Obstacle crossing, such as stepping over a curb, exerts additional demands on balance control, and therefore the study of usual-pace gait patterns associated with obstacle-crossing performance may provide additional insight into understanding falls and deterioration of gait in older adults. Participants included 432 adults aged 60-96 years (218 women). Participants who failed the obstacle-crossing task (n = 181) walked slower with smaller knee range of motion than participants who successfully completed the obstacle-crossing task (all ps less then .001). Participants who failed the obstacle crossing reported a greater likelihood of falling in the previous year, more balance problems, lower walking ability, and needed longer time to complete 5 chair stands than those who passed the task (all ps less then .05). Obstacle-crossing task may identify gait patterns in older adults who appear functionally intact, but who are nonetheless at risk of fall and balance problems.The purpose of this research was to evaluate the performances of female middle- and long-distance runners before and after the implementation of a new antidoping strategy (the Athlete Biological Passport [ABP]) in a country accused of systematic doping. A retrospective analysis of the results of Russian National Championships from 2008 to 2017 was performed. The 8 best female performances for the 800-m, 1500-m, 3000-m steeplechase, 5000-m, and 10,000-m events from the semifinals and finals were analyzed. The yearly number of athletes fulfilling standard qualifications for international competitions was also evaluated. Overall, numbers of athletes banned for doping in 2008-2017 were calculated. As a result, 4 events (800, 1500, 5000 [all P less then .001], and 10,000 m [P less then .01]) out of 5 showed statistically significant deterioration in the performances when comparing before and after the introduction of the ABP. The 3000-m steeplechase was the only event that did not show statistically significant change. The highest relative decrease in the number of runners who met standard qualification for international competition was for the 5000-m event (46%), followed by 1500-m (42%), 800-m (38%), 10,000-m (17%), and 3000-m steeplechase (1%). In conclusion, implementation of the ABP was followed by a significant reduction in the performance of female runners in a country accused of systematic doping. It can be reasonably speculated that more stringent antidoping testing, more specifically the introduction of the ABP, is a key reason for this reduction.BACKGROUND Electronic consultations, which use store-and-forward transfer of clinical information between a primary care physician and a specialist, improve access to specialty care. Adoption of electronic consultations is beginning in pediatric health care systems, but little is known about parent perspectives, informational needs, and preferences for interaction with this new model of care. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine parent perspectives about electronic consultations, including perceived benefits and risks, anticipated informational needs, and preferences for parent engagement with electronic consultations. METHODS We recruited caregivers of pediatric patients (aged 0-21 years) attending visits at an academic primary care center. Caregivers were eligible if their child had ever been referred for in-person specialty care. Caregivers participated in a semistructured interview about electronic consultations, including general perspectives, desired information, and preferences for parental engagementthey were more ambivalent about the idea of read-only access to consultation documentation. CONCLUSIONS Parents identified the potential risks and benefits of pediatric electronic consultations, with implications for communication with families about electronic consultations and for incorporation of features to enhance parent engagement.Leishmaniasis is considered one of the six most important infectious diseases in the world. In spite of its importance, the leishmaniasis is one of the world's most neglected tropical diseases. Bichromomyia flaviscutellata sensu lato is a complex composed of at least three species B. flaviscutellata sensu stricto, B. reducta and B. olmeca. The latter is composed of three subspecies B. olmeca olmeca, B. olmeca bicolor and B. olmeca nociva, which are distributed from Central America to South America. Of these, B. flaviscutellata s.s. is recognized as the main vector of Leishmania amazonensis in Brazil. The present study aimed to identify molecularly the species and subspecies of the B. flaviscutellata complex using the 5' region of the COI gene (Barcode region). A total of 44 specimens, comprising 22 B. flaviscutellata s.s. and 22 B. olmeca nociva, were analyzed from six localities in the Brazilian Amazon five in the State of Amazonas (Autazes, Manaus, Pitinga, Novo Airão, and Rio Preto da Eva), and one in the -species status. click here The findings of this study also found that B. flaviscutellata s.s. populations may be in process of forming lineages. BACKGROUND Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a vaginal mucosal infection that usually infects women in their reproductive age. When the signs of VVC persist on a daily basis or last for a long time and repeat at least three times per year, the disease is considered chronic and recurrent. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the expression rate of 2 genes responsible for adhesion and virulence of candida in RVVC patients using Real-time PCR, and comparing them together and assess the presence or absence of ALS9-2 allele in these patients. PATIENTS/METHODS The vaginal discharge was collected from 120 women aged (22-55) attending lolagar hospital which were all diagnosed with RVVC and 120 age-matched healthy controls. The expression rate of ALS2 and ALS 9 genes was quantified using real-time PCR. PCR method was used for Identification of ALS9 gene alleles. RESULTS Results showed an increase in ALS2 gene expression and a decrease in ALS9 gene expression, comparing to basic level and standard sample. 42.5% (51 of total 120 samples) contained the small allele. CONCLUSIONS The significant difference in expression rates of ALS2 and ALS9 genes indicates their different roles in making morphogenesis changes during the virulence of Candida albicans. Emergence of heterogeneous form and detection of ALS's short allele in invasive form of fungi proves the significant pathogenic role of this allele, specially when attached to mucosal tissue. Invasive and recurrent form of the disease can be accompanied by genetic-morphologic changes in fungi. Considering the form of this disease and the reduction in ALS9 gene expression, it can be concluded that this gene plays a significant role in attachment and initiation of the pathogenic phase. V.