Context: There has been a resurgence of vitamin D deficiency among infants, toddlers, and adolescents in the United Kingdom. Myopathy is an important clinical symptom of vitamin D deficiency, yet it has not been widely studied. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the relationship of baseline serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration and PTH with muscle power and force. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was community based in a secondary school. Participants: A total of 99 post-menarchal 12- to 14-yr-old females was included in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Jumping mechanography to measure muscle power, velocity, jump height, and Esslinger Fitness Index from a two-legged counter movement jump and force from multiple one-legged hops was performed. Body height, weight, and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, PTH, and calcium were measured. Results: Median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 21.3 nmol/liter (range 2.5–88.5) and PTH 3.7 pmol/liter (range 0.47–26.2). After correction for weight using a quadratic function, there was a positive relationship between 25(OH)D and jump velocity (P = 0.002), jump height (P = 0.005), power (P = 0.003), Esslinger Fitness Index (P = 0.003), and force (P = 0.05). There was a negative effect of PTH upon jump velocity (P = 0.04). Conclusion: From these data we conclude that vitamin D was significantly associated with muscle power and force in adolescent girls.

To compare the imaging quality of several commercially available intraocular lenses (IOLs) using the modulation transfer function (MTF) method according to the requirements of the International Standard European Industrial Norm/International Organization for Standardization 11979. Universitat für Technik der Informationsverarbeitung, Universität Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe and Universitäts Augenklinik, Ulm, Ulm, Germany. Two refractive powers (+13 diopter [D] and +26 D) of each IOL type were tested. The imaging quality of all tested IOLs was measured before the injection test and in 5-minute intervals after the injection for 40 minutes. The measurement data were analyzed according to 2 quality criteria, Strehl ratio and the ISO condition. For analysis of the type of optical design, SEM images of the central cross section were taken of each IOL. Basic terms in optics such as MTF, resolution, and optical aberration are introduced, and their relevance for ophthalmology is discussed in detail. This paper represents an extensive study comparing the imaging quality of various IOLs including the comparison of measurements before and after injection through a cartridge as used for state-of-the-art implantation techniques. All measurements were performed using an MTF measurement system using a 546 nm optimized laser source and an effective aperture of 3.0 mm on the IOL according to ISO standard. An ISO standard eye model using an artificial cornea (spherical design) and a watery solution to simulate in vivo conditions was used. All IOLs apart from 1 +26 D lens complied with ISO standard requirements. However, the imaging quality varied up to 49% depending on the optical design and the manufacturing quality. When the methods and materials recommended by the manufacturer for IOL injection through a cartridge were used, no long-term effect on the imaging quality of the IOLs was observed. However, the basic imaging quality of different designs and different manufacturers varied significantly (up to 50% at +26 D) IOLs and should be considered when choosing an IOL.

Chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy (CIPN) is a common toxicity after chemotherapy, immunomodulatory drugs or proteasome inhibitors, which is difficult to treat and may also have impact on quality of life. The objective of the study was to evaluate whole-body vibration (WBV) on the background of an integrated program (IP) including massage, passive mobilization and physical exercises on CIPN. In an exploratory phase-2 study patients with CIPN (NCI CTC grade 2/3) were randomized for WBV plus IP (experimental) to IP alone (standard). 15 training sessions within 15 weeks were intended. As primary endpoint we used chair-rising test (CRT) to assess physical fitness and coordination. In addition, locomotor and neurological tests and self-assessment tools were performed. A total 131 patients with CIPN were randomized (standard, n = 65; experimental, n = 66). The median age was 60 (range 24–71) years; 44 patients had haematological neoplasms and 87 solid tumors. At baseline, all patients presented with an abnormal CRT. Fifteen (standard) and 22 (experimental) patients left the program due to progression/relapse or concomitant disease. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with normal CRT (<10 s) at follow up between experimental (68%) and standard (56%) (p = 0.20). All patients experienced less symptoms and pain (p < 0.001) and had improved CRT (p < 0.001) over time. WBV was significantly associated with a higher reduction of time needed for CRT (p = 0.02) and significantly improved warm-detection-threshold comparing baseline to follow-up assessment (p = 0.02). Whole-body vibration on the background of an IP may improve physical fitness and coordination in patients suffering from CIPN. Trial registration Retrospectively registered at http://www.iscrtn.com (ISRCTN 51361937) and http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02846844).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a short-duration (5-6 min, 3 d·wk) resistive exercise program with (RVE) or without (RE) whole-body vibration in reducing muscle atrophy in the lower limb during prolonged inactivity when compared with that in an inactive control group. As part of the second Berlin BedRest Study, 24 male subjects underwent 60 d of head-down tilt bed rest. Using magnetic resonance imaging, muscle volumes of the individual muscles of the lower limb were calculated before and at various intervals during and after bed rest. Pain levels and markers of muscle damage were also evaluated during and after bed rest. Adjustment of P values to guard against false positives was performed via the false discovery rate method. On the "intent-to-treat" analysis, RE reduced atrophy of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, vasti, tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus, and flexor digitorum longus (P ≤ 0.045 vs control group) and RVE reduced atrophy of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis posterior (P ≤ 0.044). Pain intensity reports after bed rest were lower in RE at the foot (P ≤ 0.033) and whole lower limb (P = 0.01) and in RVE at the thigh (P ≤ 0.041), lower leg (P ≤ 0.01), and whole lower limb (P ≤ 0.036). Increases in sarcomere-specific creatine kinase after bed rest were less in RE (P = 0.020) and RVE (P = 0.020). No differences between RE and RVE were observed. In conclusion, a short-duration RVE or RE can be effective in reducing the effect of prolonged bed rest on lower extremity muscle volume loss during bed rest and muscle damage and pain after bed rest.

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease which leads to several clinical conditions related to the dysfunction of the respiratory system along with other physical and psychological complaints. Severely affected patients are referred to intensive care units (ICUs), limiting their possibilities for physical exercise. Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise is a non-invasive, physical therapy, that has been suggested as part of the procedures involved with pulmonary rehabilitation, even in ICU settings. Therefore, in the current review, the World Association of Vibration Exercise Experts (WAVEX) reviewed the potential of WBV exercise as a useful and safe intervention for the management of infected individuals with COVID-19 by mitigating the inactivity-related declines in physical condition and reducing the time in ICU. Recommendations regarding the reduction of fatigue and the risk of dyspnea, the improvement of the inflammatory and redox status favoring cellular homeostasis and the overall improvement in the quality of life are provided. Finally, practical applications for the use of this paradigm leading to a better prognosis in bed bound and ICU-bound subjects is proposed.