Activity

05) than in controls, whereas no differences were observed for hand grip strength. A positive relation was found between hand grip strength and whole-body and upper limbs PhA in all subjects, resulting stronger in volleyball players (r=0.696, P=0.012 and r=0.821, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusions The data confirmed that body composition differed between volleyball players and non-athletic subjects. In addition, a strong correlation between PhA and hand grip strength in both volleyball players and in controls was found. However, further evaluations are needed to investigate the use of hand grip strength in sport performance.Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of use of orthopedic insoles equipped with a metatarsal retro-capital bar (MRCB) on plantar pressure under the feet and lower limb kinematic variables during running. Methods Two groups of 10 runners used for 12 weeks while running orthopedic insoles without correction or equipped with a MRCB. All participants performed successively a standing posture (CoP displacement) test and a running test at 11 km.h-1 (lower limb kinematic variables) using with flat insoles and orthopedic neutral or MRCB insoles at the beginning (T0), after 4 (T4) and 12 weeks (T12) of use. Results For the MRCB group, CoP moved backwards while forefoot plantar pressure was decreased during standing position at T4 and T12 compared to T0. During running, the plantar pressure under the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads was reduced with MRCB at T0, T4 and T12. The one under the 1st metatarsal head was decreased at T4 and T12, when MRCB or flat insoles were used. The maximal extension and the total amplitude of ankle were slightly increased at T4 and T12 with or without wearing MRCB insoles. read more Similar changes in knee joint kinematics were observed but only at T12. Any significant changes were found in runners that used orthopedic insoles without correction. Conclusions Orthopedic insoles equipped with MRCB involve lower plantar pressure under the metatarsal heads, which may be of interest to treat forefoot injuries in runners.BACKGROUND Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection that involves the deep fascia and the surrounding tissue, but rarely involves the female breast. The most common treatment for necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is total mastectomy. However, the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), after surgical debridement, is reported to promote the more rapid development of granulation tissue, before reconstructive surgery. This report presents the case of a 53-year-old woman with necrotizing fasciitis of the breast who underwent combined timed surgery and conservative management. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old woman presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the right breast, involving the right lateral chest wall and flank. She was referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital with septic shock. After hemodynamic stabilization was achieved, she underwent surgical debridement. Excised breast tissues were sent for histology, and intraoperative swabs were collected and sent for microbiological examination. Intravenous antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy commenced. The patient was managed with NPWT dressings, followed by reconstructive breast surgery. The right chest and flank completely healed. CONCLUSIONS This case has shown that early diagnosis and management of necrotizing fasciitis of the breast can be life-saving and may allow for breast conservation. Early aggressive debridement combined with NPWT dressings and reconstructive breast surgery resulted in successful wound healing and preservation of the breast with a satisfactory cosmetic outcome.BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are attracting substantial interest as promising noninvasive biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC). Our study aimed to identify circulating miRNAs that are potential noninvasive markers for precancerous lesions and early gastric cancers (EGCs). MATERIAL AND METHODS Plasma specimens were obtained from 58 gastritis subjects, 54 patients with precancerous lesions, and 38 EGC patients for study. RESULTS Significant differences in the plasma expression levels of miR-19a-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-483-5p (all P less then 0.05) were observed between EGC patients and gastritis subjects. Multivariable analysis showed that age (OR, 1.054; 95% CI, 1.006-1.104), miR-19a-3p expression (OR, 3.676; 95% CI, 1.914-7.061), and miR-483-5p expression (OR, 1.589; 95% CI, 1.242-2.033) were independently associated with EGCs and precancerous lesions. A combined diagnostic model incorporating these 3 variables for the prediction of EGCs and precancerous lesions was derived. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the model was 0.84; the sensitivity was 87.7% and the specificity was 62.8% at the cutoff value of -0.08. CONCLUSIONS Plasma miR-19a-3p and miR-483-5p are promising and powerful noninvasive markers for the early detection of GC. Patients are more willing to undergo noninvasive diagnostic procedures than gastroscopy for cancer screening, economizing limited medical resources.Studies have shown Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residents have poor surface anatomy palpation accuracy, suggesting new methods of teaching musculoskeletal (MSK) examination need to be found. This study describes the design of a novel MSK ultrasound course that integrated ultrasonography skills with palpation skills. Ultrasound was used to teach, validate, and refine PM&R residents’ palpation of MSK structures. Surface anatomy palpation is intimately related to ultrasonography as clinicians should use palpation to guide their ultrasound exam rather than purely follow an algorithm. This study assessed whether the ultrasound course improved PM&R resident palpation accuracy at 12 upper limb structures. Palpation accuracy was tested at the beginning of their residency training and retested several weeks after completion of the ultrasound course’s upper limb component, to assess retention of skill. There was significant improvement (p less then .05) at 9 out of 12 sites from pre-testing to post-testing.