Minimalist style boot improves running but not walking economy in trained men.

This study examined movement economy under load with 1000 g minimalist (MIN) vs. 1600 g traditional (TRD) style boots. Fourteen trained, male participants completed a VO2peak test (46.6 ± 7.3 ml/kg/min) while wearing a 16 kg external load. Treadmill speeds for the running economy (RE) trials were determined by the slowest pace in which participants completed a full stage with a running gait pattern during the VO2peak test. Walking economy (WE) pace was 1.6 km/h slower than RE pace. During the second session, participants completed 5-min exercise bouts at WE and RE pace under load wearing MIN and TRD. There were no differences for any measured variables during WE trials. In contrast, RE (MIN = 2.95 ± 0.28 vs. TRD = 3.04 ± 0.30 L/min; p = .003: Cohen's d = 0.32), respiratory exchange ratio (p < .001), and perceptual measures (p < .05) were all improved while wearing MIN. Practitioner summary: In trained men, 1000 g/pair minimalist style boots (MIN) resulted in improvements of approximately 3% and 5% for running economy and respiratory exchange ratio versus 1600 g/pair traditional boots while wearing a 16 kg kit. Perceptual responses, including comfort, also favoured MIN. These effects were not found at walking pace. Abbreviations: MIN: minimalist style boots; TRD: traditional style boots; RE: running economy; WE: walking economy; ES: effect size; RER: respiratory exchange ratio; HR: heart rate.

Viewing ultrasound images in the abortion clinic: clients' and health care professionals' opinions.

OBJECTIVES: The U.K guidance recommends that health care professionals (HCPs) offer clients the opportunity to view their pre-abortion ultrasound scan. As the U.K research on this topic is limited, our objectives were to assess current practice and local population needs, through a prospective, observational survey, to improve the quality of abortion care delivery. METHODS: Over a 4 month period all clients attending the Sandyford Termination of Pregnancy and Referral (TOPAR) unit for abortion assessment were asked to fill in an anonymous questionnaire. A further questionnaire was distributed to HCPs working in the TOPAR unit. RESULTS: A total of 406 questionnaires were analysed. Almost half (n = 194; 47.8%) of respondents had been offered the opportunity to view their ultrasound scan, of whom 31.4% (61/194) had accepted. The majority of those who had accepted (n = 48; 78.7%) concluded that they were more likely to proceed with the abortion or that viewing the scan had made no difference to their decision to proceed. All HCPs (n = 18; 100%) completed the questionnaire, 55.6% (n = 10) of whom responded that they routinely offered viewing. Ultrasound was not routinely offered by 25% (n = 3) and 83.3% (n = 5) of medical and nursing staff, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found inconsistent practice within our unit. Despite HCPs building rapport with clients prior to the ultrasound, not all clients who wished to have the opportunity to view their scan were identified. It is evident that many clients wish to have the option to choose for themselves whether they want to view their ultrasound scan, rather than be judged by an HCP as someone who might benefit from it.

Cytomegalovirus-associated thrombocytopenia treated with thrombopoietin receptor agonist.

Symptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) in immunocompetent individuals is an uncommon, yet recognised, phenomenon. This report discusses a case of CMV-associated thrombocytopenia refractory to immunomodulation and antivirals. Ultimately, a clinicopathological response was attained with eltrombopag. This is the first report of the efficacy of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in this context. This experience provides insight into possible pathogenic mechanisms of CMV-associated thrombocytopenia and presents a therapeutic option.

Designed multifunctional polymeric nanomedicines: long-term biodistribution and tumour accumulation of aptamer-targeted nanomaterials.

We report a novel multifunctional hyperbranched polymer based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a nanomedicine platform that facilitates longitudinal and quantitative 89Zr-PET imaging, enhancing knowledge of nanomaterial biodistribution and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics both in vivo and ex vivo. Anti-VEGF-A DNA aptamer functionalization increased tumour accumulation by >2-fold in a breast cancer model.

Absorbed dose to man from the Se-75 labeled conjugated bile salt SeHCAT: concise communication.

The absorbed radiation dose that would result from the oral or intravenous administration of SeHCAT (23-[75Se]selena-25-homotaurocholate) has been calculated using the MIRD tables and formulas and data from measurements of whole-body distribution and from long-term whole-body counting in rats, mice, and man. When SeHCAT is administered to normal subjects, the gallbladder is the critical organ, receiving 12 mrad (oral dose) or 22 mrad (i.v.) per microcurie. The whole-body dose is 1 mrad/microCi, whatever the route of administration. In severe hepatic failure the liver might receive 200 mrad/microCi. The activity likely to be used in routine clinical practice is 10 microCi. Where a whole-body counter is used, an activity of 1 microCi has proved adequate. Even at an administered activity of 25 microCi, the absorbed dose is small compared with established techniques of investigating the gastrointestinal tract.

Determination of vitamin B 12 absorption by a simple whole body counter.

This paper reports the results of estimating vitamin B(12) absorption by whole body counting in patients without known gastrointestinal disorder, and in patients with pernicious anaemia, idiopathic achlorhydria, achlorhydria following gastric operations, and various forms of small intestinal disease. Patients with pernicious anaemia absorbed less than 30% of the test dose; they could be distinguished from patients without gastrointestinal abnormality and from most achlorhydric patients who secreted more than 300 mg units of intrinsic factor in the post-histamine hour. Nevertheless, the wide range of normal absorption and the variable absorption from the normal gastrointestinal tract is emphasized and discussed. There is no relation between histamine-stimulated intrinsic factor production and vitamin B(12) absorption in patients with small intestinal disease.

Total body neutron activation analysis of calcium: calibration and normalisation.

An irradiation system has been designed, using a neutron beam from a cyclotron, which optimises the uniformity of activation of calcium. Induced activity is measured in a scanning, shadow-shield whole-body counter. Calibration has been effected and reproducibility assessed with three different types of phantom. Corrections were derived for variations in body height, depth and fat thickness. The coefficient of variation for repeated measurements of an anthropomorphic phantom was 1.8% for an absorbed dose equivalent of 13 mSv (1.3 rem). Measurements of total body calcium in 40 normal adults were used to derive normalisation factors which predict the normal calcium in a subject of given size and age. The coefficient of variation of normalised calcium was 6.2% in men and 6.6% in women, with the demonstration of an annual loss of 1.5% after the menopause. The narrow range should make single measurements useful for diagnostic purposes.

How lawyers view psychiatric experts.

Good lawyers look for integrity in their expert consultants and expert witnesses. They need truthful, accurate information to help them assess and frame cases, win or settle them favorably, and/or withdraw when the case has little merit. Experts should be well qualified to review, interpret, and eventually testify credibly about their portions of the case. They should be able to work with lawyers in the lawyers' own arenas (e.g., courts, hearings) and to convey their opinions to others, such as juries, clearly and without unnecessary distractions.

Measurement of 111in DTPA clearance during radionuclide cisternography.

A new preparation of 111In DTPA for intrathecal administration has been tested and found to be a safe and highly efficacious cisternographic agent. The rate of removal of 111In DTPA from the C.S.F. and from the whole body has been measured and has been found to be of no diagnostic value in the distinction between patients with cerebral atrophy and those with normotensive hydrocephalus. Long-term retention studies show no evidence of significant long-term retention of indium in the C.S.F. The absorbed radiation dose has been investigated and found to be in good agreement with previous estimates based upon extrapolated data.

Trends of performance in Arkansas cooperative beef-bull performance tests from 1962 through 1982.

Individual records of performance of 2787 bulls in cooperative beef-bull performance tests from 1962 through 1982 were analyzed to determine trends in final weight, average daily gain, daily feed consumption and gross feed efficiency. Data from Angus, Polled Hereford, Charolais, Hereford and Santa Gertrudis breeds were analyzed separately. Performance-test procedures and the ration fed remained the same in all tests. Least-squares means by year, adjusted for location of test, initial weight, initial age and initial condition score, were regressed on time to determine average yearly change in the traits. Yearly changes for Angus, Polled Hereford, Charolais, Hereford and Santa Gertrudis breeds in final weight were 3.3, 1.6, 3.3, 2.5, and 2.6 kg, respectively; in average daily gain and yearly changes were .02, .01, .02, .02, and .02 kg, respectively; in daily feed consumption the yearly changes were .08, .03, .09, and .04 kg, respectively; and in feed per kg gain the yearly changes were -.08, -.04, -.05, -.03, and -.07 kg, respectively. Because the test procedures were the same in all years, these trends represent genetic progress made by the Arkansas beef industry toward faster-gaining, more efficient cattle.

Absorption in high-z targets illuminated with 527-nm laser light at high intensity using induced spatial incoherence.

We have measured 527-nm absorption for induced spatial incoherence (ISI) and non-ISI illumination of high-Z targets over the 0.5-3.5 x 10(14)-W/cm(2) laser intensity range using energy balance with a custom designed 30-cm diam light integrating sphere. Induced spatial incoherence of the laser beam was produced by inserting echelons in the beam path and operating the laser at wide bandwidth (0.2%). To produce ISI and non-ISI data for comparison, we irradiated a large number of 180-microm diam gold disks with 0.5-1.5-ns pulses with echelons in the beam path with and without wide laser bandwidths. Our data show an increase in absorption of 5-11% for the ISI illuminated targets and also suggest a weaker dependence of absorption on laser intensity for ISI illumination than for non-ISI.

Scrub typhus in north Queensland.

Scrub typhus was once common in north Queensland, but no reports from this region have been published for nearly 30 years, and the focus has turned to cases from the Northern Territory and Western Australia. In 1996, diagnosis of scrub typhus in a Queensland soldier led to recognition of an earlier outbreak with up to 17 cases. Another outbreak occurred a year later with 11 confirmed cases. All cases were in soldiers who had visited a training area near Innisfail. Review of other laboratory diagnoses of scrub typhus shows it is still prevalent in north Queensland, with several "hot spots".

The assessment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by total body neutron activation analysis.

Total body calcium (TBCa) was measured using a cyclotron for in vivo neutron activation analysis (IVNAA) in 20 healthy women, 15 women with vertebral compression fractures, and 8 women with wrist fractures. The precision of the technique, using phantoms, was 1.8% for a dose of 13 mSv. A formula for predicted TBCa (TBCap) was derived from the 20 normal women based on span and years postmenopause. The coefficient of variation of TBCa after normalization in the normal women was 6.6%. The mean TBCa values for the vertebral and wrist fracture groups were 69% and 84% of TBCap for women at the time of the menopause. The low TBCa in the wrist fracture group was attributable to post-menopausal bone loss. Of the low TBCa in the vertebral fracture group, about half the loss could be attributed to postmenopausal age and half to other factors.