Simplified marker sets for the calculation of centre of mass location during bend sprinting

Simplified marker sets for the calculation of whole body centre of mass (CoM) location and associated variables (velocity, touchdown distance and turn of CoM) used in the analysis of bend sprinting performance were examined. CoM related variables were compared between a whole-body (13 segment), lower limb and trunk and lower limb model. Both simplified models showed strong agreement with whole-body CoM (Intraclass correlation: 0.873 - 0.998). The lower limb and trunk model (LLT) was the most accurate representation of whole body calculations, with acceptably low differences in all variables examined. Therefore, the LLT model is recommended for future use

Measurement of bend sprinting kinematics with three-dimensional motion capture : a test-retest reliability study

Sprint velocity decreases on the bend when compared with the straight, therefore understanding technique during bend sprinting could have important implications for aiding race performance. Few bend sprinting studies have used optoelectronic cameras to investigate kinematic variables. Limited published evidence regarding the reliability of marker sets in conditions representative of elite bend sprinting makes model selection difficult. Therefore, a test-retest protocol was conducted to establish the reliability and minimum detectable difference of a lower limb and trunk marker set during bend sprinting (radius: 36.5 m). Six participants completed five, 60 m trials at maximum effort, with data collected at 38 - 45 m. This was repeated 2 - 7 days later. Spatio-temporal (e.g. contact time) and kinematic variables (e.g. peak joint angles) were evaluated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine the between- and within-day reliability. Between-day reliability (ICC 3, k) was fair to excellent for all variables. Compared to between-day, within-day reliability demonstrated stronger agreement for the majority of variables. Thus, same-day data collection is preferable. It has been established that the marker set is reliable for future use. In addition, the minimal detectable difference was calculated which serves as useful reference for future research in bend sprinting

Detection of (1,3)-β-d-Glucan in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Histoplasma Meningitis

The diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is often difficult. Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (1,3)-β-d-glucan (BDG) is available as a biological marker for the diagnosis of fungal meningitis, there are limited data on its use for the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis. We evaluated CSF BDG detection, using the Fungitell assay, in patients with CNS histoplasmosis and controls. A total of 47 cases and 153 controls were identified. The control group included 13 patients with a CNS fungal infection other than histoplasmosis. Forty-nine percent of patients with CNS histoplasmosis and 43.8% of controls were immunocompromised. The median CSF BDG level was 85 pg/ml for cases, compared to <31 pg/ml for all controls (P < 0.05) and 82 pg/ml for controls with other causes of fungal meningitis (P = 0.27). The sensitivity for detection of BDG in CSF was 53.2%, whereas the specificity was 86.9% versus all controls and 46% versus other CNS fungal infections. CSF BDG levels of ≥80 pg/ml are neither sensitive nor specific to support a diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis

NMR metabolomics of cerebrospinal fluid differentiates inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system

BACKGROUND: Myriad infectious and noninfectious causes of encephalomyelitis (EM) have similar clinical manifestations, presenting serious challenges to diagnosis and treatment. Metabolomics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was explored as a method of differentiating among neurological diseases causing EM using a single CSF sample. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 1H NMR metabolomics was applied to CSF samples from 27 patients with a laboratory-confirmed disease, including Lyme disease or West Nile Virus meningoencephalitis, multiple sclerosis, rabies, or Histoplasma meningitis, and 25 controls. Cluster analyses distinguished samples by infection status and moderately by pathogen, with shared and differentiating metabolite patterns observed among diseases. CART analysis predicted infection status with 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These preliminary results suggest the potential utility of CSF metabolomics as a rapid screening test to enhance diagnostic accuracies and improve patient outcomes

Physical, Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Green Physical Activity: An Ecological Dynamics Perspective

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland Increasing evidence supports the multiple benefits to physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of green physical activity, a topic of increasing interest in the past decade. Research has revealed a synergistic benefit of green physical activity, which includes all aspects of exercise and physical activity in the presence of nature. Our theoretical analysis suggests there are three distinct levels of engagement in green physical activity, with each level reported to have a positive effect on human behaviours. However, the extent to which each level of green physical activity benefits health and wellbeing is assumed to differ, requiring confirmation in future research. This elucidation of understanding is needed because previous literature has tended to focus on recording empirical evidence rather than developing a sound theoretical framework to understand green physical activity effects. Here we propose an ecological dynamics rationale to explain how and why green physical activity might influence health and wellbeing of different population groups. This framework suggests a number of unexplored, interacting constraints related to types of environment and population groups, which shape reported levels of benefit of green physical activity. Further analysis is needed to clarify the explicit relationship between green physical activity and health and wellbeing, including levels of engagement, types of environmental constraints, levels of physical activity, adventure effects, skill effects and sampling of different populations

SIMPLIFIED MARKER SETS FOR THE CALCULATION OF CENTRE OF MASS LOCATION DURING BEND SPRINTING

Simplified marker sets for the calculation of whole body centre of mass (CoM) location and associated variables (velocity, touchdown distance and turn of CoM) used in the analysis of bend sprinting performance were examined. CoM related variables were compared between a whole-body (13 segment), lower limb and trunk and lower limb model. Both simplified models showed strong agreement with whole-body CoM (Intraclass correlation: 0.873 - 0.998). The lower limb and trunk model (LLT) was the most accurate representation of whole body calculations, with acceptably low differences in all variables examined. Therefore, the LLT model is recommended for future use

Defining Responses to Therapy and Study Outcomes in Clinical Trials of Invasive Fungal Diseases: Mycoses Study Group and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Consensus Criteria

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) have become major causes of morbidity and mortality among highly immunocompromised patients. Authoritative consensus criteria to diagnose IFD have been useful in establishing eligibility criteria for antifungal trials. There is an important need for generation of consensus definitions of outcomes of IFD that will form a standard for evaluating treatment success and failure in clinical trials. Therefore, an expert international panel consisting of the Mycoses Study Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer was convened to propose guidelines for assessing treatment responses in clinical trials of IFDs and for defining study outcomes. Major fungal diseases that are discussed include invasive disease due to Candida species, Aspergillus species and other molds, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Coccidioides immitis. We also discuss potential pitfalls in assessing outcome, such as conflicting clinical, radiological, and/or mycological data and gaps in knowledg

False-negative Histoplasma antigen in acute pulmonary histoplasmosis: the value of urinary concentration by ultrafiltration and heat denaturation of serum proteins in detection of Histoplasma antigen

We report an infant with localized pulmonary histoplasmosis in whom Histoplasma antibody assays, quantitative Histoplasma urine and serum antigen concentrations, and histopathologic findings of a mediastinal mass were nondiagnostic. A provisional diagnosis of histoplasmosis was established by using laboratory methods that increase the sensitivity of the antigen assay using ultrafiltration of urine and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/heat denaturation of serum proteins

Indigenous Case of Disseminated Histoplasmosis, Taiwan

We report the first indigenous case of disseminated histoplasmosis in Taiwan diagnosed by histopathology of bone marrow, microbiologic morphology, and PCR assay of the isolated fungus. This case suggests that histoplasmosis should be 1 of the differential diagnoses of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients in Taiwan

Blastomyces Antigen Detection for Monitoring Progression of Blastomycosis in a Pregnant Adolescent

Although disseminated blastomycosis is a rare complication in pregnancy, delay in diagnosis and treatment can be fatal. We investigate the use of the Blastomyces urine antigen in diagnosis following disease progression in the intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal periods. We describe a case of disseminated blastomycosis in a pregnant adolescent and review the pertinent literature regarding treatment and monitoring blastomycosis in pregnancy and the neonatal periods. This is the first reported case in which the Blastomyces urine antigen is utilized as a method of following disease activity during pregnancy confirming absence of clinically evident disease in a neonate. Urine antigen detection for blastomycosis can be useful for following progression of disease in patients with disseminated blastomycosis in both the intrapartum and postpartum periods