Characterization of the mechanical properties of high-moisture meat analogues using low-intensity ultrasound: Linking mechanical properties to textural and nutritional quality attributes.

Plant-based meat analogues offer possible alternatives to meat consumption. However, many challenges remain to produce a palatable meat analogue as well as to understand the roles of different processing steps and ingredients on both the texture and nutritional properties of the final product. The goal of this paper is to help with addressing these challenges by using a low-intensity ultrasonic transmission technique, both online and 24 h after production, to investigate high-moisture meat analogues made from a blend of soy and wheat proteins. To understand the ultrasonic data in the context of traditional characterization methods, physical properties (meat analogue thickness, density, peak cutting force) and protein nutritional quality attributes of the meat analogues were also characterized separately. The ultrasonic velocity was found to decrease with the feed moisture content and to be strongly correlated (r = 0.97) with peak cutting force. This strong correlation extends over a wide range of moisture contents from 58% to 70%, with the velocity decreasing from about 1730 m/s to 1660 m/s over this range. The protein quality was high for all moistures, with the highest amino acid score and in vitro protein digestibility being observed for the highest moisture content treatment. The accuracy of the ultrasonic measurements was enhanced by the development of an innovative non-contact method, suitable for materials exhibiting low ultrasonic attenuation, to measure the meat analogue thickness ultrasonically and in a sanitary fashion - an advance that is potentially useful for online monitoring of production problems (e.g., extruder barrel-fill and cooling-die temperature issues). This study demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of using ultrasonic transmission techniques to measure both velocity and sample thickness simultaneously and provide information in real time during production that is well correlated with some textural and nutritional attributes of meat analogues.

Monopolar Cautery Use in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and impact of monopolar cautery use in a cohort of pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users. STUDY DESIGN: Case series from a retrospective chart review and a systematic review of the literature. SETTING: Tertiary academic referral center. METHODS: CI patient charts from 2012 to 2021 were reviewed from a single pediatric hospital system to determine if monopolar cautery was used during a subsequent surgical procedure. In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify additional, relevant patients. Postoperative CI function was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: In total, 190 patients underwent a surgical procedure following cochlear implantation in a single pediatric hospital system. Fifteen patients (7.9%) and 17 distinct surgical procedures were identified in which monopolar cautery was used. Seven of these 17 cases (41.2%) involved the head and neck, and 10 were performed below the clavicles. No patients experienced a device failure or a decline in CI performance following surgery. A systematic review identified an additional 4 patients who underwent a surgery that used monopolar cautery following cochlear implantation, and no change in CI function was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The present study adds additional support to the notion that monopolar cautery does not necessarily injure CI functionality. While the most risk adverse strategy when planning a surgical procedure for a CI patient is to avoid monopolar cautery use altogether, the use of cautery should not immediately be associated with implant dysfunction.

Análisis descriptivo de coste de tratamiento de la espasticidad con diferentes tipos de toxina botulínica A, a lo largo de un año / Descriptive analysis of the annual cost of treating spasticity with different types of botulinum toxin A

Introducción: La toxina botulínica A es el tratamiento de elección para la espasticidad localizada. Sin embargo, no se tiene un conocimiento real de su repercusión económica.El objetivo de este trabajo es describir los costes reales del tratamiento de la espasticidad en adultos con toxina botulínica A en una consulta de espasticidad de un Servicio de Rehabilitación, a lo largo de un año.MétodosSe ha realizado la revisión retrospectiva de todos los actos médicos llevados a cabo a lo largo del año 2017. Se han recogido el tipo de toxina utilizado (incobotulinumtoxin A, onabotulinumtoxin A, abobotulinumtoxin A), las unidades inyectadas, la región anatómica y el tiempo transcurrido entre infiltraciones. Se han obtenido los costes de la medicación y los costes indirectos, como los de personal o los fungibles.ResultadosEste es el primer trabajo que describe los costes reales del tratamiento de la espasticidad en adultos con toxina botulínica A en España. En 2017 se realizaron 510 actos de infiltración en 164 pacientes. El coste total de tratamiento de espasticidad en nuestro servicio fue de 116.789,70 €. El coste medio anual por paciente fue 603,64 € para onabotulinumtoxin A, de 642,69 € para abobotulinumtoxin A y de 707,59 € para incobotulinumtoxin A.ConclusionesNuestro estudio económico de actividad clínica real sigue una pauta similar a la descrita en los modelos teóricos publicados en la literatura. Las diferentes características de cada toxina y la imposibilidad de establecer una equivalencia entre las unidades de cada una de ellas impiden la comparación directa de estos costes. (AU)

Introduction: Botulinum toxin A is the first-line treatment for localised spasticity. However, the economic impact of this treatment is not fully known.This study aimed to describe the real costs of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of adult patients with spasticity at a spasticity clinic pertaining to a rehabilitation service, over a period of one year.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all medical procedures carried out during the year 2017. We collected data on the type of toxin used (incobotulinumtoxin A, onabotulinumtoxin A, or AAbobotulinumtoxin A), the number of units injected, the anatomical region, and the time elapsed between infiltrations. The costs of medication and indirect costs, such as staff and consumables, were also calculated.ResultsThis is the first study to describe the real costs of botulinum toxin treatment of spasticity in adult patients in Spain. In 2017, 510 infiltration procedures were performed in 164 patients. The total cost of treating spasticity in our service was €116 789.70. The mean annual cost per patient was €603.64 for onabotulinumtoxin A, €642.69 for abobotulinumtoxin A, and €707.59 for incobotulinumtoxin A.ConclusionsOur economic study of real clinical practice is consistent with the theoretical models published in the literature. The different characteristics of each toxin and the inability to establish an equivalence between the units of each drug prevents us from directly comparing these costs. (AU)

Evolución y calidad de vida a los tres meses tras hospitalización por neumonía COVID / Evolution and quality of life at three months after hospitalization for COVID pneumonia

Objetivo: Conocer la evolución y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud a los tres meses del alta, en pacientes que fueron hospitalizados en el hospital de Fuenlabrada con diagnóstico de neumonía por COVID-19, valorados por el Servicio de Rehabilitación y que realizaron fisioterapia. Métodos: Se recogen datos de 59 pacientes, diferenciando los que fueron valorados en UCI (41 pacientes), de los valorados en planta de hospitalización (18). Los datos se toman de su historia clínica electrónica, y se realiza una entrevista telefónica tres meses después del alta hospitalaria. Se analizan datos de su evolución durante hospitalización, tras el alta y durante los meses siguientes, y de su situación en el momento de la entrevista. Se pide a los pacientes una valoración de la fisioterapia recibida y que contesten el cuestionario de calidad de vida relacionado con la salud SF-36. Resultados: Estos pacientes han tenido la peor evolución de su neumonía COVID de entre los ingresados en nuestro hospital, pero tuvieron una buena recuperación funcional con la fisioterapia intrahospitalaria recibida, la cual fue valorada muy positivamente por los pacientes. Después de tres meses, el 84% tienen síntomas persistentes, siendo los más frecuentes disnea, cansancio y depresión/ansiedad, y tienen peores puntuaciones en SF-36 que la población de referencia. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes que requieren rehabilitación durante su hospitalización por neumonía COVID-19, tienen síntomas persistentes y perciben un deterioro de su calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, tras tres meses del alta hospitalaria.(AU)

Objective: Assess clinical evolution and health-related quality of life at three months after discharge in patients who were admitted and diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia, evaluated by the Rehabilitation Service and received physiotherapy in Fuenlabrada Hospital. Methods: Data were collected from 59 patients, separating those who were assessed in ICU (41 patients) from those assessed in the hospital ward (18). Data were obtained from their Electronic Medical Record, and a telephone interview was performed three months after their discharge. Data about their clinical progress during their hospitalization, after discharge, over the next months and their condition at the time of the interview is analyzed. Patients were asked to assess the quality of the physiotherapy received and to answer the SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire. Results: These patients had the worst progress of the COVID pneumonia among all patients hospitalized in our hospital, but they had a good functional recovery with the inpatient physiotherapy received, which was positively rated. After three months, 84% have persistent symptoms, with the most common being dyspnoea, fatigue and anxiety/depression, and score worse in the SF-36 questionnaire than the reference population. Conclusions: Most patients who require rehabilitation during their COVID pneumonia admission have persistent symptoms and perceive a deterioration in their health-related quality of life after three months of discharge.(AU)

Fiabilidad y validez de Kinovea para analizar parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha / Reliability and Validity of Kinovea to Analyze Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters

Los objetivos del presente estudio son evaluar la fiabililidad test-retest e inter-observador del software Kinovea® para la obtención de los principales parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha, así como, estudiar la validez de criterio respecto a un sistema tridimensional de análisis del movimiento. Los resultados obtenidos son significativamente estadísticos (p < 0,05) en todos los parámetros estudiados. La fiabilidad test-retest muestra una correlación excelente en los parámetros de longitud de paso, longitud de zancada, tiempo de paso y tiempo de zancada (CCI > 0,90), y buena en la velocidad (CCI = 0,76-0,90). La fiabilidad inter-observador es excelente (CCI > 0,90) en todos los parámetros espaciotemporales estudiados en ambos observadores. La validez de criterio entre Kinovea® y VICON Motion System® es excelente para los parámetros estudiados (r > 0,80) en ambos evaluadores. Estos hallazgos respaldan el empleo de Kinovea® como una herramienta accesible y de fácil manejo, con la que obtener datos objetivos de la marcha. (AU)

The aims of this study are to evaluate test-retest ant inter-rater reliability of the software Kinovea® to obtain the spatiotemporal gait parameters, as well as to study the criterion validity with respect to a three-dimensional motion capture system. The results obtained are statically significant (p < 0.05) in all the parameters studied. The test-retest reliability shows an excellent correlation in the parameters of step length, stride length, step time and stride time (ICC > 0.90), and good in speed (ICC = 0.76-0.90). The inter-rater evaluation is excellent (ICC > 0.90) in all the spatiotemporal parameters studied in both raters. The criterion validity between Kinovea® and VICON Motion System® is excellent for the parameters studied (r > 0.80) in both raters. These findings support the use of Kinovea® as an accessible and easy-to-use tool with which to obtain objective gait data. (AU)

Use of recognition of laterality through implicit motor imagery for the improvement of postural control and balance in subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled study. / Uso del reconocimiento de la lateralidad a través de imaginería motora implícita para la mejora del control postural y el equilibrio en pacientes con ictus subagudo: un estudio controlado aleatorizado.

INTRODUCTION: Motor Imagery techniques may be used as a complement to the recovery of motor sequelae after a stroke, as during the evocation of a movement the activation of neuronal circuits involved in the actual execution of the movement occurs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A simple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 38 patients were randomly assigned to a study group. Both groups performed, for four weeks, five weekly sessions of neurorehabilitation and three weekly sessions of experimental or control intervention, respectively.The experimental group training the recognition of laterality, while the control group the recognition of body parts. Participants were evaluated pre and post intervention with posturography parameters -Sway area (AREA), Sway path length (LONG), difference in weigthload between lower limbs (DIFLOAD)-, the Berg Balance scale (BBS), the Barthel Index (BI), the Time Up and Go Test (TUG), the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), and the quality-of-life scale for stroke (ECVI-38). RESULTS: After performing the intragroup analysis, statistical significance was obtained for AREA (p < 0.001), LONG (p = 0.04), DIFLOAD (p = 0.02), BBS (p < 0.001), BI (p < 0.001), FAC (p < 0.001), and ECVI-38 (p < 0.001) in the experimental group; and for DIFLOAD (p = 0.01), BBS (p = 0.001), BI (p = 0.001), TUG (p = 0.04), FAC (p = 0.03), and ECVI-38 (p = 0.003) in the control group. In the intergroup analysis, statistical significance was obtained for AREA (p = 0.03), BBS (p = 0.03), FAC (p = 0.02) and ECVI-38 (p = 0.002) at postintervention time. CONCLUSIONS: Combined use of physical rehabilitation and recognition of laterality through implicit motor imagery tasks, improves balance and functions related to postural control in subacute stroke patients.

TITLE: Uso del reconocimiento de la lateralidad a través de imaginería motora implícita para la mejora del control postural y el equilibrio en pacientes con ictus subagudo: un estudio controlado aleatorizado.Introducción. Las técnicas de imaginería motora pueden utilizarse como complemento a la recuperación de las secuelas motoras tras un ictus, ya que durante la evocación de un movimiento se produce la activación de los circuitos neuronales implicados en la ejecución de éste. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado simple ciego. Treinta y ocho pacientes en total fueron asignados aleatoriamente a cada grupo de estudio. Ambos grupos realizaron, durante cuatro semanas, cinco sesiones semanales de neurorrehabilitación y tres sesiones semanales de intervención experimental o control. El grupo experimental entrenaba el reconocimiento de la lateralidad, mientras que el grupo de control lo hacía con el reconocimiento de partes del cuerpo. Los participantes fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención con parámetros posturográficos (área de barrido, longitud del recorrido de oscilación y porcentaje de diferencia de carga de peso entre los miembros inferiores), la escala de equilibrio de Berg (BBS), el índice de Barthel, el test Time Up and Go, la clasificación funcional de la deambulación (FAC) y la escala de calidad de vida para el ictus (ECVI-38). Resultados. Después de realizar el análisis intragrupo, se obtuvo significación estadística para el área de barrido (p menor de 0,001), la longitud del recorrido de oscilación (p = 0,04), el porcentaje de diferencia de carga de peso entre los miembros inferiores (p = 0,02), la BBS (p menor de 0,001), el índice de Barthel (p menor de 0,001), la FAC (p menor de 0,001) y la ECVI-38 (p menor de 0,001) en el grupo experimental; y para el porcentaje de diferencia de carga de peso entre los miembros inferiores (p = 0,01), la BBS (p = 0,001), el índice de Barthel (p = 0,001), el Time Up and Go (p = 0,04), la FAC (p = 0,03) y la ECVI-38 (p = 0,003) en el grupo de control. En el análisis intergrupo se obtuvo significación estadística para el área de barrido (p = 0,03), la BBS (p = 0,03), la FAC (p = 0,02) y la ECVI-38 (p = 0,002) en el momento posterior a la intervención. Conclusiones. El uso combinado de rehabilitación física y reconocimiento de la lateralidad a través de tareas de imaginería motora implícita mejora el equilibrio y las funciones relacionadas con el control postural en pacientes con ictus subagudo.

Uso del reconocimiento de la lateralidad a través de imaginería motora implícita para la mejora del control postural y el equilibrio en pacientes con ictus subagudo: un estudio controlado aleatorizado / Use of recognition of laterality through implicit motor imagery for the improvement of postural control and balance in subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled study

Introducción: Las técnicas de imaginería motora pueden utilizarse como complemento a la recuperación de las secuelas motoras tras un ictus, ya que durante la evocación de un movimiento se produce la activación de los circuitos neuronales implicados en la ejecución de éste. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado simple ciego. Treinta y ocho pacientes en total fueron asignados aleatoriamente a cada grupo de estudio. Ambos grupos realizaron, durante cuatro semanas, cinco sesiones semanales de neurorrehabilitación y tres sesiones semanales de intervención experimental o control. El grupo experimental entrenaba el reconocimiento de la lateralidad, mientras que el grupo de control lo hacía con el reconocimiento de partes del cuerpo. Los participantes fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención con parámetros posturográficos (área de barrido, longitud del recorrido de oscilación y porcentaje de diferencia de carga de peso entre los miembros inferiores), la escala de equilibrio de Berg (BBS), el índice de Barthel, el test Time Up and Go, la clasificación funcional de la deambulación (FAC) y la escala de calidad de vida para el ictus (ECVI-38). Resultados: Después de realizar el análisis intragrupo, se obtuvo significación estadística para el área de barrido (p < 0,001), la longitud del recorrido de oscilación (p = 0,04), el porcentaje de diferencia de carga de peso entre los miembros inferiores (p = 0,02), la BBS (p < 0,001), el índice de Barthel (p < 0,001), la FAC (p < 0,001) y la ECVI-38 (p < 0,001) en el grupo experimental; y para el porcentaje de diferencia de carga de peso entre los miembros inferiores (p = 0,01), la BBS (p = 0,001), el índice de Barthel (p = 0,001), el Time Up and Go (p = 0,04), la FAC (p = 0,03) y la ECVI-38 (p = 0,003) en el grupo de control. En el análisis intergrupo se obtuvo significación estadística para el área de...(AU)

Introduction: Motor Imagery techniques may be used as a complement to the recovery of motor sequelae after a stroke, as during the evocation of a movement the activation of neuronal circuits involved in the actual execution of the movement occurs. Patients and methods: A simple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 38 patients were randomly assigned to a study group. Both groups performed, for four weeks, five weekly sessions of neurorehabilitation and three weekly sessions of experimental or control intervention, respectively.The experimental group training the recognition of laterality, while the control group the recognition of body parts. Participants were evaluated pre and post intervention with posturography parameters –Sway area (AREA), Sway path length (LONG), difference in weigthload between lower limbs (DIFLOAD)–, the Berg Balance scale (BBS), the Barthel Index (BI), the Time Up and Go Test (TUG), the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), and the quality-of-life scale for stroke (ECVI-38). Results: After performing the intragroup analysis, statistical significance was obtained for AREA (p < 0.001), LONG (p = 0.04), DIFLOAD (p = 0.02), BBS (p < 0.001), BI (p < 0.001), FAC (p < 0.001), and ECVI-38 (p < 0.001) in the experimental group; and for DIFLOAD (p = 0.01), BBS (p = 0.001), BI (p = 0.001), TUG (p = 0.04), FAC (p = 0.03), and ECVI-38 (p = 0.003) in the control group. In the intergroup analysis, statistical significance was obtained for AREA (p = 0.03), BBS (p = 0.03), FAC (p = 0.02) and ECVI-38 (p = 0.002) at postintervention time. Conclusions: Combined use of physical rehabilitation and recognition of laterality through implicit motor imagery tasks, improves balance and functions related to postural control in subacute stroke patients.(AU)

[Evolution and quality of life at three months after hospitalization for COVID pneumonia]. / Evolución y calidad de vida a los tres meses tras hospitalización por neumonía COVID.

OBJECTIVE: Assess clinical evolution and health-related quality of life at three months after discharge in patients who were admitted and diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia, evaluated by the Rehabilitation Service and received physiotherapy in Fuenlabrada Hospital. METHODS: Data were collected from 59 patients, separating those who were assessed in ICU (41 patients) from those assessed in the hospital ward (18). Data were obtained from their Electronic Medical Record, and a telephone interview was performed three months after their discharge. Data about their clinical progress during their hospitalization, after discharge, over the next months and their condition at the time of the interview is analyzed. Patients were asked to assess the quality of the physiotherapy received and to answer the SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: These patients had the worst progress of the COVID pneumonia among all patients hospitalized in our hospital, but they had a good functional recovery with the inpatient physiotherapy received, which was positively rated. After three months, 84% have persistent symptoms, with the most common being dyspnoea, fatigue and anxiety/depression, and score worse in the SF-36 questionnaire than the reference population. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who require rehabilitation during their COVID pneumonia admission have persistent symptoms and perceive a deterioration in their health-related quality of life after three months of discharge.

Descriptive analysis of the annual cost of treating spasticity with different types of botulinum toxin A. / Análisis descriptivo de coste de tratamiento de la espasticidad con diferentes tipos de toxina botulínica A, a lo largo de un año.

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum toxin A is the first-line treatment for localised spasticity. However, the economic impact of this treatment is not fully known. This study aimed to describe the real costs of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of adult patients with spasticity at a spasticity clinic pertaining to a rehabilitation service, over a period of one year. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all medical procedures carried out during the year 2017. We collected data on the type of toxin used (incobotulinumtoxin A, onabotulinumtoxin A, or AAbobotulinumtoxin A), the number of units injected, the anatomical region, and the time elapsed between infiltrations. The costs of medication and indirect costs, such as staff and consumables, were also calculated. RESULTS: This is the first study to describe the real costs of botulinum toxin treatment of spasticity in adult patients in Spain. In 2017, 510 infiltration procedures were performed in 164 patients. The total cost of treating spasticity in our service was €116 789.70. The mean annual cost per patient was €603.64 for onabotulinumtoxin A, €642.69 for abobotulinumtoxin A, and €707.59 for incobotulinumtoxin A. CONCLUSIONS: Our economic study of real clinical practice is consistent with the theoretical models published in the literature. The different characteristics of each toxin and the inability to establish an equivalence between the units of each drug prevents us from directly comparing these costs.

Maternal serum fructosamine levels and stillbirth: a case-control study of the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between maternal fructosamine levels at the time of delivery and stillbirth. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a case-control study. SETTING: Multicentre study of five geographic catchment areas in the USA. POPULATION: All singleton stillbirths with known diabetes status and fructosamine measurement, and representative live birth controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fructosamine levels in stillbirths and live births among groups were adjusted for potential confounding factors, including diabetes. Optimal thresholds of fructosamine to discriminate stillbirth and live birth. RESULTS: A total of 529 women with a stillbirth and 1499 women with a live birth were included in the analysis. Mean fructosamine levels were significantly higher in women with a stillbirth than in women with a live birth after adjustment (177 ± 3.05 versus 165 ± 2.89 µmol/L, P < 0.001). The difference in fructosamine levels between stillbirths and live births was greater among women with diabetes (194 ± 8.54 versus 162 ± 3.21 µmol/L), compared with women without diabetes (171 ± 2.50 versus 162 ± 2.56 µmol/L). The area under the curve (AUC) for fructosamine level and stillbirth was 0.634 (0.605-0.663) overall, 0.713 (0.624-0.802) with diabetes and 0.625 (0.595-0.656) with no diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal fructosamine levels at the time of delivery were higher in women with stillbirth compared with women with live birth. Differences were substantial in women with diabetes, suggesting a potential benefit of glycaemic control in women with diabetes during pregnancy. The small differences noted in women without diabetes are not likely to justify routine screening in all cases of stillbirth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Maternal serum fructosamine levels are higher in women with stillbirth than in women with live birth, especially in women with diabetes.

Descriptive analysis of the annual cost of treating spasticity with different types of botulinum toxin A.

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum toxin A is the first-line treatment for localised spasticity. However, the economic impact of this treatment is not fully known. This study aimed to describe the real costs of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of adult patients with spasticity at a spasticity clinic pertaining to a rehabilitation service, over a period of one year. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all medical procedures carried out during the year 2017. We collected data on the type of toxin used (incobotulinumtoxin A, onabotulinumtoxin A, or Abobotulinumtoxin A), the number of units injected, the anatomical region, and the time elapsed between infiltrations. The costs of medication and indirect costs, such as staff and consumables, were also calculated. RESULTS: This is the first study to describe the real costs of botulinum toxin treatment of spasticity in adult patients in Spain. In 2017, 510 infiltration procedures were performed in 164 patients. The total cost of treating spasticity in our service was 116 789.70. The mean annual cost per patient was 603.64 for onabotulinumtoxin A, 642.69 for abobotulinumtoxin A, and 707.59 for incobotulinumtoxin A. CONCLUSIONS: Our economic study of real clinical practice is consistent with the theoretical models published in the literature. The different characteristics of each toxin and the inability to establish an equivalence between the units of each drug prevents us from directly comparing these costs.

The impact of testosterone therapy on quality of life in adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common muscular dystrophy in childhood. It is associated with progressive muscle function decline and premature death. Long-term oral glucocorticoid use slows muscle weakness but is associated with several side effects including delayed puberty. This study assessed the impact of a 2-year incremental intramuscular testosterone regimen on quality of life (QoL) in a cohort of 15 adolescents with DMD. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Neuromuscular module was used to assess QoL and was completed by parent-child dyads. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to understand patient views on testosterone therapy. QoL scores increased in 10 of the 15 participants during treatment, with a mean total PedsQL score of 74.6 pre-treatment v 80.2 post treatment (p = 0.04). This was supported by comments in the semi-structured interviews. Parent-reported PedsQL scores were lower than their child's post treatment (p = 0.007). Testosterone therapy for pubertal induction was associated with an improvement in QoL and the observed physical changes during puberty played an important role. Low self-esteem was also a prevailing theme. This data supports the inclusion of testosterone therapy for pubertal induction as a Standard of Care.

Electromyographic traces of motor unit synchronization of fatigued lower limb muscles during gait.

BACKGROUND: The study of the signal in the frequency domain has shown to be a good tool to identify muscular fatigue. Previous research has shown that the low frequency band and 40 Hz frequency band increase their relative intensity with the onset of fatigue. These findings were obtained in rectus femoris, but the behaviours of other muscles of the lower limb are unknown. In this article we explored the changes in the low frequency and 40 Hz frequency band of lower limb muscles with respect to fatigue. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects were recruited to analyse the electromyography (EMG) of biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis of both legs during gait. Four two-minutes walks at a self-selected speed were recorded, the first two walks with a normal muscular function and the last two walks after a fatigue protocol. All the signals were decomposed using wavelet transformations. The signals were normalized in time and spectral intensities normalized to the sum of intensities in the frequency domain. Two frequency bands were studied in each walk: the 40-Hz (34-53 Hz) and the low frequency (< 25 Hz) bands. A ratio of the spectral intensities of those frequency bands at each walk was obtained by dividing the 40-Hz frequency band spectral intensity by the low frequency band spectral intensity. Statistical parametric mapping techniques were used to compare the ratios of the prefatigue walks against the postfatigue walks. RESULTS: The results of the Statistical Non-Parametric Mapping (SnPM) analysis of all muscles depict a higher relative spectral intensity in the low frequency band in the comparison of fatigue versus prefatigue recordings except for the right gastrocnemius lateralis. The critical thresholds F* were exceeded by multiple suprathreshold clusters with p values <0.05, showing that the low frequency band increased its relative spectral intensity in the case of fatigue. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggest that the low frequency band increases its relative spectral intensity in all the studied muscles when fatigue onsets. This increase in relative spectral intensity may be linked to an increase in motor unit synchronization promoted by the central nervous system to ensure good motor control.

Stillbirth and fetal anomalies: secondary analysis of a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 10% of stillbirths are attributed to fetal anomalies, but anomalies are also common in live births. We aimed to assess the relationship between anomalies, by system and stillbirth. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a prospective, case-control study. SETTING: Multicentre, 59 hospitals in five regional catchment areas in the USA. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: All stillbirths and representative live birth controls. METHODS: Standardised postmortem examinations performed in stillbirths, medical record abstraction for stillbirths and live births. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of major anomalies, by type, compared between stillbirths and live births with univariable and multivariable analyses using weighted analysis to account for study design and differential consent. RESULTS: Of 465 singleton stillbirths included, 23.4% had one or more major anomalies compared with 4.3% of 1871 live births. Having an anomaly increased the odds of stillbirth; an increasing number of anomalies was more highly associated with stillbirth. Regardless of organ system affected, the presence of an anomaly increased the odds of stillbirth. These relationships remained significant if stillbirths with known genetic abnormalities were excluded. After multivariable analyses, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of stillbirth for any anomaly was 4.33 (95% CI 2.80-6.70) and the systems most strongly associated with stillbirth were cystic hygroma (aOR 29.97, 95% CI 5.85-153.57), and thoracic (aOR16.18, 95% CI 4.30-60.94) and craniofacial (aOR 35.25, 95% CI 9.22-134.68) systems. CONCLUSIONS: In pregnancies affected by anomalies, the odds of stillbirth are higher with increasing numbers of anomalies. Anomalies of nearly any organ system increased the odds of stillbirth even when adjusting for gestational age and maternal race. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Stillbirth risk increases with anomalies of nearly any organ system and with number of anomalies seen.

Immune-Related Oral, Otologic, and Ocular Adverse Events.

Emerging immunotherapeutic agents, including immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1), have revolutionized cancer treatment. The first immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4, was approved in 2011. Since then, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than half a dozen immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat various malignancies. These agents are part of a broader class of chemotherapy agents termed immunotherapy, which selectively target different steps in the immune response cascade to upregulate the body's normal response to cancer. While the effects of traditional chemotherapy are well known, the toxicity profile of emerging immune therapies is not fully elucidated. They have been associated with atypical side effects labeled collectively as immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

[Observational gait scale for persons with lower extremity amputation. Design and content validity]. / Escala observacional de la marcha del sujeto con amputación de la extremidad inferior: diseño y validez de contenido.

INTRODUCTION: Gait pattern is altered in persons with lower extremity amputation. To assess gait pattern, it is important to use observational gait scales with a good content validity. OBJECTIVES: To design an observational gait scale and to analyze its content validity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An expert committee was formed to obtain a version of the scale. The same committee was responsible for evaluating the scale. The content validity index (CVI) was calculated, both for each item and for the global scale. RESULTS: The main kinematic and spatiotemporal alterations were selected to design the items. The scale consists of 2sections and 25 items, with a maximum score of 35 points. An overall CVI score of 0.90 was obtained, and an index of validity for most items with values higher than 0.78. CONCLUSION: The Observational gait scale for persons with amputation of the lower extremity showed excellent content validity according to the CVI obtained. Future studies should evaluate its reliability and construct validity.

The effect of fresh gas flow during induction of anaesthesia on sevoflurane usage: a quality improvement study.

Reducing fresh gas flow during inhalational anaesthesia results in cost savings and decreases environmental impact. We are interested in the influence of fresh gas flow on the early (induction) phase of overall fresh gas flow and vapour consumption. This stage is often excluded in studies of fresh gas flow. Data were collected from 3199 sevoflurane anaesthetics over an 11-month period in four operating theatres. We determined fresh gas flow at different stages of anaesthesia, and developed an explanatory model for the influence of the 'induction' period. Following a three-month collection of baseline data we emphasised the importance of the early phase to our department repeatedly over a two-week period. We explored the relationship between fresh gas flow and total vapour usage, and used a simple mathematical model to explore the effect of changes in the fresh gas flow and duration of the 'induction' phase. Mean fresh gas flow was 1.15 l.min-1 in the baseline period and 0.91 l.min-1 in the two months following our educational effort (p = 0.0005). In the following six months, mean fresh gas flow was 1.17 l.min-1 (p = 0.7726 compared with baseline). These results were driven by changes in both fresh gas flow and duration of the initial high-flow period. We found some correlation (R2  = 0.85) between overall fresh gas flow and vapour consumption; a 1 l.min-1 increase in fresh gas flow consumes an additional 18 ml.hr-1 of liquid sevoflurane. This preliminary study demonstrates that an episode of high fresh gas flow at the start of anaesthesia has a large and modifiable effect on overall fresh gas flow and vapour consumption. We also confirmed the linear relationship between fresh gas flow and vapour usage.