Applying the behaviour change wheel to develop a smartphone application 'stay-active' to increase physical activity in women with gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) interventions are an important but underutilised component in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The challenge remains how to deliver cost effective PA interventions that have impact on individual behaviour. Digital technologies can support and promote PA remotely at scale. We describe the development of a behaviourally informed smartphone application (Stay-Active) for women attending an NHS GDM clinic. Stay-Active will support an existing motivational interviewing intervention to increase and maintain PA in this population. METHODS: The behaviour change wheel (BCW) eight step theoretical approach was used to design the application. It provided a systematic approach to understanding the target behaviour, identifying relevant intervention functions, and specifying intervention content. The target behaviour was to increase and maintain PA. To obtain a behavioural diagnosis, qualitative evidence was combined with focus groups on the barriers and facilitators to PA in women with GDM. The findings were mapped onto the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework to identify what needs to change for the target behaviour and linked to appropriate intervention functions. Finally, behaviour changes techniques (BCT) and modes of delivery that are most likely to serve the intervention functions were selected. Current evidence, patient focus groups and input from key stakeholders informed Stay-Active's development. RESULTS: We found that psychological capability, reflective and automatic motivation, social and physical opportunity needed to change to increase PA in women with GDM. The four key intervention functions identified were Enablement, Education, Persuasion and Training. Stay-Active incorporates these four intervention functions delivering ten BCTs including: goal setting, credible source, self-monitoring, action planning, prompts and cues. The final design of Stay-Active delivers these BCTs via an educational resource centre, with goal setting and action planning features, personalised performance feedback and individualised promotional messages. CONCLUSION: The BCW has enabled the systematic and comprehensive development of Stay-Active to promote PA in women with GDM within an NHS Maternity service. The next phase is to conduct a trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component intervention that combines Stay-Active with PA Motivational Interviewing.

Reduction of Falls and Factors Affecting Falls a Year After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Elderly Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical treatment for severe knee Osteoarthritis (OA), which generally improves pain, physical function, quality of life and possibly fall risk. Fall risk increases for older adults with severe knee OA; however it has not been studied extensively whether this parameter is improved after TKA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate: a) the history and frequency of falls, including mechanism or causes of falls, injuries sustained from falls reported, activity during falling and location of falls and, b) the factors affecting falls, a year after TKA in elderly patients with severe knee OA. PATIENTS AND METHOD: An observational prospective longitudinal study of 68 patients (11 males and 57 females) was conducted. The frequency of falls was recorded every month after knee replacement for a year period. A year after the TKA patients completed self-administered questionnaires (SF-36, Womac, FOF, ABC, PASE) and were assessed in physical performance tests (TUG and BBS). RESULTS: There was significant improvement in falls frequency (p<0.001), differentiation of falling status to the benefit of non fallers (p<0.001) and risk of serious injuries (p<0.001). The factors that affected falling status was history of falls (p<0.0005), fear of falls (p<0.017) and advanced age, marginally (p<0.097). CONCLUSION: TKA generally improved a lot of aspects in patients' life. One of these was the reduction of fall risk, which always co-exists in this population and can cause devastating problems threatening the benefits of the procedure.

Prayer Marks in Immigrants from Bangladesh with Diabetes Who Live in Greece.

Prayer marks (PMs) are commonly occurring dermatologic changes in muslims who pray and develop over a long period of time as a consequence of repeated and extended pressure. PMs need careful examination especially for patients with diabetes, who are more vulnerable due to predisposing factors such as venous insufficiency and peripheral neuropathy. A total of 166 patients with diabetes (150 males, 16 females) and 65 normal subjects from Bangladesh were examined for the appearance of PMs. Twenty-eight patients (16.9 %) and one normal subject (1.5 %) had PMs. The marks were not itchy or painful and they were observed on the dorsal aspect of the left foot, which was attributed to a more typical prayer position that placed pressure on the left foot. PMs are not a rare clinical entity among muslim patients with diabetes and most clinicians should be aware of it as it can be the predominant cause of an ulcer.

Exclusive olive oil consumption and 10-year (2004-2014) acute coronary syndrome incidence among cardiac patients: the GREECS observational study.

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluated the association between long-term, exclusive olive oil consumption, in cooking preparation or as a dressing, and the 10-year (2004-2014) incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among cardiac patients. METHODS: From October 2003 to September 2004, a sample of 2172 ACS consecutive patients from six major Greek hospitals were enrolled. During 2013-2014, the 10-year follow-up was performed in 1918 patients (88% participation rate). The development of fatal or nonfatal ACS was recorded through medical records or hospital registries. Among other dietary components, added fats (i.e. olive oil, butter, margarine and seed oils) consumption at baseline examination was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Non-exclusive olive oil consumption on a daily basis was associated with an adverse effect on the ACS incidence after taking into account various potential confounders [odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.86, P = 0.024]. However, significant interactions between olive oil consumption and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.082) and educational level (P = 0.054) led to further stratified analysis. Using BMI as strata (i.e. ≤29.9 versus >29.9 kg m(-2)), the above association remained significant only in obese patients (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.03-3.12, P = 0.038), whereas, on examining the education status (i.e. ≤9 versus >9 years of school), a significant association was observed only among the higher educated patients (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.01-3.32, P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive use of olive oil, either as a salad dressing or in cooking, should be promoted through the dietary management of ACS patients, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of recurrent cardiac episodes.

Inter-arm coordination and intra-cyclic variation of the hip velocity during front crawl resisted swimming.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the acute effect of front crawl sprint resisted swimming on the inter-arm coordination and the fluctuation of the swimming velocity. METHODS: Nine female swimmers swam four all-out trials of 25 m, without and with low, moderate and high added resistance. Four camcorders were used to record the underwater movement. The inter-arm coordination was quantified using the index of coordination and the hip intra-cyclic velocity variation was analysed by calculating the coefficient of variation and the difference between the maximum and minimum velocities normalized for the mean stroke cycle velocity. RESULTS: One-way repeated measures analyses of variance showed that swimmers change their inter-arm coordination from a "catch up" toward an "opposition" mode. Concerning the hip horizontal intra-cyclic velocity variation, it was increased significantly during resisted swimming. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that although resisted swimming cause an increase in the index of coordination and consequently it could be speculated a better propulsive continuity, the velocity fluctuations of the hip within a stroke cycle are not decreased, probably due to the inability of the swimmers to overcome effectively the concrete added resistances used in this study. Thus, at least concerning its acute effect, the hypothesis that the sprint resisted swimming could led to a technical improvement can not be satisfied.

Effect of rhythmic gymnastics on volumetric bone mineral density and bone geometry in premenarcheal female athletes and controls.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Weight-bearing exercise during growth exerts positive effects on the skeleton. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that long-term elite rhythmic gymnastics exerts positive effects on volumetric bone mineral density and geometry and to determine whether exercise-induced bone adaptation is associated with increased periosteal bone formation or medullary contraction using tibial peripheral quantitative computed tomography and bone turnover markers. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional study at a tertiary center. SUBJECTS: We studied 26 elite premenarcheal female rhythmic gymnasts (RG) and 23 female controls, aged 9-13 yr. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured bone age, volumetric bone mineral density, bone mineral content (BMC), cortical thickness, cortical and trabecular area, and polar stress strength index (SSIp) by peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the left tibia proximal to the distal metaphysis (trabecular) at 14, 38 (cortical), and 66% (muscle mass) from the distal end and bone turnover markers. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable according to height and chronological and bone age. After weight adjustment, cortical BMC, area, and thickness at 38% were significantly higher in RG (P < 0.005-0.001). Periosteal circumference, SSIp, and muscle area were higher in RG (P < 0.01-0.001). Muscle area was significantly associated with cortical BMC, area, and SSIp, whereas years of training showed positive association with cortical BMC, area, and thickness independent of chronological age. CONCLUSIONS: RG in premenarcheal girls may induce positive adaptations on the skeleton, especially in cortical bone. Increased duration of exercise is associated with a positive response of bone geometry.

Interleukin-17 and interleukin-23 are elevated in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with ALS: a reflection of Th17 cells activation?

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that immunological factors may involved in pathogenetic mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Th17 cells are characterized by predominant production of IL-17 and are suggested to be crucial in destructive autoimmunity. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) appears to play a supporting role in the continued stimulation and survival of Th17. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured by enzyme-like immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in 22 patients with ALS and 19 patients with other non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND) studied as a control group. IL-17 and IL-23 serum and CSF levels were also correlated with duration of the disease, the disability level and the clinical subtype of the disease onset in patients with ALS. RESULTS: IL-17 and IL-23 serum levels were higher in patients with ALS as compared with patients with NIND (P = 0.015 and P = 0.002 respectively). IL-17 and IL-23 CSF levels were also increased in patients with ALS (P = 0.0006 and P = 0.000001 respectively). IL-17 and IL-23 levels were not correlated with disease duration, disability scale or clinical subtype of the disease onset in ALS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that these molecules may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms acting as potential markers of Th17 cells activation in ALS.

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) and soluble endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1(s-ELAM-1) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Immunological disturbances have been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Adhesion molecules are markers of activated endothelial cells up-regulated by action of cytokines. To investigate the activation or inactivation of the vascular cells in ALS, serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (s-ELAM-1) were evaluated (ELISA) in 16 patients with ALS, 30 patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NINDS) and 15 healthy control subjects. Patients with ALS had no higher s-ICAM-1 levels compared with the NINDS patients and the control subjects (p<0.31 and p<0.21, respectively). s-ELAM levels were not statistically significant compared with the NINDS patients and healthy subjects (p<0.21 and p<0.24, respectively). We conclude that the low values of s-ICAM-1 and s-ELAM-1 in the serum of ALS patients do not exclude the presence of immunological abnormality in this disorder. Soluble E-selectin is a glycoprotein which is considered an exclusive marker of endothelial activation. Its low level in our study may suggest a neural rather than an endothelial s-ICAM origin in patients with ALS.

The role of soluble intercellular adhesion molecules in neurodegenerative disorders.

UNLABELLED: Immunological disturbances have been implicated in the pathogenesis of some neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Adhesion molecules are markers of activated endothelial cells upregulated by action of cytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the activation or not of the vascular cells in AD and ALS, serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin were evaluated (enzyme-like immunosorbent assay, ELISA) in 22 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 20 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 34 patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND) and 15 control subjects. RESULTS: Patients with AD had higher s-ICAM-1 levels compared to NIND patients and control subjects (p<0.0027 and p<0.04, respectively). Patients with ALS had not higher s-ICAM-1 levels compared to NIND patients and control subjects (p<0.21 and p<0.31, respectively). Soluble-E-selectin levels in AD and ALS patients were not statistically different compared to NIND patients and controls (p<0.4, p<0.9 and p<0.3, p<0.19, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high s-ICAM values may be related to immunological processes involved in pathogenetic mechanisms of AD. The not statistically significant values of s-E selectin, a glycoprotein considered an exclusive marker of endothelial activation, seem to suggest the neural rather than the endothelial s-ICAM origin in patients with AD. The low values of s-ICAM-1 and sE-selectin in the serum of ALS patients do not exclude the presence of an unconventional immunological abnormality in this disorder.

Investigation of possible cytokine induction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by heat-stable serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni.

Several Campylobacter jejuni heat-stable (HS) serotypes have been associated with the autoimmune Guillain-Barre neurological syndrome (GBS). In order to examine the possible involvement of cytokines in this phenomenon, the levels of three pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-2sRa, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-gamma) and one anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after induction by different C. jejuni serotypes. No differences were found for IL-6, IFN-gamma and IL-10, but the non-sialylated serotype HS:3 was associated with decreased production of IL-2sRa. The results raise the possibility that absence of sialylation might be associated with the inability to induce inflammatory factors such as cytokines.

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 in Alzheimer's disease.

Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (s-ELAM-1) were evaluated in 25 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 54 patients with noninflammatory neurological diseases (NIND), and 15 control subjects. Patients with AD had a higher s-ICAM-1 level compared with the NIND patients and the control subjects (P< .001 and P< .04, respectively). The presence of high s-ICAM-1 values may be related to immunological processes involved in pathogenetic mechanisms of AD. The not statistically significant values of (s-ELAM-1), a glycoprotein considered an exclusive marker of endothelial activation, compared with the NIND patients and healthy subjects (P< .47 and P< .17, respectively), seem to suggest the neural rather than the endothelial s-ICAM origin in patients with AD.

Highly increased CSF tau protein and decreased beta-amyloid (1-42) in sporadic CJD: a discrimination from Alzheimer's disease?

The aim was to quantify tau protein and beta-amyloid (Abeta42) in the CSF of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and controls. Double sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used for measurements. Tau was increased 58-fold in CJD and 3.5-fold in AD compared with controls, whereas Abeta42 was decreased 0.5-fold in both CJD and AD. A cut off level for tau protein at 2131 pg/ml successfully discriminated CJD from AD (100% specificity and 93% sensitivity). Tau protein concentration in CSF is probably an additional useful marker in differentiating CJD from AD.

Evaluation of the offensive behavior of elite soccer teams.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the offensive behavior of the four elite teams (France, Brazil, Croatia, and Holland) using data from the semifinals of the 18th World Soccer Championship in France in 1998. 28 videotaped soccer games were observed, 7 for each team. The protocol contained the following parameters of evaluation: (a) successful pass in the defensive and middle area, (b) unsuccessful pass in the defensive and middle area, (c) attempt on goal in the offensive area, and (d) cross and follow-up action. A multivariate analysis of variance showed the teams' plan was significantly different only in playing the ball back to the goalkeeper. This last action, used more often by Holland than by the other teams, indicated its restrained offensive behavior, which may be one of the reasons for its defeat in some games.

Ability profile of the elite volleyball player.

The aim of this study was to examine the cognitive, motor, and perceptual abilities of elite volleyball players. These abilities were considered responsible for high quality performance by expert athletes. The elite group was formed with 12 members of the Greek Junior National Volleyball team. A group of 18 physical education students were the novice athletes. The measured abilities were selected by expert volleyball coaches as those most important for an elite athlete. Analysis showed differences between the abilities of the two groups of athletes were significant. An ability profile for the elite volleyball player can be formed.

Increased cerebrospinal fluid tau protein in multiple sclerosis.

Axonal damage is now being recognized as a common finding in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and a cause of irreversible neurological damage. Attempts to identify markers of early axonal damage are of great significance. This prompted us to examine the microtubule-associated protein tau in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS vs. controls. Tau was measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA. Increased CSF tau levels were found in MS as compared to controls (medians 249.6 and 135 pg/ml respectively, p<0.001). Half of the MS patients presented with levels above the upper limit of the controls. A significant increase vs. controls was found in both relapsing-remitting and progressive subtypes. These data may indicate axonal impairment in a subpopulation of MS patients and may provide a tool for the estimation of axonal damage during life.

Differences in several perceptual abilities between experts and novices in basketball, volleyball and water-polo.

The aim of this study was to examine differences between experts and novices in a number of perceptual abilities. Three groups of elite athletes, 44 members of Greek national teams in basketball (n = 12), volleyball (n = 13), and water-polo (n = 19) were selected. Two groups of physical education students (ns = 18 and 21) were novices. The measured abilities were selected as the most important for an elite athlete by expert coaches in the three sports. The four most frequently selected abilities for each sport, according to the coaches' opinions, were finally assessed. Analysis showed that differences were fewer than expected. Basketball experts were better on prediction and selective attention. Volleyball experts performed better on perceptual speed, focused attention, prediction, and estimation of speed and direction of a moving object. Water-polo players had significantly better scores than the novices on decision-making, visual reaction time, and spatial orientation. It seems that the nature of each sport strongly influences the way perceptual abilities differentiate elite athletes from novices.