Search

Workers compensation statistics show high rates of fatalities, traumatic injuries and musculoskeletal disorders occur in the transport industry, particularly the road transport sub-sector. Safety initiatives and innovation are occurring although they tend not to be shared between operators. The Transport Strategy Group, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is engaging with the industry, especially the heavy freight road transport sector, using action research to learn more about the health and safety systems in the industry and concurrently to improve health and safety outcomes. Industry networks are being established using concepts of collaborative governance to break down barriers, improve sharing of issues and solutions and to improve work health and safety outcomes.

This review focuses on the solar irradiance model chain for horizontal-to-tilted irradiance conversion at high latitudes. The main goals of the work are 1) to assess the extent to which the literature accounts for decomposition and transposition models specifically developed for high-latitude application; 2) to evaluate existing validation studies for these particular conditions; 3) to identify research gaps in the optimal solar irradiance model chain for high-latitude application (i.e., latitude ≥60°). In total, 112 publications are reviewed according to their publication year, country, climate, method, and keywords: 78 publications deal with decomposition models and 34 deal with transposition models. Only a few models (6) have been parameterized using data from Nordic countries. Here, we compare 57 decomposition models in terms of their performance in Nordic climate zones and analyze the geographical distribution of the data used to parametrize these models. By comparing the Normalized Root Mean Square Deviation coefficients for direct normal irradiation, the decomposition models Skartveit1 and Mondol1 are most effective on one-hour scale and Yang4 on one-minute scale. Recent studies on the empirical transposition models estimating the global tilted irradiation on vertical surfaces show the best performance for Perez4 and Muneer models. In addition, innovative methods such as artificial neural networks have been identified to further enhance the model chain. This review reveals that a validated model chain for estimating global tilted irradiation at high latitudes is missing from the literature. Moreover, there is a need for a universal validation protocol to ease the comparison of different studies.

One of the key criticisms of the ethical review process is the time taken to decision, and associated resource use. A key source of delay is that most submissions are required to respond to at least one request for further information or clarification from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). This study audited the request letters of a single Australian public health HREC using content analysis. Twenty-four submissions were analysed, including 355 individual request elements. Most submissions received a single request letter. There was a mean number of 14.2 (SD = 5.5) elements per letter for the first request and a mean of 2.1 (SD = 1.2) for subsequent requests. Administrative errors were the most common source of request for further information, occurring in all submissions. The second most common theme was the content of the Participant Information and Consent Form, occurring in 79% of submissions. Other common themes, present in over 50% of submissions, concerned: data collection and study procedures; general ethical considerations; recruitment and consent; site, setting or patient pool; research design and methodology; and data management and security. In terms of the general purpose of the HREC comments, 44% were direct corrections or specific requests for changes, 42% were asking for more information or clarification of existing information, and 14% were the HREC expressing concerns about an element of the study, without directly suggesting a change. Overall, the study provides some evidence to show that the quality of the submission (ensuring correct attachments, up to date documents, clear information etc.) could account for a significant proportion of the burden and delay associated with ethical review.

Abstract Background The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether introduction of oral feeding for infants and children receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) respiratory support facilitates achievement of full oral feeding without adverse effects, compared to no oral feeding (NPO; nil per oral) on CPAP or HFNC. Methods A protocol was lodged with the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL and AustHealth from database inception to 10th June 2020. Study population included children (preterm to

One of the key criticisms of the ethical review process is the time taken to decision, and associated resource use. A key source of delay is that most submissions are required to respond to at least one request for further information or clarification from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). This study audited the request letters of a single Australian public health HREC using content analysis. Twenty-four submissions were analysed, including 355 individual request elements. Most submissions received a single request letter. There was a mean number of 14.2 (SD = 5.5) elements per letter for the first request and a mean of 2.1 (SD = 1.2) for subsequent requests. Administrative errors were the most common source of request for further information, occurring in all submissions. The second most common theme was the content of the Participant Information and Consent Form, occurring in 79% of submissions. Other common themes, present in over 50% of submissions, concerned: data collection and study procedures; general ethical considerations; recruitment and consent; site, setting or patient pool; research design and methodology; and data management and security. In terms of the general purpose of the HREC comments, 44% were direct corrections or specific requests for changes, 42% were asking for more information or clarification of existing information, and 14% were the HREC expressing concerns about an element of the study, without directly suggesting a change. Overall, the study provides some evidence to show that the quality of the submission (ensuring correct attachments, up to date documents, clear information etc.) could account for a significant proportion of the burden and delay associated with ethical review.

Traditional forest-management practices are currently being scrutinised. Forest certification may verify sustainable development practices in primary forest production. However, certification of privately owned forest lands cannot be taken for granted, as it is associated with the demands and challenges of forest management. Despite these challenges, some private owners of forest lands chose to certify their operations. The aim of this study is to explain these motives for certification. A qualitative approach, based on thematic interviews with selected forest owners, offers a context-bound and contemporary understanding. The implications of this research are seen in market development for certified forest resources and policy adaptations to support voluntary certification schemes.

Background and purpose — Threshold values defining 3 categories of passive range of motion are used in the Cerebral Palsy follow-Up Program to guide clinical decisions. The aim of this study was to investigate the threshold values by testing the hypothesis that passive range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion is associated with gross motor function and that function differs between the groups of participants in each category. Patients and methods — We analyzed data from 60 ambulatory children (aged 5–9 years) with spastic cerebral palsy. Outcomes were passive range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion with flexed and extended knee and gross motor function (Gait Deviation Index, Gait Variable Score of the ankle, peak dorsiflexion during gait, 1-minute walk, Gross Motor Function Measure, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Cerebral Palsy Module, and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument). Results — Significant (p < 0.05) and moderate correlations were documented for range of motion versus Gait Variable Score of the ankle (r = –0.37 and r = –0.37) and range of motion versus peak dorsiflexion (r = 0.49 and r = 0.55). Differences between the groups formed by the categories were shown for Gait Variable Score of the ankle and peak dorsiflexion (p < 0.05). No other significant correlations or differences between the categories were observed. Interpretation — The results suggest that threshold values for ankle dorsiflexion used in the Cerebral Palsy follow-Up Program are of limited clinical value in assessing overall gross motor function, but may be used to identify deviations in ankle-specific gait function.

Abstract Background Cochrane primarily aims to systematically review trials of effectiveness that are important to inform clinical decisions. Editorial groups support authors to achieve high-quality reviews and prioritise review proposals in their clinical domain that are submitted or elicited. Prioritising proposals requires two approaches, identifying (1) clinical practises for which the evidence of effectiveness is uncertain and (2) interventions in which there are trials of effectiveness (especially randomised controlled trials (RCTs)) not systematically reviewed. This study addresses this second approach for the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group (CARIG) in order to identify RCTs of acute respiratory infections that have not been systematically reviewed. Methods We exported, on the 9th of September 2014, and then compared the group’s trials register of RCTs against a list of current Cochrane ARI (systematic) Reviews to identify gaps in topics (the same intervention and health condition) where completed trials have not been systematically reviewed. We assigned a principle intervention and health condition to each of 157 Cochrane reviews (CRs) and 5393 RCTs. Results A majority of topics had been systematically reviewed; however, a substantial number (2174 or 41%) of RCTs were not included in any review. The topic that had been systematically reviewed the most was antibiotic vs placebo for pneumonia with 11 CRs and 205 RCTs. The topic that was the subject of most RCTs was vaccination for influenza with 525 RCTs and 6 CRs. Also, 6 CRs had no RCTs (‘empty reviews’). Conclusions We identified many RCT topics that have not been systematically reviewed. They need to be addressed in a separate process to establish their priority to clinicians.

The article focuses on significant events during the 1st Session of the 43rd Ontario Parliament, including the installation of Edith Dumont as the 30th Lieutenant Governor, the expression of condolences for the passing of Monte Kwinter, and the appointments of Jeffrey Novak as Financial Accountability Officer and Shelley Spence as Auditor General. It discusses the results of the by-election in Kitchener Centre and a censure motion against MPP Sarah Jama.

Background: There is scepticism about health effects of dairy products in the public, which is reflected in an increasing intake of plant-based drinks, for example, from soy, rice, almond, or oat. Objective: This review aimed to assess the scientific evidence mainly from meta-analyses of observational studies and randomised controlled trials, on dairy intake and risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Results: The most recent evidence suggested that intake of milk and dairy products was associated with reduced risk of childhood obesity. In adults, intake of dairy products was shown to improve body composition and facilitate weight loss during energy restriction. In addition, intake of milk and dairy products was associated with a neutral or reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke. Furthermore, the evidence suggested a beneficial effect of milk and dairy intake on bone mineral density but no association with risk of bone fracture. Among cancers, milk and dairy intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer, and not associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, or lung cancer, while the evidence for prostate cancer risk was inconsistent. Finally, consumption of milk and dairy products was not associated with all-cause mortality. Calcium-fortified plant-based drinks have been included as an alternative to dairy products in the nutrition recommendations in several countries. However, nutritionally, cow's milk and plant-based drinks are completely different foods, and an evidence-based conclusion on the health value of the plant-based drinks requires more studies in humans. Conclusion: The totality of available scientific evidence supports that intake of milk and dairy products contribute to meet nutrient recommendations, and may protect against the most prevalent chronic diseases, whereas very few adverse effects have been reported.

Dietary fibers can affect appetite and gut metabolism, but the effect of the novel potato fibers FiberBind and rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) is unknown. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of daily intake of FiberBind and RG-I on appetite sensations and fecal fat excretion. In a single-blinded, randomized, three-way crossover trial, wheat buns with FiberBind, RG-I, or low fiber (control) were consumed by 18 healthy men during a 21-day period. Appetite sensation and blood samples during a 3 h meal test, fecal fat content, and ad libitum energy intake were assessed after each period. Compared to RG-I and control, FiberBind caused a higher composite satiety score (6% ± 2% and 5% ± 2%), lower prospective food consumption (5% ± 2% and 6% ± 2%), and lower desire to eat (7% ± 3% and 6% ± 3%) (all p < 0.05). FiberBind also caused higher satiety (6% ± 2%) and fullness (9% ± 3%) compared to RG-I (all p < 0.01). No effects on fecal fat excretion or energy intake were found. The RG-I fiber caused higher postprandial glucose concentration compared to FiberBind (p < 0.05) and higher insulin concentration at 180 min compared to control (p < 0.05). Compared to the control, RG-I and FiberBind lowered peak insulin concentration (both p < 0.05) and delayed time to peak for glucose (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, FiberBind intake could be beneficial for appetite regulation, but neither FiberBind nor RG-I affected fecal fat excretion or energy intake.

Background: Whey protein has been shown to be one of the best proteins to stimulate muscle protein synthesis rate (MPS), but other high quality proteins, e.g., animal/porcine-derived, could have similar effects. Objective: To investigate the effects of hydrolyzed porcine proteins from blood (HPB) and muscle (HPM), in comparison to hydrolyzed whey protein (HW), on MPS after intake of 15 g alone or 30 g protein as part of a mixed meal. We hypothesized that the postprandial MPS would be similar for porcine proteins and whey protein. Design: Eighteen men (mean ± SD age: 24 ± 1 year; BMI: 21.7 ± 0.4 kg/m2) participated in the randomized, double-blind, three-way cross-over study. Subjects consumed the three test products (HPB, HPM and HW) in a random order in two servings at each test day. Serving 1 consisted of a drink with 15 g protein and serving 2 of a drink with 30 g protein together with a mixed meal. A flood-primed continuous infusion of (ring-13C6) phenylalanine was performed and muscle biopsies, blood and urine samples were collected for determination of MPS, muscle free leucine, plasma amino acid concentrations and urea excretion. Results: There were no statistical differences between the MPS measured after consuming 15 g protein alone or 30 g with a mixed meal (p = 0.53) of HPB (0.048 ± 0.007 vs. 0.049 ± 0.008%/h, resp.), HPM (0.063 ± 0.011 vs. 0.062 ± 0.011 %/h, resp.) and HW (0.058 ± 0.007 vs. 0.071 ± 0.013%/h, resp.). However, the impact of protein type on MPS reached statistical tendency (HPB vs. HPM (p = 0.093) and HPB vs. HW (p = 0.067)) with no difference between HPM and HW (p = 0.88). Plasma leucine, branched-chain, essential and total amino acids were generally higher for HPB and HW than HPM (p < 0.01), which reflected their content in the proteins. Muscle-free leucine was higher for HPB than HW and HPM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Hydrolyzed porcine proteins from blood and muscle resulted in an MPS similar to that of HW, although with a trend for porcine blood proteins to be inferior to muscle proteins and whey. Consequently, these porcine-derived muscle proteins can be used similarly to whey protein to support maintenance of skeletal muscle as part of supplements and ingredients in foods.

We sought to determine whether hepatic cholesterol crystals are present in patients or mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and whether their presence or distribution correlates with the presence of NASH as compared with simple steatosis. We identified, by filipin staining, free cholesterol within hepatocyte lipid droplets in patients with NASH and in C57BL/6J mice that developed NASH following a high-fat high-cholesterol diet. Under polarized light these lipid droplets exhibited strong birefringence suggesting that some of the cholesterol was present in the form of crystals. Activated Kupffer cells aggregated around dead hepatocytes that included strongly birefringent cholesterol crystals, forming “crown-like structures” similar to those recently described in inflamed visceral adipose tissue. These Kupffer cells appeared to process the lipid of dead hepatocytes turning it into activated lipid-laden “foam cells” with numerous small cholesterol-containing droplets. In contrast, hepatocyte lipid droplets in patients and mice with simple steatosis did not exhibit cholesterol crystals and their Kupffer cells did not form crown-like structures or transform into foam cells. Our results suggest that cholesterol crystallization within hepatocyte lipid droplets and aggregation and activation of Kupffer cells in crown-like structures around such droplets represent an important, novel mechanism for progression of simple steatosis to NASH.

Antecedentes: Durante las últimas cuatro décadas, las vacunas han sido la principal arma global para disminuir la repercusión de la gripe en las personas de edad avanzada, y a nivel mundial se recomiendan para los individuos de 65 años o más de edad. El objetivo principal de la vacunación contra la gripe en las personas de edad avanzada es reducir el riesgo de complicaciones en quienes son más vulnerables. Objetivos: Evaluar la efectividad de las vacunas sobre la prevención de la gripe, la enfermedad similar a la gripe, los ingresos hospitalarios, las complicaciones y la mortalidad en las personas de edad avanzada. Identificar y evaluar los estudios comparativos que evalúan los efectos de las vacunas para la gripe en las personas de edad avanzada. Documentar los tipos y la frecuencia de los efectos adversos asociados con las vacunas contra la gripe en las personas de edad avanzada. Estrategia de búsqueda: Se realizaron búsquedas en el Registro Cochrane Central de Ensayos Controlados (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL), que contiene el Registro Especializado de Ensayos Controlados del Grupo Cochrane de Infecciones Respiratorias Agudas (Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections [ARI]) (The Cochrane Library número 4 de 2009), MEDLINE (enero de 1966 hasta la primera semana de octubre de 2009); EMBASE (1974 hasta octubre de 2009) y Web of Science (1974 hasta octubre de 2009). Criterios de selección: Ensayos controlados aleatorios (ECAs), ensayos controlados cuasialeatorios, estudios de cohortes y estudios de casos y controles que evalúan la eficacia contra la gripe (casos confirmados por laboratorio), la efectividad contra la enfermedad similar a la gripe (ESG) o la seguridad. Se consideró cualquier vacuna administrada de forma independiente, en cualquier dosis, preparación o cronograma de administración, comparada con placebo o ninguna intervención. Obtención y análisis de los datos: Los informes se agruparon en primer lugar según el contexto del estudio (comunidad o establecimientos de atención a largo plazo) y luego por el nivel de circulación vírica y de pareamiento de la vacuna. Se estratificó adicionalmente por la administración concomitante de la vacuna de polisacárido antineumocócico (PPV) y por diferentes tipos de vacunas contra la gripe. Se analizaron los siguientes resultados: gripe, enfermedad similar a la gripe, ingresos hospitalarios, complicaciones y muertes. Resultados principales: Se incluyeron 75 estudios. En general se identificaron 100 conjuntos de datos. Se identificó un ECA que evaluó la eficacia y la efectividad. Aunque el mismo pareció mostrar un efecto contra los síntomas de la gripe no tuvo poder estadístico suficiente para detectar efectos sobre las complicaciones (1348 participantes). La base de pruebas restante incluyó ensayos controlados no aleatorios. Debido a la baja calidad general de los ensayos controlados no aleatorios y la probable presencia de sesgos, que dificultan la interpretación de estos datos y hacen que cualquier conclusión sólida se torne potencialmente engañosa, no fue posible establecer conclusiones claras acerca de los efectos de las vacunas en las personas de edad avanzada. Conclusiones de los autores: Las pruebas disponibles son de calidad deficiente y no proporcionan orientación con respecto a la seguridad, la eficacia o la efectividad de las vacunas contra la gripe en las personas de 65 años de edad o más. Para resolver la incertidumbre se debe realizar un ensayo aleatorio controlado con placebo, con financiamiento público y con poder estadístico adecuado, durante varias estaciones.

Background: With recent advances in the potential usage of visual gamma stimulation at 40 Hz for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, there is reason to evaluate the use of other low gamma frequencies. The choice of 40 Hz is based on studies that describe "40 Hz" oscillations with considerable frequency variability. Results are also ambiguous on the acute effects of varying the frequency when stimulating with stroboscopic flicker in the low gamma range (30‐50 Hz). As stroboscopic visual stimulation may also affect adherence in clinical trials due to its inherent flickering, invisible spectral flicker (ISF) was proposed as a more comfortable alternative for entraining 40 Hz. This study investigates the ability of ISF to entrain gamma responses at several frequencies in the range of 36‐44 Hz. Method: Twenty healthy young volunteers were included in an electroencephalography (EEG) experiment (DTU Compute IRB Approval: COMP‐IRB‐2021‐01) with an initial eyes‐open baseline recording followed by a stimulation paradigm using ISF at nine different frequencies (36‐44 Hz, 1 Hz interval) in a randomized complete block design with five blocks. The responses were evaluated as the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) averaged over the O1 and O2 electrodes at the stimulation frequency and analysed using mixed‐effect models with frequency as a fixed factor and subject and block as random factors. All two‐way interactions were included as random factors. Evoked responses were compared to baseline and between frequencies post hoc, correcting for multiple comparisons with Tukey's method. Result: The EEG power (Figure 1) showed that stimulus SNR values were significantly higher than baseline for all frequencies (P<.05, see Figure 2), but no stimuli resulted in significantly different SNR. There was significant subject effect (P<<.05), and one subject responded 1‐2 orders of magnitude higher than the others. This suggests higher variability between subjects than frequencies alone. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ISF can induce steady‐state visually evoked potentials at several frequencies in the low gamma range of 36‐44 Hz. Across the population of participants, we found no preference or trend for any specific gamma stimulation frequency in the tested range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the effect of traditional voice therapy and cognitive therapy on the voice and client-wellbeing outcomes in adults with functional voice disorders (FVD). A systematic review of English articles was conducted using Medline (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL (Ebsco), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsychInfo (Ebsco) and Speechbite from inception to current date. Additional studies were identified through bibliographies and authors were contacted when further information was required from an article. All study designs were included with pretest/posttest outcome measures related to voice. Independent extraction of studies was completed by three authors using predefined data fields and quality assessment tools. Outcomes of 23 studies (2 RCTs and 21 cohort or case studies) are summarised using a narrative style due to heterogeneity of interventions and outcome scales used. Overall research quality of included studies was low, with many cohort and case studies lacking controls, blinding and robust outcome measures. There are some benefits to pairing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with traditional voice therapy for FVD including improved voice quality, psychosocial wellbeing and prevention of relapse. It is feasible to train speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in CBT-enhanced voice therapy. Further high-quality research is needed, however, to guide the clinical implementation of CBT for the management of FVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Standard 'model' for city centre waterfront regeneration is high density apartment development. • Delivery of affordable housing is compromised by political pressures to unlock economic growth. • Developers can negate planning obligations on the basis of development viability. • Exceptions possible on public land, through public subsidy or on sites with economies of scale. • Basis of planning transformed by enabling developers to avoid policy-compliant development. Abstract The raison d'être of spatial planning is to secure public benefits or goods through the regulation of private development. Under neoliberalism, where economic growth is privileged over community interests, the ability of planning to deliver public goods can be compromised. The aim of this research was to investigate the delivery of mixed communities in the regeneration of waterfront sites in two outwardly comparable, but in detail, rather different port cities, namely Plymouth and Bristol. The range of dwelling types, extent of affordable housing and associated practicalities of delivery were evaluated using planning application data, 2000–2017 and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholder groups (local planning authority [LPA] officers, developers, land agents and politicians). The results indicate that there is a standard 'model' of delivery for port regeneration with city centre harbour-side land yielding high density apartment developments and with houses becoming the prevelent house type in suburban waterfront locations. Planning policies for social mixing have not, in general, been successfully implemented in waterfront sites due to the greater priority afforded to development viability and the political pressure to unlock and accelerate economic growth. The exception to these findings was where public land had been used. For both cities, just two per cent of the dwellings delivered on privately procured sites were affordable housing units compared to over 25% on public land. This paper highlights the effect of neoliberalisation on the English planning system, which enables developers to acquire sites without regard to local development plan policies. Such policies allow developers and landowners to negate planning obligations to provide affordable housing to the detriment of public good and trust in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients undergoing medial arthroscopic partial meniscectomy are at increased risk of developing and/or progressing knee osteoarthritis, with increased medial compartment load being a potential contributor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of a valgus unloader knee brace on knee joint moments in patients following medial arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.Design: Within-participant design.Methods: Twenty-two patients (age 35-55 years) who had undergone medial arthroscopic partial meniscectomy within the previous 8-15 months completed three-dimensional analysis of gait, forward lunge and one-leg rise during two conditions: with and without a valgus unloader knee brace. Outcome measures included the peak and impulse of the knee adduction moment and the peak knee flexion moment.Results: The peak knee flexion moment increased during brace condition for forward lunge (mean difference [95% CI]) 0.54 [0.27-0.82] (Nm/(BW×HT)%), p<0.001 and one-leg rise (mean difference 0.45 [95% CI 0.08-0.82] (Nm/(BW×HT)%), p=0.022). No other significant differences were found between conditions in any of the included tasks.Conclusions: A significant effect of the knee brace was detected in terms of an increase in peak knee flexion moment during the more demanding tasks such as forward lunge and one-leg rise. This increase implies enhanced stability of the knee provided by the brace, which may induce increased knee function and knee-related confidence during strenuous tasks. Future research is required to explore the structural implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Speckle tracking ultrasonography is not useable to evaluate muscle function in MS. • No correlations between muscle strain and performance measures were detected. • 2MWT and SSST display good criterion validity to evaluate gait in patients with MS. • MSWS-12 display a fair criterion validity to evaluate gait in patients with MS. Despite the wide range of existing performance measures to evaluate functional status of patients with multiple sclerosis, the heterogeneous nature of the disease hinders clinical characterization and monitoring of disease severity. Speckle tracking ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique to assess isolated muscle function by evaluating the contractile properties of muscle tissue, i.e. muscle strain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether muscle strain measured by speckle tracking ultrasonography could be a useful quantitative measure of muscle function in patients with multiple sclerosis. The criterion validity of muscle strain was compared to that of validated performance measures of upper and lower extremity function. This cross-sectional study used baseline data from an explorative observational cohort study (the MUST study). Participants recruited from a hospital outpatient MS clinic underwent speckle tracking ultrasonography of the biceps brachii, supraspinatus, and soleus muscles of the dominant side according to pre-defined submaximal isometric contractions. Participants also completed the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test, the Six Spot Step Test, the 2-minute walking test, the Nine-Hole Peg Test, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale, and the Oxford Shoulder Score. Gaussian distribution was investigated by visual inspection of normal probability plots and the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Timed 25-Foot Walk Test and Nine-Hole Peg Test were selected as gold standards for function of the lower and upper extremities, respectively. Criterion validity was assessed using Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient ρ (rho), comparing the muscle strain and performance measures against predefined gold standards. Differences in criterion validity were estimated using squared correlations on the Fischer's Z-scale, with non-parametric bootstrapping to obtain bias-corrected, accelerated bootstrap confidence intervals (95% BCa). Criterion validity showed good to excellent correlations between the gold standard for lower extremity function and the 2-minute walking test and Six Spot Step Test, and a fair correlation to the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale. No significant correlation was found between the gold standard for upper extremity function and the performance measure. There were no significant correlations between the gold standards and muscle strain. The absence of criterion validity for muscle strain alongside fair to strong criterion validity for the performance measures indicates that speckle tracking ultrasonography assessment of muscle strain is either invalid or evaluates other constructs of multiple sclerosis. Muscle strain assessed by speckle tracking ultrasonography cannot be recommended for the evaluation of treatment effects or disease progression in multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There still seem to be considerable differences in how the EU legislation protecting GIs is administered within the EU. Some Member States (e.g. France) appear to be doing a better job than others (e.g. Denmark). In the latest case of Mengozzi v EUIPO - Consorzio per la tutela dell'olio extravergine di oliva Toscano IGP (TOSCORO) (T 510/15), the mark applied for was declared partially invalid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]