Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions最新文献

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of the Universal Exercise Unit (UEU) versus Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) on genu recurvatum in children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Thirty children (8 males, 22 females) aged 4-8 years with diplegic CP and genu recurvatum were randomly assigned to two groups (n=15 each). Study group I received UEU therapy and an exercise program for three weeks for 12 weeks. Study group II received FES applied to the hamstring and tibialis anterior muscles during walking, with the same exercise program and frequency. Genu recurvatum and muscle strength were assessed pre- and post-treatment using a digital goniometer and Lafayette muscle tester.

Results: Both groups improved significantly in all variables post-treatment, with Study Group I (UEU) showing greater improvements in reducing genu recurvatum and increasing muscle strength (p<0.05).

Conclusion: UEU and FES were effective in treating genu recurvatum in children with diplegic CP, but UEU provided superior results.

Clinicaltrials: gov ID: NCT06332729.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease, especially occur in the elderly. This study aimed to uncover a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and treatment of OA.

Methods: WGCNA, differential expression analysis and PPI network were used for screening hub genes-related to OA, utilizing the GSE55235 and GSE57218 datasets from GEO database.

Results: Based on the data in the GEO datasets, compared to normal tissues, ITGB5 was obviously elevated in OA cartilage and synovial samples. Additionally, ROC curve results validated the diagnostic value of ITGB5 in OA. Mechanistically, transcription factors KLF4 and KLF11 could modulate ITGB5 gene transcription via binding to its promoter region, thereby affecting ITGB5 gene expression in OA tissues. GSEA results showed that ITGB5 gene was closely related to p53, wnt, TNF and T cell receptor signaling pathways, suggesting that ITGB5 may play potential roles in affecting cell apoptosis and inflammation in OA. Moreover, ITGB5 levels in OA samples was positively correlated to T helper type 1 cells, natural killer T cells, macrophages, memory CD8 T cells, activated dendritic cells.

Conclusion: In this study, we found that ITGB5 was obviously elevated in OA samples. Moreover, ITGB5 may function as a diagnostic biomarker in OA.

Objectives: Children with hemiplegia often experience motor problems that primarily affect one side of their body. They frequently struggle with asymmetrical gait patterns, pelvic imbalance affecting stability, and reduced trunk muscle endurance, all of which impact their overall mobility and coordination. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of task-oriented circuit training program in improving kinematic gait parameters, pelvic symmetry, and trunk endurance in children with hemiplegia.

Methods: A total of forty children diagnosed with hemiplegia between the ages of 7 and 10 years were randomized into both control and study groups. The control group was given a specially designed physiotherapy program, while the study group was given the identical program applied to the control group, combined with a 12-week task-oriented circuit training intervention. Gait kinematics were assessed using two-dimensional motion analysis, pelvic symmetry was evaluated through a palpation meter inclinometer, and trunk endurance was measured using four validated tests.

Results: A significant improvement was observed in both groups in all outcome measures post-treatment when compared to the baseline mean values in favor to the study group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Task-oriented circuit training in conjunction with a designed physiotherapy program is more effective in improving gait kinematics, pelvic symmetry, and endurance of trunk muscles among children with hemiplegia.

Clinicaltrials: gov ID: NCT04761263.

Objectives: This study investigated the acute effects of dynamic stretch (DS) duration on the muscle stiffness of the ankle plantar flexor using shear wave ultrasound elastography.

Methods: Eighteen healthy young participants were enrolled in this study. DS with one set (DS1) or four sets (DS4) of 30 s each was performed randomly. Shear wave velocity in the medial gastrocnemius (MG) was measured before and after DS to assess muscle stiffness of the MG.

Results: Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (condition × time) showed a significant interaction with the shear wave velocity (p = 0.02). Shear wave velocity significantly decreased after the DS4 than before (before:3.09 ± 0.59 m/s; after: 2.86 ± 0.43 m/s). However, no significant differences were observed in shear wave velocity between before and after DS1 (before: 2.96 ± 0.56 m/s; after: 3.19 ± 0.56 m/s). There were no significant differences in shear wave velocity at baseline condition. After the intervention, significantly lower shear wave velocity was observed in DS4 than in DS1.

Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that DS with four sets of 30 s effectively decreased the muscle stiffness of the MG.

Objectives: The osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is an important aspect of studying osteoporosis (OP). This study aims to explore the role of SYVN1 in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and to suggest its potential as a treatment for OP.

Methods: BMSCs were differentiated using osteogenic induction. The expression of SYVN1 at different osteogenic induction time points was analyzed by Western blot (WB). The expression levels of osteogenic markers, including RUNX2, ALP, and OCN, were measured by RT-qPCR. EdU staining and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the impact of SYVN1 on the proliferative ability of BMSCs. The effect of SYVN1 on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was assessed by alizarin red staining. The association of SYVN1 with the AMPK/mTOR pathway was confirmed through WB analysis.

Results: The expression of SYVN1 decreased as BMSCs differentiation progressed. Overexpression of SYVN1 inhibited the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of BMSCs, whereas silencing SYVN1 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, SYVN1 overexpression reduced the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and increased the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio, effects that were reversed by the AMPK activator A-769662.

Conclusion: SYVN1 overexpression inhibits the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of BMSCs, potentially through modulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Objectives: The neural respiratory drive (NRD) is a critical determinant of breathlessness, influenced by the balance between ventilatory load and respiratory muscle capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of body positions on NRD in young healthy adults (18-50 years) and to identify the optimal position for assessing NRD among the healthy subjects.

Methods: Surface electromyography (sEMG) data from the 2nd intercostal space parasternal muscle was collected in supine, sitting, and standing positions among young healthy adults. NRD parameters, including EMG Para max% and Neural Respiratory Drive Index (NRDI), were analysed and compared among positions using ANOVA.

Results: Significant differences in NRD values were observed across body positions, with standing vs. supine vs. sitting yielding higher values in both sexes respectively (Males: 5.113±0.437, 4.404±0.576, 4.913±0.623; P<0.001 and Females: 7.444±0.416, 6.435±0.266, 6.748±0.390; P<0.001). Post hoc analysis reveals significant difference in standing vs supine vs sitting position. These findings highlight the influence of body position on NRD measurements.

Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of considering body position when evaluating NRD in healthy individuals. These factors should also be taken into account in clinical assessments to ensure accurate interpretation of NRD and related respiratory functions.

Objectives: The one of the developing methods in paediatric densitometry field is peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), however, very little is known about its precision in children. The aim of presented study was to evaluate the precision errors for bone density, mass, dimensions, strength and mechanostat parameters as well as for soft tissue composition in children with medical conditions.

Methods: Stratec XCT 2000L apparatus was used. The measurement sites were 4%, 14%, 38% and 66% of the lower leg length. The study group comprised of 60 patients (30 girls) aged 5,0-18,0 yrs.

Results: Relative precision errors (CV%RMS) were from 0,25% for tibia 38% cortical bone density to 5,49% for fat cross-sectional area to muscle cross-sectional area ratio. Least significant change (LSC) was from 0,70% to 15,20%, respectively. Weak to moderate correlations between precision errors and body size, with r from -0,43 to 0,71, have been observed.

Conclusion: Presented study revealed pQCT method at the lower leg in children with medical conditions as relatively precise technique. Obtained results provides an attainable basis for design and interpretation of pQCT studies in children with medical conditions.

Objectives: This observational study aims to summarize the disability profile, rehabilitation strategies, and six-month outcomes in patients with Spinal Cord Ischemia (SC-ischemia) following Major Vascular Surgeries (MVS) at our institution.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected from seven patients who underwent MVS between April 2016 and March 2020.

Results: All patients were male, with a mean age of 68.7 years. SC-ischemia affected predominantly Th10 (six patients) and Th12 (one patient), resulting in severe motor paralysis in six patients and moderate paralysis in one. The average intensive care unit stay was 19.6 days, with delayed mobility observed (9.6 days to sit upright, 14.9 days to sit in a wheelchair). Patients had a prolonged hospital stay (average 70.6 days) and showed minimal improvement in activities of daily living (median Barthel Index of 10). At six months, two patients regained walking ability, while five showed little improvement.

Conclusion: Recovery post-MVS-associated SC-ischemia is inconsistent and often limited. Future research should focus on optimizing rehabilitation strategies for these patients suffering from this catastrophic complication.

Objectives: To explore the preventive effect of the FOCUS-PDCA management model on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in elderly orthopedic patients after surgery.

Methods: A total of 229 elderly patients who underwent orthopedic surgery in our hospital between January 2021 and December 2023 were divided into two groups: the control group (n=104) and the intervention group (n=125), based on their admission order. The control group received routine intervention, while the intervention group was treated with the FOCUS-PDCA model. Coagulation function, DVT risk symptoms, incidence of DVT, intervention quality, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.

Results: After the intervention, the PT and APTT/s levels in the intervention group were significantly better than those in the control group, while the Fibrinogen (FIB) level was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The DVT risk symptoms and incidence of DVT were also lower in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the intervention quality and patient satisfaction were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The FOCUS-PDCA management model improves coagulation function and reduces the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in elderly orthopedic patients after surgery.

Objectives: This research explores the vertical force-velocity (FV) profiles of female volleyball players at different maturation stages and examines the correlation between these profiles and spike jump.

Methods: Forty-two volleyball players (≥1 year training) were grouped by maturation stage-pre-PHV (n=9), mid-PHV (n=14), or post-PHV (n=19)-determined using anthropometric measurements (standing height, sitting height, leg length, and weight) and the Mirwald method to estimate maturity offset. FV profiles were assessed using Samozino's method with countermovement jumps under different loads. ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests analyzed group differences, while correlation analysis explored links between FV profiles and spike jump height (SJ).

Results: Significant variances were observed among maturity groups concerning FV profile parameters, which included maximal force (F₀), maximal velocity (V₀), and maximal power (P_max) (p<0.05, η²=0.19-0.69). Players at more advanced maturity stages demonstrated higher force parameters yet lower velocity values. Furthermore, only weak correlations emerged between spike jump height and parameters such as F₀ and P_max (p<0.05, r=0.31-0.39).

Conclusion: Post-PHV female volleyball players exhibited greater force production, but lower velocity compared to pre- and mid-PHV players. The weak correlations between force-velocity profiles and spike jump height suggest that other factors may contribute to spike jump performance. Further research is needed to elucidate these determinants across different maturation stages.