Citations

The purpose of the study was to examine differences in body fat percentage (BF%) across groups stratified by resting metabolic rate (RMR) when normalized to body weight. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III athletes (n = 190; Age: 19.8 ± 1.4 year; Body Mass: 79.3 ± 20.2 kg; Height: 175.0 ± 9.3 cm, Body Mass Index: 25.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2) participated in this cross-sectional mixed cohort study. Body composition was assessed using air displacement plethysmography. RMR was assessed using indirect calorimetry. For each sex, tertiles were determined and used to create low, moderate, and high relative RMR groups as follows: low (M: <26 kcal/kg; F: <24 kcal/kg), moderate (M: 26.1–29.0 kcal/kg; F: 24.1–27.0 kcal/kg), and high (M: >29.1 kcal/kg; F: >27.1 kcal/kg). The mean ± standard deviation RMR for male and female athletes was 27.9 ± 3.2 and 25.9 ± 2.8 kcals/kg when expressed relative to body weight. When stratified by sex, males in the low RMR group had significantly higher BF% values than those in the moderate (mean difference, [95% confidence intervals]) (7.2, [2.4, 12.0] kcal/kg; p < 0.01) and high RMR groups (7.7, [2.9, 12.5] kcal/kg; p < 0.001). Female athletes in the moderate RMR group had higher body fat percentages than those in the high RMR group (mean difference, [95% confidence intervals]) (5.8, [2.4, 9.2] kcal/kg; p < 0.01). Female athletes in the moderate relative RMR group had higher BF% values than those in the higher relative RMR group (3.3, [−0.1, 6.7] kcal/kg; p = 0.049). Both male and female athletes with a low relative RMR had a higher BF%.

ABSTRACT Women experience a higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than men. Muscle imbalance, in particular hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio, is considered a risk factor for ACL injury. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify isokinetic H:Q strength ratios in women team sport athletes and determine whether cutoff values, determined from research with predominantly males, of >0.6 for conventional ratio (Hamstring concentric :Quadriceps concentric [CR]) and >1.0 for functional ratio (Hamstring eccentric :Quadriceps concentric [FR]) were met. The CR (0.6) was not met for team ([mean ± SD: 0.56 ± 0.08]), field (0.57 ± 0.08), and court (0.56 ± 0.08) sports. Handball presented the highest (0.58 ± 0.07), and softball presented the lowest CRs (0.47 ± 0.06). The FR (1.0) was not met for team (0.69 ± 0.14), field (0.85 ± 0.14), and court (0.65 ± 0.14) sports. Soccer presented the highest (0.85 ± 0.14) and handball the lowest (0.66 ± 0.13) FRs. When assessing hamstring and quadriceps strength balance, women team sport athletes did not meet CR or FR values, which may contribute to increased ACL injury risk. H:Q ratios below cutoff values may indicate compromised hamstring strength. It is recommended practitioners implement strength exercises aimed to improve H:Q ratios.

Abstract 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, holds immense potential for rapid prototyping and customized production of functional health‐related devices. With advancements in polymer chemistry and biomedical engineering, polymeric biomaterials have become integral to 3D‐printed biomedical applications. However, there still exists a bottleneck in the compatibility of polymeric biomaterials with different 3D printing methods, as well as intrinsic challenges such as limited printing resolution and rates. Therefore, this review aims to introduce the current state‐of‐the‐art in 3D‐printed functional polymeric health‐related devices. It begins with an overview of the landscape of 3D printing techniques, followed by an examination of commonly used polymeric biomaterials. Subsequently, examples of 3D‐printed biomedical devices are provided and classified into categories such as biosensors, bioactuators, soft robotics, energy storage systems, self‐powered devices, and data science in bioplotting. The emphasis is on exploring the current capabilities of 3D printing in manufacturing polymeric biomaterials into desired geometries that facilitate device functionality and studying the reasons for material choice. Finally, an outlook with challenges and possible improvements in the near future is presented, projecting the contribution of general 3D printing and polymeric biomaterials in the field of healthcare.

The assessment of left atrial strain (LAS) has emerged as an essential component in the evaluation of cardiac function, especially in pathologies such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. This narrative review aims to outline the available methods for assessing LAS with a major emphasis on speckle-tracking echocardiography techniques. Other imaging modalities, including cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography, also provide important information on LA dynamics but have disadvantages with respect to cost and availability. The current narrative review underlines basic concepts such as the accurate assessment of LAS and discusses the clinical relevance of LAS by pointing out its significant diagnostic and prognostic role in several cardiovascular conditions. The aim of this article is to discuss the current integration of LAS into clinical practice with a view to further improving patient management and treatment strategies.

Background: Proper diagnosis in primary care is crucial due to the large number of skin cancer diagnoses each year and its associated growing economic burden. Understanding how primary care providers can be best trained in dermoscopy is instrumental in helping primary care providers differentiate benign and malignant cutaneous lesions so that appropriate action can be taken (eg, biopsy/referral to dermatology or reassurance). Objective: To assess the success of concise dermoscopy training among primary care providers. Design: A cohort study was conducted in primary care at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in internal medicine and family medicine. Diagnostic accuracy was measured on standardized testing through image-based recognition and in clinical practice through observation of referral and biopsy patterns both before and after dermoscopy education, focused on the TADA plus method. Results: Forty-three primary care providers completed the image-based recognition tests, with significant improvement in mean score measured after dermoscopy training workshop (20%). Among the thirteen primary care providers who continued to use dermoscopy in clinical practice, a significant improvement (31%) in mean clinical diagnostic accuracy was observed comparing 1 year of practice data before versus after dermoscopy training. Conclusion: Improvement in diagnostic accuracy with utilization of the TADA plus method translates into clinical practice. Therefore, training primary care providers in dermoscopy may improve the dermatologic care patients receive in primary care, especially in rural or medically underserved areas where access to dermatology is limited.

Solitary myofibromas are rare, benign, mesenchymal tumors typically found in the head and neck regions. We report an exceptionally rare case of a solitary cardiac myofibroma and its short-term management and outcome. A two-month-old infant was referred due to a murmur. Echocardiography revealed a 2 × 1 cm solitary mass originating from a mitral papillary muscle, causing severe regurgitation. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass to be homogeneous on T1, hyperintense on T2, and hypointense on first-pass perfusion imaging with no enhancement on delayed postcontrast imaging. The mass was surgically excised partially due to its involvement with the mitral valve. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with echocardiography four months later showing no tumor recurrence and trivial mitral regurgitation. This report provides valuable imaging and pathology examples to aid in the recognition of this rare tumor and demonstrates that successful surgical excision is possible, even with significant cardiac involvement.

Abstract Purpose Imposter syndrome (IS) is a “behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals” that has been associated with psychological distress, burnout, anxiety, and depression, and has also been shown to negatively impact career retention and job performance. Previous studies, while rare, have demonstrated remarkably high rates of IS amongst surgical trainees, but include little information on contributing factors. The purpose of this study was to broadly explore IS in surgical trainees across specialties.Methods An anonymous electronic survey aimed at identifying the prevalence, severity, and underlying factors contributing to IS in surgical trainees was developed by members of the ASE Graduate Surgical Education Committee and distributed to list servs of surgical residents across specialties at twelve institutions. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and multivariable analysis were performed to identify differences in and factors contributing to IS.Results A total of 155 survey responses were received. Seventy-one percent of respondents report significant or intense IS, with women demonstrating more severe IS. Residents identified interactions with peers or other residents as triggering more feelings of IS compared to faculty or patients. Prior IS training, feeling a sense of belonging in residency, and lower incidence of microaggressions were associated with less severe IS.Conclusions IS remains prevalent and severe amongst surgical trainees. Although previous work has identified many personal factors that contribute to IS, this study is one of the first of its kind to identify environmental and experiential (context-dependent) factors associated with more severe IS.