Search

The identification of Listeria species, lineages and serotypes remains a crucial issue not only in epidemic surveys, but also in monitoring of the diversity of bacteria in the food chain. The aim of this study was identification of L. monocytogenes strains at lineage and serotype level using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The performance of MALDI-TOF MS was tested to identify L. monocytogenes into two lineages (I and II) and four serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c and 4b) the most commonly found in humans and food. Total of 227 L. monocytogenes strains from different sources were subjected to the study. Some of strains (112) were used for main spectrum profile (MSP) library creation. Other strains of interest (115) were then correctly identified on the lineage level comparing with the library by MALDI-TOF MS analysis using Biotyper (90%) and ClinPro Tools (100%) software. The serotype identification with 55.7% (Biotyper) and 67.8% (ClinPro Tools) accuracy is rather a proof that under given conditions the method has not big potential to be used for serotyping. However, MALDI-TOF MS has a potential to identify lineages of L. monocytogenes of food and human origin.

Ballet training has been reported to positively influence balance ability. It is not entirely clear how improved balance ability manifests under standing conditions with different demands on postural control. The aim of the study was to compare balance of ballet dancers and non-dancers in a unipedal stance under different conditions. Twenty-five professional ballet dancers and twenty-five controls completed four unipedal standing balance tests: firm surface with eyes open and closed; foam mat surface with eyes open; and firm surface with eyes open immediately after performing ten 360° whole-body turns. The centre of pressure (COP) data were obtained with a force platform and the direction-specific standard deviations, velocities, and sample entropy of the COP displacement were computed. A three-way analysis of variance was used to compare groups, genders, and conditions. For standing immediately after performing ten turns, the postural sway parameters were significantly larger in the control group compared to the ballet dancers in both men and women. In this stance condition the values of postural sway and COP velocities in the control group were larger in the men compared to the women. For both genders in the control group all postural sway and COP velocity parameters were larger in standing with eyes closed and standing after performing 10 turns compared to standing with eyes open on both firm and foam surface. In the ballet dancers all COP velocity parameters were larger in standing with eyes closed compared to all other conditions. The results from the present study indicate that professional ballet dancers do not have a better general balance ability than untrained subjects.

Background: Correct mastering of a basic Ollie jump is essential for development of other jumps in skateboarding. In scientific literature we can find a lack of scientifically proved knowledge that describes the difference in muscular activity on various levels of this jump performance. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize muscular activity in the basic skateboard Ollie jump and to compare this activity with a more difficult modification of the switchstance Ollie jump (the same jump but changed position of limbs). Methods: Ten men experienced in skateboarding for several years, aged 20.0 ± 4.6 years participated in the study (height 1.79 ± 0.05 m, body mass 71.5 ± 4.1 kg). All subjects performed 3 measured Ollie jumps and after that 3 switchstance Ollie jumps. In case of the last-mentioned front and back lower limbs are switched. The observation of muscular activity was carried out by the Delsys Trigno electromyography system. The jump was divided (after video records) into four phases: preparatory, take-off, flight-up and landing. Mean amplitude of muscle activity was measured in following muscles: tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus and gluteus medius. Comparison of muscle activity during Ollie and switchstance Ollie was performed by the Wilcoxon test in Statistica. Results: Significantly greater activity (p

Background: A ballet dance routine places extreme functional demands on the musculoskeletal system and affects the motor behaviour of the dancers. An extreme ballet position places high stress on many segments of the dancer's body and can significantly influence the mobility of the lower limb joints. Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the differences in the gait pattern between ballet dancers and non-dancers. Methods:Thirteen professional ballet dancers (5 males, 8 females; age 24.1 ± 3.8 years; height 170.2 ± 8.5 cm; weight 58.3 ± 11.2 kg) participated in this research. We compared these subjects with twelve controls (3 males, 9 females; mean age 24.3 ± 2.75 years; height 173.3 ± 6.01 cm; weight 72.2 ± 12.73 kg). None of the participants had any history of serious musculoskeletal pathology or injury or surgery to the lower limbs. Control groups had no ballet experience. Each participant performed five trials of the gait at self-selected walking speed. Kinematic data was obtained using the Vicon MX optoelectronic system. The observed data was processed in the Vicon Nexus and Vicon Polygon programmes and statistically evaluated in Statistica. Non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U test, p p p = .008) and hip abduction (-9.18 ± 5.89° vs. -6.08 ± 2.52°; p < .001) peaks together with increased pelvic tilt (3.33 ± 1.26° vs. 3.01 ± 1.46°; p = .020), pelvic obliquity (12.46 ± 3.05° vs. 10.34 ± 3.49°; p < .001) and pelvic rotation (14.29 ± 3.77° vs. 13.26 ± 4.91°; p = .029) were observed. Additionally, the dancers demonstrated greater knee flexion (65.67 ± 4.65° vs. 62.45 ± 5.24°; p = .002) and knee extension (3.80 ± 4.02° vs. -1.54 ± 5.65°; p < .001) peaks during the swing phase when compared to the controls. Decreased maximal ankle plantar flexion was observed during the loading response (-8.84 ± 3.74° vs. -10.50 ± 3.99°) and increased maximal ankle plantar flexion in terminal stance (-20.30 ± 4.93° vs. -17.00 ± 3.99°; p = .025) was observed for the dancers. Conclusions:The results confirm that long-term intensive ballet training affects the kinematic pattern of particular joints during gait performance. The findings suggest overloading in the lumbosacral region and dysfunction or weakness of several muscles in ballet dancers.

Abstract BackgroundThe level of dermal hyaluronic acid (HA) can be depleted by 75% at age 70. HA provides dermal hydration, volume, and thickness, making it a major component of the extracellular matrix. Restoration of dermal and epidermal HA can be achieved by combining radiofrequency (RF) energy and targeted ultrasound (TUS). The monopolar RF generates heat, with the TUS stimulating HA production. The heat induces a regenerative response in the skin, increasing the fibroblast activity and producing various extracellular matrix compounds, including HA. ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of the simultaneous application of RF + TUS or RF + US on the stimulation of HA production. MethodsTwelve animals underwent 4 treatments. Six were treated with transcutaneous RF + TUS and 6 with the combination RF + US. The opposite untreated side served as a control. Punch biopsies of the skin were taken at baseline, immediately posttreatment, 1 month, and 2 months posttreatment. The tissue was evaluated with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI) and time of flight (TOF), and confocal microscopy. ResultsThe RT-qPCR focused on assessing the production of has1has2P ConclusionsConcurrent application of RF and TUS significantly enhances the natural regenerative processes in skin tissue. Level of Evidence: 5