Activity

To investigate how elite track and field athletes with a history of musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) describe their perceptions of clinical treatments based on dry needling guided by a neurological map (neuroanatomical dry needling (naDN)).

Qualitative study.

In-depth interviews were conducted with eight elite Swedish track and field athletes (6 males, 2 females, median age 28.5) treated at a clinic specialised in MSKP management. Danicamtiv All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were structured and analysed using a thematic method.

The athletes approached clinical MSKP treatment from a performance-orientated perspective. They explained that they inevitably suffered MSKP episodes due to the intense physical demands of their sport. The use of naDN was considered an integral part of their sports practice and the study clinic’s services were readily utilised when MSKP caused minor reductions in physical capacity. The athletes appreciated an unambiguous anatomical diagnosis, preferably suppr incongruent with current research indicating that MSKP sensitivity within the nervous system does not accurately reflect musculoskeletal tissue state or recovery following tissue damage.

Despite advancements in resistance training (RT) methods, the acute metabolic and neuromuscular responses to time under tension (TUT) and load remains poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate how TUT or resistance load impact muscular activation and blood lactate during an RT session.

A randomized cross-over design.

Participants performed a squat exercise in three different conditions baseline protocol (B

; three sets of eight repetitions with four second repetitions at 60% of 1RM) long duration protocol (LD

six second repetitions) and high load protocol (HL

70% 1RM).

Muscular activation of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris, and blood lactate were assessed. Blood lactate was ∼19% and ∼26% higher after set one and three in LD

compared to B

(P≤0.011) and ∼17% higher for LD

compared to HL

(P=0.002). Additionally, blood lactate was ∼17% higher for HL

compared to B

after the third set of exercise (P=0.003). Vastus lateralis activation was ∼10% higher for HL

compared to B

and LD

for sets one and two. Biceps femoris activation was ∼17% higher for HL

compared to B

for set one (P= 0.023) while for set two HL

was greater than B

and LD

(∼19% and ∼14%, respectively; P≤0.007).

Squatting with higher TUT caused a greater impact on the metabolic responses than lower TUT or higher loads, whereas an increase in training load resulted in greater muscle activation than higher TUT or lower training load.

Squatting with higher TUT caused a greater impact on the metabolic responses than lower TUT or higher loads, whereas an increase in training load resulted in greater muscle activation than higher TUT or lower training load.

Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a priority to reduce embolic events by initiating oral anticoagulation therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of a wrist device designed for automatic AF detection.

RITHMI is a prospective, comparative, observational study that included 167 patients referred to a cardiology outpatient clinic for a general consultation or for electrical cardioversion. The study evaluated the ability of a wrist monitor that uses a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal and an electrocardiographic lead to automatically detect AF compared with diagnosis established by 2 cardiologists using the 12-lead electrocardiogram.

The AF detection algorithm based on the PPG signal had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 96% (diagnostic accuracy 93%). The automatic algorithm based on the electrocardiographic signal had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 96% (diagnostic accuracy 95%). The 2 algorithms concurred in the diagnosis in 96% of the cases. Overall, the monitor had a sensitivity and specificity of 95% (diagnostic accuracy 95% and Kappa index 0.98).

This study shows that automatic AF detection through the use of a heart rhythm monitor incorporating sensors and algorithms that analyze the PPG signal and the electrocardiographic signal corresponding to lead I is feasible and has high diagnostic accuracy.

This study shows that automatic AF detection through the use of a heart rhythm monitor incorporating sensors and algorithms that analyze the PPG signal and the electrocardiographic signal corresponding to lead I is feasible and has high diagnostic accuracy.

There are evolving data correlating elevated post-hepatic resection portal vein pressure (PVP) with risk of developing post-resection liver failure (PLF) and other complications. As a consequence, modulation of PVP presents a potential strategy to improve outcomes following liver resection (LR). The primary aim of this study was to review the existing evidence regarding the impact of post-resection PVP on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing a LR.

Systematic literature searches of electronic databases in accordance with PRISMA were conducted. Changes in PVP and clinical outcomes following liver resection were defined according to the existing literature.

Ten studies, consisting of 712 patients with a median age 61 (52-68) years, were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 77% (n=550) underwent a major LR and 27% (n=195) of patients had cirrhosis. Following LR, the median (range) PVP increased from 11.4mmHg (median baseline, range 7.3-16.4) to 15.9mmHg (7.9-19). The overall median incidence of PLF was 19%. Six of the ten studies found an elevated PVP after LR predicted PLF. One study found elevated PVP after LR predicted mortality after LR.

Elevated PVP following hepatic resection was associated with increased rates of PLF. It was not possible to define a specific threshold PVP for predicting PLF. Modulation of PVP therefore presents a potential strategy to mitigate the incidence of LR. Future studies should standardize on reporting liver remnant and haemodynamics to better characterize clinical outcomes following LR.

Elevated PVP following hepatic resection was associated with increased rates of PLF. It was not possible to define a specific threshold PVP for predicting PLF. Modulation of PVP therefore presents a potential strategy to mitigate the incidence of LR. Future studies should standardize on reporting liver remnant and haemodynamics to better characterize clinical outcomes following LR.