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Background Arthroscopic optical coherence tomography ( OCT) is a promising tool for the detailed evaluation of articular cartilage injuries. However, OCT-based articular cartilage scoring still relies on the operator's visual estimation. Objectives To test the hypothesis that semi-automated International Cartilage Repair Society ( ICRS) scoring of chondral lesions seen in OCT images could enhance intra- and interobserver agreement of scoring and its accuracy. Study design Validation study using equine cadaver tissue. Methods Osteochondral samples (n = 99) were prepared from 18 equine metacarpophalangeal joints and imaged using OCT. Custom-made software was developed for semi-automated ICRS scoring of cartilage lesions on OCT images. Scoring was performed visually and semi-automatically by five observers, and levels of inter- and intraobserver agreement were calculated. Subsequently, OCT-based scores were compared with ICRS scores based on light microscopy images of the histological sections of matching locations (n = 82). Results When semi-automated scoring of the OCT images was performed by multiple observers, mean levels of intraobserver and interobserver agreement were higher than those achieved with visual OCT scoring (83% vs. 77% and 74% vs. 33%, respectively). Histology-based scores from matching regions of interest agreed better with visual OCT-based scoring than with semi-automated OCT scoring; however, the accuracy of the software was improved by optimising the threshold combinations used to determine the ICRS score. Main limitations Images were obtained from cadavers. Conclusions Semi-automated scoring software improved the reproducibility of ICRS scoring of chondral lesions in OCT images and made scoring less observer-dependent. The image analysis and segmentation techniques adopted in this study warrant further optimisation to achieve better accuracy with semi-automated ICRS scoring. In addition, studies on in vivo applications are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective Mannose-binding lectin ( MBL) plays an important role in innate immunity. MBL deficiency is usually caused by mutations in exon 1 of the MBL structural gene ( MBL2). Our aim was to investigate MBL2 polymorphisms and their relation to salivary levels of periodontal inflammatory/tissue destruction markers and two major periodontitis-associated bacteria. Material and Methods Salivary samples from 222 subjects were available for genotyping by pyrosequencing. The subjects between 40 and 60 years of age and having a minimum of 20 teeth were divided into three periodontal groups: 80 had generalized periodontitis, 65 had localized periodontitis and 77 were periodontitis-free. A comparison between their MBL2 genotypes and salivary detection rates and levels of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis as well as interleukin -1β, matrix metalloproteinase -8, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase ( TIMP)-1 was performed. Results The frequencies of the MBL2 wild-type (A/A), heterozygote variants (A/O) and homozygote variants (O/O) were 69.4%, 26.6% and 4%, respectively. In A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive subjects having homozygote or heterozygote MBL2 variants, the salivary concentrations of IL-1β ( p = 0.010) were elevated and those of TIMP-1 ( p = 0.001) were decreased. In addition their matrix metalloproteinase -8/ TIMP-1 ratio was higher ( p < 0.001) and they had more pocket teeth ( p = 0.012) than subjects negative for A. actinomycetemcomitans. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the carriage of A. actinomycetemcomitans may facilitate extended periodontal inflammation and destruction in subjects with a variant form of human MBL2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of simultaneous changes in cortical porosity, tissue mineral density, and elastic properties on radial speed of sound (SOS) in cortical bone. The authors applied quantitative pulse-echo (PE) ultrasound techniques that hold much potential especially for screening of osteoporosis at primary healthcare facilities. Currently, most PE measurements of cortical thickness, a well-known indicator of fracture risk, use a predefined estimate for SOS in bone to calculate thickness. Due to variation of cortical bone porosity, the use of a constant SOS value propagates to an unknown error in cortical thickness assessment by PE ultrasound. Methods: The authors conducted 2.25 and 5.00 MHz focused PE ultrasound time of flight measurements on femoral diaphyses of 18 cadavers in vitro. Cortical porosities of the samples were determined using microcomputed tomography and related to SOS in the samples. Additionally, the effect of cortical bone porosity and mechanical properties of the calcified matrix on SOS was investigated using numerical finite difference time domain simulations. Results: Both experimental measurements and simulations demonstrated significant negative correlation between radial SOS and cortical porosity (R2 ⩾ 0.493, p < 0.01 and R2 ⩾ 0.989, p < 0.01, respectively). When a constant SOS was assumed for cortical bone, the error due to variation of cortical bone porosity (4.9%-16.4%) was about 6% in the cortical thickness assessment in vitro. Conclusions: Use of a predefined, constant value for radial SOS in cortical bone, i.e., neglecting the effect of measured variation in cortical porosity, propagated to an error of 6% in cortical thickness. This error can be critical as characteristic cortical thinning of 1.10%±1.06% per yr decreases bending strength of the distal radius and results in increased fragility in postmenopausal women. Provided that the cortical porosity can be estimated in vivo, the relationship between radial SOS and cortical porosity can be utilized and a porosity based radial SOS estimate could be implemented to determine cortical thickness. This would constitute a step toward individualized quantitative ultrasound diagnostics of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which fundamental movement skills and physical fitness scores assessed in early adolescence predict self-reported physical activity assessed 6 years later. The sample comprised 333 (200 girls, 133 boys; M age = 12.41) students. The effects of previous physical activity, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were controlled in the main analyses. Adolescents' fundamental movement skills, physical fitness, self-report physical activity, and BMI were collected at baseline, and their self-report energy expenditure (metabolic equivalents: METs) and intensity of physical activity were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire 6 years later. Results showed that fundamental movement skills predicted METs, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity levels, whereas fitness predicted METs, moderate, and vigorous physical activity levels. Hierarchical regression analyses also showed that after controlling for previous levels of physical activity, sex, and BMI, the size of the effect of fundamental movement skills and physical fitness on energy expenditure and physical activity intensity was moderate (R2 change between 0.06 and 0.15), with the effect being stronger for high intensity physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the relations among situational motivational climate, dispositional approach and avoidance achievement goals, perceived sport ability, and enjoyment in Finnish male junior ice hockey players. The sample comprised 265 junior B-level male players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.63). Players filled questionnaires tapping their perceptions of coach motivational climate, achievement goals, perceived sport ability, and enjoyment. For the statistical analysis, players were divided into high and low perceived sport ability groups. Multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed an indirect path from task-involving motivational climate via taskapproach goal to enjoyment. Additionally, SEM demonstrated four other direct associations, which existed in both perceived ability groups: from ego-involving motivational climate to ego-approach and ego-avoidance goals; from ego-approach goal to ego-avoidance goal; and from task-avoidance goal to ego-avoidance goal. Additionally, in the high perceived sport ability group, there was an association from task-involving motivational climate to enjoyment. The results of this study reveal that motivational climate emphasizing effort, personal development and improvement, and achievement goal mastering tasks are significant elements of enjoyment in junior ice hockey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Free nutritionally balanced school lunches are offered to all schoolchildren in basic education in Finland in each school day. Having school lunch on a regular basis has been found to reflect overall eating patterns. However, skipping part of or even the entire lunch is common. The present study investigated the determinants of the regular consumption of a nutritionally balanced school lunch among schoolchildren, with special reference to the role of sense of coherence ( SOC). Methods In total, 887 children (457 girls and 424 boys), aged 10-17 years from three municipalities in Eastern Finland, filled in a web-based questionnaire in class during a school day and reported eating patterns, body height and weight and perception of body image. SOC was measured by using the 13-item scale. The statistical analysis was carried out with logistic regression modelling and the chi-squared test. Results In addition to female gender, frequent shared family meals, perception of body image as appropriate and younger age, SOC was a significant determinant of regularly eating a nutritionally balanced school lunch in the final multivariate modelling. Strong SOC was also associated with more regular meal frequency and health-promoting snack choices. Conclusions To promote healthy eating patterns among school-aged children, special attention should be paid to children with weak SOC because they may need specific support and encouragement. They might lack sufficient belief in their own capability and/or do not have adequate support from their family to influence their eating and other lifestyle patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three separate trials of bovine embryo transfers were performed consisting of 32, 41 and 33 transfers, respectively, to examine the effects of (a) the developmental stage of in vitro-derived blastocysts, (b) the amount of interferon- τ (IFN- τ) they secreted during culture and (c) the cyclic stage of the recipient at the time of transfer on the probability of establishment of pregnancy. One blastocyst was transferred into the ipsilateral uterine horn to the CL. At the time of transfer, blastocysts were classified into one of three developmental stages (early blastocyst, blastocyst and expanded blastocyst) and the cyclic stage of each cow was assessed (−12 h, on time, +12 h, +24 h, >24 h). Prior to the second and third trials, blastocysts were individually cultured for 24 h in 50 μl medium droplets and the IFN- τ concentration in the droplet was determined. Logistic regression analyses revealed that expanded blastocysts had a significantly higher likelihood of establishing pregnancy (p = 0.009), and that there was a significant interaction with the cyclic stage of the recipient in this group with lower rates of pregnancy resulting from decreasing synchrony with the recipient (p = 0.033). IFN- τ secretion during culture was significantly higher in expanded blastocysts than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). A significant effect of the pre-transfer level of IFN- τ secretion was found only in the ‘Blastocyst’ group where transfer of embryos with lower IFN- τ production prior to transfer resulted in higher pregnancy rates (p = 0.047). These results demonstrate that IFN- τ secretion may be a useful tool to predict pregnancy outcome, but only within certain developmental stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]