Physical activity guidelines targeting different populations with and without chronic diseases or disabilities are required to meet the diverse functional and physiological needs experienced by different subgroups of people to achieve optimal health benefits. As the importance of physical activity guidelines in promoting optimal health and well-being becomes increasingly recognised, there is a critical need for their systematic evaluation to ensure they remain effective, applicable and aligned with evolving health needs and scientific insights. This study aims to systematically review, critically evaluate, and compare global physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines on frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise for adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and people living with chronic conditions and/or disabilities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Given the well-accepted health benefits, it is important to identify scalable ways to support people with long-term conditions (LTCs) to remain physically active. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of digital tools on the maintenance of physical activity (PA) amongst this population.
Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials investigating the effect of digital tools on PA maintenance at least three months post-intervention compared with a non-digital control in participants with long-term conditions.
The dataset contains leaf venation architecture and functional traits for a phylogenetically diverse set of 122 plant species (including ferns, basal angiosperms, monocots, basal eudicots, asterids, and rosids) collected from the living collections of the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley (37.87° N, 122.23° W; CA, USA) from February to September 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Less than 50% of stroke survivors regain their pre-stroke level of upper limb function, compounded with a lack of long-term rehabilitation options available. The Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Programme (GRASP) is an evidence-based upper limb programme delivered as a standalone programme to stroke survivors. To improve access to such a programme, there is the potential to combine it with a high-utility community-based exercise programme, such as the post-rehabilitation enablement programme (PREP).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis mixed-methods study identified physical activity (PA) and healthy eating messages produced during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored how they were received by UK ethnic minority communities. A scoping review of research and grey literature identified categories of PA and healthy eating messaging targeted at ethnic minorities. Individual and group interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVariation in leaf venation network architecture may reflect trade-offs among multiple functions including efficiency, resilience, support, cost, and resistance to drought and herbivory. However, our knowledge about architecture-function trade-offs is mostly based on studies examining a small number of functional axes, so we still lack a more integrative picture of multidimensional trade-offs. Here, we measured architecture and functional traits on 122 ferns and angiosperms species to describe how trade-offs vary across phylogenetic groups and vein spatial scales (small, medium, and large vein width) and determine whether architecture traits at each scale have independent or integrated effects on each function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysical activity is important in the self-management of long-term conditions (LTCs). However, implementing physical activity into clinical practice is challenging, due to complex barriers including access to programmes, time pressures, and transport costs, for people with comorbidities, managing multiple responsibilities. Various digital tools exist to overcome these barriers and support wide-scale implementation to help people stay physically active.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding the diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) immune cells, especially in the muscularis propria, is crucial for understanding their role in the maintenance of enteric neurons and smooth muscle and their contribution to GI motility. Here, we present a detailed protocol for isolating single immune cells from the human gastric muscularis propria. We describe steps for tissue preservation, dissection, and dissociation of the muscularis propria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFYoung people with physical disability experience challenges to being physically active. To attain the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and sustain engagement, it is essential that participation is meaningful and enjoyable. This study aims to describe current participation in PA by adolescents with physical disability in Ireland, and to establish consensus on their priorities for enhancing physical activity participation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To describe the development and maturation of equine proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) in fetuses and young horses using radiography, microcomputed (micro)-CT, and histology.
Methods: A descriptive study. Forelimb PSBs from 12 equids ranging in age from 105 days of gestation to 540 days postgestation were evaluated.
Background: Gluteal tendinopathy (GT) is a degenerative tendon condition characterised by pain over the greater trochanter of the hip. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) in Australia found that 14 sessions of EDucation on load management plus eXercise (EDX) delivered over 8 weeks resulted in greater improvements in global rating of change and pain outcomes at 8 and 52 weeks, compared with corticosteroid injection or 'wait and see'. Typically, 5-6 physiotherapy sessions are provided in public and private physiotherapy settings in Ireland, therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of conducting a future definitive RCT to investigate effectiveness of 6 sessions of the EDX programme compared to usual care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To establish consensus among adolescents with a physical disability regarding their priorities for enhancing participation in physical activity and help inform the design of future interventions for participation in physical activity.
Method: We conducted a national multi-round Delphi study involving adolescents with a physical disability aged 13 to 17 years. Round 1 of the initial survey consisted of open-ended questions.
Astrocytic receptors influence cognitive function and can promote behavioral deficits in disease. These effects may vary based on variables such as biological sex, but it is not known if the effects of astrocytic receptors are dependent on sex. We leveraged in vivo gene editing and chemogenetics to examine the roles of astrocytic receptors in spatial memory and other processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFXylem conduits have lignified walls to resist crushing pressures. The thicker the double-wall (T) relative to its diameter (D), the greater the implosion safety. Having safer conduits may incur higher costs and reduced flow, while having less resistant xylem may lead to catastrophic collapse under drought.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThiovulum majus, which is one of the fastest known bacteria, swims using hundreds of flagella. Unlike typical pusher cells, which swim in circular paths over hard surfaces, T. majus localize near hard boundaries by turning their flagella to exert a net force normal to the surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To investigate the role of equine herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) and equine herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) in equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) by visualizing and quantifying these gamma herpesviruses in EGGD-affected and normal glandular gastric mucosa of horses. A secondary objective was to describe the histopathological abnormalities in the equine gastric glandular mucosa in horses with EGGD.
Animals: 29 horses (n = 21 postmortem and 8 gastroscopy) categorized as normal (11), EGGD (12), or both EGGD and equine squamous gastric disease (6).
Bacteria typically produce membrane vesicles (MVs) at varying levels depending on the surrounding environments. Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have been extensively studied for over 30 years, but MVs from Gram-positive bacteria only recently have been a focus of research. In the present study, we isolated MVs from Mycobacterium avium subsp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a contact-transmitted tobamovirus affecting many tomato growing regions of the world. This study investigated the effects of different glasshouse surfaces on the survival of the virus; the efficacy of different disinfectants; and heat treatment against ToBRFV (surfaces included steel, aluminium, hard plastic, polythene, glass and concrete). A bioassay followed by ELISA was used to check virus viability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe analyzed over 22,000 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes of patient samples tested at Mayo Clinic Laboratories during a 2-year period in the COVID-19 pandemic, which included Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern to examine the roles and relationships of Minnesota virus transmission. We found that Hennepin County, the most populous county, drove the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 viruses in the state after including the formation of earlier clades including 20A, 20C, and 20G, as well as variants of concern Alpha and Delta. We also found that Hennepin County was the source for most of the county-to-county introductions after an initial predicted introduction with the virus in early 2020 from an international source, while other counties acted as transmission "sinks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians are expected to provide expert care to all patients, but face obstacles in maintaining skillsets required in the care of critically ill or injured children. The objectives of this study were to describe and assess the effectiveness of a pediatric-focused, simulation-based, procedural training program for EMS clinicians, delivered on-site by a pediatric simulation education team. We also describe a novel, remote, asynchronous performance outcome measurement system using first-person-view video review.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Low back pain (LBP) is the main cause of activity limitation and work absence across the world, leading to a high social and economic burden for individuals, families, the labour market and society. The overall aim of this multicentre study is to test the usability, acceptability and feasibility of an evidence-based, digital education programme for people living and working with persistent LBP who are in sedentary or physically demanding jobs and need advice on ergonomics, self-management of pain and healthy behavioural strategies.
Methods: This is the protocol of a multinational, multicentre, prospective uncontrolled feasibility study targeting people with persistent LBP in Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Portugal.
Transl Vis Sci Technol
August 2023
Purpose: To develop a feline model of acute Acanthamoeba keratitis using methods that replicate natural routes of infection transmission.
Methods: Corneal Acanthamoeba castellanii inoculation was performed by three methods: topical inoculation with Acanthamoeba solution following corneal abrasion, placement of a contaminated contact lens for 7 days, and placement of a contaminated contact lens for 7 days following corneal abrasion. Sham inoculations with parasite-free medium and sterile contact lenses were also performed.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary disorder and a genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Physical activity (PA) is important for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Little is known about PA in people with AATD.
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