ORCID Profile
0000-0003-3282-1834
Current Organisation
Nanyang Technological University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-06-2021
DOI: 10.1002/AJUM.12273
Abstract: To establish the test–retest and inter‐rater reliability of lumbar multifidus (LM) and iliocostalis lumborum (IL) muscle thickness and echogenicity as derived using ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound images of the LM and IL were collected from 11 healthy participants on two occasions, 1 week apart, by two independent assessors. Measures of LM and IL thickness and echogenicity were subject to test–retest and inter‐rater reliability, which was assessed by calculation of an F statistic, the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of measurement, 95% confidence intervals and Bland–Altman plots. This study was given approval by The University of Melbourne Behavioural and Social Sciences Human Ethics Sub‐Committee (ref: 1749845). Assessors A and B showed good to excellent test–retest reliability for LM thickness (ICC 3,3 A: 0.89 and B: 0.98), LM echogenicity (ICC 3,3 A: 0.93 and B: 0.95) and IL echogenicity (ICC 3,3 A: 0.87 and B: 0.83). Test–retest reliability for IL thickness was poor for Assessor A but excellent for Assessor B. Both assessors demonstrated excellent inter‐rater reliability for LM thickness and echogenicity (ICC 2,3 : 0.79 and 0.94), but poor reliability for IL thickness and echogenicity (ICC 2,3 : 0.00 and 0.39). Inter‐rater and test–retest reliability was excellent for LM but was less reliable for measures of the IL muscle.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-08-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JOA.13497
Abstract: Quadriceps atrophy and morphological change is a known phenomenon that can impact significantly on strength and functional performance in patients with acute or chronic presentations conditions. Real‐time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging is a noninvasive valid and reliable method of quantifying quadriceps muscle anatomy and architecture. To date, there is a paucity of normative data on the architectural properties of superficial and deep components of the quadriceps muscle group to inform assessment and evaluation of intervention programs. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the anatomical architectural properties of the quadriceps muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis) using RTUS in healthy older adults and (2) to determine the relationship between RTUS muscle parameters and measures of quadriceps muscle strength. Thirty middle aged to older males and females (age range 55–79 years mean age =59.9 ± 7.08 years) were recruited. Quadriceps muscle thickness, cross‐sectional area, pennation angle, and echogenicity were measured using RTUS. Quadriceps strength was measured using hand‐held dynamometry. For the RTUS‐derived quadriceps morphological data, rectus femoris mean results circumference 9.3 cm CSA 4.6 cm 2 thickness 1.5 cm echogenicity 100.2 pixels. Vastus intermedius mean results thickness 1.8 cm echogenicity 99.1 pixels. Vastus lateralis thickness 1.9 cm pennation angle 17.3 ° fascicle length 7.0 cm. Quadriceps force was significantly correlated only with rectus femoris circumference ( r = 0.48, p = 0.007), RF echogenicity ( r = 0.38, p = 0.037), VI echogenicity ( r = 0.43, p = 0.018), and VL fascicle length ( r = 0.43, p = 0.019). Quadriceps force was best predicted by a three‐variable model (adjusted R 2 = 0.46, p 0.001) which included rectus femoris echogenicity ( B = 0.43, p = 0.005), vastus lateralis fascicle length ( B = 0.33, p = 0.025) and rectus femoris circumference (B = 0.31, p = 0.041). Thus respectively, rectus femoris echogenicity explains 43%, vastus lateralis fascicle length explains 33% and rectus femoris circumference explains 31% of the variance of quadriceps force. The study findings suggest that RTUS measures were reliable and further research is warranted to establish whether these could be used as surrogate measures for quadriceps strength in adults to inform exercise and rehabilitation programs.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 30-08-2023
Abstract: The plant cell wall (CW) is one of the most important physical barriers phytopathogens must conquer to invade their hosts. This barrier is a dynamic structure that responds to pathogen infection through a complex network of immune receptors, together with CW-synthesizing and CW-degrading enzymes. Callose deposition in the primary CW is a well-known physical response to pathogen infection. Notably, callose and cellulose biosynthesis share an initial substrate, UDP-glucose, which is the main load-bearing component of the CW. However, how these two critical biosynthetic processes are balanced during plant-pathogen interactions remains unclear. Here, using two different pathogen-derived molecules, bacterial flagellin (flg22) and the diffusible signal factor (DSF) produced by Xanthomonas c estris pv. c estris, we show a negative correlation between cellulose and callose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). By quantifying the abundance of callose and cellulose under DSF or flg22 elicitation and characterizing the dynamics of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of these two polymers, we show that the balance of these two CW components is mediated by the activity of a β-1,3-glucanase (BG2). Our data demonstrate balanced cellulose and callose biosynthesis during plant immune responses.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2018-028259
Abstract: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. However, there is no consensus in the literature regarding optimal management. Exercise intervention is the most widely used treatment as it likely influences contributing factors such as physical and psychological. Literature evaluating the effects of exercise on CLBP is often generalised, non-specific and employs inconsistent outcome measures. Moreover, the mechanisms behind exercise-related improvements are poorly understood. Recently, research has emerged identifying associations between neuromuscular-biomechanical impairments and CLBP-related disability. This information can be used as the basis for more specific and, potentially more efficacious exercise interventions for CLBP patients. Ninety-four participants (including both males and females) with CLBP aged 18–65 who present for treatment to a Melbourne-based private physiotherapy practice will be recruited and randomised into one of two treatment groups. Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly allocated to receive either: (i) strengthening exercises in combination with lumbar force accuracy training exercises or (ii) strengthening exercises alone. Participants will attend exercise sessions twice a week for 12 weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline, midway (ie, 6 weeks into the trial) and at trial completion. All exercise interventions will be supervised by a qualified physiotherapist trained in the intervention protocol. The primary outcome will be functional disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Index. Other psychosocial and mechanistic parameters will also be measured. This study was given approval by the University of Melbourne Behavioural and Social Sciences Human Ethics Sub-Committee on 8 August 2017, reference number 1 749 845. Results of the randomised controlled trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals. ACTRN12618000894291.
No related grants have been discovered for Joshua Farragher.