Superficial temperature distribution patterns before and after physical activity in school children are indicative for personalized exercise coaching and disease prevention.

BACKGROUND: Thermoregulation is highly individual and predictive for potentially cascading pathologies. Altered and deficient thermoregulation is considered an important diagnostic indicator which can be of great clinical utility for specialized screening programs and individualized prediction and prevention of severe pathologies triggered early in life. WORKING HYPOTHESIS: Individual thermoregulation can be objectively assessed by thermovision camera before and after exercises in school children stratified by age and gender that may be of great clinical utility for personalized training early in life in the framework of 3P medicine. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 60 female and male primary school children were exposed to physical exercises in the form of 45-min general fitness training. The subjects under examination were stratified by age: group 1 (7-year-olds), group 2 (9-year-olds), and group 3 (12-year-olds). Superficial body temperature patterns were measured by means of thermovision camera before and immediately after exercises, as well as after the 15-min recovery time. Temperature patterns were analyzed in 12 areas of the body front and back, covering trunk and upper and lower limbs. RESULTS: The obtained results revealed an individual and age-depended difference in response of the body to exercises. The first measurement prior to exercise (measurement 1) revealed no statistically significant differences in the mean surface temperature of all analyzed areas between 7- and 9-year-old children. Further, 7- and 9-year-old children did not differ significantly in the mean temperature recorded in the trunk compared to the 12-year-old children. However, in 12-year-old children, statistically significant higher values of the mean temperature of the upper and lower limbs, were observed compared to the group of 7-year-olds and significantly higher values of the mean temperature of the lower limbs compared to the group of 9-year-olds. Immediately after exercises (measurement 2), a statistically significant decrease in the temperature was noted in all groups and in all areas of the body. The greatest temperature change was observed in 12-year-olds, while the least one was measured in the youngest subjects. The statistically significant relation between the average trunk temperature of 7-year-old and 12-year-old children was observed: lower values of the mean temperature of the front and back of the trunk were noted in the group of 12-year-old children compared to the group of 7-year-olds. A significantly lower average temperature of the back of the trunk compared to the youngest group was also recorded in 9-year-old children. The study performed after the 15-min recovery time (measurement 3) showed an increase in the average temperature of all analyzed areas. In all subjects, the mean temperature recorded in measurement 3 did not differ significantly from the initial ones (measurement 1, prior to exercises). Only the mean temperature of the trunk back of 12-year-old children was significantly lower after the rest period compared to the initial examination. In all groups, the temperatures after exercises followed by a 15-min recovery returned to the initial ones, except of the trunk backs of 12-year-old children, where the temperature was lower than before exercises. CONCLUSIONS AND EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF 3PM: Thermovision analysis is an effective tool to assess individual thermoregulation and to stratify school children for personalized exercise coaching. Body exercise-based disease prevention early in life is effective when tailored to the person: multi-parametric guidance for prescribing exercises individually is needed. Contextually, proposed individualized training approach should be adapted to the age-dependent particularities and individual thermoregulation.

Assessment of the Psychophysical Sphere and Functional Status of Women Aged 75-90 Living Alone and in Nursing Homes.

Aim: To assess the psychophysical sphere and functional status of women aged 75-90 living alone and in nursing homes. Methods: 23 women living in nursing homes (NH) and 20 living alone (HOME) underwent the following tests: Up and Go Test, Chair Stand Test, assessment of daily physical activity levels using pedometers, Mini-Mental State Examination, Groningen Activity Restriction Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and WHOQOL-Bref. Results: It was shown that the subjects living by themselves performed a greater amount of daily physical activity, although there was not significant difference between the two groups in the Up and Go Test result. There were not statistically significant differences in the self-assessment of the mental sphere, but significant differences were found in the self-evaluation of the physical sphere. In the NH group, subjects with and without depression did not differ in terms of the amount of daily physical activity and functional test results. Women with depression from the HOME group were less physically active and had worse functional fitness. Conclusions: Women living alone performed a greater amount of daily physical activity, but the functional status of women in both groups did not differ in a statistically significant way. The groups didn't differ statistically significantly in terms of psychological self-assessment.

Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

The aim of this study was to describe and update current knowledge of manual therapy accuracy in treating cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, to identify the limitations in current studies, and to suggest areas for future research. The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases up to April 2020. The following inclusion criteria were used: (1) presence of radiculopathy; (2) treatment defined as manual therapy (i.e., traction, manipulation, mobilization); and (3) publication defined as a Randomized Controlled Trial. The electronic literature search resulted in 473 potentially relevant articles. Finally, 27 articles were accepted: 21 on cervical (CR) and 6 in lumbar radiculopathy (LR). The mean PEDro score for CR was 6.6 (SD 1.3), and for LR 6.7 (SD 1.6). Traction-oriented techniques are the most frequently chosen treatment form for CR and are efficient in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes. In LR, each of the included publications used a different form of manual therapy, which makes it challenging to summarize knowledge in this group. Of included publications, 93% were either of moderate or low quality, which indicates that quality improvement is necessary for this type of research.

Effect of Core Stabilizing Training on Young Individuals Presenting Different Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease-Preliminary Report.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of stabilizing training for the deep core muscles of the lumbar spine in subjects with degenerative disc disease. This study was conducted on 38 participants. The participants were divided into two groups: the extrusion group (EXT, n = 17) and the protrusion group (PRO, n = 21). All the subjects underwent a four-week-long core stability exercise-based treatment (five sessions/week). Clinical outcome measures were assessed pre-intervention (pre), post-intervention (post) and four weeks after the intervention (follow-up). The primary outcome measures were the spinal range of motion (ROM; Spinal Mouse® device) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). In the PRO group, the ROM decreased from 88.52° pre-intervention to 83.33° post-intervention and to 82.82° at follow-up (p = 0.01), while the ODI decreased from 16.14 points pre-intervention to 6.57 points post-intervention, with 9.42 points at follow-up (p < 0.01). In the EXT group, the ROM decreased from 81.00° pre-intervention to 77.05° post-intervention, then increased to 77.94° at follow-up (p = 0.03), while the ODI decreased from 22.58 points pre-intervention to 15.41 points post-intervention and to 14.70 points at follow-up (p < 0.001). Although the stabilizing exercise sessions improved the clinical outcomes in each group, we cannot make conclusions as to whether the type of intervertebral disc damage significantly affects the results of stabilizing exercise-based treatment.

Functional fitness normative values for elderly polish population.

BACKGROUND: It's really important to measure the actual functional physical fitness of elderly independent living persons from different environments to know the level and rate of decrease may inform about the threat of loss of functional independence, hence the need to monitor and assess the senior's motor realm and adapt to it the appropriate programs and treatments in the care for the elderly person. METHODS: The study involved 5367 people (mean age 69,63 ± 7,06), including 4164 women (mean age 69,55 ± 7,11) and 1203 men (mean age 69,91 ± 6,86) aged 60 to 93 years old. We have measured basic anthropometric features and physical fitness (by using Senior Fitness Test). RESULTS: The average values in individual SFT tests significantly decrease along with age. After age of 80 and 85 there were no sex differences in SFT. The largest deficits concern the dynamic balance and the decrease reaches 69% in men and 62% in women A significantly higher rate of decline in aerobic capacity concerns men (43%) than women (36.9%). A clearly lower rate of loss occurs in the muscular strength of the lower and upper body and does not exceed 30%. CONCLUSIONS: The results are of great clinical importance for the development of effective prevention and gerontological education programs in terms of promoting active lifestyle and successful ageing, at the same time limiting the economic consequences of treatment and hospitalisation.

Evaluation of Relationships between Menopause Onset Age and Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Strength in Women from South-Western Poland.

INTRODUCTION: The onset of the menopause entails numerous changes, both physical and mental, in the functioning of the bodies of women. Moreover, the early menopause increases the risk of occurrence of many civilization-related diseases. Major factors contributing to health deficits include lowered bone mineral density and sarcopenia, which can result in serious functional limitations and the acceleration of ageing processes in the body. The aim of this study was to determine how the menopause onset age is linked with bone mineral density and the strength of selected muscles of the limbs and the trunk. Material and Methods. 756 women aged 50-80 years were subjected to tests. The subjects were divided into three groups: (I) from 50 to 59 years, (II) from 60 to 69 years, and (III) from 70 to 79 years. Each of the women specified the age when her final menstrual period occurred. On this basis, groups of women with (1) the early menopause-before the 50th year of life-and (2) with the late menopause-after the 50th year of life-were distinguished. Bone mineral density (BMD), dominant hand grip strength, knee extensor and flexor strength, and functional upper and lower body muscle strength were determined in each of the women. RESULTS: The test results indicate differences in levels of muscle strength and BMD between the 50-year-old early- and late-menopausal women. The late-menopausal women score better motor ability test results and higher BMD values. The differences decrease in the groups of 60-year-old women, whereas the 70-year-old early- and late-menopausal women score similar results. CONCLUSIONS: A higher percentage of women with a lowered bone mass and a lower strength level was found in the group of early-menopausal subjects. The rate of decline in hand grip strength, the functional efficiency of the upper and lower limbs, and BMD is faster in the late-menopausal women, whereby the two groups of 70-year-old women score similar test results.

Mobilisation efficacy in young patients with different stages of degenerative disc disease.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar vertebrae carry the greatest load from the spinal column, often leading to several pathologies, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), potentially disturbing spinal movement patterns. Mobilisation increases hypomobile segment mobility, however there is little evidence on mobilisation in patients suffering from different types of DDD. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of mobilisation in young patients with DDD, as diagnosed by MRI. METHODS: Thirty patients (24-35 years) participated in this study, and were divided into two groups, based on progression levels of DDD diagnosed by MRI (protrusion-PRO/extrusion-EXT). Twenty sessions of sustained stretch mobilisation (grade III) were applied to both groups over four weeks. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), straight leg raise (SLR), passive lumbar extension (PLE) and lumbar range of motion (ROM) assessed outcome variables. Three trial stages were investigated: pre-therapy (1), post-therapy (2) and follow-up (3). RESULTS: Age (p= 0.007) and NRS (p= 0.002) were significantly different before therapy. Patient outcomes were significantly improved for all parameters in both groups, except SLR which improved in the EXT group only (p= 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Applied treatments improved patient outcomes and were statistically significant in both groups, however, better outcomes were observed in the EXT group during follow-up. Mobilisation was a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of DDD.

Estimation of the risk of the frailty syndrome in the independent-living population of older people.

BACKGROUND: Frailty syndrome (FS) is one of the biggest problems faced by an ageing population. AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyse selected parameters to assess the possibility of FS or symptoms related to this syndrome among independent and subjectively healthy people aged 60 + years and to select tests that may have a high level of diagnostic success while at the same time being easy to conduct, standardised and have a high level of reliability. METHODS: The study group consisted of 1006 people aged 60 + years and the research protocol was very extensive, focusing on the broadly understood assessment of the functional biological markers of health in this group of people. The main outcome measures were hand-grip strength, 8-foot up-and-go test, and weekly physical activity (PA). RESULTS: In considering the three basic pre-frail criteria, we observed significant reductions in muscle strength, walking speed, and weekly PA in a healthy and independent-living population. The results of the analysis of variance and detailed comparisons with the LSD test confirmed intergroup disparities. In terms of somatic features, statistically significant differences occurred in groups based on age and sex in favour of men and younger people. However, the division into non-frail and pre-frail groups with reference to the risk of frailty syndrome showed no differentiation between groups in somatic features. DISCUSSION: There is a risk of frailty syndrome in a healthy and independent-living (non-community-dwelling) population of people aged 60 + years. The higher the age, the greater the risk is, with females being more vulnerable to FS than males. Furthermore, it should be noted that healthy and independent-living seniors may prefer dwelling in the community but are also at risk of FS. The hand-grip and 8-foot up-and-go tests may be good for diagnosing FS in all ageing populations from many different backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS: The hand-grip evaluation, as well as a test that assesses motion speed and dynamic balance, may be among the best methods to measure the risk of frailty syndrome in ageing populations of healthy and independent-living seniors. The lower the values on these tests were, the higher the risk of FS. The advantage of these tests may lie in their ease of implementation and lack of need for expensive clinical equipment to take measurements, as well as the possibility for a high level of standardisation and reliability.

Using Thermography in the Diagnostics of Lymphedema: Pilot Study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of thermography in the diagnosis of lymphedema. Methods: The study included 43 women after axillary dissection caused by breast cancer, whose mean age was 64.4 ± 7.8 years. The subjects were divided into two groups, with the criterion for division being the appearance of secondary lymphedema. The size of lymphedema was verified by Limb Volumes Professional 5.0; body surface temperatures were registered using a thermal camera. Results: In the control group, the difference in the volume of the limb on the operated side and the contralateral limb was 7.5 ± 77.7 mL (3.6%). The temperature on the nonoperated side tended to be higher than on the opposite side. In the test group, the difference in size between the limbs was 54.5 ± 312.7 mL (29.3%). In the case of mild or moderate edema, a reverse tendency was observed. While measuring the difference in the mean surface temperatures of both limbs belonging to two groups, a significance of differences at the level of p = 0.04 was observed. Moreover, a negative Spearman correlation coefficient (-0.34) was observed between the size of secondary lymphedema and the surface temperature. Conclusion: Noninvasive thermography can provide a valuable supplementary tool in the diagnostics of secondary lymphedema.

Evaluation of changes in selected skin parameters under the influence of extremely low temperature.

The aim of the work was to evaluate changes in selected skin parameters under the influence of low temperature. The tests were conducted on a group of 20 women using whole-body cryotherapy. The average age of participants was 58.7 ±â€¯7.54 years; the average body weight 77.84 ±â€¯16.01 kg, the mean BMI 30.14 ±â€¯5.81, and the average body height 160.7 ±â€¯6.48 cm. The tested parameters included hydration, lubrication, temperature, and pH of the skin. The skin measurements were made on the first and tenth treatment days, before and after leaving the whole-body cryo-chamber. To assess the data collected before and after the experiment, the measurement taken at each time point were compared. After a series of ten treatment sessions, the greatest decrease was observed in skin hydration and skin temperature. No significant differences were noted for lubrication and skin pH. The analysis showed statistically significant differences in skin parameters between all measurement locations; the upper and lower limbs responded more significantly to cold than other parts of the body. It was also found that the facial skin was more lubricated and hydrated compared to other measuring locations. We conclude that varies skin parts respond differently to low temperature. Cryotherapy causes a significant decrease in temperature and hydration of the skin whereas differences in pH and lubrication of the skin remain insignificant.

Effectiveness of Traction in Young Patients Representing Different Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) currently ranks among the most frequent musculoskeletal pathologies, and the average age of those affected is constantly decreasing. One of the causes of LBP is lumbar disc herniation (LDH). If untreated, it causes disability and leads to socio-economic problems. Traction techniques are a popular method of treating this condition. The stage of LDH (protrusion, extrusion) in young people appears to determine patients' clinical status, necessitating diversification of treatment methods with regard to the type of damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 37 people aged 22-35. The subjects underwent radiological evalu-ation (MRI), which constituted the basis for assigning them to one of two groups: a protrusion group (PRO) or an extrusion group (EXT). During the experiment, the patient was in the supine position while the therapist administered three-dimensional traction using a manual therapy belt. The Oswestry questionnaire, MRC scale, NRS, SLR test, PLE test and measurements of lumbar segment mobility were used for clinical evaluation. Statistica 12.5 was used to perform statistical calculations. RESULTS: An analgesic effect was noted with regard to the following two parameters in both groups: ODI (PRO 28 → 14 and EXT 30 → 28, p <0.01) and NRS (PRO 6 → 2 and EXT 6 → 3, p <0.01). The subjects improved clinically, with regard to PLE (EXT 22% → 0%, p <0.04) and SLR (PRO 100% → 29%, p <0.01, and EXT 100% → 57%, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The type of intervertebral disc damage determines the functional status of young people with degenerative disc disease. 2. The study demonstrated and confirmed a positive effect of traction on the functional status of subjects with lumbar disc herniation. 3. Traction techniques are safe and can be successfully used in the treatment of LDH.

The Risk for Fall and Functional Dependence in Polish Adults 60­87 Years Old.

The constantly rising percentage of the elderly (60+), who are particularly at risk of the dangerous consequence of falls, results not only in the loss of independence in daily life, but also in a serious threat to health and life. Therefore, many authors emphasize the necessity of conducting prophylaxis and prevention among senior citizens. The most important aspect of fall prophylaxis is care about the optimum level of agility. Exercise should focus on increasing muscular strength, balance and dexterity. The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between functional fitness and the risk for falls of older people in the light of maintaining physical independence. The research group consisted of 522 persons: 142 males and 380 females aged 60-84 years from Wroclaw (a city in the south-west of Poland). All subjects provided written consent, and were measured and tested in 2009 through 2015, excluding the winter months. Body height and weight were measured. Body mass index was calculated. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess functional capacity and efficiency. The results of the Senior Fitness Test were used to estimate Maintaining Physical Independence in Older Adults. The differences in the means of the results of all the tests between the age and sex-specific groups were assessed by means of a two-way analysis of variance, where sex and age were factors and results of appropriate test dependent variables. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk for fall, based on the incidence of fall in the last year, for each test comparing the individuals met referenced criteria to maintain functionally dependence and independent, controlled for age and BMI. The risk for falls was more than twice greater in the case of the studied females, whose muscular strength of the upper part of the body was lower. The females in whose cases no fewer than two tests failed to ascertain functional independence, had a greater risk for falls. In the case of the males, no statistically-significant connections between functional independence and the risk for falls was found.

Age-related changes in hand dominance and functional asymmetry in older adults.

The aim of the study was to investigate fine motor performance and ascertain age-related changes in laterality between the dominant and non-dominant hand. A representative sample of 635 adults (144 males and 491 females) aged 50 years and over completed a test battery MLS (Motor Performance Series) to assess a broad range of hand functions. Functional asymmetry was observed in all four motor tests (postural tremor, aiming, tapping, and inserting long pins). Significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant hand were obtained in both sexes across all age groups, except in the oldest female group (age >70) for the aiming (number of hits and errors) and postural tremor (number of errors) tasks. These differences in age-related changes may be attributed to hemispheric asymmetry, environmental factors, or use-dependent plasticity. Conflicting evidence in the literature warrants additional research to better explain age-related alterations of hand dominance and manual performance in old age.

Functional capacities of Polish adults of 60-87 years and risk of losing functional independence.

AIM: To characterise the functional capacities of Polish men and women aged 60-87 years and evaluate their status relative to criteria for functional independence. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-one women and 125 men, aged 60-87 years, who were residents of Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, were recruited. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test was administered to test upper and lower body strength, upper and lower body flexibility, agility-dynamic balance and aerobic endurance. The Paffenbarger physical activity questionnaire was completed. Characteristics of individuals classified by the number of tests which equalled or exceeded criterion-referenced standards for functional independence (excluding flexibility) were compared. RESULTS: Polish older adults compared favourably to American reference values. Percentages meeting the criteria for all four, for two or three and for one or no tests were, respectively, 21%, 54% and 25% in women and 37%, 45% and 18% in men. Adults meeting the criteria for all four tests were lighter, with a lower BMI and more physically active than those meeting the criteria on two or three tests and on one or no tests. CONCLUSION: The majority of Polish older adults were not at risk for loss of physical independence. The most functionally independent adults of both sexes had a lower BMI and less obesity, and were physically more active; the converse was true for those not meeting the criteria.

Analysis of the relationships between edentulism, periodontal health, body composition, and bone mineral density in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and tooth loss in conjunction with periodontal disease is not clear. The suggested effects include alteration in bone remodeling rates as well as the multifaceted etiology of edentulism. There is also a question if other body-related variables besides BMD, such as body composition, may be associated with tooth number and general periodontal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate if tooth number and marginal periodontal status are associated with body composition and BMD in a sample of elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 91 postmenopausal women. Data included basic anthropometric characteristics, body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis, and BMD analysis at the distal end of the radial bone of the nondominant arm via peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A dental examination was performed to assess tooth number, periodontal pocket depth (PD), and gingival bleeding. RESULTS: In nonosteoporotic women, a significant positive correlation was found between BMD and lean body mass, total body water, and muscle mass. The indicators of bone metabolism correlated negatively with PD. Such relationships did not appear in osteoporotic women. In both groups, basic anthropometric characteristics and body composition were significantly and positively correlated with PD and bleeding on probing. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that body composition and BMD are not significantly correlated with tooth number and gingival bleeding.

Structural and functional markers of health depending on lifestyle in elderly women from Poland.

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively analyze the rate and magnitude of age-related changes between two groups of elderly women with different lifestyles living in Poland: women attending a University of the Third Age (active lifestyle) and less-active peers not involved in any seniors association. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2010-2012. The study design was approved by the Senate Ethics Committee for Scientific Research of the University School of Physical Education. In total, 417 women were recruited. Basic somatic characteristics, body composition, bone mineral density, physical fitness, respiratory function, postural stability, and body posture were measured. Regression analysis and Student's t-tests for independent samples were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The best results among the tests assessing functional biological markers of health were found in the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age. The rate of change was larger in the group of seniors leading a less-active lifestyle, indicating the important role of a preventive gerontological approach and the participation of seniors in programs that accentuate the need for physical activity.

Fine motor skills of the hands in Polish and Czech female senior citizens from different backgrounds.

The aim of the present study was an in-depth analysis of fine motor skills of the hands in elderly women from different socio-cultural backgrounds. The research also included analysis of the associations of age with the variables assessing right- and left-hand motor skills and its effect on hand performance asymmetry. The study examined 486 women over the age of 60. The study measured dominant and non-dominant hand performance using the motor performance series test battery (aiming, line tracking, inserting pins, tapping) from the Vienna test system. The best results in the tests assessing coordinated hand movements were achieved by the group of elderly women attending a University of the Third Age in Poland. This may be the result of a larger variety of physical activity programs offered at this type of institution. However, due to the cross-sectional design of the study, additional research of a longitudinal nature needs to be performed using the same sample of individuals to draw any definitive conclusions. Additionally, a decrease in the differences between dominant and non-dominant hand function with age was observed.

Hematological parameters, and hematopoietic growth factors: EPO and IL-3 in response to whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) in military academy students.

UNLABELLED: The effects of extreme cold on the human body are not fully understood, there are also no reports on the effect of cryogenic temperatures on the levels of erythropoietin (EPO) and interleukin 3 (IL-3), two important factors that regulate hematopoiesis. AIM: determination of changes in peripheral blood cell counts and EPO and IL-3 levels induced by a series of 10, 20 and 30 standard whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) treatments. The study involved 45 men, experimental group (EXP, n = 30) subjected to 30 WBC treatments (-130°C, treatment duration: 3 minutes) and a control group (CON, n = 15). Blood samples were collected before the series of treatments and after 10, 20 and 30 treatments. After 10 and 20 treatments we observed lower red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin levels compared to baseline (p<0.05) and the control group (p<0.05). Additionally we observed an increase in hemoglobin concentration in plasma (p<0.05), and bilirubin after 10 and 20 treatments, and a decrease in plasma concentration of haptoglobin after 10, 20 and 30 treatments (p<0.05). The number of leukocytes was higher after 10 and 20 WBC treatments compared to baseline and the CON group. EPO concentration in plasma was elevated and the concentration of IL-3 was lower after 10, 20 and 30 WBC treatments. The decrease in indices of the erythrocytic system, plasma hemoglobin and bilirubin, with a simultaneous decrease in haptoglobin concentrations after 10 and 20 WBC treatments, may be due to increased intravascular hemolysis. At the same time there was a small, but statistically significant increase in the concentration of EPO stimulated erythropoiesis which could facilitate a return of erythrocytic system indices to initial levels after 30 WBC treatments. Changes in the white blood cell system showed transient mobilization of this system under the influence of WBC.

Assessing postural asymmetry with a podoscope in infants with Central Coordination Disturbance.

The aim of this study was to digitally evaluate the incidence and severity of postural asymmetry in infants with Central Coordination Disturbance (CCD) by using a computer-aided podoscope (PodoBaby) from CQ Elektronik System. A sample of 120 infants aged from 3 months (± 1 week) to 6 months (± 1 week) took part in the study, of which 60 were diagnosed with CCD by a neurologist using Vojta's method and the remaining half healthy, non-afflicted infants. The relationships between Vojta's method, as a subjective clinical diagnostic tool for assessing the functional performance of infants with CCD, and the postural asymmetry results recorded with the podoscope, were also defined. Each infant was placed on the podoscope and photographed underneath in two positions: first lying on their back and then on their stomach. A symmetry index was used to calculate body asymmetry, i.e., the percent difference of abnormal body posture by favoring one side of the body to the other. The results confirmed that postural asymmetry assessed by the PodoBaby was in line with the earlier clinical diagnosis using Vojta's method. Statistically significant differences in postural asymmetry were also found between the healthy infants and infants with CCD. In addition, significant relationships were demonstrated in the magnitude and direction of asymmetry in the stomach and back positions.

Different involutionary changes in bone mineral density with age in three skeletal sites in healthy Polish women.

The aim of the study was to estimate the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) at three skeletal sites, with regard to age and menopausal status. The study was conducted between 2001 and 2006 in the Polish city of Wroclaw and the sample was comprised of 440 healthy female inhabitants aged 40-88years. The measurements of bone mineral density were taken at three sites: femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter major. Two bone mineral density characteristics were used in further analysis: absolute measure of bone mineral density (BMD) expressed in g/(100mm)(2), and % of BMD of the peak value calculated for young adults (20-45, USA reference population). Pre- and postmenopausal status was defined according to occurrence of menstruation within the last 60days. The changes in bone mineral density with age showed significantly different patterns in different skeletal sites. While the decrease in bone mineral density in the femoral neck and Ward's triangle were parallel and gradual, the changes in trochanter major were very small and between the age groups 51-55 and 71-75, nearly unnoticeable. A comparison between pre- and postmenopausal women aged 46-55, showed a significant effect of menopausal status. The average bone mineral densities in the three skeletal sites were higher in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women. The highest value of bone mineral density was found in the femoral neck, significantly lower in Ward's triangle, and a little lower (non-significantly) in the trochanter major than in the Ward's triangle. Postmenopausal women had a little higher BMD value in the trochanter major than in the Ward's triangle site.