Based on a moderate level of evidence, a tentative recommendation can be made to use a direct visual observation method with global posture recorded by a trained observer applying a rating scale.

Based on a moderate level of evidence, a tentative recommendation can be made to use a direct visual observation method with global posture recorded by a trained observer applying a rating scale.

Quadratus lumborum (QL) discrete region extensions might change depending on whether leg length discrepancy (LLD) individually has any extra erector spinae action in the lumbar spine, which can result in serious injury to the lower extremities and lumbar vertebrae.

This study aims to investigate the effect of QL muscle activity on LLD by using electromyography (EMG) signals.

The study employed a randomized controlled design. A total of 100 right-handed volunteers were included in this study. All participants were assessed manually by tape measurement for LLD. EMG signals were recorded during the resting and maximal isometric contraction positions to determine QL muscle activity. The power spectral density (PSD) methods were applied to compute EMG signals.

In maximal isometric contraction position, comparing the short right LLD (Right side = 0.00064 ± 0.00001, Left side = 0.00033 ± 0.0006) and short left LLD (Right side = 0.00001 ± 0.00008, Left side = 0.00017 ± 0.0001), it was found that the short right LLD group had significantly increased PSD of EMG values. In resting position, the short right LLD (Right side = 0.0002 ± 0.0073, Left side = 0.00016 ± 0.0065) had significantly increased PSD of EMG compared to the short left LLD (Right side = 0.00004 ± 0.0003, Left side = 0.0001 ± 0.0008) values of the QL muscle activity. The results of both groups were also statistically significant (p< 0.05).

The present study showed that it is possible to determine effective experimental interventions for functional LLD using EMG signal analysis of QL muscle activity on an asymptomatic normal population.

The present study showed that it is possible to determine effective experimental interventions for functional LLD using EMG signal analysis of QL muscle activity on an asymptomatic normal population.

Cartilage tissue lacks the ability to heal. Cartilage tissue engineering using cell-free scaffolds has been increasingly used in recent years.

This study describes the use of a type I collagen scaffold combined with WNT5A plasmid to promote chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation in a rabbit osteochondral defect model.

Type I collagen was extracted and fabricated into a collagen scaffold. To improve gene transfection efficiency, a cationic chitosan derivative N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC) vector was used. A solution of TMC/WNT5A complexes was adsorbed to the collagen scaffold to prepare a WNT5A scaffold. Osteochondral defects were created in the femoral condyles of rabbits. The rabbits were divided into defect, scaffold, and scaffold with WNT5A groups. At 6 and 12 weeks after creation of the osteochondral defects, samples were collected from all groups for macroscopic observation and gene expression analysis.

Samples from the defect group exhibited incomplete cartilage repair, while thns, as well as inhibiting cartilage hypertrophy.

Understanding the fracture mechanics of bone is very important in both the medical and bioengineering field. Bone is a hierarchical natural composite material of nanoscale collagen fibers and inorganic material.

This study investigates and presents the fracture toughness of bovine cortical bone by using elastic plastic fracture mechanics.

The J-integral was used as a parameter to calculate the energies utilized in both elastic deformation (Jel) and plastic deformation (Jpl) of the hipbone fracture. Twenty four different types of specimens, i.e. longitudinal compact tension (CT) specimens, transverse CT specimens, and also rectangular unnotched specimens for tension in longitudinal and transverse orientation, were cut from the bovine hip bone of the middle diaphysis. All CT specimens were prepared according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1820 standard and were tested at room temperature.

The results showed that the average total J-integral in transverse CT fracture specimens is 26% greater than that of longitudinal CT fracture specimens. For longitudinal-fractured and transverse-fractured cortical specimens, the energy used in the elastic deformation was found to be 2.8-3 times less than the energy used in the plastic deformation.

The findings indicate that the overall fracture toughness measured using the J-integral is significantly higher than the toughness calculated by the stress intensity factor. Therefore, J-integral should be employ to compute the fracture toughness of cortical bone.

The findings indicate that the overall fracture toughness measured using the J-integral is significantly higher than the toughness calculated by the stress intensity factor. Therefore, J-integral should be employ to compute the fracture toughness of cortical bone.

The blood flow in the human artery has been a subject of sincere interest due to its prime importance linked with human health. The hemodynamic study has revealed an essential aspect of blood flow that eventually proved to be paramount to make a correct decision to treat patients suffering from cardiac disease.

The current study aims to elucidate the two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis of the blood flow and the effect of stenosis on hemodynamic parameters.

A patient-specific 3D model of the left coronary artery was constructed based on computed tomography (CT) images. The blood is assumed to be incompressible, homogenous, and behaves as Non-Newtonian, while the artery is considered as a nonlinear elastic, anisotropic, and incompressible material. Pulsatile flow conditions were applied at the boundary. Two-way coupled FSI modeling approach was used between fluid and solid domain. The hemodynamic parameters such as the pressure, velocity streamline, and wall shear stress were analyzed in the fluid domain and the solid domain deformation.

The simulated results reveal that pressure drop exists in the vicinity of stenosis and a recirculation region after the stenosis. It was noted that stenosis leads to high wall stress. The results also demonstrate an overestimation of wall shear stress and velocity in the rigid wall CFD model compared to the FSI model.

The simulated results reveal that pressure drop exists in the vicinity of stenosis and a recirculation region after the stenosis. It was noted that stenosis leads to high wall stress. The results also demonstrate an overestimation of wall shear stress and velocity in the rigid wall CFD model compared to the FSI model.

Organizational readiness for change measures were reviewed to develop an assessment tool for guiding implementation of an occupational safety and health program based on Total Worker Health (TWH) principles. Considerable conceptual ambiguity in the theoretical and empirical peer-reviewed literature was revealed.

Develop and validate an assessment tool that organizations can use to prepare for implementation of a participatory TWH program.

Inclusion criteria identified 29 relevant publications. Analysis revealed eight key organizational characteristics and predictors of successful organizational change. MEK inhibition A conceptual framework was created that subject matter experts used to generate prospective survey items. Items were revised after pretesting with 10 cognitive interviews with upper-level management and pilot-tested in five healthcare organizations. Reliability of the domain subscales were tested based on Cronbach’s α.

The Organizational Readiness Tool (ORT) showed adequate psychometric properties and siness for change guided development of the Organizational Readiness Tool (ORT), a survey instrument designed to provide actionable guidance for implementing a participatory TWH program. Initial internal consistency was demonstrated following administration at multiple organizations prior to implementation of a participatory Total Worker Health® program.

Evidence-based services in vocational rehabilitation call for valid and reliable assessments of work performance for intervention planning and safe return to work for individuals with illness or injuries. Assessments that are easy to use, culturally adapted, and in a language professionals and clients understand is important for their utility. Translation and adaption of assessments to new languages and cultures are of importance to maintain high standards of assessments and the quality of services in the vocational rehabilitation setting.

The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the Assessment of Work Performance (AWP), into the Icelandic language and culture. Furthermore, to investigate the content validity and utility of the evaluation instrument.

The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase, based on the Dual-Panel translation method, included two expert panels performing translation and cultural adaption of the original Swedish AWP. In the second phase field testing of the translated instrument was followed by an online survey among vocational rehabilitation professionals for content validation and utility.

The results of the study showed satisfactory opinions from experienced professionals toward the content validity, translation, cultural adaption, and utility of the Icelandic version of the AWP.

The study indicates that the Dual-Panel translation method is a valid method when translating instruments from one language and culture to another. Furthermore, the results of the study imply that the AWP can be regarded as content valid up to an acceptable degree for implementation in vocational rehabilitation services in Iceland.

The study indicates that the Dual-Panel translation method is a valid method when translating instruments from one language and culture to another. Furthermore, the results of the study imply that the AWP can be regarded as content valid up to an acceptable degree for implementation in vocational rehabilitation services in Iceland.

Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with work disability, a term used to describe the inability to be or to remain employed. Work disability is a common implication of rheumatoid arthritis.

This review aims to identify and analyze the predictive factors of work disability among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as to group these factors into broader categories, based on the most current studies in this field.

An electronic search was conducted using Google Scholar, MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases. Eighty-six international journal articles were finally selected.

The results suggest that occupational, personal, medical and societal factors are the main predictive categories of work disability for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Medical progress has had a positive effect on the development and the rates of work disability among patients with RA. Work disability is, however, not only defined by medical factors. Occupational, personal and societal factors interact with each other and affeed.

Taxi drivers, an immigrant male population, may exhibit poor health behaviors and increased health risks.

The current study examined stress and demographics as predictors of physical activity (PA), nutrition, sleep, and smoking, and the co-occurrence of these behaviors among taxi drivers.

A cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted in New York City. The sample (n = 252) was comprised of male taxi drivers, 98%of whom were born outside of the U.S., with the majority from South Asian countries (62%), and 45 years old on average (SD = 11).

We found low rates of fruit/vegetable consumption and PA. Rates of stress, PA, and smoking varied by demographic factors. Stress was positively associated with sleep disturbances and negatively associated with smoking. Aside from a relationship between sugar consumption and smoking, other health behaviors were not associated.

While stress appears to impact some indicators of modifiable health behaviors, its lack of relationship with others points to more persistent health issues.