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This study conducted a systematic scoping review to collect definitions and explanations of esports and its related concepts in the existing literature. A thematic coding approach was used to screen possible disagreements and issues between the different characteristics of esports as presented in the existing definitions. Based on a critical discussion, the results of the coding were combined with the objective facts of the current esports industry and theories from similar fields to reconstruct the construction of an esports definition. In addition, the relationship between esports and its related concepts was discussed based on the proposed esports definition structure. The proposed esports criteria can help avoid misunderstandings and confusion in future studies regarding the research subjects related to esports and propose standardized usage of relevant terms in the field of esports research.
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BACKGROUND: Chronic Urticaria (CU), a common skin disorder known as Yin Zhen in Chinese medicine, is characterized by recurrent, pruritic, pink-to-red edematous lesions and wheals on the skin. Xiao-Feng Powder (XFP, meaning Wind-Dispersing Powder), is reported to be one of the most frequently used Chinese herbal formulae for CU. In this study, we aim to investigate the effectiveness and safety of modified Xiao-Feng Powder (mXFP) for the treatment of CU. METHODS: In this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 58 subjects identified as having mild to severe urticaria (Urticaria activity score greater than 10) will be recruited and randomised into two groups to receive antihistamine Bilastine with either mXFP or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by post treatment visits at week 16. The primary outcome measure is the change of weekly urticaria activity score (UAS7) at week 12. Secondary outcome measures include the Urticaria Control Test (UCT), Visual Analog Scale of Itch Severity (VAS), Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL), Angioedema Activity Score (AAS), immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, gut microbiota test and use of antihistamines during study period. The trial will be conducted at three Chinese medicine clinics in Hong Kong. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: The results of this study will establish robust clinical evidence about the efficacy and safety of mXFP in the treatment of CU. A specific feature of this trial is that it is a integrative medicine trial with subjects being allowed to take the Western and Chinese medicine together for the treatment. Trial registration This is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT04967092. Register date: July 19, 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04967092 .
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to quantify intrinsic foot muscle morphology and composition. Due to the high spatial resolution required to adequately capture the architecturally complex anatomy, manual segmentation is time consuming and not clinically feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a reduced number of MRI slices can be used to accurately estimate intrinsic foot muscle volume and composition. A three-dimensional 2-point Dixon sequence of the whole foot was acquired at 7-Tesla for thirteen asymptomatic individuals and twenty individuals with plantar heel pain. Slice intervals of 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 were used to calculate alternative muscle volume and composition, and were compared to reference values calculated from every available slice. Agreement between methods was assessed by calculating mean differences and 95% limits of agreement, and inspection of Bland -Altman plots. In both groups, slice intervals of 2, 3 and 5 provided excellent precision for all muscles (measurement error < 1%). Larger slice intervals of 10, 15 and 30 provided excellent precision for some muscles, but for other muscles (e.g. small forefoot muscles), error was up to 7.3%. Bland-Altman plots showed no systematic measurement bias. This study provides a quantitative basis for selecting a reduced number of slices to measure intrinsic foot muscle volume and composition from MRI. A slice interval of 10 may provide a balance between efficiency (36 mins vs. 6 h) and accuracy (error < 2.4%) across all intrinsic foot muscles in asymptomatic individuals and those with plantar heel pain.