The application of whole-body vibration in physiotherapy – A narrative review

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is a very popular kind of practice in sport, fitness and physiotherapy. This work reviews the current knowledge regarding the use and effectiveness of WBV in the physiotherapy. The discrepancies between different authors’ results are probably due to divergence in WBV training protocols. The paperwork clearly showed that despite its ultimate effects, exercises on a vibration platform are safe, feasible, and well tolerated by patients with different disorders. This narrative review should help physiotherapists verify therapy programs regarding patients’ exposure to WBV

Inherently fluorescent polyaniline nanoparticles in a dynamic landscape

In this paper we report for the first time on the emissive behavior of two polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticle systems produced via oxidative chemical polymerization in the presence of either poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) or chitosan as polymeric stabilizers in water. The emission from PANI nanoparticles is irreversibly quenched by an increase of pH of the suspending medium from acid to neutral (chitosan–PANI) or alkaline (PVA–PANI). Conversely, PANI nanorods synthesized in the same conditions of the above, but in presence of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), is not emissive at any pH. The role of the polymeric surfactant as a soft template is key in controlling the morphology and the properties of the obtained PANI dispersions. FTIR, UV–Vis absorption and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra studies suggest that the emissive properties are related to the establishment of strong, non-covalent interactions between nanoscalar PANI particles and the polymeric surfactant at the pH of synthesis. Morphology examination of the three systems, by both dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), reveal that photoluminescence is associated to the presence of a genuinely 3D nanoscalar morphology, together with an ordered disposition of PANI chains into aligned crystal planes. Concomitant to the irreversible quenching of the emission signal with increasing pH, there is an evolution of the morphology leading to particle coalescence, coarsening and ultimately phase-separation, with consequent modification of PANI–polymeric surfactant interactions, PANI chains supra-molecular organization and optical properties of the PANI nanoparticles dispersion

Temporal and spatiotemporal autocorrelation of daily concentrations of Alnus, Betula, and Corylus pollen in Poland

The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of temporal and space–time autocorrelation of pollen counts of Alnus, Betula, and Corylus in the air of eight cities in Poland. Daily average pollen concentrations were monitored over 8 years (2001–2005 and 2009–2011) using Hirst-designed volumetric spore traps. The spatial and temporal coherence of data was investigated using the autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions. The calculation and mathematical modelling of 61 correlograms were performed for up to 25 days back. The study revealed an association between temporal variations in Alnus, Betula, and Corylus pollen counts in Poland and three main groups of factors such as: (1) air mass exchange after the passage of a single weather front (30–40 % of pollen count variation); (2) long-lasting factors (50–60 %); and (3) random factors, including diurnal variations and measurements errors (10 %). These results can help to improve the quality of forecasting models

Resistance to autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease in an APOE3 Christchurch homozygote: a case report.

We identified a PSEN1 (presenilin 1) mutation carrier from the world's largest autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease kindred, who did not develop mild cognitive impairment until her seventies, three decades after the expected age of clinical onset. The individual had two copies of the APOE3 Christchurch (R136S) mutation, unusually high brain amyloid levels and limited tau and neurodegenerative measurements. Our findings have implications for the role of APOE in the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease

Embryonic and adult isoforms of XLAP2 form microdomains associated with chromatin and the nuclear envelope

Laminin-associated polypeptide 2 (LAP2) proteins are alternatively spliced products of a single gene; they belong to the LEM domain family and, in mammals, locate to the nuclear envelope (NE) and nuclear lamina. Isoforms lacking the transmembrane domain also locate to the nucleoplasm. We used new specific antibodies against the N-terminal domain of Xenopus LAP2 to perform immunoprecipitation, identification and localization studies during Xenopus development. By immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), we identified the embryonic isoform XLAP2γ, which was downregulated during development similarly to XLAP2ω. Embryonic isoforms XLAP2ω and XLAP2γ were located in close association with chromatin up to the blastula stage. Later in development, both embryonic isoforms and the adult isoform XLAP2β were localized in a similar way at the NE. All isoforms colocalized with lamin B2/B3 during development, whereas XLAP2β was colocalized with lamin B2 and apparently with the F/G repeat nucleoporins throughout the cell cycle in adult tissues and culture cells. XLAP2β was localized in clusters on chromatin, both at the NE and inside the nucleus. Embryonic isoforms were also localized in clusters at the NE of oocytes. Our results suggest that XLAP2 isoforms participate in the maintenance and anchoring of chromatin domains to the NE and in the formation of lamin B microdomains

K X-ray multiplicities for rare earth atoms produced in (H.I., xn) nuclear reactions

K X-ray multiplicities are determined for a number of nuclear reaction products in the rare earth region. It is shown that if certain conditions are fulfilled the values of these multiplicities can be considered as characteristic for the reaction residues independently of the reaction used. They can thus be used for the quantitative determination of cross sections

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Intensity and multipolarity of low-energy components in the quasicontinuum γ-ray spectrum following α- And C12-induced reactions

Measurements of K-shell ionization yields for (α,xn) and (C12,xn) evaporation residues exclude the existence of a large M1 component in the quasicontinuum spectrum of well-deformed Dy nuclei below 500 keV. Upper intensity limits are deduced for M1, E1, and E2 components

Impact of hypertensive disorders on disease progression in pregnancies affected by early‐onset fetal growth restriction

Introduction Fetal growth restriction is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity, often linked to placental insufficiency. Hypertensive disorders frequently coexist with fetal growth restriction and may alter its clinical course. The objective of this study is to examine how hypertensive disorders influence the onset, progression, and timing of birth in pregnancies affected by fetal growth restriction. Secondary outcomes were indications for delivery and neonatal outcomes. Material and Methods A retrospective cohort study of pregnancies diagnosed with fetal growth restriction prior to 36 weeks' gestation and monitored under the TRUFFLE protocol between January 2013 and July 2024 at a tertiary fetal medicine unit in the UK. Pregnancies were stratified by maternal blood pressure status: normotensive, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, or preexisting chronic hypertension. Clinical characteristics, antenatal surveillance findings, delivery indications, and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups. Results One hundred and ninety‐six singleton pregnancies met the inclusion criteria. 68% of the cohort were affected by chronic hypertension or new‐onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Hypertensive pregnancies had significantly shorter intervals from fetal growth restriction diagnosis to delivery (9 days (IQR 5–19) for chronic hypertension, 12 days (IQR 3–24) for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 23 days (IQR 8–35) in normotensive pregnancies (p = 0.001)) and earlier gestational age at delivery (29 + 5 weeks (IQR 27 + 3–32 + 3) for chronic hypertension and 30 + 5 weeks (IQR 28 + 4–32 + 6) for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy — versus 32 + 0 weeks (IQR 29 + 1–33 + 6) in normotensive cases; p = 0.023). A higher proportion of hypertensive pregnancies were delivered for maternal indications (37.5% hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 39.5% chronic hypertension) compared to 14.5% in normotensive pregnancies (p = 0.004), while normotensive pregnancies were more frequently delivered due to abnormal umbilical artery Dopplers (29.0% vs. 14.6% hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 13.2% chronic hypertension; p = 0.041). Neonates of mothers with chronic hypertension had higher birthweight centiles (p = 0.004), but neonatal outcomes were comparable across all groups. Conclusions Incidence of hypertension in the context of fetal growth restriction significantly impacts timing and gestational age of delivery and birthweight centile. An integrated approach to combine maternal and fetal monitoring in these pregnancies is required to optimize birth outcomes