatment. A 20-year literature search was conducted. The screening process resulted in 100 manuscripts.

Effects of a Football Simulated Exercise on Injury Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury in Amateur Female Players.

Females are more at risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries than males; however, there is limited literature on neuromuscular risk factors such as angle-specific hamstring/quadriceps functional strength ratios (H/Q) and rate of torque development (RTD) in female footballers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fatigue on these neuromuscular risk factors. Thirty-three amateur players (20.

Kinetic and Kinematic Analysis of Landing during Standing Back Somersault Using Three Technical Arm Swings in Artistic Gymnastics.

The crucial criteria when assessing technical performance in artistic gymnastics is the higher elevation of the gymnast's body and a stable landing (i.e., stick-landing).

Effect of glissade-step on kinetic and kinematic variables of stag ring leaps with and without throw-catch of the ball in rhythmic gymnastics.

This study focuses on certain characteristics of the jump take-offs in rhythmic gymnastics (RG). Rhythmic gymnasts always perform their jumps with the same preferred run-up technique, proceeded by a chassé-step in most of the cases. The overall idea was to analyse other step-techniques that could be performged on one-leg, which could prepare jumps.

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Eighty-three RA patients with positive anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti-CCP) and 160 healthy blood donors were included in this study. ASCA IgG and IgA were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

How has public perception of food safety and health risks changed a year after the pandemic and vaccines roll out?

The recent coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has caused unprecedented turmoil and spurred fears that have profoundly changed the public's social and health behaviours, including the perception of food safety risks. One year after the pandemic and the global vaccination campaign, the public perception of food safety and the changes in their hygiene behaviour, health risks concerns, and trust were studied in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia using a cross-sectional online survey. The results of 538 subjects showed a rise in the frequency of hygiene practices, notably in handwashing.

Gamma irradiated date syrup for sucrose substitution in yogurt: effect on physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity and sensory evaluation.

Unlabelled: In the search for domestic natural additives favored by consumers for food flavor and antioxidant enhancement, this work aimed to estimate the influence of the substitution of sucrose by date syrup treated with gamma rays on the physico-chemical properties, antioxidant capacity and organoleptic quality of yogurt. Date syrup was irradiated by two different doses: 1 kGy and 2 kGy and incorporated into yogurt with different sucrose substitution percentages. The obtained results showed that gamma irradiation improved the microbiological quality of the date syrup while retaining its physicochemical quality.

Are we there yet? A systematic literature review of Open Educational Resources in Africa: A combined content and bibliometric analysis.

Although several studies have been conducted to summarize the progress of open educational resources (OER) in specific regions, only a limited number of studies summarize OER in Africa. Therefore, this paper presents a systematic literature review to explore trends, themes, and patterns in this emerging area of study, using content and bibliometric analysis. Findings indicated three major strands of OER research in Africa: (1) OER adoption is only limited to specific African countries, calling for more research and collaboration between African countries in this field to ensure educational equity; (2) most of the OER initiatives in Africa have focused on the creation process and neglected other important perspectives, such as dissemination and open educational practices (OEP) using OER; and (3) on top of the typical challenges for OER adoption (e.

Commercial techniques for preserving date palm () fruit quality and safety: A review.

The popularity of date palm () fruit is increasing, therefore the demand for high-quality date palm fruit with less or no chemical treatment is the topic of interest for date producers and consumers. The quality of date palm fruit is much dependent on its postharvest handling and processing. For preventing the degradation and maintenance of the high quality of dates during the storage an appropriate harvest and post-harvest processes are required.

An on-line survey of the behavioral changes in Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic related to food shopping, food handling, and hygienic practices.

The impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has spanned across the various aspects of life globally. Understanding public reactions is vital for effective risk communication and outbreak control and prevention. The Arab world has diverse cultural, economic, and social structures, so public choices and decisions also vary.

The public perception of food and non-food related risks of infection and trust in the risk communication during COVID-19 crisis: A study on selected countries from the Arab region.

The coronavirus pandemic caused a state of panic worldwide. Mixed messages were given about its risk and how to contain it, when trust in authorities and reliable scientific information are essential to reduce unnecessary scares and inappropriate risk perceptions. We know little about public concerns and opinions in health authorities in the Arab world.

Salivary endocrine response following a maximal incremental cycling protocol with local vibration.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of vibration (Vib versus noVib) during a maximal graded cycling exercise on hormonal response, precisely on cortisol (C) and testosterone (T). Twelve active males (25 ± 5yrs; 181 ± 5cm; 80.7 ± 11.

Retraction Note: Assessing cardiorespiratory fitness of soccer players: is test specificity the issue?-a review.

The editors have retracted this article [1] because it contains substantial text and figure overlap with the following articles [2-5].

Vibration Cycling Did Not Affect Energy Demands Compared to Normal Cycling During Maximal Graded Test.

The aim of this study was to compare the physiological responses between a vibration induced cycling step protocol (Vib) and normal cycling (without vibration, no-Vib). Eighteen moderate trained males (age 24.1 ± 4.

Lifestyle Factors and Mental Health.

A number of lifestyle factors have been recognised to play an important role in positively modifying medical and psychiatric diseases and their associated morbidity and mortality. These include, eating healthy food, greater physical activity, cessation of smoking, avoidance of alcohol and illicit substances. Additional lifestyle factors for healthy living include, safe and peaceful environment, optimal sleep, de-stressing and enjoyable activities, social connections/support and healthy mental activities.

Profiles of Physical Fitness Risk Behaviours in School Adolescents from the ASSO Project: A Latent Class Analysis.

The aim of the present investigation was to describe profiles of adolescents' fitness level, identify latent classes of fitness-related risk behaviours, and describe their sociodemographic and environmental predictors. In total, 883 adolescents (16.4 ± 1.

Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Soccer Players: Is Test Specificity the Issue?-A Review.

It is important that players and coaches have access to objective information on soccer player's physical status for team selection and training purposes. Physiological tests can provide this information. Physiological testing in laboratories and field settings are very common, but both methods have been questioned because of their specificity and accuracy respectively.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in sport and exercise: Systematic review and future perspectives.

Background: Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is a general concept that includes all methodologies used in the analysis of the bioelectrical vector, whereas the "classic" BIVA is a patented methodology included among these methods of analysis. Once this was clarified, the systematic review of the literature provides a deeper insight into the scope and range of application of BIVA in sport and exercise.

Objective: The main goal of this work was to systematically review the sources on the applications of BIVA in sport and exercise and to examine its usefulness and suitability as a technique for the evaluation of body composition, hydration status, and other physiological and clinical relevant characteristics, ultimately to trace future perspectives in this growing area, including a proposal for a research agenda.