Visual-Spatial Search in Neglect Syndrome as a Function of the Number of Stimuli in the Hemifields.

Background: Neglect syndrome is a serious condition that often affects the ability to perform visual-spatial search tasks, interfering with the ability to detect stimuli on the left side of space. A number of factors can affect the success of visual search in patients with neglect syndrome, including visual field load. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the number of stimuli in the right visual hemifield influences the efficiency of visual search in the left (neglected) hemifield, hypothesizing that an increased object load on the right side may impair search performance on the left.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Confidence in Patient Treatment in the Endodontic and Restorative Procedures of Dentistry Students at the University of Novi Sad.

(1) : The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a change in the concept of teaching with the introduction of online lectures and "distance learning." The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the confidence and both theoretical and practical knowledge of dental students regarding the courses in conservative dentistry and endodontics. (2) : The study was conducted using an originally created online questionnaire consisting of 30 questions that the students used to make a subjective assessment of their confidence in performing both endodontic and conservative procedures using numerical scales.

Clinical outcomes of total hip arthroplasty after femoral neck fractures vs. osteoarthritis at one year follow up-A comparative, retrospective study.

Purpose: The objective of the study is to determine if there was a difference in medical complications and in-hospital mortality among the patients who underwent THA for femoral neck fracture relative to same procedure for elective patients with coxarthrosis.

Methods: We compared characteristics and short-term outcomes during the rehabilitative postsurgical period. We included all patients older than 45 years who underwent THA for primary/secondary hip arthritis and displaced femoral neck fractures type Garden III and IV.

Aerobic high-intensity interval training and maximal strength training in patients with unspecific musculoskeletal disorders improve V̇O and maximal strength more than moderate training.

Improving peak oxygen uptake (V̇O) and maximal strength are key objectives of rehabilitation for patients with unspecific musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Although high-intensity training yield superior outcomes for these factors, patients with MSDs may not tolerate high-intensity due to pain and fear. Therefore, we examined the effect and feasibility of incorporating aerobic high-intensity intervals (HIITs) and maximal strength training (MST) in a standard clinical rehabilitation program for patients with unspecific MSDs.

Manual traction is effective in alleviating lumbosacral spine pain: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Manual traction, a therapeutic technique frequently employed in healthcare, involves applying controlled pulling force by hand, usually to the spine, to stretch muscles and decompress joints, thereby alleviating pain. This method can be particularly beneficial for addressing lumbosacral spine pain exacerbated by radicular symptoms, characterized by pain radiating from the lower back due to compression or irritation of spinal nerves.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of manual traction against control group in alleviating the lumbosacral spine pain caused by radicular symptoms.

Is the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) associated with quantitative sensory testing (QST)? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Central sensitization (CS) involves an amplification of neural processing within the central nervous system that can result in widespread pain patterns and hypersensitivity to stimuli. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and various quantitative sensory testing (QST) methods purport to assess clinical markers of CS. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize and quantify the associations between total CSI scores and QST measures from previous studies.

Recommendations for physical activity and exercise in persons living with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): consensus by an international task force.

Objective: This international task force aimed to provide healthcare professionals and persons living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with consensus-based recommendations for physical activity and exercise in SLE.

Methods: Based on evidence from a systematic literature review and expert opinion, 3 overarching principles and 15 recommendations were agreed on by Delphi consensus.

Results: The overarching principles highlight the importance of shared decision-making and the need to explain the benefits of physical activity to persons living with SLE and other healthcare providers.

Abdominal aerobic endurance exercise reveals spot reduction exists: A randomized controlled trial.

The existence of spot reduction, exercise-induced local body fat reduction, has been debated for half a century. Although the evidence is equivocal, no study has applied aerobic endurance training closely matching interventions for energy expenditure. Sixteen overweight (BMI: 29.

Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve V̇O more than supramaximal sprint intervals in females, similar to males.

Introduction: Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O ) is a pivotal factor for aerobic endurance performance. Recently, aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) was documented to be superior to sprint interval training (SIT) in improving V̇O in well-trained males. However, as mounting evidence suggests that physiological responses to training are sex-dependent, examining the effects of HIIT versus SIT on V̇O , anaerobic capacity, and endurance performance in females is warranted.

A New Mechanical Mouth Opener for Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint.

(1) Background: During the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it is necessary to scan the joints in the closed- and open-jaw position, as well as in the maximally open-jaw position. In order to examine both joints in these positions, an MRI compatible mouth opener is required, which allows the articular surfaces to maintain their position stably. (2) Methods: In this study, we included 200 patients aged 18 to 65, with various levels of clinical severity.

High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint Low Agreement with Clinical Diagnosis in Asymptomatic Females.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between a clinical diagnosis based on research diagnostic criteria/temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) and high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in asymptomatic females. (2) Methods: A prospective study on 100 females (200 TMJs) was performed, using clinical examinations (RDC/TMD) and same-day MRIs of TMJs on a 3T MR unit. The inclusion criteria were as follows: females, age > 18, the presence of upper and lower incisors, and an understanding of the Serbian language.

Stroke volume response during prolonged exercise depends on left ventricular filling: evidence from a β-blockade study.

Prolonged moderate-intensity exercise leads to a progressive upward drift in heart rate (HR) that may compromise stroke volume (SV). Alternatively, the HR drift may be related to abated SV due to impaired ventricular function. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cardiovascular drift on left ventricular volumes and in turn SV.

Development of simple descriptions of the ICF Generic-30 Set in different languages: laying the foundation for an ICF-based clinical tool for Europe.

Background: Functioning is considered a third indicator of health and a key outcome in rehabilitation. A universal practical tool for collecting functioning information is essential. This tool would be ideally based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Patients with neuropathic pain from lumbosacral radiculopathy demonstrate similar pressure pain thresholds and conditioned pain modulation to those with fibromyalgia.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate pain thresholds, impairment of the endogenous pain modulatory system, and self-reported cognitive-emotional and central sensitization-related symptoms among three subject groups: a rarely studied patient cohort with neuropathic pain from lumbosacral radiculopathy (NPLSR), patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Patient-reported pain-related symptomology was evaluated with psychometricallyvalidated questionnaires. Pressure pain threshold (PPT), heat pain threshold (HPT), and cold pain threshold (CPT) were assessed in the low back and contralateral forearm.

Aerobic high-intensity intervals are superior to improve V̇O compared with sprint intervals in well-trained men.

Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O ) may be the single most important factor for long-distance running performance. Interval training, enabling high intensity, is forwarded as the format that yields the largest increase in V̇O . However, it is uncertain if an optimal outcome on V̇O , anaerobic capacity, and running performance is provided by training with a high aerobic intensity or high overall intensity.

The Effects of Regular Physical Activity and Playing Video Games on Reaction Time in Adolescents.

Reaction time is of great importance in life. In both sports and video games, movements of participants are conditioned by different visual, acoustic and somatosensory signals. The aim of this research was to determine whether reaction time is influenced by regular physical activity and playing video games in adolescents.

Prediction of VO2max From Submaximal Exercise Using the Smartphone Application Myworkout GO: Validation Study of a Digital Health Method.

Background: Physical inactivity remains the largest risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Wearable devices have become a popular method of measuring activity-based outcomes and facilitating behavior change to increase cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or maximal oxygen consumption (VO) and reduce weight. However, it is critical to determine their accuracy in measuring these variables.

Acute Effects of Strength and Endurance Training on Bone Turnover Markers in Young Adults and Elderly Men.

Context: Exercise is recognized as an important strategy to prevent bone loss, but its acute effects on bone turnover markers (BTMs) and related markers remain uncertain.

Objective: To assess the acute effects of two different exercise modes on BTMs and related markers in young adults of both sexes and elderly men.

Design Setting Participants: This was a three-group crossover within-subjects design study with a total of 53 participants-19 young women (aged 22-30), 20 young men (aged 21-30 years), and 14 elderly men (aged 63-74 years)-performing two different exercise sessions [strength training (ST) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)] separated by 2 weeks, in a supervised laboratory setting.

Maximal strength training in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease: implications for physical function and quality of life.

Purpose: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) have attenuated muscle strength in the lower extremities, resulting in impaired physical function and quality of life. Although maximal strength training (MST), applying heavy resistance, is documented to be a potent countermeasure for such attenuation, it is uncertain if it is feasible in IRD given the pain, stiffness, and joint swelling that characterize the population.

Methods: 23 patients with IRD (49 ± 13 years; 20 females/3 males), diagnosed with spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus, were randomized to MST or a control group (CG).

Effect of aerobic exercise intensity on health-related quality of life in severe obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Aerobic exercise is an important part of obesity treatment and may improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two different exercise programs on health-related quality of life in patients with severe obesity.

Methods: This was a single-center, open-label, randomized, parallel-group study comparing the effects of a 24-week moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) program and a combined high-intensity interval training program with MICT (HIIT/MICT).

Smartphone-Assisted High-Intensity Interval Training in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) experience disease-related barriers to physical training. Compared with the general population, IRD patients are reported to have reduced maximal oxygen uptake (VO) and physical activity levels. Supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is documented to counteract the reduced VO and poor cardiovascular health associated with IRDs.

Maximal strength training-induced increase in efferent neural drive is not reflected in relative protein expression of SERCA.

Introduction: Maximal strength training (MST), performed with heavy loads (~ 90% of one repetition maximum; 1RM) and few repetitions, yields large improvements in efferent neural drive, skeletal muscle force production, and skeletal muscle efficiency. However, it is elusive whether neural adaptations following such high intensity strength training may be accompanied by alterations in energy-demanding muscular factors.

Methods: Sixteen healthy young males (24 ± 4 years) were randomized to MST 3 times per week for 8 weeks (n = 8), or a control group (CG; n = 8).

Test-retest reliability of pressure pain threshold and heat pain threshold as test stimuli for evaluation of conditioned pain modulation.

Objectives: There is growing interest in conditioned pain modulation (CPM) protocols for evaluating the function of the descending pain-modulatory system in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability of a CPM protocol with contact heat as a conditioning stimulus (CS) and two test stimuli (pressure pain threshold (PPT) and heat pain threshold (HPT)), all applied within one session. In addition, gender and age differences were evaluated.

Assessing the Functional Status of Patients with Chronic Pain-Cross Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Pain Disability Questionnaire.

The Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) has established itself as a leading patient-reported outcome measure for assessing both mental and physical components of pain-related disability. The current study aimed to translate the PDQ into Serbian and validate its psychometric properties. Following a standard translation process, a total of 554 chronic pain patients (average age 55.