The authors have no acknowledgments.

All methods described here were exempt from review by the Summa Institutional Review Board.&#160;
1. Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the simulation lab prior to beginning the blindfolded code training exercise.&#160;
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare all supplies needed for code resuscitation, including an intravenous (IV) start kit, IV fluids, a code cart, a defibrillator with pads, a bag valve mask, a non-rebreather mask, a nasal cannula, a pulse oximeter, and intubating supplies (including a laryngoscope, an endotracheal tube, a stylet, a syringe, an end-tidal carbon dioxide monitor, and a cardiac monitor).</li>
		<li>Place the human-patient simulator on an emergency department bed. Turn on the simulator and connect it to the wireless network. Set the simulator vitals to match the case scenario.</li>
		<li>Provide a chair or stool and blindfold for the code team leader. Place the team leader 5 feet away from the foot of the bed, facing away from the team.&#160;</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Print code resuscitation simulation scenarios for the faculty. Read the simulation scenarios prior to the start of the session.&#160;</li>
	<li>Upload any necessary radiographic images and electrocardiograms for each patient scenario.</li>
</ol>
2. Blindfolded Code Training Exercise
<ol>
	<li>Review the rules of the exercise with the learners. Provide a demonstration for the learners of the blindfolded code training exercise.</li>
	<li>Select a code team leader from the group of learners. Initially, start with more experienced learners as code team leaders.</li>
	<li>Sit the code team leader down on a chair or stool at the foot of the bed, facing away from the patient. Blindfold the code team leader.&#160; 
	NOTE: The best resuscitation team configuration is one embedded nurse, three resident physicians, and one resident as code team leader.</li>
	<li>Ensure that resuscitation team members verbally introduce themselves by role, name, and position in relation to the patient in the bed to the blindfolded code team leader prior to the start of the scenario.&#160; 
	NOTE: For example, &#8220;I am resident John at the head of the bed.&#8221;</li>
	<li>Start the scenario by reading the stem for the case scenario to the code team leader.</li>
	<li>Run the case scenario for approximately 8&#8211;10 min. Change the patient vitals and cardiac rhythms in alignment with the case scenario outline.&#160;</li>
</ol>
3. Blindfolded Code Team Debriefing
<ol>
	<li>Debrief the code team at the conclusion of the case scenario for approximately 10 min.&#160; 
	NOTE: Focus on the utilization of closed-loop communication, the leader&#8217;s effectiveness in leading the resuscitation, and the management decisions as they relate to the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or advanced trauma life support (ATLS) algorithms.&#160;</li>
	<li>Select another code team leader and repeat the process at the conclusion of the debriefing.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Brindley, P. G., Hudson, D., Lord, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+blindfolded+learner+&#8211;+a+simple+intervention+to+improve+crisis+resource+management+skills.">The blindfolded learner &#8211; a simple intervention to improve crisis resource management skills.</a> Journal of Critical Care. 23 (2), 253-254 (2008).</li><li>Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine). , (2017).</li><li>Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and American Board of Emergency Medicine. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The Emergency Medicine Milestone Project. , (2015).</li><li>Murphy, M., Curtis, K., McCloughen, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=What+is+the+impact+of+multidisciplinary+team+simulation+training+on+team+performance+and+efficiency+of+patient+care?+An+integrative+review.">What is the impact of multidisciplinary team simulation training on team performance and efficiency of patient care? An integrative review.</a> Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal. 19 (1), 44-53 (2016).</li><li>Ahmed, R., Hughes, K., Hughes, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+blindfolded+code+training+exercise.">The blindfolded code training exercise.</a> The Clinical Teacher. 15 (2), 120-125 (2018).</li><li>Ryoo, E. N., Ha, E. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Importance+of+Debriefing+in+Simulation-Based+Learning:+Comparison+Between+Debriefing+and+No+Debriefing.">The Importance of Debriefing in Simulation-Based Learning: Comparison Between Debriefing and No Debriefing.</a> Computers, Informatics, Nursing. 33 (12), 538-545 (2015).</li><li>Shinnick, M. A., Woo, M., Horwich, T. B., Steadman, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Debriefing:+The+Most+Important+Component+in+Simulation?.">Debriefing: The Most Important Component in Simulation?.</a> Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 7 (3), e105-e111 (2011).</li><li>Bergs, E. A., Rutten, F. L., Tadros, T., Krijnen, P., Schipper, I. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Communication+during+trauma+resuscitation:+do+we+know+what+is+happening?.">Communication during trauma resuscitation: do we know what is happening?.</a> Injury. 36 (8), 905-911 (2005).</li><li>Carter, E. A., Waterhouse, L. J., Kovler, M. L., Fritzeen, J., Burd, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adherence+to+ATLS+primary+and+secondary+surveys+during+pediatric+trauma+resuscitation.">Adherence to ATLS primary and secondary surveys during pediatric trauma resuscitation.</a> Resuscitation. 84 (1), 66-71 (2013).</li><li>Spanjersberg, W. R., Bergs, E. A., Mushkudiani, N., Klimek, M., Schipper, I. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protocol+compliance+and+time+management+in+blunt+trauma+resuscitation.">Protocol compliance and time management in blunt trauma resuscitation.</a> Emergency Medicine Journal. 26 (1), 23-27 (2009).</li><li>Fitzgerald, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+video+audit+to+improve+trauma+resuscitation&#8212;time+for+a+new+approach.">Using video audit to improve trauma resuscitation&#8212;time for a new approach.</a> Canadian Journal of Surgery. 49 (3), 208-211 (2006).</li><li>Hughes, P. G., Ahmed, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Blindfolded+Trauma+Team+Resuscitation:+a+strategy+for+improved+leadership+and+communication.">The Blindfolded Trauma Team Resuscitation: a strategy for improved leadership and communication.</a> BMJ Simulation &amp; Technology Enhanced Learning. , (2017).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The blindfolded code exercise consists of several critical steps. First, the exercise requires an initial faculty demonstration to decrease the learners&#8217; intimidation and anxiety toward performing a resuscitation blindfolded. It also serves to give learners an example of a successful performance of the blindfolded resuscitation. Facing the code team leader away from the resuscitation team ensures that the leader is unable to visualize the scenario and forces them to give loud, clear orders (Fig...

The blindfolded code training exercise was developed to improve closed-loop communication, the utilization of a conceptual framework to organize the management of a resuscitation, and critical thinking skills. Previous scholars reported that communication, role clarity, and teamwork were enhanced by blindfolding physicians during simulated resuscitations1. Resident physicians, especially in critical care specialties, are frequently placed in high-acuity situations. In order to appropriately manage these high-risk cases, resident physicians require training in both leadership strategies and communication in high-risk environments2,3. Simulation is commonly used and is effective in teaching crisis resource management principles and communication skills4.&#160;
Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to improve resident physician communication and leadership strategies in high-acuity situations. Ineffective communication may continue despite correct management and leadership observed in the simulation lab. A previous study highlights that the blindfolded code training exercise, when compared to typical code training, is more challenging and forces learners to use critical thinking skills and closed-loop communication. Learners felt the exercise solidified leadership skills and challenged them to maintain mental organization without visual cues5.&#160;
In preparation for the blindfolded code training exercise, the faculty provides a demonstration explaining how this advanced approach is performed, to decrease learner intimidation by the exercise. Once the demonstration is finished, the team leader is blindfolded. The team leader must use closed-loop communication and give explicit orders to the resuscitation team with a request to have all orders repeated back. The team cannot independently initiate any procedure or management without clear direction from the team leader. Team members can only execute orders from the team leader that are explicitly directed to them by name. If the team leader does not identify a specific person to perform the action, it is not performed. For example, if the team leader states, &#8220;Start compressions&#8221; without directing it to a specific team member, the order is not completed. All members of the team stand motionless. If a team member is given an order by the leader but is not requested to repeat the order as confirmation, the order can be executed but the team leader is not given verbal feedback at the completion of the order. This should prompt the team leader to ask that subsequent orders are to be repeated back, as the leader does not have visual stimuli to confirm order completion.&#160;
If the team leader asks team members to repeat the orders back, team members must reply to the team leader using closed-loop communication. This alerts the team leader when the order is received and completed. For example, if team leader Dr. Jones asks John to &#8220;Give 1 mg of epinephrine intravenously&#8221;, John will reply &#8220;I will get 1 mg of epinephrine. Dr. Jones, 1 mg of epinephrine has been administered intravenously&#8221;. The team leader can ask questions about the monitor. However, team members can only describe the appearance of the cardiac rhythm in layman&#8217;s terms (Table 1). For example, ventricular tachycardia would be described as a wide complex regular rhythm at the rate displayed on the monitor. Team members cannot use medical terms when describing the cardiac monitor, such as ventricular tachycardia or pulseless electrical activity. Lastly, faculty will verbally clarify all physical exam findings if the code team leader directs a team member to perform a physical exam.
By removing visual stimuli, the blindfolded code training exercise forces the team leader to maintain mental organization and use closed-loop communication to effectively manage a resuscitation. The purpose of the description of the blindfolded code training exercise is to provide guidance on how to perform this innovative teaching technique to force closed-loop communication.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:666px;" width="667">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Bag valve mask</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Blindfold</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Blood pressure cuff</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Cardiac monitor</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Chair</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Code Cart</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;">ACLS medications</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Defibrillator with pads</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Emergency department bed</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:222px;">End-tidal carbon dioxde monitor</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Human-patient simulator</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:63px;width:222px;">Intubation Kit&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;">endotracheal tube, laryngoscope, stylet, 10 mL syringe, endotracheal tube holder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:222px;">IV fluids</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;">1 L normal saline or lactated ringer&#39;s</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:222px;">IV start kit</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;">tourniquet, tape, tegaderm, IV catheter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Nasal cannula</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Non-rebreather mask</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Pulse oximeter</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Step stool</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:222px;">Stethoscope</td>
			<td style="width:74px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:249px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

setup and execution of the blindfolded code training exercise

Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to improve resident physician communication and leadership strategies in high-acuity situations. The blindfolded code training exercise removes visual stimuli from the team leader, forcing the team leader to effectively utilize closed-loop communication. The simple act of blindfolding the team leader creates a learning environment where the leader must utilize a conceptual framework and critical thinking strategies to organize the team and manage the resuscitation. An advantage to this teaching technique is that it does not require any special simulation equipment, making it a low-cost approach. The blindfolded code training exercise can be applied to the management of any critically ill patient where the primary objective is to focus on developing communication skills in acute resuscitations. The purpose of the description of the blindfolded code training exercise is to provide guidance on how to perform this innovative teaching technique to force effective closed-loop communication.

As noted in Ahmed et al., all residents (100%, 27/27) agreed/strongly agreed that knowledge obtained during the blindfolded code training exercise could be transferred to the clinical setting5. In addition, most residents strongly agreed that the blindfolded code training exercise was more challenging (81.5%, 22/27), allowed them to apply critical thinking skills (81.5%, 22/27), and improved use closed-loop communication (88.9%, 24/27) when compared to typical code training exercises (Tabl...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise at JoVE.com

Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise

The blindfolded code training exercise, which blindfolds the team leader in a code resuscitation simulation, is an advanced teaching technique to improve closed-loop communication, organizational skills, and critical thinking.&#160;

Miscommunication is the most common cause of preventable patient harm in medicine. Currently, there is limited knowledge of innovative techniques to ...

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9.3K Views.  Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine. The blindfolded code training exercise, which blindfolds the team leader in a code resuscitation simulation, is an advanced teaching technique to improve closed-loop communication, organizational skills, and critical thinking. 

Video: Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise

Renal Capsule Xenografting and Subcutaneous Pellet Implantation for the Evaluation of Prostate Carcinogenesis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

New therapies for two common prostate diseases, prostate cancer (PrCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depend critically on experiments evaluating their hormonal regulation. Sex steroid hormones (notably androgens and estrogens) are important in PrCa and BPH; we probe their respective roles in inducing prostate growth and carcinogenesis in mice with experiments using compressed hormone pellets. Hormone and/or drug pellets are easily manufactured with a pellet press, and surgically implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of the male mouse host. We also describe a protocol for the evaluation of hormonal carcinogenesis by combining subcutaneous hormone pellet implantation with xenografting of prostate cell recombinants under the renal capsule of immunocompromised mice. Moreover, subcutaneous hormone pellet implantation, in combination with renal capsule xenografting of BPH tissue, is useful to better understand hormonal regulation of benign prostate growth, and to test new therapies targeting sex steroid hormone pathways.

We describe the manufacture of compressed hormone pellets, as well as subcutaneous surgical implantation into mice. This strategy can be combined with the growth of cell and tissue xenografts under the renal capsule of athymic nude mice to evaluate hormonal carcinogenesis and regulation of benign prostate growth.

New therapies for two common prostate diseases,  prostate cancer (PrCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depend  critically on experiments ...

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic conditions. As part of a diagnostic assessment, the early detection of postural deficits is important so that appropriate and targeted interventions can be prescribed. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the EquiTest determines an individual&#39;s use of the sensory systems (somatosensory, visual, and vestibular) that are responsible for postural control. Somatosensory and visual input are altered by the calibrated sway-referenced support surface and visual surround, which move in the anterior-posterior direction in response to the individual&#39;s postural sway. This creates a conflicting sensory experience. The Motor Control Test (MCT) challenges postural control by creating unexpected postural disturbances in the form of backwards and forwards translations. The translations are graded in magnitude and the time to recover from the perturbation is computed.
Intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, is characterized by a cramping pain in the lower limbs and caused by muscle ischemia secondary to reduced blood flow to working muscles during physical exertion. Claudicants often display poor balance, making them susceptible to falls and activity avoidance. The Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) is a noninvasive method for indicating the presence of peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication, a common symptom in the lower extremities. ABPI is measured as the highest systolic pressure from either the dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial artery divided by the highest brachial artery systolic pressure from either arm. This paper will focus on the use of computerized dynamic posturography in the assessment of balance in claudicants.

Individuals with intermittent claudication exhibit poor balance compared to healthy controls. Computerized dynamic posturography is an objective method for measuring an individual's postural responses to balance disturbances. This provides an objective reflection of the person&#x2019;s ability to respond to situations under which sensory stimuli are altered and unexpected perturbations occur.

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic ...

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

The endothelium is the innermost lining of the vasculature and is involved in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Damage to the endothelium may predispose the vessel to atherosclerosis and increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Assessments of peripheral endothelial function are good indicators of early abnormalities in the vascular wall and correlate well with assessments of coronary endothelial function. The present manuscript details the important methodological steps necessary for the assessment of microvascular endothelial function using laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis, large vessel endothelial function using flow-mediated dilatation, and carotid atherosclerosis using carotid artery ultrasound. A discussion on the methodological considerations for each of the techniques is also presented, and recommendations are made for future research.

The present article describes the methodological considerations for several non-invasive assessments of vascular function and morphology that are commonly used in medical research to assess different stages of atherosclerosis.

The endothelium is the innermost lining of the vasculature and is involved in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.  Damage to the endothelium may ...

Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit Exercise Test

Theoretically, the electromyographic (EMG) fatigue threshold is the exercise intensity an individual can maintain indefinitely without the need to recruit more motor units which is associated with an increase in the EMG amplitude. Although different protocols have been used to estimate the EMG fatigue threshold they require multiple visits which are impractical for a clinical setting. Here, we present a protocol for estimating the EMG fatigue threshold for cycle ergometry which requires a single visit. This protocol is simple, convenient, and completed within 15-20 min, therefore, has the potential to be translated into a tool that clinicians can use in exercise prescription.

This protocol describes the electromyographic fatigue threshold which demarcates between nonfatiguing and fatiguing exercise workloads. This information could be used to develop a more individualized training program.

Theoretically, the electromyographic (EMG) fatigue threshold is the exercise intensity an individual can maintain indefinitely without the need to recruit ...

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality and a major cause of disability worldwide. The dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is a pathological condition characterized mainly by a disruption in the balance between vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances and is proposed to play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, a precise evaluation of endothelial function in humans represents an important tool that could help better understand the etiology of multiple cardio-centric pathologies.
Over the past twenty-five years, many methodological approaches have been developed to provide an assessment of endothelial function in humans. Introduced in 1989, the FMD test incorporates a forearm occlusion and subsequent reactive hyperemia that promotes nitric oxide production and vasodilation of the brachial artery. The FMD test is now the most widely utilized, non-invasive, ultrasonic assessment of endothelial function in humans and has been associated with future cardiovascular events.
Although the FMD test could have clinical utility, it is a physiological assessment that has inherited several confounding factors that need to be considered. This article describes a standardized protocol for determining FMD including the recommended methodology to help minimize the physiological and technical issues and improve the precision and reproducibility of the assessment.

The flow mediated dilation (FMD) test is the most commonly utilized, non-invasive, ultrasound assessment of endothelial function in humans. Although the FMD test has been related with the prediction of future cardiovascular disease and events, it is a physiological assessment with many inherent confounding factors that need to be considered.

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality and a major cause of disability worldwide. The dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is a ...

Induction and Assessment of Exertional Skeletal Muscle Damage in Humans

Contraction-induced muscle damage via voluntary eccentric (lengthening) contractions offers an excellent model for studying muscle adaptation and recovery in humans. Herein we discuss the design of an eccentric exercise protocol to induce damage in the quadriceps muscles, marked by changes in strength, soreness, and plasma creatine kinase levels. This method is simple, ethical, and widely applicable since it is performed in human participants and eliminates the interspecies translation of the results. Subjects perform 300 maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensor muscles at a speed of 120&#176;/sec on an isokinetic dynamometer. The extent of the damage is measurable using relatively non-invasive isokinetic and isometric measures of strength loss, soreness, and plasma creatine kinase levels over several days following the exercise. Therefore, its application can be directed to specific populations in an attempt to identify mechanisms for muscle adaptation and regeneration.

This article describes a safe and reliable method to induce and quantify exertional skeletal muscle damage in human subjects.

Contraction-induced muscle damage via voluntary eccentric (lengthening) contractions offers an excellent model for studying muscle adaptation and recovery ...

'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake

Different methods can be used in research to assess dietary intake, many of which are still paper-based. Written estimated food diaries are often utilized in clinical trials, despite being a burden for both study participants and researchers. This method requires participant literacy, it is time consuming, labor intensive, and can easily lead to under-reporting. With advancements in technology, there is a growing interest in electronic diaries that automate the dietary assessment process. These are focused on improving accuracy, reducing both time and cost and providing users with a visual and more enjoyable experience. The methodology presented here aimed to validate the &#39;Boden Food Plate&#39;, a novel web-based platform for self-recording of food and drink items, compared to a traditional estimated food diary. The application was also rated on a satisfaction scale by study participants using a paper-based questionnaire. Sixty-seven participants completed the dietary measures on both the three-day electronic and paper food diaries. For the analysis, only dietary data completed at both study time points (baseline and week six) was utilized. Despite small mean differences between dietary data collection methods, Bland Altman analysis showed fairly wide 95% limits of agreement between the electronic platform and the written estimated food diary and there were few cases which did not fall within the 95% confidence intervals. Overall, participants found the electronic food diary to be more fun than the paper method and as easy to use as hard copy diaries. The new platform has potential as a self-recording tool for the collection of dietary data, particularly when utilized in clinical trial settings. However, further validation studies are needed to improve the validity of this novel electronic dietary data collection tool.

The &#39;Boden Food Plate&#39; is an electronic food diary designed to be an interactive and fun method to collect dietary intake using visual depictions. The purpose of this study was to validate the web-based application against a traditional three-day estimated food diary method.

Different methods can be used in research to assess dietary intake, many of which are still paper-based. Written estimated food diaries are often utilized ...

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction

Live models that resemble surgical conditions of humans are needed for training free-flap harvesting and anastomosis. Animal models for training purposes have been available for years in many surgical fields. We used the female (because they are easy to handle for the procedure) Yorkshire pigs for the head and neck reconstruction by harvesting the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator or the superior epigastric artery perforator flap. The anastomosis site (neck skin defect or tracheal wall defect) was prepared via the dissection of the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein, in which 3.5&#215; loupe magnification was used for anastomosis as we use on human cases in real life. This procedure demonstrates a new training method using a reliable learning model and provides a detailed anatomy in a live scenario. We focused on the ischemia time, harvesting, vessel anastomosis, and designing the flap to fit the defect site. This model improves tissue handling and with the use of proper instruments can be repeated many times so that the surgeon is fully confident before starting the surgery on humans.

Here we present a protocol for the use of the pig superior epigastric artery perforator flap as a learning module for head and neck microvascular reconstruction.

Live models that resemble surgical conditions of humans are needed for training free-flap harvesting and anastomosis. Animal models for training purposes ...

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Regular physical activity has a positive effect on human health, but the mechanisms controlling these effects remain unclear. The physiologic and biologic responses to acute exercise are predominantly influenced by the duration and intensity of the exercise regimen. As exercise is increasingly thought of as a therapeutic treatment and/or diagnostic tool, it is important that standardizable methodologies be utilized to understand the variability and to increase the reproducibility of exercise outputs and measurements of responses to such regimens. To that end, we describe two different cycling exercise regimens that yield different physiologic outputs. In a maximal exercise test, exercise intensity is continually increased with a greater workload resulting in an increasing cardiopulmonary and metabolic response (heart rate, stroke volume, ventilation, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production). In contrast, during endurance exercise tests, the demand is increased from that at rest, but is raised to a fixed submaximal exercise intensity resulting in a cardiopulmonary and metabolic response that typically plateaus. Along with the protocols, we provide suggestions on measuring physiologic outputs that include, but are not limited to, heart rate, slow and forced vital capacity, gas exchange metrics, and blood pressure to enable the comparison of exercise outputs between studies. Biospecimens can then be sampled to assess cellular, protein, and/or gene expression responses. Overall, this approach can be easily adapted into both short- and long-term effects of two distinct exercise regimens.

To assess the influence of exercise intensity on physiologic and biologic responses, two different exercise testing protocols were utilized. Methods outlining exercise testing on a cycle ergometer as an incremental maximal oxygen consumption test and endurance, steady state submaximal endurance test are described.

Regular physical activity has a positive effect on human health, but the mechanisms controlling these effects remain unclear. The physiologic and biologic ...

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a common disorder that causes a significant loss of productivity. The transaxillary first rib resection (TFRR) protocol has been used for the decompression of trapped neurovascular structures in the TOS. Among the other surgical procedures, the advantage of the TFRR is that it has the smallest rate of recurrence and better cosmetic outcomes. The disadvantage of TFRR is that it provides a narrow, and deep working corridor that makes obtaining vascular control challenging.

Here, we present a protocol of the transaxillary resection of the first rib for treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian vein and artery.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a common disorder that causes a significant loss of productivity. The transaxillary first rib resection (TFRR) protocol ...