Search Results (8)

Background: Handedness dominance can be observed in the tactical aspects of a handball match geometry. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the asymmetry between shooting velocity and distance in left- and right-handed handball players, and also to see if there is a difference between scored and missed shots. Methods: The data were obtained from players participating in the EHF European Championship 2024, held in Germany. Results: In this study, 238 players were analyzed during the whole championship. They were divided into two groups: left- (N = 112) and right-handed players (N = 126). A total of 5710 shots taken by the players were collected and analyzed. The results show that the left-handed players had a higher score percentage (63.08%) than the right-handed players (57.86%). The right-handed players shot at a higher velocity (101.38 ± 18.00 km/h) than the left-handed players (99.36 ± 18.89 km/h) (p < 0.001). A similar difference was observed in the distance of the shots (7.61 ± 2.23 m; and 7.42 ± 2.59 m, respectively) (p < 0.001). The distance of the shots differed between the scored and missed shots (right-handed, p < 0.001; left-handed, p < 0.04). Conclusions: These findings suggest that an asymmetry in left- and right-handed players is present for both parameters. Also, the higher efficiency of the right side of a handball team could lead to asymmetry in the geometry of a handball match. Full article

Background: Hydrolysed rice formula (HRF) is tolerated by >90% of children with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, concerns have been raised about potential suboptimal growth in infants fed HRF compared to those fed an extensively hydrolysed milk protein formula (eHF). Aims: To compare growth, safety and tolerance acquisition in infants with CMPA when fed HRF versus eHF. Methods: A multicentre prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge trial was conducted with infants with CMPA. The infants received either HRF or eHF over a 12-month follow-up period. The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline over the study period in weight-for-length expressed as a Z-score. The secondary outcomes were other anthropometric measurements, tolerability and adverse events (AEs). Results: In total, 105 children were enrolled. The weight-for-length measurements were −0.01 (HRF) and −0.29 (eHF) at baseline and 0.29 and 0.05, respectively, at the last visit, with no significant between-group difference (p = 0.28; mixed-effects model). The Z-scores for other anthropometric variables indicated normal growth, with no significant between-group differences. In total, 29 potentially product-related AEs were reported (12 in the HRF group and 17 in the eHF group). A trend was observed toward a faster acquisition of tolerance in the HRF group (median age: 20.4 months) compared to the eHF group (16.3 months), but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Conclusions: HRF demonstrated appropriate growth, acquisition of tolerance and a good safety profile in infants with CMPA, with no significant differences versus eHF. HRF could be considered as an appropriate option in the management of CMPA. Full article

The evaluation of secondary parameters of a prospective, randomised, controlled, multicentre intervention trial aimed to analyse gastrointestinal tolerance of an infant formula manufactured from extensively hydrolysed whey protein (eHF) compared to intact cow’s milk protein (control formula, CF) in healthy term infants. Infants ≤ 25 days of age, who were exclusively formula-fed, were randomised to receive eHF or CF for at least three months up to 120 days of age. An exclusively breastfed reference group (BF) was included for descriptive comparison. Infants’ gastrointestinal tolerance was evaluated based on stool parameters, the Amsterdam Infant Stool Scale (AISS), the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ), and sleeping patterns. Of 359 infants included, 297 randomised (eHF: n = 149, CF: n = 148) and 41 BF infants completed the study per protocol. All tolerance parameters were comparable between eHF and CF. Stool was predominantly soft and yellow in colour. Stool was more frequently green in eHF than CF. BF infants had more frequent stools, which were mainly watery or soft and yellow, and comparable IGSQ scores (descriptive). Irrespective of group, all gastrointestinal and sleep parameters showed signs of maturation with increasing age. In conclusion, eHF showed gastrointestinal tolerance as good as CF in healthy infants. Both formulae were well-tolerated. Full article

The main aim of this study was to investigate the risk of prostate cancer metastasis formation associated with the expression of ETS homologous factor (EHF) in a cohort of bioptic samples. To this end, the expression of EHF was evaluated in a cohort of 152 prostate biopsies including primary prostate cancers that developed metastatic lesions, primary prostate cancers that did not develop metastasis, and benign lesions. Data here reported EHF as a candidate immunohistochemical prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer metastasis formation regardless of the Gleason scoring system. Indeed, our data clearly show that primary lesions with EHF positive cells ≥40% had a great risk of developing metastasis within five years from the first diagnosis. Patients with these lesions had about a 40-fold increased risk of developing metastasis as compared with patients with prostate lesions characterized by a percentage of EHF positive cells ≤30%. In conclusion, the immunohistochemical evaluation of EHF could significantly improve the management of prostate cancer patients by optimizing the diagnostic and therapeutic health procedures and, more important, ameliorating the patient’s quality of life. Full article

This proof-of-principle study analyzed fecal samples from 30 infants who participated in a randomized controlled trial on the effects of the macronutrient composition of infant formula on growth and energy balance. In that study, infants randomized to be fed cow milk formula (CMF) had faster weight-gain velocity during the first 4 months and higher weight-for-length Z scores up to 11.5 months than those randomized to an isocaloric extensive protein hydrolysate formula (EHF). Here we examined associations among infant formula composition, gut microbial composition and maturation, and children’s weight status. Fecal samples collected before and monthly up to 4.5 months after randomization were analyzed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and targeted metabolomics. The EHF group had faster maturation of gut microbiota than the CMF group, and increased alpha diversity driven by Clostridia taxa. Abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus distinguished the two groups after exclusive feeding of the assigned formula for 3 months. Abundance of Clostridia at 3–4 months negatively correlated with prior weight-gain velocity and body weight phenotypes when they became toddlers. Macronutrient differences between the formulas likely led to the observed divergence in gut microbiota composition that was associated with differences in transient rapid weight gain, a well-established predictor of childhood obesity and other comorbidities. Full article

Symptoms related cow’s milk proteins allergy (CMPA) usually improve between two to four weeks following an elimination diet, firstly with extensively hydrolyzed formulas (eHF). The aim of the EVA study was to observe the evolution of CMPA-related symptoms in real life after initiation of a whey-based extensively hydrolyzed formula (w-eHF, Althéra^®, Nestlé Health Science, Switzerland). This cross-sectional prospective non-interventional study was carried out alongside paediatricians in private practice in France between June 2019 and June 2020. Infants aged 0–3 years presenting with confirmed diagnosis or clinical symptoms suggesting CMPA were enrolled. Data were collected at enrolment (baseline visit) and three to five weeks later (follow-up visit). Symptoms were assessed using the Cow’s Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS^®). The per protocol population included 135 infants. The average number of symptoms per infant significantly decreased under the study formula (from 2.81 to 1.36, p < 0.001) and the proportions of infants with any CMPA related symptoms decreased. Daily crying and regurgitation showed the largest decline, respectively −44.4% and −31.85% (p < 0.001). These results describe the early management of symptoms suspected to be related to CMPA in routine practice that was rarely described in the literature. The number and severity of symptoms decreased most of the cases after commencing the study formula. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth, tolerance and compliance effects of an extensively hydrolyzed formula with added 2′-FL in an intended use population of infants. Methods: A non-randomized, single-group, multicenter study was conducted. Infants (0–60 days of age) with suspected food protein allergy, persistent feeding intolerance, or presenting conditions where an extensively hydrolyzed formula (eHF) was deemed appropriate were enrolled in a 2-month feeding trial. The primary outcome was maintenance of weight for age z-score during the study. Weight, length, head circumference, formula intake, tolerance measures, clinical symptoms and questionnaires were collected. Forty-eight infants were enrolled and 36 completed the study. Results: Weight for age z-scores of infants showed a statistically significant improvement from study day 1 to study day 60 (0.32 ± 0.11, p = 0.0078). Conclusions: Overall, the results of the study demonstrate that the study formula was well tolerated, safe and supported growth in the intended population. Full article

A consistent relationship has been found between leprosy and inequities in social determinants of health. It, however, remains unclear which aspect of these social determinants contributes most to the risk of infection, and even less clear are the risk factors for the development of leprosy-related disabilities. The objective of this study was to elicit the differential impact of social determinants of health in leprosy-affected persons, and determine whether structural inequities in accessibility to societal resources and lower socioeconomic parameters correlated with higher severity of disabilities. This analysis was based on a sampled population affected by leprosy in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Persons enrolled in the study were covered by a nongovernmental lifelong care program, had completed a multidrug therapy for leprosy and/or were slit-skin-smear negative, and showed Grade 1 or higher disabilities due to leprosy. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was performed. The Eyes-Hands-Feet (EHF) score was the outcome variable, and gender, age, time after release from treatment, monthly income, and living space were explanatory variables. There were 123 participants, comprised of 41 (33.33%) women and 82 (66.67%) men. All study participants belonged to India’s Backward classes; 81.30% were illiterate and the average monthly income was 1252 Indian rupee (INR) (US$19.08 or €17.16). The average EHF score was 7.016 (95% CI, 6.595 to 7.437). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis built a significant model, where F(2, 120) = 13.960, p ≤ 0.001, effect size (Cohen’s f2) = 0.81, explaining 18.9% of the variance in EHF scores (R² = 0.189). Significant predictors of a higher EHF score in persons affected by leprosy were found to be higher age (beta = 0.340, 95% CI, 0.039 to 0.111, p < 0.001), as well as less living space (beta = −0.276, 95% CI, −0.041 to −0.011, p = 0.001). Our results suggest that inequalities in social determinants of health correspond to higher disability scores, which indicates that poor living standards are a common phenomenon in those living with leprosy-related disabilities. Further research is needed to dissect the exact development of impairments after release from treatment (RFT) in order to take targeted actions against disability deterioration. Full article