Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of muscle length on the level of voluntary activation (VA) at short and long muscle lengths between children and adults.
Methods: Thirteen prepubertal boys (10.2 ± 1.1 yr) and 10 men (23.9 ± 2.9 yr) performed 5-s maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the knee extensor muscles at three muscular angles (20°, 90°, 100°; 0°, full extension) interspersed with at least 60-s passive recovery periods. Single magnetic stimulations were delivered to the femoral nerve during maximal isometric voluntary contractions to determine the level of VA using the twitch interpolation technique. The specific torque was calculated as the absolute torque divided by thigh muscle mass, as assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Finally, the theoretical specific torque that could be produced with a complete (i.e., 100%) activation level (specific torque at 100% VA) was estimated from the values of specific torque and VA.
Results: Results showed a higher specific torque in adults at 90° and 100° but not at 20°. Accordingly, VA was significantly higher in adults at 90° (94% ± 4% vs 88% ± 8%, P < 0.05) and 100° (93% ± 6% vs 86% ± 8%, P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed at 20°. Interestingly, the specific torque at 100% VA was not different between groups whatever the joint angle.
Conclusions: The lower ability of children to fully activate their motor units at long muscle length could account for their lower specific torque because no difference in theoretical specific torque was observed between groups at 90° and 100°.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000463 | DOI Listing |
Nat Rev Clin Oncol
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Department of Pathology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved clinical outcomes across several solid tumour types. Prominent efforts have focused on understanding the anticancer mechanisms of these agents, identifying biomarkers of response and uncovering resistance mechanisms to develop new immunotherapeutic approaches. This research has underscored the crucial roles of the tumour microenvironment and, particularly, tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in immune-mediated tumour elimination.
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January 2025
San Raffaele University; Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy; Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy. Electronic address:
Introduction: Torque Teno Virus (TTV), an "orphan" virus with unclear pathology, has been associated with various diseases and immune dysfunctions. This study investigates the link between TTV viremia and clinical markers in patients with severe to very severe COPD undergoing respiratory rehabilitation.
Methods: We analyzed 102 elderly COPD patients, stratified by TTV viremia levels (< or ≥ 4 log10 copies/mL).
Introduction: Load carriage is an inherent part of tactical operations. Critical speed (CS) has been associated with technical and combat-specific performance measures (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSensors (Basel)
December 2024
Institute of Robotics, Autonomous System and Sensing, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Knee joint disorders pose a significant and growing challenge to global healthcare systems. Recent advancements in robotics, sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence have driven the development of robot-assisted therapies, reducing the physical burden on therapists and improving rehabilitation outcomes. This study presents a novel knee exoskeleton designed for safe and adaptive rehabilitation, specifically targeting bed-bound stroke patients to enable early intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Dent
January 2025
Senior Research and Teaching Assistant, Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, Center for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, Zurich 8032, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Objectives: A new abutment-free implant connection allows for direct screwing of FDPs on implants to avoid complications caused by cement rests or screw loosening, which may affect to screw torque and load distribution. The objective of this study was to test the initial (Fi) and final failure (Ff) loads and torque changes of abutment-free monolithic zirconia CAD-CAM fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) compared to titanium FDPs on different abutment designs.
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