Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the 24-hour movement behaviours, including muscle and bone strengthening activity, with bone and lean mass from childhood to adolescence.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess whether moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sport and exercise as a proxy measure of muscle and bone strengthening activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep were associated with total-body-less-head (TBLH) bone mineral content (BMC) and TBLH lean mass cross-sectionally and longitudinally from age 6 to 9 years and age 9 to 11 years to age 15 to 17 years. METHODS: We used longitudinal data from a population sample of Finnish children from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study (age 6 to 9 years: n = 478, 229 females; age 9 to 11 years: n = 384, 197 females; age 15 to 17 years: n = 222, 103 females). Linear regression analysed the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between accelerometer-assessed MVPA, sedentary time and sleep, and questionnaire-assessed sport and exercise participation and screen time with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-assessed TBLH BMC and lean mass. RESULTS: In females, MVPA at age 6 to 9 years was positively associated with TBLH BMC at age 15 to 17 years (ß = 0.008, p = 0.010). Sport and exercise at age 9 to 11 years was positively associated with TBLH BMC (ß = 0.020, p = 0.002) and lean mass (ß = 0.343, p = 0.040) at age 15 to 17 years. MVPA at age 9 to 11 years was positively associated with TBLH lean mass (ß = 0.272, p = 0.004) at age 15 to 17 years. In males, sleep at age 6 to 9 years was positively associated with TBLH lean mass (ß = 0.382, p = 0.003) at age 15 to 17 years. Sport and exercise at age 9 to 11 years was positively associated with TBLH BMC (ß = 0.027, p = 0.012) and lean mass (ß = 0.721, p < 0.001) at age 15 to 17 years. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting engagement in the 24-hour movement behaviours in childhood, particularly sport and exercise to strengthen muscle and bone, is important in supporting bone and lean mass development in adolescence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01803776; first trial registration date: 04/03/2013.

Measuring severe obesity in pediatrics using body mass index-derived metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization: a secondary analysis of CANadian Pediatric Weight management Registry (CANPWR) data.

To examine the (i) relationships between various body mass index (BMI)-derived metrics for measuring severe obesity (SO) over time based the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) references and (ii) ability of these metrics to discriminate children and adolescents based on the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors. In this cohort study completed from 2013 to 2021, we examined data from 3- to 18-year-olds enrolled in the CANadian Pediatric Weight management Registry. Anthropometric data were used to create nine BMI-derived metrics based on the CDC and WHO references. Cardiometabolic risk factors were examined, including dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. Analyses included Pearson correlations, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and receiver operator characteristic area-under-the-curve (ROC AUC). Our sample included 1,288 participants (n = 666 [52%] girls; n = 874 [68%] white). The prevalence of SO varied from 60-67%, depending on the definition. Most BMI-derived metrics were positively and significantly related to one another (r = 0.45-1.00); ICCs revealed high tracking (0.90-0.94). ROC AUC analyses showed CDC and WHO metrics had a modest ability to discriminate the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors, which improved slightly with increasing numbers of risk factors. Overall, most BMI-derived metrics rated poorly in identifying presence of cardiometabolic risk factors.    Conclusion: CDC BMI percent of the 95th percentile and WHO BMIz performed similarly as measures of SO, although neither showed particularly impressive discrimination. They appear to be interchangeable in clinical care and research in pediatrics, but there is a need for a universal standard. WHO BMIz may be useful for clinicians and researchers from countries that recommend using the WHO growth reference. What is Known: • Severe obesity in pediatrics is a global health issue. • Few reports have evaluated body mass index (BMI)-derived metrics based on the World Health Organization growth reference. What is New: • Our analyses showed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention BMI percent of the 95th percentile and World Health Organization (WHO) BMI z-score (BMIz) performed similarly as measures of severe obesity in pediatrics. • WHO BMIz should be a useful metric to measure severe obesity for clinicians and researchers from countries that recommend using the WHO growth reference.

Physical activity volume and intensity distribution in relation to bone, lean and fat mass in children.

Considering physical activity (PA) volume and intensity may provide novel insights into the relationships of PA with bone, lean, and fat mass. This study aimed to assess the associations of PA volume, PA intensity distribution, including moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) with total-body-less-head bone mineral content (BMC), lean, and fat mass in children. A population sample of 290 Finnish children (158 females) aged 9-11 years from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study was studied. PA, including MVPA, was assessed with a combined heart rate and movement sensor, and the uniaxial acceleration was used to calculate average-acceleration (a proxy metric for PA volume) and intensity-gradient (reflective of PA intensity distribution). Linear regression analyzed the associations of PA volume, PA intensity and MVPA with BMC, lean mass, and fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PA volume was positively associated with BMC in females (unstandardised regression coefficient [ß] = 0.26) and males (ß = 0.47), and positively associated with lean (ß = 7.33) and negatively associated with fat mass in males (ß = -20.62). PA intensity was negatively associated with BMC in males (ß = -0.13). MVPA was positively associated with lean mass in females and males (ß = 0.007 to 0.012), and negatively associated with fat mass in females and males (ß = -0.030 to -0.029). PA volume may be important for improving BMC in females and males, and increasing lean and reducing fat mass in males, whereas MVPA may be important for favorable lean and fat outcomes in both sexes.

Feasibility and Utility of a Fitbit Tracker Among Ambulatory Children and Youth With Disabilities.

PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility and utility of the Fitbit Charge HR to estimate physical activity among ambulatory children and youth with disabilities. METHOD: Participants (4-17 y old) with disabilities were recruited and asked to wear a Fitbit for 28 days. Feasibility was assessed as the number of participants who adhered to the 28-day protocol. Heat maps were generated to visually examine variability in step count by age, gender, and disability group. Between-group differences for wear time and step counts by age, gender, and disability type were assessed by independent sample t tests for gender and disability group, and a 1-way analysis of variance for age group. RESULTS: Participants (N = 157; median age = 10 y; 71% boys; 71% nonphysical disabilities) averaged 21 valid days of wear time. Wear time was higher in girls than boys (mean difference = 18.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.8 to 29.1), and in preadolescents (mean difference = 27.6; 95% CI, 15.5 to 39.7) and adolescents (mean difference = -21.2; 95% CI, -33.6 to -8.7) than children. More daily steps were taken by boys than girls (mean difference = -1040; 95% CI, -1465 to -615) and individuals with a nonphysical disability than a physical disability (mean difference = -1120; 95% CI, -1474 to -765). The heat maps showed peaks in physical activity on weekdays before school, at recess, lunchtime, and after school. CONCLUSION: The Fitbit is a feasible tool for monitoring physical activity among ambulatory children and youth with disabilities and may be useful for population-level surveillance and intervention.

Outdoor Physical Activity and Play Among Canadian Children and Youth With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From the National Physical Activity Measurement Study.

This study explored the association between socioecological factors and outdoor physical activity (PA) and play in children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents (N = 133) completed a survey to report changes in their child's outdoor PA and play during the pandemic (from prepandemic levels), and child, household, and neighborhood environment factors. Children with a PA-supporting parent and from multichild and White households had lower odds of reporting decreased outdoor PA. Children from multichild, higher income, married couple households and a PA-supporting parent had lower odds of decreased outdoor play. Living in neighborhoods with higher urbanization (i.e., high dwelling density, street intersections, and land-use mix) was associated with greater odds of decreased outdoor PA and play. Future research that uses larger and more representative samples of children with disabilities is needed to test for the multivariate effects of socioecological variables on outdoor PA and play.

The Influence of Accelerometer Epoch Length on Associations of Physical Activity Intensity and Volume with Bone Outcomes.

Two accelerometer metrics (intensity-gradient and average-acceleration) can be used to determine the relative contributions of physical activity (PA) volume and intensity for health, but it is unknown whether epoch length influences the associations detected. This is important when considering bone health, as bone is particularly responsive to high intensity PA, which may be underestimated by longer epochs. This study aimed to assess the associations between average-acceleration, a proxy measure of PA volume, and intensity-gradient, reflective of PA intensity distribution, from PA data from 1-s to 60-s epochs at age 17 to 23 years with bone outcomes at age 23 years. This is a secondary analysis of 220 participants (124 females) from the Iowa Bone Development Study, a longitudinal study of bone health from childhood to early adulthood. Accelerometer-assessed PA data, captured at age 17 to 23 years, were summarised over 1-s, 5-s, 15-s, 30-s, and 60-s epochs, to generate average-acceleration and intensity-gradient from each epoch length, averaged across ages. Regression analysed associations between mutually adjusted average-acceleration and intensity-gradient with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessed total-body-less-head (TBLH) bone mineral content (BMC), spine areal bone mineral density (aBMD), hip aBMD, and femoral neck cross-sectional area and section modulus at age 23 years. Intensity-gradient was positively associated with TBLH BMC in females, with spine aBMD in males, and with hip aBMD and geometry in both sexes, when a 1 to 5-s epoch was used. Average-acceleration was positively associated with TBLH BMC, spine aBMD and hip aBMD in males, generally when the adjustment for intensity-gradient was from > 1-s epochs. Intensity and volume were important for bone outcomes in both sexes and males, respectively. A 1 to 5-s epoch length was most appropriate to assess the mutually adjusted associations of intensity-gradient and average-acceleration with bone outcomes in young adults.

Walk the Talk: Current Evidence for Walking Recovery After Stroke, Future Pathways and a Mission for Research and Clinical Practice.

Achieving safe, independent, and efficient walking is a top priority for stroke survivors to enable quality of life and future health. This narrative review explores the state of the science in walking recovery after stroke and potential for development. The importance of targeting walking capacity and performance is explored in relation to individual stroke survivor gait recovery, applying a common language, measurement, classification, prediction, current and future intervention development, and health care delivery. Findings are summarized in a model of current and future stroke walking recovery research and a mission statement is set for researchers and clinicians to drive the field forward to improve the lives of stroke survivors and their carers.

Use of Cold-Stored Whole Blood is Associated With Improved Mortality in Hemostatic Resuscitation of Major Bleeding: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify a mortality benefit with the use of whole blood (WB) as part of the resuscitation of bleeding trauma patients. BACKGROUND: Blood component therapy (BCT) is the current standard for resuscitating trauma patients, with WB emerging as the blood product of choice. We hypothesized that the use of WB versus BCT alone would result in decreased mortality. METHODS: We performed a 14-center, prospective observational study of trauma patients who received WB versus BCT during their resuscitation. We applied a generalized linear mixed-effects model with a random effect and controlled for age, sex, mechanism of injury (MOI), and injury severity score. All patients who received blood as part of their initial resuscitation were included. Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, pulmonary complications, and bleeding complications. RESULTS: A total of 1623 [WB: 1180 (74%), BCT: 443(27%)] patients who sustained penetrating (53%) or blunt (47%) injury were included. Patients who received WB had a higher shock index (0.98 vs 0.83), more comorbidities, and more blunt MOI (all P <0.05). After controlling for center, age, sex, MOI, and injury severity score, we found no differences in the rates of acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism or pulmonary complications. WB patients were 9% less likely to experience bleeding complications and were 48% less likely to die than BCT patients ( P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with BCT, the use of WB was associated with a 48% reduction in mortality in trauma patients. Our study supports the use of WB use in the resuscitation of trauma patients.

Rate of D-alloimmunization in trauma does not depend on the number of RhD-positive units transfused: The BEST collaborative study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates the life-saving benefits of early blood product transfusion in severe trauma resuscitation. Many of these products will be RhD-positive, so understanding the D-alloimmunization rate is important. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective study whereby injured RhD-negative patients between 18-50 years of age who received at least one unit of RhD-positive red blood cells (RBC) or low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) during their resuscitation between 1 January, 2010 through 31 December, 2019 were identified. If an antibody detection test was performed ≥14 days after the index RhD-positive transfusion then basic demographic information was collected, including whether the patient became D-alloimmunized. The overall D-alloimmunization rate, and the rate stratified by the number of units transfused, were calculated. RESULTS: Data were collected from nine institutions. Five institutions reported fewer than 10 eligible patients each and were excluded. From the remaining four institutions, all from the USA, there were 235 eligible patients; 77 (random effects estimate: 32.7%; 95% CI: 19.1-50.1%) became D-alloimmunized. Three of the institutions reported D-alloimmunization rates ≥38.6%, while the remaining institution's rate was 12.2%. In both random and fixed-effects models, the rate of D-alloimmunization was not significantly different between those who received one RhD-positive unit and those who received multiple RhD-positive units. CONCLUSION: In this large, multicenter study of injured patients, the overall rate of D-alloimmunization fell within the range previously reported. The rate of D-alloimmunization did not increase as the number of transfused RhD-positive units increased. These data can help to inform RhD type selection decisions.

Play, Learn, and Teach Outdoors-Network (PLaTO-Net): terminology, taxonomy, and ontology.

BACKGROUND: A recent dialogue in the field of play, learn, and teach outdoors (referred to as "PLaTO" hereafter) demonstrated the need for developing harmonized and consensus-based terminology, taxonomy, and ontology for PLaTO. This is important as the field evolves and diversifies in its approaches, contents, and contexts over time and in different countries, cultures, and settings. Within this paper, we report the systematic and iterative processes undertaken to achieve this objective, which has built on the creation of the global PLaTO-Network (PLaTO-Net). METHODS: This project comprised of four major methodological phases. First, a systematic scoping review was conducted to identify common terms and definitions used pertaining to PLaTO. Second, based on the results of the scoping review, a draft set of key terms, taxonomy, and ontology were developed, and shared with PLaTO members, who provided feedback via four rounds of consultation. Third, PLaTO terminology, taxonomy, and ontology were then finalized based on the feedback received from 50 international PLaTO member participants who responded to ≥ 3 rounds of the consultation survey and dialogue. Finally, efforts to share and disseminate project outcomes were made through different online platforms. RESULTS: This paper presents the final definitions and taxonomy of 31 PLaTO terms along with the PLaTO-Net ontology model. The model incorporates other relevant concepts in recognition that all the aspects of the model are interrelated and interconnected. The final terminology, taxonomy, and ontology are intended to be applicable to, and relevant for, all people encompassing various identities (e.g., age, gender, culture, ethnicity, ability). CONCLUSIONS: This project contributes to advancing PLaTO-based research and facilitating intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration, with the long-term goal of fostering and strengthening PLaTO's synergistic linkages with healthy living, environmental stewardship, climate action, and planetary health agendas. Notably, PLaTO terminology, taxonomy and ontology will continue to evolve, and PLaTO-Net is committed to advancing and periodically updating harmonized knowledge and understanding in the vast and interrelated areas of PLaTO.

Movement behaviours and health of children and youth with disabilities: Impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: This study examined the acute and longer-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the movement behaviours and health of children and youth with disabilities (CYD) in Canada. Methods: Eighty-six parents of CYD completed an online survey twice (May 2020 and November 2020). Interviews were completed with seven families in March 2021. Results: At both time points, <20% of CYD met the physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines, and >50% of CYD met the sleep guideline. No CYD met all three movement guidelines. Nearly one-quarter of CYD reported declines in health from pre-pandemic levels. Interview themes revealed that shifting of routines, unoccupied time, reduced physiotherapy opportunities, parental capacity, and the social and built environment all impacted the movement behaviours of CYD. Conclusions: Movement behaviours and health of CYD must be prioritized in COVID-19 recovery efforts through quality programming, highly trained instructors, accessible and inclusive infrastructure, and family-centred health.

Anti-D alloimmunization in Rh(D) negative adults with severe traumatic injury.

INTRODUCTION: Widely varying rates of alloimmunization associated with transfusing uncrossmatched RBC products to trauma patients as part of hemostatic resuscitation have been reported. We characterized the rates of RBC alloimmunization in our severely injured Rh(D) negative trauma population who received uncrossmatched Rh(D) positive RBC products. METHODS: In a 10-year retrospective analysis to assess Rh(D) alloimmunization risks, Rh(D) negative adult trauma patients initially requiring uncrossmatched group O Rh(D) positive RBC products with either RBC units or low titer group O whole blood as part of massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation were identified. Only those Rh(D) negative patients whose initial antibody screenings were negative were included. Duration of serologic follow-up from date of MTP activation to either date of anti-D detection or most recent negative antibody screening was calculated. RESULTS: There were 129 eligible Rh(D) negative trauma patients identified. Median injury severity score was 25. Anti-D was detected in 10 (7.8%) patients after a median of 161.5 days; the median duration of serologic follow-up in those who did not have anti-D detected was 220 days. Patients who had anti-D detected were less severely injured and received fewer Rh(D) positive RBC products versus those who did not. DISCUSSION: In our severely injured adult trauma patients with MTP activation requiring uncrossmatched group O Rh(D) positive RBC products, the rate of anti-D detection was low. Additional studies are necessary to determine generalizability of these findings and fully characterize alloimmunization risks in trauma patients with varying extents of injury.

An Exploration of Sedentary Behavior Patterns in Community-Dwelling People With Stroke: A Cluster-Based Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Long periods of daily sedentary time, particularly accumulated in long uninterrupted bouts, are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. People with stroke are at high risk of recurrent events and prolonged sedentary time may increase this risk. We aimed to explore how people with stroke distribute their periods of sedentary behavior, which factors influence this distribution, and whether sedentary behavior clusters can be distinguished? METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of original accelerometry data from adults with stroke living in the community. We conducted data-driven clustering analyses to identify unique accumulation patterns of sedentary time across participants, followed by multinomial logistical regression to determine the association between the clusters, and the total amount of sedentary time, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), walking speed, and wake time. RESULTS: Participants in the highest quartile of total sedentary time accumulated a significantly higher proportion of their sedentary time in prolonged bouts (P < 0.001). Six unique accumulation patterns were identified, all of which were characterized by high sedentary time. Total sedentary time, age, gender, BMI, and walking speed were significantly associated with the probability of a person being in a specific accumulation pattern cluster, P < 0.001 - P = 0.002. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Although unique accumulation patterns were identified, there is not just one accumulation pattern for high sedentary time. This suggests that interventions to reduce sedentary time must be individually tailored.Video Abstract available for more insight from the authors (see the Video Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A343).

A CTSA One Health Alliance (COHA) survey of clinical trial infrastructure in North American veterinary institutions.

While a necessary step toward enhancing rigor and reproducibility of veterinary clinical trials conducted on the translational spectrum includes understanding the current state of the field, no broad assessment of existing veterinary clinical trial resources has been previously conducted. Funded by a CTSA One Health Alliance (COHA) pilot award, the goal of this project was to conduct an electronic survey of North American Veterinary Colleges regarding practices in veterinary clinical trial review, approval, conduct, and support in order to identify opportunities to leverage existing resources and develop new ones to enhance the impact of veterinary and translational health research.A total of 30 institutions were invited to participate in the survey and the survey response rate was 73 %. The most common source of funding noted for veterinary clinical research was industry (33 %); however, respondents reported that only 5 % (3.7-11.0) of studies were FDA-regulated. Respondents indicated that most studies (80 %); conducted at their institution were single site studies. Study review and approval involved the IACUC either solely, or in combination with a hospital review board, at 95.5 % of institutions. Workforce training related to clinical research best practices was variable across institutions. Opportunities were identified to strengthen infrastructure through harmonization of clinical research review and approval practices. This might naturally lead to expansion of multi-site studies. Based on respondent feedback, future workforce development initiatives might center on training in the specifics of conducting FDA-sponsored research, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), clinical study budget design, grants management, adverse event reporting, study monitoring and use of electronic data capture platforms.

Effects of perioperative saphenous and sciatic nerve blocks, lumbosacral epidural or morphine-lidocaine-ketamine infusion on postoperative pain and sedation in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of postoperative analgesia and sedation after preoperative saphenous and sciatic nerve blockade, preoperative lumbosacral epidural injection and perioperative intravenous (IV) morphine, lidocaine and ketamine infusions in dogs undergoing stifle arthroscopy and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) under general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blinded, randomized, clinical comparison study. ANIMALS: A total of 45 dogs weighing 33.9 (15.9-56.7) kg and aged 5.2 (1.0-12.0) years, mean (range), undergoing elective unilateral TPLO for spontaneous cranial cruciate ligament rupture. METHODS: Client-owned dogs were enrolled. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group MLK, perioperative IV morphine, lidocaine and ketamine infusion; group EPID, lumbosacral epidural with ropivacaine and morphine; or group SSNB, saphenous and sciatic nerve blockade with ropivacaine. Routine stifle arthroscopy followed by TPLO surgery was performed. Sedation and pain scores were assessed at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours following extubation. Rescue analgesia was administered as prescribed by Glasgow composite pain score-short form score >5. RESULTS: Sedation scores for MLK were higher than EPID and SSNB. Pain scores for SSNB were lower than those for EPID and MLK. No significant differences were found in anesthesia duration or surgery duration among groups. No dogs required rescue analgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although analgesia was adequate in all groups, the best combination of analgesia without increased sedation was recorded for SSNB.

Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Healthy childhood development is fostered through sufficient physical activity (PA; including time outdoors), limiting sedentary behaviours (SB), and adequate sleep; collectively known as movement behaviours. Though the COVID-19 virus outbreak has changed the daily lives of children and youth, it is unknown to what extent related restrictions may compromise the ability to play and meet movement behaviour recommendations. This secondary data analysis examined the immediate impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on movement and play behaviours in children and youth. METHODS: A national sample of Canadian parents (n = 1472) of children (5-11 years) or youth (12-17 years) (54% girls) completed an online survey that assessed immediate changes in child movement and play behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak. Behaviours included PA and play, SB, and sleep. Family demographics and parental factors that may influence movement behaviours were assessed. Correlations between behaviours and demographic and parental factors were determined. For open-ended questions, word frequency distributions were reported. RESULTS: Only 4.8% (2.8% girls, 6.5% boys) of children and 0.6% (0.8% girls, 0.5% boys) of youth were meeting combined movement behaviour guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions. Children and youth had lower PA levels, less outside time, higher SB (including leisure screen time), and more sleep during the outbreak. Parental encouragement and support, parental engagement in PA, and family dog ownership were positively associated with healthy movement behaviours. Although families spent less time in PA and more time in SB, several parents reported adopting new hobbies or accessing new resources. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of immediate collateral consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrating an adverse impact on the movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth. These findings can guide efforts to preserve and promote child health during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period, and to inform strategies to mitigate potential harm during future pandemics.

Mechanical quantitative sensory testing in cavalier King Charles spaniels with and without syringomyelia.

BACKGROUND: Syringomyelia (SM) is a debilitating condition in the cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) that results in neuropathic pain and diminished quality of life. Von Frey aesthesiometry (VFA) is a method of mechanical quantitative sensory testing that provides an objective sensory threshold (ST) value and can be used to quantify neuropathic pain (NP) and monitor response to therapy. The utility of VFA has been previously established in client-owned dogs with acute spinal cord injury but the technique has not been evaluated in dogs with SM. The goal of this study was to evaluate ST, as determined by VFA, in dogs with and without SM, to assess the utility of VFA in quantifying NP in SM-affected dogs. We hypothesized the SM-affected CKCS would have lower ST values, consistent with hyperesthesia, when compared to control CKCS. Additionally, we hypothesized that ST values in SM-affected dogs would be inversely correlated with syrinx size on MRI and with owner-derived clinical sign scores. RESULTS: ST values for the thoracic and pelvic limbs differed significantly between the SM-affected and control CKCS (p = 0.027; p = 0.0396 respectively). Median ST value (range) for the thoracic limbs was 184.1 g (120.9-552) for control dogs, and 139.9 g (52.6-250.9) for SM-affected dogs. The median ST value (range) for the pelvic limbs was 164.9 g (100.8-260.3) in control dogs and 129.8 g (57.95-168.4) in SM-affected dogs. The ST values in SM-affected dogs did not correlate with syrinx height on MRI (r = 0.314; p = 0.137). Owner-reported clinical sign scores showed an inverse correlation with pelvic limb ST values, where dogs with lower ST values (hyperesthesia) were reported by their owners to display more frequent and severe clinical signs (r = - 0.657; p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: ST values were lower in SM-affected CKCS compared to control dogs, suggesting the presence of neuropathic pain. Dogs with lower ST pelvic limb values were perceived by their owners to have more severe clinical signs classically associated with SM. Our results suggest that VFA might offer quantitative assessment of neuropathic pain in SM-affected dogs and could be useful for monitoring response to therapy in future clinical studies.

Exploring the relationship between adolescent biological maturation, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

CONTEXT: Across adolescence, there is a notable decline in physical activity in boys and girls. Maturational timing may be a risk factor for disengagement from physical activity and increased sedentary behaviours during adolescence. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to summarise literature that examined the relationship between maturational timing, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescents. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched for articles that assessed biological maturation and physical activity (including sports participation and active transportation) or sedentary behaviours in adolescents. Two reviewers conducted title, abstract, and full-text screening, reference and forward citation searches. Included articles were evaluated for quality using a standardised tool. A narrative synthesis was used to analyse the findings due to the heterogeneity of the studies. RESULTS: Searches yielded 78 articles (64 unique studies) that met the inclusion criteria, representing 242,316 participants (153,179 unique). Studies ranged from 30.0% (low) to 91.7% (high) in quality. An inverse relationship between maturational timing and physical activity (in 50 and 60% of studies in boys and girls, respectively) and a positive relationship between maturational timing and sedentary behaviour (in 100% and 53% of studies in boys and girls, respectively) was most commonly reported. Evidence supporting an association between maturational timing, sports participation, and active transportation was inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: While this review demonstrates some evidence for early maturational timing as a risk factor for disengagement from physical activity and increase in sedentary behaviours, the reviewed literature also demonstrates that this relationship is complex. Future research that tracks maturity-related variations in physical activity and sedentary behaviours over adolescence is warranted.

Training Disparities of Our Future Workforce: A Survey of Trauma Fellowship Candidates.

BACKGROUND: Training in Acute Care Surgery (ACS) is an integral component of general surgery residency and serves as a critical base experience for the added educational qualifications of fellowship. How this training varies between programs is not well characterized. We sought to describe the variation in clinical exposure between residencies in a sample of residents applying to an ACS fellowship. We hypothesized that applicants have significant variations in clinical exposure as well as unique and specific expectations for educational experiences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We offered an anonymous 82-question survey focused on residency clinical exposure and self-perceived confidence in key areas of ACS training, as well as fellowship training and career expectations to all applicants interviewed at a single trauma, critical care, and emergency surgery fellowship program. Responses were assessed via absolute numbers and confidence via a 5-point Likert scale; data are reported using descriptive statistics and linear regression models. RESULTS: Forty-two interviewing applicants completed the survey, for a 96% response rate. Applicants reported heterogeneous levels of comfort across most ACS domains. There was good correlation between experience and comfort in most procedural areas. During fellowship training, respondents placed highest priority on operative experience, with 43% rating this as their highest priority, followed by penetrating trauma experience (33%). CONCLUSIONS: We found significant variations in both experience and comfort within key ACS domains among fellowship applicants. Despite training variability, there was good correlation between experience and self-reported comfort. Collaboration between residency and fellowship governing bodies may help address areas of limited exposure before entry into clinical practice.