High-Resolution Performance of Polycaprolactone Functionalized with Guanidinium Ionic Liquid for Gas Chromatography.

This work firstly reported a new polycaprolactone based material functionalized with guanidinium ionic liquid (PCL-GIL) as the stationary phase with high resolution performance for capillary gas chromatography (GC). It is composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and guanidinium ionic liquid (GIL) with amphiphilic conformation. The PCL-GIL capillary column coated by static method exhibited high column efficiency of 3942 plates/m and moderate polarity. As a result, the PCL-GIL column exhibited high-resolution capability. For a mixture of 27 analytes with a wide ranging polarity and outperformed the PCL-2OH and HP-35 columns, showing its advantageous separation capability for analytes of diverse types. Moreover, the PCL-GIL column showed high resolving capability for various positional isomers and cis-/trans-isomers, including alkylbenzenes, chlorobenzenes, naphthalenes, bromonitrobenzenes, chloronitrobenzenes, benzaldehydes, phenols, alcohols, respectively. In a word, PCL derivatized by GIL units as a new type of stationary phase has a promising future in GC separations.

Effect of hip external rotator muscle contraction on pelvic floor muscle function and the piriformis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: There is a lack of in-depth understanding of the muscles surrounding the pelvic floor muscle (PFM). The study aimed to investigate the functional relationship between PFM and hip external rotator muscles by observing the piriformis muscle thickness and displacement of the bladder base under different contraction conditions of the hip external rotator and/or PFM. We hypothesized that PFM function would be the strongest when the hip external rotator and PFM contracted simultaneously and that during PFM contraction, the piriformis muscle would act as an auxiliary muscle and show coactivation. METHODS: The participants included 13 healthy adult women (mean age 23.8 ± 2.8 years). The three contraction conditions were PFM contraction, hip external rotator contraction, and simultaneous contraction of the hip external rotator and PFM. During the tasks, the piriformis muscle thickness and bladder base displacement were measured using ultrasonography and compared among the contraction conditions using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in bladder base displacement among the three contraction conditions (P < 0.01), with PFM contraction having the highest value. The piriformis muscle thickness showed the greatest increase in simultaneous contraction. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we showed PFM contraction positively influences piriformis contraction, while PFM function operationalized by bladder base displacement was highest during PFM contraction alone.

A New Capillary Gas Chromatography Column Based on Poly(ethylene glycol) Methyl Ether-Functionalized Calix[4]arene.

In this work, a novel capillary column (C4A-mPEG) with a calixarene-based polymer stationary phase (poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-functionalized 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene) was designed and used for gas chromatographic (GC) separations. The C4A-mPEG capillary column, prepared by the static coating method, showed moderate polarity and a column efficiency of 2332 plates/m, determined by 1-octanol at 120 °C. The separation features of C4A-mPEG stationary phase, resulting from its unique structure and multiple molecular recognition processes with analytes, including π-π, H-bonding, dipole-dipole, and van der Waals interactions, allowed to obtain high-resolution performances for a wide range of compounds and their isomers, especially benzaldehydes, phenols, and anilines. Moreover, compared with 4-tertbutyl calix[4]arene (C4A) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) stationary phases, a higher resolving capability was also observed for the separation of toluidine and xylidine isomers.

The reliability and effectiveness of shoulder joint evaluation by ultrasonography in stroke patients: deltoid muscle thickness, acromion-humeral distance, acromion-lesser tuberosity distance.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in measuring deltoid muscle thickness (DMT) at different angles, acromion-humeral distance (AHD), and acromion nodule tuberosity (ALT) distance in a resting position in stroke patients using ultrasonography. [Participants and Methods] We included 40 stroke patients. During the measurement of parameters by ultrasonography, we measured the deltoid muscle thickness on both sides at three test angles (0°, 30°, and 60° abduction) and AHD and ALT on both sides at 0° angle. The ICC was used to assess intra- and interrater reliability. The relationship between the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides and each angle were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). [Results] When the shoulders were at three testing angles (0°, 30°, and 60° abduction), the deltoid muscle thickness of the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides showed good reliability; the AHD and ALT of the shoulder joint at 0° angle equally showed good reliability. There was a significant difference in each abduction angle of the shoulder joint between the thickness of the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic deltoid. [Conclusion] Measuring deltoid muscle thickness by ultrasonography showed excellent reliability and can be used in stroke patients.

Evaluation of supraspinatus muscle changes in the shoulder joint of stroke patients with hemiplegic and shoulder subluxation using ultrasonography: comparison between affected and unaffected sides.

[Purpose] The shoulder joint has a very unstable structure yet a significantly wide range of motion. Weakness of the muscles around the shoulder joint may cause shoulder joint subluxation. This study aimed to determine changes in supraspinatus muscle thickness between different shoulder abduction angles using ultrasonography and to compare differences in supraspinatus muscle thickness changes between the affected and unaffected sides depending on shoulder joint subluxation. [Participants and Methods] Forty hemiplegic patients with stroke were recruited (20 patients with and 20 without shoulder subluxation). Using ultrasonography, we measured supraspinatus muscle thickness at three shoulder joint abduction angles and calculated the differences in supraspinatus muscle thickness. Depending on subluxation, we separately analyzed the thickness and variations in the supraspinatus muscle on both the affected and unaffected sides. [Results] In stroke patients with shoulder subluxation, the difference in supraspinatus muscle thickness was significantly less in the affected side than in the unaffected side. [Conclusion] The thickness and rate of supraspinatus muscle thickness change was significantly less in the affected side than in the unaffected side in stroke patients with shoulder subluxation.

Utility of the ability for basic movement scale II as a prediction method of ambulation ability in patients after the hip fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate whether the Ability for Basic Movement Scale II (ABMS II) at admission of the convalescent rehabilitation ward (CRW) could predict the ambulation ability in patients after hip fracture surgery. METHODS: The data of the ABMS II and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) of 118 postsurgical patients with hip fracture who were transferred to the CRW were retrospectively analyzed (mean age 82.7 ± 7.9, female/male: 89/29). Binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to investigate the predictive value of ABMS II for walking ability at discharge. RESULTS: Spearman's correlation analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between the ABMS II score at admission and FAC score at discharge (ρ = 0.70, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ABMS II and BMI can be the predictor in both FAC <4 or ≥4 groups. ROC analysis indicated that an optimal cutoff of 24.5 points of ABMS II score predicted independent walking ability (area under the Curve (AUC) 0.87, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ABMS II at admission in CRW can be a prediction method of ambulation recovery for the patients after hip fracture surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study.

The immediate effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation on chronic low back pain in young and elderly people.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the changes in the pain severity and muscle hardness of the multifidus and longissimus muscles of young and elderly patients with low back pain after neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 13 young patients and 11 elderly patients with chronic low back pain. The neuromuscular joint facilitation lumbar approach was used in all participants. The muscle hardness of the multifidus and longissimus muscles was assessed at the L4 and L5 levels of the lumbar spine. The changes in pain severity of low back pain were assessed using a visual analogue scale before and after treatment. [Results] Visual analogue scale scores significantly decreased in both groups after treatment. The young group showed significant differences in muscle hardness pre- and post-intervention. In addition, except for the muscle hardness of the multifidus muscle before intervention, on the side with pain at the L5 level, longissimus muscle hardness was higher in the elderly, as compared to the young patient group. [Conclusion] Interventions with neuromuscular joint facilitation have an immediate effect on pain relief in young and elderly people with chronic low back pain and on muscle spasms in young people with chronic low back pain.

Curative effect of long-term intervention using a new device in patients with chronic low back pain.

[Purpose] This study aimed to observe the changes in the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle after long-term training with a new device using ultrasound imaging and to determine the impact of these changes on chronic low back pain (CLBP). [Participants and Methods] This study included 60 participants with CLBP, who were divided into groups that adopted different positions during the training regimen: new device intervention group (NDG), sitting training group (STG), and supine training group (SPTG). Patients in the NDG used the new device during training. We measured the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle and determined the pain level using the visual analog scale (VAS). [Results] After 8 weeks of training, the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle changed in all the three groups, with the change being significantly greater in the NDG than in the other groups. Additionally, the VAS results indicated that the pain relief was highest when the new device was used. [Conclusion] The thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle increased the most in patients who were trained with the new interventional device, and the CLBP was significantly relieved in them.

Analysis of the relationship between the transversus abdominis and lower back pain using an ultrasound.

[Purpose] This study aimed to observe the thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle in different contraction states using ultrasound, and to investigate the diagnostic capability of transverse abdominal muscle thickness for nonspecific lower back pain. [Participants and Methods] This study included 108 healthy adults (30-50 years old), consisting of 33 participants with low back pain (13 males, 20 females; defined as those who had experienced low back pain for more than six months) and 75 participants without low back pain (22 males, 53 females). The body mass index, body trunk muscle mass, and transverse abdominal muscle thickness, measured at a static state, during the end of inspiration, end of expiration, transverse abdominis contraction, and simultaneous pelvic floor and transverse abdominis muscle contraction, were measured. [Results] Chronic low back pain was correlated with the transverse abdominis muscle thickness during simultaneous transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscle contraction. [Conclusion] The thickness of the transverse abdominis muscle during simultaneous transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscle contraction was a viable diagnostic index for evaluating the degree of chronic lower back pain.

Effect of the COVID-19 lockdown period on the physical condition, living habits, and physical activity of citizens in Beijing, China.

[Purpose] We aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19-induced lockdown in Beijing. [Participants and Methods] We distributed a web-based questionnaire survey among 1,029 Beijing citizens to inquire about their physical condition, living habits, and physical activity before and during home isolation. [Results] In the context of forced home isolation due to COVID-19, both males and females reported reductions in daily steps and weekly exercise time and significant increases in daily physical activity time and daily sitting time. The proportions of smokers, patients with metabolic syndrome, and patients with internal diseases were higher in males than in females; females had lower daily step counts and spent more time sitting. [Conclusion] The COVID-19 lockdown affected the physical condition, living habits, and physical activity of both males and females; females were more affected than males. People should be cognizant of the various effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on the body. We recommend a reasonable diet and appropriate home exercise. There is a need to develop training methods and evaluation tools for home exercises in COVID-19 lockdowns.

Reliability of ultrasonographic measurement of the supraspinatus thickness at different angles of shoulder abduction in patients with stroke.

[Purpose] The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the intraclass correlation coefficient for evaluating the reliability of the measurement of the supraspinatus thickness on shoulder ultrasonography at different angles in a resting position in patients with stroke. [Participants and Methods] The study included 20 patients with stroke. The supraspinatus thickness was measured on both sides on ultrasonography, with the participants' shoulders in abduction at 3 testing angles (0°, 30°, and 60° abduction). Each measurement was performed three times, and the average of the three measurements was recorded. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated, with the supraspinatus thickness measured twice at an interval of 24 hours as the factor. [Results] All intraclass correlation coefficients for the hemiplegic and normal sides were greater than 0.93 when the shoulders were at the three testing angles. [Conclusion] In this investigation, the reliability of measuring the supraspinatus thickness on shoulder ultrasonography at each angle for 3 times was evaluated and was found to be excellent.

Immediate effects of lumbar spine patterns after neuromuscular joint facilitation on balance in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The present study investigated changes in the balance function of stroke patients after neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment. [Participants and Methods] Fourteen stroke patients were randomly subjected to neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention (neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention group) and no intervention (control group), with a 1-day interval between treatments. The interventions were performed consecutively. The order of interventions was completely randomized. Before and after one neuromuscular joint facilitation and control intervention, the functional reach test, and body sway were measured. [Results] Functional reach test values were significantly increased and peripheral area was significantly reduced in the neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention group than in the control group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that neuromuscular joint facilitation of the trunk has an immediate effect on balance and function in stroke patients.

The immediate effect of neuromuscular joint facilitation on the rotation of the tibia during walking.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the change in tibial rotation during walking among young adults after neuromuscular joint facilitation therapy. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were twelve healthy young people (6 males, 6 females). A neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention and nonintervention were performed. The interventions were performed one after the other, separated by a 1-week interval. The order of the interventions was completely randomized. The rotation of the tibia during walking was evaluated before and after treatment. [Results] The neuromuscular joint facilitation group demonstrated increased lateral rotation of the tibia in the overall gait cycle and stance phase, and decreased medial rotation of the tibia in the overall gait cycle, stance phase, and swing phase after the neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention. In the control group, there were no significant differences. [Conclusion] These results suggest neuromuscular joint facilitation intervention has an immediate effect on the rotational function of the knee.

Immediate effects of different frequencies of auditory stimulation on lower limb motor function of healthy people.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to explore the immediate effects of different frequencies of auditory stimulation on the lower limb motor function of healthy people. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 7 healthy people (5 males and 2 females). The subjects' lower limb function was measured without auditory stimulation (control), and with auditory stimulation of 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 Hz. The measured parameters were maximum knee extension torque, average knee extension torque, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) time, Functional Reach (FR), and the 10-meter walking time. [Results] The TUG times of 500, 1,500, and 2,000 Hz auditory stimulation showed significant decreases compared to the control. The 10-m walking times of 1,000 and 2,000 Hz auditory stimulation showed significant decreases compared to the control. [Conclusion] The results show that auditory stimulation improved the TUG and 10-meter walking times of healthy people and that different frequencies of auditory stimulation had different effects on lower limb motor function.

The immediate intervention effects of robotic training in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of robot-assisted therapy on functional activity level after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [Subjects and Methods] Participants included 10 patients (8 males and 2 females) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The subjects participated in robot-assisted therapy and treadmill exercise on different days. The Timed Up-and-Go test, Functional Reach Test, surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, and maximal extensor strength of isokinetic movement of the knee joint were evaluated in both groups before and after the experiment. [Results] The results for the Timed Up-and-Go Test and the 10-Meter Walk Test improved in the robot-assisted rehabilitation group. Surface electromyography of the vastus medialis muscle showed significant increases in maximum and average discharge after the intervention. [Conclusion] The results suggest that walking ability and muscle strength can be improved by robotic training.

Reliability of lower leg proximal end and forefoot kinematics during different paces of barefoot racewalking on a treadmill using a motion recorder (MVP-RF8-BC).

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the changes in lower leg proximal end and forefoot kinematics, and reliability of measurement during different paces of barefoot racewalking on treadmill. [Subjects] Eleven junior racewalking men participated in this study. [Methods] To identify changes in lower leg proximal end and forefoot kinematics, during different paces of barefoot racewalking on a treadmill, a wireless motion recorder (MVP-RF8-BC) was used. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC 1, 2) were used to estimate reliability. [Results] There were significant differences in the lower leg proximal end and forefoot maximum medial/lateral rotations at a pace of 9 km/h compared with those at a pace of 5 km/h pace. The intra-examiner reliability estimates ranged from 0.82 and 0.89 to 0.87 and 0.93 for lower leg proximal end inversion/eversion rotation and medial/lateral rotation, and from 0.92 and 0.84 to 0.93 and 0.91 for forefoot inversion/eversion rotation and medial/lateral rotation. [Conclusion] We conclude that the lower leg proximal end and forefoot kinematics of barefoot racewalking on a treadmill are influenced by different paces and that assessment of lower leg proximal end and forefoot kinematics by means of the wireless motion recorder (MVP-RF8-BC) is adequately reliable. This information may be useful for determining exercise prescriptions.

Long-term interventions effects of robotic training on patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the long-term interventions effects of robot-assisted therapy rehabilitation on functional activity levels after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 8 patients (6 males and 2 females) who received anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The subjects participated in robot-assisted therapy lasting for one month. The Timed Up-and-Go test, 10-Meter Walk test, Functional Reach Test, surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, and extensor strength of isokinetic movement of the knee joint were evaluated before and after the intervention. [Results] The average value of the of vastus medialis EMG, Functional Reach Test, and the maximum and average extensor strength of the knee joint isokinetic movement increased significantly, and the time of the 10-Meter Walk test decreased significantly. [Conclusion] These results suggest that walking ability and muscle strength can be improved by robotic walking training as a long-term intervention.

Immediate effects of different treatments for the wrist joints of subdominant hands, using electromechanical reaction time.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the immediate effects of muscle strength training and neuromuscular joint facilitation distal resistance training on wrist joints by using electromechanical reaction time. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 12 healthy young people (24.2 ± 3.1 years, 169.7 ± 6.5 cm, 65.3 ± 12.6 kg). Two kinds of isotonic contraction techniques were applied on the wrist joint: the wrist joint extension muscle strength training and the wrist joint extension pattern of neuromuscular joint facilitation. The electromechanical reaction time, premotor time, and motor time of the left upper limb were measured before and after each intervention session of muscle strength training and neuromuscular joint facilitation. [Results] The neuromuscular joint facilitation group showed significant shortening of the electromechanical reaction time and motor time after the intervention. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the electromechanical reaction time and motor time of the wrist joint can be improved by neuromuscular joint facilitation together with proximal resistance training, which can be used as a new form of exercise for improving the functions of subdominant hand wrist joints.

Kinematics of the forefoot in the horizontal plane during progressive pace barefoot racewalking on a treadmill after aerobic exercise load.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to measure the changes in forefoot maximum medial/lateral rotation in the horizontal plane during progressive pace barefoot racewalking on a treadmill after a physically demanding aerobic exercise load (a fatigue protocol). [Subjects] Eleven junior racewalking men participated in this study. [Methods] To identify changes in forefoot maximum medial/lateral rotation in the horizontal plane after physically demanding aerobic exercise load, an 8 ch wireless Motion Recorder (MVP-RF8-BC) was utilized. [Results] Forefoot maximum medial/lateral rotation in the horizontal plane was significantly associated with increased paces during progressive pace treadmill racewalking. Significant increases in forefoot maximum medial/lateral rotation were observed during progressive pace barefoot racewalking on the instrumented treadmill at 8 km/h and 10 km/h after a physically demanding aerobic exercise load. [Conclusion] The findings of this study indicated that forefoot maximum medial/lateral rotation increased during progressive pace barefoot racewalking in the fatigue state after a physically demanding aerobic exercise load, which implies that the kinematic features of the forefoot are changed in the fatigue state.

Evaluation of effects of different treatments for the wrist joints of subdominant hands using joint proprioception and writing time.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine immediate effects of strength training and NJF distal resistance training in wrist joints by using writing time and evaluation of proprioception using the JPE test. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 12 young healthy people (24.2 ± 3.1 y, 169.7 ± 6.5 cm, 65.3 ± 12.6 kg). Two isotonic contraction techniques were applied on the wrist joint: wrist joint extension muscle strength training (MST) and the wrist joint extension pattern of NJF. The uppercase English alphabet writing time and joint position errors of the left upper limb were measured before and after one intervention session of MST and NJF. [Results] The decrease in errors in wrist extension angle repetition and the writing time represented the improvement resulting from NJF. [Conclusion] This result suggests that the subdominant hands wrist joint proprioception and writing function can be improved by NJF together with proximal resistance training.