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Frontiers in Physiology 2024Few US Marines earn perfect 300 scores on both their Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT). The number 300 invokes the legendary 300 Spartans that...
UNLABELLED
Few US Marines earn perfect 300 scores on both their Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT). The number 300 invokes the legendary 300 Spartans that fought at the Battle of Thermopylae, which inspired high physical fitness capabilities for elite ground forces ever since.
PURPOSE
Determine distinguishing characteristics of the "300 Marines" (perfect PFT and CFT scores) that may provide insights into the physical and physiological requirements associated with this capability. These tests have been refined over time to reflect physical capabilities associated with Marine Corps basic rifleman performance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data were analyzed from US Marines, including 497 women (age, 29 ± 7 years; height 1.63 ± 0.07 m; body mass, 67.4 ± 8.4 kg) and 1,224 men (30 ± 8 years; 1.77 ± 0.07 m; 86.1 ± 11.1 kg). Marines were grouped by whether they earned perfect 300 scores on both the PFT and CFT (300 Marines) or not. We analyzed group differences in individual fitness test events and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry).
RESULTS
Only 2.5% ( = 43) of this sample earned perfect PFT and CFT scores ( = 21 women; = 22 men). Compared to sex-matched peers, 300 Marines performed more pull-ups, with faster three-mile run, maneuver-under-fire, and movement-to-contact times (each < 0.001); 300 Marines of both sexes had lower fat mass, body mass index, and percent body fat (each < 0.001). The lower percent body fat was explained by greater lean mass ( = 0.041) but similar body mass ( = 0.085) in women, whereas men had similar lean mass ( = 0.618), but lower total body mass ( = 0.025).
CONCLUSION
Marines earning perfect PFT and CFT scores are most distinguished from their peers by their maneuverability, suggesting speed and agility capabilities. While both sexes had considerably lower percent body fat than their peers, 300 Marine women were relatively more muscular while men were lighter.
PubMed: 38957215
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1406749 -
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2024Comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) is surrounded by diagnostic controversy and although various...
Comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) is surrounded by diagnostic controversy and although various effective treatments exist, dropout and nonresponse are high. By estimating the network structure of comorbid PTSD and BPD symptoms, the current study illustrates how the network perspective offers tools to tackle these challenges. The sample comprised of 154 patients with a PTSD diagnosis and BPD symptoms, assessed by clinician-administered interviews. A regularised partial correlation network was estimated using the GLASSO algorithm in R. Central symptoms and bridge symptoms were identified. The reliability and accuracy of network parameters were determined through bootstrapping analyses. PTSD and BPD symptoms largely clustered into separate communities. Intrusive memories, physiological cue reactivity and loss of interest were the most central symptoms, whereas amnesia and suicidal behaviour were least central. Present findings suggest that PTSD and BPD are two distinct, albeit weakly connected disorders. Treatment of the most central symptoms could lead to an overall deactivation of the network, while isolated symptoms would need more specific attention during therapy. Further experimental, longitudinal research is needed to confirm these hypotheses. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03833453.
Topics: Humans; Borderline Personality Disorder; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Female; Adult; Male; Comorbidity; Reproducibility of Results; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38957149
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2367815 -
Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part... Jul 2024Sleep is a prominent physiological state observed across the animal kingdom. Yet, for some animals, our ability to identify sleep can be masked by behaviors otherwise...
Sleep is a prominent physiological state observed across the animal kingdom. Yet, for some animals, our ability to identify sleep can be masked by behaviors otherwise associated with being awake, such as for some sharks that must swim continuously to push oxygenated seawater over their gills to breathe. We know that sleep in buccal pumping sharks with clear rest/activity cycles, such as draughtsboard sharks (Cephaloscyllium isabellum, Bonnaterre, 1788), manifests as a behavioral shutdown, postural relaxation, reduced responsiveness, and a lowered metabolic rate. However, these features of sleep do not lend themselves well to animals that swim nonstop. In addition to video and accelerometry recordings, we tried to explore the electrophysiological correlates of sleep in draughtsboard sharks using electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography, and electrooculography, while monitoring brain temperature. The seven channels of EEG activity had a surprising level of (apparent) instability when animals were swimming, but also when sleeping. The amount of stable EEG signals was too low for replication within- and across individuals. Eye movements were not measurable, owing to instability of the reference electrode. Based on an established behavioral characterization of sleep in draughtsboard sharks, we offer the original finding that muscle tone was strongest during active wakefulness, lower in quietly awake sharks, and lowest in sleeping sharks. We also offer several critical suggestions on how to improve techniques for characterizing sleep electrophysiology in future studies on elasmobranchs, particularly for those that swim continuously. Ultimately, these approaches will provide important insights into the evolutionary confluence of behaviors typically associated with wakefulness and sleep.
PubMed: 38957102
DOI: 10.1002/jez.2846 -
Occupational Therapy in Health Care Jul 2024The aim of this study was to explore community-working occupational therapists' involvement in research and development projects. A cross-sectional survey of...
The aim of this study was to explore community-working occupational therapists' involvement in research and development projects. A cross-sectional survey of occupational therapists working in community-based services in Norway ( = 617) was conducted. In all, 117 of the 617 participants responded that they were involved in research and development projects. Greater likelihood of participation in research and development work were found for occupational therapists who had completed further education. Current and prioritized research topics were professional development and the development of interprofessional and professional service designs for occupational therapy. Service and quality development, rehabilitation and technology were areas where more knowledge was considered needed. To increase the growth and success of occupational therapy research and development, it is important that more occupational therapists in the municipality continue to complete further education. High-quality occupational therapy practice should be based on research and development projects in the municipalities.
PubMed: 38957005
DOI: 10.1080/07380577.2024.2364178 -
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Jul 2024To assess the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on working memory in stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment (MCI). (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive function in individuals with stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on working memory in stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
DESIGN
Randomized, double-blind controlled study.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Twenty MCI patients from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (December 2021 to February 2023), aged 34-79, 2-12 months post-stroke, were divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), each with 10 participants. The EG underwent standard rehabilitation plus 40 minutes of aerobic exercise, while the CG received only standard therapy, 5 times weekly for 2 weeks. Working memory was tested using the n-back task, and overall cognitive function was measured with the MOCA and MMSE Scales before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
The EG showed higher 3-back correctness (71.80 ± 14.53 vs 56.50 ± 13.66), MOCA scores (27.30 ± 1.57 vs 24.00 ± 3.13), and improved visuospatial/executive (4.60 ± 0.52 vs 3.30 ± 1.06) and delayed recall (4.30 ± 0.82 vs 3.00 ± 1.56) on the MOCA scale compared with the CG.
CONCLUSION
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may enhance working memory, visuospatial/executive, and delayed recall functions in stroke-induced MCI patients.
Topics: Humans; Cognitive Dysfunction; Middle Aged; Male; Female; Pilot Projects; Aged; Stroke Rehabilitation; Double-Blind Method; Exercise; Stroke; Exercise Therapy; Cognition; Memory, Short-Term; Adult
PubMed: 38956964
DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v56.33001 -
Brain and Behavior Jul 2024Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) often leads to deleterious complications after stroke patients receive reperfusion therapy. Exercise preconditioning (EP) has...
INTRODUCTION
Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) often leads to deleterious complications after stroke patients receive reperfusion therapy. Exercise preconditioning (EP) has been reported to facilitate brain function recovery. We aim to explore the specific mechanism of EP in CIRI.
METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into Sham, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and EP groups (n = 11). The rats in the EP group received adaptive training for 3 days (10 m/min, 20 min/day, with a 0° incline) and formal training for 3 weeks (6 days/week, 25 m/min, 30 min/day, with a 0° incline). Then, rats underwent MCAO surgery to establish CIRI models. After 48 h, neurological deficits and cerebral infarction of the rats were measured. Neuronal death and apoptosis in the cerebral cortices were detected. Furthermore, RNA sequencing was conducted to investigate the specific mechanism of EP on CIRI, and qPCR and Western blotting were further applied to confirm RNA sequencing results.
RESULTS
EP improved neurological deficit scores and reduced cerebral infarction in MCAO rats. Additionally, pre-ischemic exercise also alleviated neuronal death and apoptosis of the cerebral cortices in MCAO rats. Importantly, 17 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through RNA sequencing, and these DEGs were mainly enriched in the HIF-1 pathway, cellular senescence, proteoglycans in cancer, and so on. qPCR and Western blotting further confirmed that EP could suppress TIMP1, SOCS3, ANGPTL4, CDO1, and SERPINE1 expressions in MCAO rats.
CONCLUSION
EP can improve CIRI in vivo, the mechanism may relate to TIMP1 expression and HIF-1 pathway, which provided novel targets for CIRI treatment.
Topics: Animals; Reperfusion Injury; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Brain Ischemia; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Disease Models, Animal; Apoptosis; Ischemic Preconditioning
PubMed: 38956886
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3608 -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Sep 2024The field of medical grade footwear is dynamic. Originally, a field where individual knowledge, expertise and skills determined the footwear and its outcomes, now...
Development of a research agenda for medical grade footwear in the Netherlands: A multidisciplinary multiphase project to determine the key research questions to advance scientific knowledge in the field.
BACKGROUND
The field of medical grade footwear is dynamic. Originally, a field where individual knowledge, expertise and skills determined the footwear and its outcomes, now becoming a more evidence-based and data-driven field with protocols and systems in place to create appropriate footwear. However, scientific evidence concerning medical grade footwear is still limited. Evidently, all stakeholders, from patients to pedorthists to rehabilitation physicians, will profit from a larger evidence-base in this field. A widely supported research agenda is an essential first step to advance and facilitate new knowledge.
METHODS
We formed a multidisciplinary team and followed the methodology from Dutch medical societies for the development of a research agenda on medical grade footwear. This consisted of seven steps: (1) inventory of relevant questions with users and professionals; (2) analyses of responses; (3) analyses of existing knowledge and evidence; (4) formulating research questions; (5) prioritising research questions by users and professionals; (6) finalising the research agenda and (7) implementing the research agenda.
RESULTS
In phase 1, 109 participants completed a survey, including 50% pedorthists, 6% rehabilitation physicians and 3% users. Participants provided 228 potential research questions. In phases 2-4, these were condensed to 65 research questions. In phase 5, 152 participants prioritised these 65 research questions, including 50% pedorthists, 13% rehabilitation physicians and 9% users. In phase 6, the final research agenda was created, with 26 research questions, categorised based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health 'process description assistive devices'. In phase 7, an implementation meeting was held with over 50 stakeholders (including users and professionals), resulting in seven applications for research projects based on one or more research questions from the research agenda.
CONCLUSIONS
This research agenda structures and guides knowledge development within the field of medical grade footwear in the Netherlands and elsewhere. We expect that this will help to stimulate the field to tackle the research questions prioritised and with that to advance scientific knowledge in this field.
Topics: Humans; Netherlands; Shoes; Orthotic Devices; Female; Biomedical Research; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult
PubMed: 38956878
DOI: 10.1002/jfa2.12016 -
Cell Biochemistry and Function Jul 2024Wounds represent a growing global issue demanding increased attention. To expedite wound healing, technologies are under development, and light emitting diode (LED)... (Review)
Review
Wounds represent a growing global issue demanding increased attention. To expedite wound healing, technologies are under development, and light emitting diode (LED) devices of varying wavelengths are being explored for their stimulating influence on the healing process. This article presents a systematic literature review aiming to compile, organize, and analyze the impacts of LED devices on wound healing. This review is registered on the PROSPERO platform [CRD42023403870]. Two blinded authors conducted searches in the Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases. In vitro and in vivo experimental studies assessing LED utilization in the wound healing process were included. The search yielded 1010 studies, of which 27 were included in the review. It was identified that LED stimulates different healing pathways, promoting enhanced cell proliferation and migration, angiogenesis stimulation, increased collagen deposition, and modulation of the inflammatory response. Thus, it can be concluded that the LED stimulates cellular and molecular processes contingent on the utilized parameters. The effects depend on the standards used. Cell migration and proliferation were better influenced by green and red LED. The extracellular matrix components and angiogenesis were regulated by all wavelengths and the modulation of inflammation was mediated by green, red, and infrared LEDs.
Topics: Wound Healing; Humans; Animals; Cell Proliferation; Cell Movement; Light; Phototherapy
PubMed: 38956862
DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4086 -
Journal of Medical Entomology Jul 2024Microenvironmental factors affect ovipositional choices and behavior in ticks. In this study, engorged female Amblyomma maculatum Koch were released in an observation...
Microenvironmental factors affect ovipositional choices and behavior in ticks. In this study, engorged female Amblyomma maculatum Koch were released in an observation arena covered with garden soil. The arena was evenly split into wet and dry sides, each containing 5 different types of structures (totaling 10). Upon release, observations at particular time points were made over 2 days as to speed, distance, actual paths traveled, and ultimate site selection, presumably for oviposition. In addition, time-lapse videography was utilized to record the track of each individual tick. This scenario was replicated 3 times with different cohorts of ticks (n = 5 per replicate). Of the total 15 ticks released in the arena, all attained a final site selection by 24 h. These final sites were 7/15 (47%) edge of arena; 2/15 (13%) under bark; 2/15 (13%) open soil; 2/15 (13%) at or near release point; 1/15 (7%) tunnel with animal fur; and 1/15 (7%) tunnel with chicken feathers. At final site selection, 11/15 (73%) subsequently burrowed into the soil, 3 of which were completely buried. Time-lapse videography revealed that most ticks (80%) explored the arena in a "looping back" fashion. Overall, engorged Gulf Coast ticks moved at an average speed of 0.09 mm/s, and the total distance traversed by the ticks averaged 2.37 m.
PubMed: 38956860
DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae082 -
Brain and Behavior Jul 2024High-frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) stimulating the primary motor cortex (M1) is an alternative, adjunctive therapy for improving the motor...
The protective effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with different high frequencies on motor functions in MPTP/probenecid induced Parkinsonism mouse models.
BACKGROUND
High-frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) stimulating the primary motor cortex (M1) is an alternative, adjunctive therapy for improving the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether the high frequency of rTMS positively correlates to the improvement of motor symptoms of PD is still undecided. By controlling for other parameters, a disease animal model may be useful to compare the neuroprotective effects of different high frequencies of rTMS.
OBJECTIVE
The current exploratory study was designed to compare the protective effects of four common high frequencies of rTMS (5, 10, 15, and 20 Hz) and iTBS (a special form of high-frequency rTMS) and explore the optimal high-frequency rTMS on an animal PD model.
METHODS
Following high frequencies of rTMS application (twice a week for 5 weeks) in a MPTP/probenecid-induced chronic PD model, the effects of the five protocols on motor behavior as well as dopaminergic neuron degeneration levels were identified. The underlying molecular mechanisms were further explored.
RESULTS
We found that all the high frequencies of rTMS had protective effects on the motor functions of PD models to varying degrees. Among them, the 10, 15, and 20 Hz rTMS interventions induced comparable preservation of motor function through the protection of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. The enhancement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine transporter (DAT), and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT-2) and the suppression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the nigrostriatum were involved in the process. The efficacy of iTBS was inferior to that of the above three protocols. The effect of 5 Hz rTMS protocol was weakest.
CONCLUSIONS
Combined with the results of the present study and the possible side effects induced by rTMS, we concluded that 10 Hz might be the optimal stimulation frequency for preserving the motor functions of PD models using rTMS treatment.
Topics: Animals; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Mice; Male; Disease Models, Animal; Probenecid; Parkinsonian Disorders; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Motor Cortex; Dopaminergic Neurons; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Interleukin-1beta; Substantia Nigra; Corpus Striatum; Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins; MPTP Poisoning; Motor Activity; 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
PubMed: 38956819
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3605