Diseases of shrimp have contributed to billions of dollars of economic loss in the aquaculture industry. Newly emerging strains of the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus produce a condition in shrimp called early mortality syndrome or acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease. Three different V. parahaemolyticus strains were evaluated for their respective pathogenicity on shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, when the bacterial strains were grown under various laboratory conditions prior to inoculating shrimp. For each trial, feed was inoculated with a known concentration of bacteria and then fed to the shrimp. The early mortality syndrome strain of V. parahaemolyticus was the most lethal resulting up to 100% mortality within 24 h after being introduced to shrimp via a single feeding. The other two strains of Vibrio, one isolated from the environment and the other from a human clinical case, resulted in 0% and 30% mortality within 96 h respectively. The concentration of the early mortality syndrome strain of V. parahaemolyticus that the shrimp were exposed to directly correlated with mortality rate, which allowed for lethal or sublethal short‐term disease challenge assays to be established. Infiltration of haemocytes was also evident in the midgut caeca of shrimp infected with the early mortality syndrome strain of V. parahaemolyticus, which has not been previously reported.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents is increasing globally and the age of onset is gradually decreasing. MetS is associated with serious health problems and presents an early risk for adult morbidity and mortality. From 2014–2019, we investigated the relationship between MetS and health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and nutrition education in Korean adolescents (boys: 1235, girls: 1087, age: 13–18 years) based on household income; the relationship with hand grip strength was also evaluated. The prevalence of MetS was 8.8% in boys and 5.1% in girls; in the lowest income households, the risk increased ~1.5-fold for boys and ~4-fold for girls, whereas risks of smoking and alcohol use increased 1.81 vs. 2.34 times, and 2.34 vs. 2.37 times for boys and girls, respectively. In adolescents with the weakest grip strength, the risk of MetS increased 9.62 and 7.79 times in boys and girls, respectively. Girls lacking nutrition education exhibited a 1.67-fold increased risk of MetS, but this was not significant in boys. Low household income increased the risk of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption in both sexes, and together with low hand grip strength, was an important predictor for developing MetS.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is caused by hip joint anomalies. Although asymptomatic and symptomatic FAI have been reported in young adults, information on biomechanical and functional characteristics of FAI is rare. We compared the subjective hip score, range of motion (ROM), dynamic balance, and hip strength between symptomatic FAI (FAIsym) and asymptomatic FAI (FAIasym) groups and healthy controls. Participants (n = 307; men: 155, women: 152) were classified according to morphological abnormalities and hip joint symptoms, comprising symptomatic FAI, asymptomatic FAI, and healthy controls. The Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), hip ROM, Y-balance test (YBT), and isokinetic hip strength were measured. The types of FAI were not significantly differenent in both men and women. FAIsym exhibited significantly reduced HAGOS, whereas FAIasym showed no significant difference compared to the healthy group (men: healthy 91.7 vs. FAIasym 87.2 vs. FAIsym 49.9, women: healthy 91.7 vs. FAIasym 86.2 vs. FAIsym 53.9). Hip flexion, adduction, and internal and external rotation ROMs were only significantly reduced in symptomatic FAI. Asymptomatic and symptomatic FAI groups displayed significantly lower YBT scores than healthy controls (men healthy: 84.9 vs. FAIasym: 69.0 vs. FAIsym 58.7, women healthy 79.2 vs. FAIasym 64.0 vs. FAIsym 55.5). Isokinetic hip flexion, adduction, and abduction strengths were significantly lower in FAIsym. In conclusion, FAIasym showed no decrease in muscle strength but displayed reduced dynamic balance. Subjective satisfaction, ROM, muscle strength, and dynamic balance were lower in FAIsym compared to FAIasym and healthy groups.

Background The Y-Balance test (YBT) is commonly used to evaluate balance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, several studies have also used it as a functional performance test (FPT). Purpose This study aimed to examine the relationship between YBT scores and measures of knee joint laxity, static balance, knee flexor and extensor torque and strength ratio, and FPTs. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Fifty-nine patients who underwent ACLR using hamstring autografts were retrospectively analyzed. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the strength of the association between scores on the YBT and selected outcomes including laxity measured via the KT-2000 arthrometer, static balance measured via the Biodex Balance System, isokinetic muscle torque and hamstring-to-quadriceps (HQ) ratio, and performance on the single leg hop test and the single leg vertical jump test. Results Forty-six men and 13 women were included. The mean age and follow-up period were 29.6 ± 9.6 years and 12.4 ± 2.1 months, respectively. The KT-2000 arthrometer measures, Biodex Balance System scores, and HQ ratio measurements were not significantly correlated with the YBT scores. All YBT scores, except the YBT-anterior score, correlated with the isokinetic extensor and flexor torques (r-values: 0.271–0.520). All the YBT scores had significant weak to moderate correlations with the single leg hop test and single leg vertical jump test scores: YBT-anterior (r = 0.303, r = 0.258), YBT-posteromedial (r = 0.475, r = 0.412), YBT-posterolateral (r = 0.525, r = 0.377), and YBT-composite (r = 0.520, r = 0.412). Conclusion Post-ACLR YBT scores correlated with functional performance and muscle strength, but not with static balance, joint laxity, and HQ ratios. The YBT scores as a measure of balance are related to improved functional performance and isokinetic torque measures. Level of evidence 3

Cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, and lower extremity strength are essential for soccer players at all levels. An effective program should be developed to improve physical strength for adolescent soccer players who need to combine academic and technical training. This study analyzed the impact of short-term high intensity interval training (HIIT) training and traditional moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on adolescent soccer players. Participants included 56 adolescent soccer players who were divided into HIIT and MICT groups. The training program was conducted 3 times a week for 4 weeks using cycle ergometer. Each session included the same resistance training program, and the characteristics of HIIT and MICT were applied to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic power. Body composition analysis, graded exercise test for peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), Wingate anaerobic power test, and isokinetic knee strength test were performed. VO2 peak was improved in HIIT and MICT, but anaerobic threshold and heart rate recovery significantly improved in the HIIT group. Wingate anaerobic peak power had increased significantly in sets 1, 2, and 3 in the HIIT group, but showed significant improvement only in set 1 in the MICT group. The isokinetic strength improved significantly in the HIIT group at 60°/s and in the MICT group at 240°/s. There was no significant change in body composition in either group. In conclusion, short-term HIIT administered to adolescent soccer players effectively improved cardiorespiratory fitness in HIIT and MICT groups. While HIIT increased anaerobic threshold and power, MICT effectively improved muscle endurance. Short-term intensive training can be considered a time-efficient training strategy.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common overuse injuries experienced by athletes. It is characterized by pain and functional deficits that lead to decreased performance, thereby limiting sports activity. Therefore, optimal training interventions are required to improve physical fitness and function while minimizing pain due to PFPS. This study aimed to compare and analyze the effects of high-intensity aquatic training (AT) and bicycling training (BT) in male athletes with PFPS. Fifty-four athletes with PFPS were divided into AT and BT intervention groups. Intervention training was conducted three times per week for 8 weeks. Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated using the graded exercise test (GXT) based on peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), and anaerobic threshold. For the knee strength test, extension and flexion were performed and measured using isokinetic equipment. One-leg hop tests and the Y-balance test (YBT) were performed to evaluate dynamic balance, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring system was used for subjective knee evaluation. The GXT, YBT, and IKDC scores were reported according to the group and duration of the intervention. After training, VO2 peak, YBT, knee extension strength, and IKDC score improved significantly in both the AT and BT groups compared with the pre-training values. Furthermore, the AT group exhibited significant improvement compared with the BT group. We demonstrated that AT and BT effectively improved the symptoms and muscle strength of athletes with PFPS who were only able to engage in limited high-intensity field training. AT produced a modestly better effect than BT.

Background There is no consensus established on postoperative rehabilitation after medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair, including when and how physicians can apply range of motion (ROM) exercise, weight-bearing (WB), brace use, and return to sports (RTS). The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on postoperative rehabilitation characteristics of MMPRT repair regarding ROM, WB, brace use, and RTS. Methods A literature search was performed using the Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase databases. The inclusion criteria were English language, human clinical studies, and studies describing rehabilitation protocols after MMPRT repair such as ROM, WB, brace use, and RTS. Abstracts, case reports, cohort studies, controlled laboratory studies, human cadaveric or animal studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Results Thirteen studies were included. Of the 12 ROM studies, ROM was started immediately within 1 or 2 days after operation in 6 studies and after 2 to 3 weeks of knee immobilization in the rest. Of the 13 WB studies, partial weight-bearing was initiated 1 to 4 weeks after operation in 8 studies and 6 weeks in the rest. Of the 9 brace studies, patients were immobilized by a splint for 2 weeks in 3 studies, and in the rest, a brace with full extension was applied for 3 to 6 weeks after several days of splint application. Of the 7 RTS studies, RTS was allowed at 6 months in 6 studies and 5 to 7 months in 1 study. Conclusions This systematic review revealed conservative rehabilitation protocols were more widely adapted as ROM and WB were restricted at certain degrees during postoperative periods in most protocols analyzed. However, it is impossible to identify a consensus on rehabilitation protocols as the protocols analyzed in this review were distinct each other and heterogeneous. In the future, a well-designed comparative study among different rehabilitation protocols is essential to establish a consensus.

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is a common sports injury that frequently occurs in active individuals. LAS is characterized by a high recurrence rate, with a large proportion of patients progressing to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Pilates exercises have provided positive results in health care and in rehabilitation. This study compared Pilates training (PT) with traditional balance training (BT) in patients with CAI. Fifty-one college football players with CAI, divided into PT (n = 26) and BT (n = 25) groups, were included in the study. The groups performed PT or BT training as assigned, three times per week for 6 weeks. Isokinetic ankle strength, one-leg hop tests, Y-balance test (YBT), and foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) were evaluated before and after training. There were considerable improvements in both the PT and BT groups after training. Group and time comparisons revealed that the PT group achieved better triple hop test results than the BT group, whereas the BT group exhibited a greater improvement in YBT posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances. In athletes with CAI, both PT and BT effectively improved symptoms and function. These findings suggest that ankle strength, balance, and core stability should be comprehensively evaluated and targeted in CAI rehabilitation programs.