European Journal of Translational Myology最新文献

Despite the availability of statins and lifestyle modifications, many patients with Dyslipidemia struggle to achieve optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control. PCSK9 inhibitors offer a promising new therapeutic option with superior LDL-C lowering efficacy compared to statins. However, data on their real-world use, particularly in Iran, is limited. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the one-year effects of evolocumab on lipid profiles and potential cardiovascular outcomes in Iranian patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH).This single-center, prospective study evaluated evolocumab effectiveness in lowering LDL-C in 50 Iranian adults with FH. Participants with a documented LDL-C > 190 mg/dL on existing cholesterol medications (excluding PCSK9 inhibitors) and a clinical FH diagnosis was included. After baseline assessments (medical history, demographics, lipid profile), evolocumab was administered subcutaneously every two weeks for one year. Follow-up assessments at year one measured changes in LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. The study enrolled 50 participants with an average age of 55 years old (range 35-80 years).Treatment with evolocumab led to significant improvements in lipid profiles at all follow-up points compared to baseline. On average, LDL-C levels decreased by 105.24 mg/dL, triglycerides decreased by 59.20 mg/dL, and HDL-C levels increased by a modest but significant 4.5 mg/dL after one year(p<0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed no statistically significant interactions between baseline demographics (age, sex, BMI) or lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol) and changes in lipid levels(p>0.05). However, a significant interaction emerged between baseline lipid levels and their corresponding reductions, suggesting greater improvement in patients with higher baseline values(p<0.05). It is noteworthy that no new cardiovascular events were reported during the study period. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of evolocumab in improving lipid profiles in Iranian patients with FH. The observed reductions in LDL-C and triglycerides, along with a modest increase in HDL-C, suggest potential benefits for cardiovascular risk reduction. The absence of new cardiovascular events during the study is encouraging, but further research with larger and longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm these findings and assess the long-term safety and impact on quality of life.

This study aims to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the adherence to conservative AIS treatment. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine of at least 10 degrees. Compliance rates in conservative treatments are influenced by various factors. From a database of AIS patients, we selected 30 AIS patients who were assessed before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data regarding Cobb's angle, brace prescription, prescribed brace wear time, brace wear compliance, and time dedicated to sports activities were collected over a six-year period from January 2018 to December 2023, divided into three 2-year time periods (before, during, and after COVID-19). There was an increased percentage of AIS patients prescribed with a brace during the pandemic. However, no significant differences in Cobb's angle were observed. Additionally, the prescribed wear time showed a significant decrease from the pre-COVID period to the post-COVID period (p-value = 0.03). Wear compliance exhibited a decreasing trend from pre- to during- and post-COVID-19 periods without reaching statistically significant differences, and the time dedicated to sports statistically significantly decreased. These differences were statistically significant when comparing the pre- vs. post- and pre- vs. during-COVID-19 periods (p-values 0.01, 0.04, respectively). Our study highlights changes in AIS conservative treatment during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in the number of patients prescribed with a brace during the pandemic, although not supported by an increase in Cobb's angle, may be attributed to the concerns about regular monitoring during the reduction of rehabilitation services. The observed decreases in brace compliance and involvement in sport activities, which persisted even in the post-pandemic period, emphasizes the lasting impact of the pandemic on AIS management, necessitating innovative approaches to address these ongoing concerns.

Muscle strength is essential for autonomy in daily activities and performance in sports activities. Yet, conventional strength training is challenging during recovery from pathological conditions. This study investigates a novel combined intervention employing Focal Muscle Vibration (FMV) and Action Observation (AO) to enhance muscle strength. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers (18 females and 9 males, aged 22 to 42 years) were enrolled for an intervention-control study comparing 2 groups: the intervention group received AO treatment with FMV on the right leg, and the control group underwent only FMV on the right leg.  This design allowed the comparison of four conditions: FMV+AO (intervention group, right leg), AO alone (intervention group, left leg), FMV alone (control group, right leg), and no-treatment NT (control group, left leg). The treatment, conducted five times a week (Mon-Fri) for two weeks, involved a 20-minute session of FMV on the right quadriceps,  coupled, for the intervention group, with the observation of a gym training video. The assessments of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC), and fatigue coefficient (FC) expressed at knee extension bilaterally were measured at the beginning (T0), after the first week (T1), at the end of treatment (T2), and one-week post-intervention for the follow-up (T3). The FMV+AO group demonstrated a significant improvement in MVC over time, reaching statistical significance at T2 and maintaining the gain at T3. In contrast, all the other conditions demonstrated milder MVC increases without statistical significance. FC did not differ significantly in any condition. The combination of FMV and AO optimized muscle strengthening, offering insights for targeted treatments in various settings.

Diaphragmatic ultrasound, valued for its portability and safety, assesses both structural and functional aspects of the diaphragm. While some studies support its predictive value, others conflict. This meta-analysis aims to clarify diaphragmatic ultrasound's role in predicting successful liberation from mechanical ventilation in intensive care settings. A systematic search was performed on Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed up to March, 2024. The search strategy included a combination of relevant medical subject heading (MeSH) terms and relevant keywords. We defined our eligibility criteria based on the PICO framework. Two authors performed the data extraction using a standardized sheet. The pooled mean difference was calculated using random effects model and Hedges' g along with SD estimation. R and RStudio were used for the statistical analysis and creating forest and funnel plots. The pooled mean difference was 7.25 (95% CI: 4.20, 10.21) for DE among the two groups. We found a statistically significant difference between the two groups indicating that those with successful weaning from intubation had higher means of DE compared to those with failed weaning attempt (p-value<0.01). The mean difference of DTF was also higher among those with successful weaning from intubation compared to those with failed weaning attempt with the pooled mean difference of 14.52 (95% CI: 10.51, 18.54, p-value<0.01). The mean difference of RSBI was lower among those with successful weaning from intubation compared to those with failed weaning attempt with the pooled mean difference of -28.86 (95% CI: -41.82, -15.91, p-value<0.01). Our results suggest that evaluating diaphragmatic excursion and thickening fraction can reliably anticipate successful liberation from mechanical ventilation. However, significant heterogeneity was present among the included studies. High-quality research, particularly randomized clinical trials, is required to further elucidate the role of diaphragmatic ultrasound in predicting weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is an epithelial malignancy with follicular cell differentiation and sets of defined nuclear features and appearance of an irregular solid mass. The main objective of our study is to research on the expression of miR-218-2 in the serum of patients with papillary thyroid cancer and its clinical significance. Our study involved patients with thyroid nodules were divided into a capitate cancer group (N = 100) and a benign nodule group (N =100). Lastly, 50 cases of healthy individuals were used as controls. The total sample size was 250. All cases were clinically diagnosed and underwent histopathological examinations at the Tonglu County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2023 and January 2024. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the expression levels of miR-218-2 and its host gene SLIT3 in normal and cancer thyroid tissues. We found that 45% of tumour sizes were less than 1 cm with 90% of tumours did not infiltrate the glandular capsule, implying a favourable prognosis. Lastly, 85% of tumours were well differentiated with about 75% showing no metastasis while 60% of TNM stage were classified as stage I. Also, miR-218-2 and its host gene SLIT3 are significantly down-regulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The inhibitory effects of miR-218-2 act in synergy with its host gene SLIT3 to alter the rates of cell invasion, cell migration and cell proliferation. Our findings have clinical significance on the involvement of miR-218-2 and SLIT3. There exists a functional relationship between host genes and intronic miRNAs in the tumorigenesis of thyroid cancers.

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults is a form of diabetes that progresses slowly and is controlled by diet and oral glucose-lowering medications before insulin is required. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. The present study was conducted based on PRISMA 2020-27-item checklist. To find the studies conducted in line with the purpose of the study, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, EBSCO, Wiley, ISI, Elsevier, Embase databases and Google Scholar search engine were reviewed from 2013 to August 2023. Meta-analysis was performed using effect size with 95% confidence interval. Data analysis was done using STATA/MP. v17 software. The present study was carried out based on the PRISMA 2020 27-point checklist. To find out which studies were carried out in accordance with the purpose of the study, from 2013 to August, the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, EBSCO, Wiley, ISI, Elsevier, Embase and the search engine Google Scholar reviewed 2023. Meta-analysis was performed using effect size with 95% confidence interval. Data analysis was carried out using STATA/MP. v17 software. The overall prevalence of Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults was found to be 7% (95%CI 0-20). Subgroup analysis of Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults in the context of geographic regions showed a higher prevalence in North America (15%) and South East Asia (5%). Since the identification of Latent autoimmune diabetes of adult patients with other forms of diabetes is misdiagnosed due to the combination of phenotypic features with T1D and T2D, studying its prevalence is of great importance.

This issue of the European Journal of Translational Myology (Ejtm) 34 (3) 2024 opens with a historic article by Roger Sabbadini, who recalls his years spent as a guest scientist at the Institute of General Pathology of the University of Padua, Italy and the many years spent valorising a fortuitous observation made in collaboration with the scientific group of Professor Giovanni Salviati, University of Padua, Italy. A further side effect of those years is the decision I recently made to add a new Section to the Ejtm Editorial board, namely: Myokines, Bioactive lipids, Adipokines, RNAkines (ncRNAs), Antonio Musarò, Roger Sabbadini, and Daniela Tavian, Editors. Readers are therefore warmly invited to contribute typescripts to this section. I am confident that young readers will be motivated to test preliminary in vitro and in vivo options for drug development, especially for the bioactive lipids. Furthermore, it is time to send your presentation proposals and registration/accommodation forms to participate in the International Meeting: Padua Days on Muscle and Mobility Medicine, which will be held at the Hotel Petrarca of the Euganean Thermae (Padua, Italy) from 25 to 29 March 2025 (2025Pdm3). The Preliminary Program is included, hoping that you will submit your abstract and the Registration forms by November 15, 2024.

The article summarizes the results of our own scientific and practical research on biopuncture (or pharmacopuncture) - local stimulation of acupuncture points with small doses of drugs or other agents. The "object" of the work was dorsopathies at the lumbosacral level, the choice of which was explained by the widest coverage of the population, the protracted course and the severity of the consequences. In the course of the research, the addition and even potentiation of the reflex and drug links of the method under consideration was noted. In particular, favorable changes in the status of patients observed against the background of biopuncture by complex agents were accompanied by a significant improvement in the results of psychological and electrophysiological examination. In a series of studies on biopuncture with Alflutop, a significant superiority of this approach over the compared methods was manifested, in addition to clinical effects, in structurally-modifying changes in the intervertebral discs. Using the same drug, an original scheme of therapeutic action was proposed, combining the techniques of drug blockade and pharmacopuncture. Special attention should be paid to the fact that the effectiveness of biopuncture is enhanced due to the combined use of modern hardware techniques. In a series of separate studies, the efficacy of biopuncture with essential oils in dorsopathies was confirmed, largely explained by the cumulative effects.

There has been an increasing interest among CrossFit® coaches and practitioners in identifying indicators of sport performance. This study aimed to examine the correlation between anthropometric measures, cardiorespiratory capacity, power, local muscle endurance, and total athleticism score, with performance in the CrossFit® Open 2021. Fourteen male volunteers (aged 30.3 ± 5.8 years) participated in the study and underwent a series of tests on separate weeks. These tests included assessments of body fat percentage (subcutaneous adipose thickness measured at seven sites), maximal oxygen consumption (2 km test in rowing ergometer), muscle power (one repetition maximum in power clean), and muscle endurance (Tibana test, which included the conclusion of four distinct rounds of work). These results were used to calculate the total score of athleticism, which was then compared to the participants performance during the CrossFit® Open 2021. The athletes presented an average of body fat (8.6 ± 2.0%), maximal oxygen consumption (53.3 ± 2.4 mL. (kg.min)-1), 2km row time (07:00 ± 00:21 mm:ss), 1-Repetition maximum in power clean (125.2 ± 21.2 kg) and Tibana test performance (281.0 ± 35.9 repetitions). Interestingly, the top five athletes with the highest scores also achieved the highest z-scores in the CrossFit® Open 2021. Conversely, the four athletes with the lowest TSA score had the lowest z-scores in the CrossFit® Open. Moreover, almost perfect correlation (r = 0.91; p<0.01) was found between the total athleticism score and z-scores in the CrossFit® Open 2021. The total score may be a single measure and holistic indication of athleticism level in CrossFit®. Furthermore, coaches can potentially apply this useful tool for monitoring athletic performance and designing training sessions that address specific areas of CrossFit® performance.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling disease that causes pain and functional limitation. OA symptoms can be treated with intra-articular injections of anti-inflammatory, viscosupplementary, or viscoinductive products. Non-responders to these approaches have limited options, often surgical (e.g. knee replacement). This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a single injection of Carboxymethyl-Chitosan for advanced (Kellgren-Lawrence ≥3) and symptomatic knee OA in non-responders to hyaluronic acid. We enrolled 10 patients (5 female, 5 male). Treatment efficacy was assessed through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, pain) and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS, knee function). Data are acquired from rating scales were administered at the time of injection (T0), one month (T1), three months (T2), and six months (T3) after treatment as for clinical practice. Results showed a significant improvement in pain and function at T1, with a subsequent gradual resumption of symptoms. In conclusion, the treatment showed a better outcome in the short term (i.e. up to 1 month after treatment); however, raw values of VAS and KOOS did not return to baseline levels showing a maintenance of improvement albeit not statistically significant.