European Journal of Translational Myology最新文献

Aim of this study is to investigate the safety, efficacy and impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of Vertebroplasty (VP) and Kyphoplasty (KP) in the management of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures (OVCFs) in elderly individuals. VP and KP represent Minimally Invasive Vertebral Augmentation (MIVA) procedures that are increasingly implemented for surgical treatment of OVCFs in recent years. These interventions have been associated with minimal traumatization and intraoperative hemorrhage, considerable analgesic effect and rapid postoperative recovery. Seventy-seven (77) consecutive individuals with OVCFs were subjected to VP/KP and recruited in this prospectively designed non-randomized study. Clinical evaluation was performed preoperatively and postoperatively at particular chronic intervals at 1, 6 weeks and at 3, 6, 12 months and 2 years. Assessment was conducted via the standardized Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Medical Health Survey Questionnaire for pain and HRQoL, respectively. No perioperative complications were observed. All studied indices were demonstrated to present a statistically significant amelioration following overall analysis. Pain intensity measured by the VAS score was depicted to be significantly reduced during the first 3 months, but continuous improvement of all indices of SF-36 and VAS was demonstrated to reach a plateau at 6 months, featuring no further clinical improvement.VP and KP represent safe and efficient options for interventional treatment of OVCFs in elderly and oldest-old patients, improving self-reported symptoms of pain as well as overall HRQoL.

This is a personal account of one academic scientist who founded two biotechnology companies. Both companies were initially incubated within the walls of the university under a creative student incubator program whereby biology students could pursue their graduate academic degrees while gaining valuable biotechnology experiences. After the companies transitioned out of the university environment, the professor and his students pursued diagnostic and therapeutic drug development resulting in the completion of several clinical trials. The value of international scientific collaborations with colleagues at the University of Padova (Italy) is also described.

Achalasia is a chronic esophageal disorder with a generally favorable prognosis; however, approximately 20% of patients experience persistent or recurrent symptoms despite therapeutic interventions. These ongoing symptoms can significantly diminish both disease-specific and overall quality of life. Although the physical manifestations of achalasia, such as regurgitation, dysphagia, chest pain, and weight loss, are well-documented and assessed using the Eckardt score, the psychological burden of the disease remains underexplored. Individuals with achalasia are at an increased risk of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and somatization, exacerbated by the emotional strain and social limitations imposed by the disease. Despite this, psychological impacts are often overlooked in clinical settings, leading to inadequate mental health support for these patients. This article underscores the necessity for prompt psychological assessments during the diagnosis of achalasia to better address these mental health challenges and improve overall patient care.

Lower limb spasticity and clonus are common sequelae after cerebral stroke. An important part of their etiopathogenesis has been related to the peripheral component of spasticity. Rheological properties of the tissues seem to be involved. Several studies highlighted anatomical and functional changes in the connective structures. The fasciae might be implicated in the pathological process. Thus, this study intends to investigate the effect of the Fascial Manipulation (FM) technique on triceps surae in stroke patients through a clinical randomized controlled trial, to provide a reference for clinical treatment of lower limb spasticity and ankle clonus. A total of 40 patients with post-stroke ankle clonus were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group by random number table method, with 20 cases in each group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the FM group received Fascial Manipulation based on conventional rehabilitation therapy. Before the first treatment and after 3 weeks of treatment, the Comprehensive Spasticity Scale (CSS), the Passive Range Of Motion (PROM), the simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function score (FMA), and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were used to assess the degree of ankle clonus, ankle passive range of motion, and lower limb motor function of the two groups of patients. Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the control group and the FM group in terms of CSS, PROM, FMA, and MAS of the affected lower limbs (P>0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, the CSS and MAS of the affected lower limbs in the control group and FM group decreased, while PROM and FMA increased compared to pre-treatment evaluation, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Moreover, the FM group showed a statistically significant decrease in CSS and MAS, as well as an increase in PROM and FMA, compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Fascial manipulation in addition to conventional therapy can effectively reduce spasticity and ankle clonus in stroke patients in a short time, and improve the passive range of motion of the ankle joint and the function of lower limbs.

This study aimed to analyze the acute impact of exercise on serum irisin levels in 22 young (YA, 24.6 ± 3.5 yrs) and in 12 middle-aged male adults (MA, 54.6 ± 5.7 yrs) 15 min and 24 h after an incremental cycling exercise test to exhaustion. ELISA assay was used for serum irisin detection. Circulating irisin increased significantly from baseline (9.0 ± 2.0 ng/ml) to 15 min post-exercise (10.2 ± 2.0 ng/ml, P < 0.001), but the greatest increment was detected after 24 h (13.5 ± 2.5 ng/ml, P < 0.001) reaching more than 50% of the basal release. Levels were significantly higher in YA (9.7 ± 1.7 to 11.1 ± 1.8 to 14.5 ± 2.2 ng/ml) than MA (7.6 ± 1.6 to 8.7 ± 1.5 to 11.8± 2.2 ng/ml) for all measured time-points (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, MA showed a comparable increase in serum irisin levels when compared to YA. These findings highlight the importance of acute physical exercise as a countermeasure against age-related deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and function in both YA and MA.

Azoospermia, or the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, affects about 1% of men worldwide and is a significant fertility challenge. This study investigates Linc00513, a long non-coding RNA, and its potential role in regulating the TGF-β signaling pathway, a key player in spermatogenesis, in the context of azoospermia. We show that Linc00513 expression is significantly lower in testicular tissues from azoospermic patients than in HS1 controls. Linc00513 interacts directly with microRNA-7 (miR-7) via complementary base pairing, acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). This interaction effectively inhibits miR-7's inhibitory action on the TGF-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1), a critical component of the TGF-β signaling cascade. Downregulating Linc00513 reduces TGFBR1 repression and increases TGF-β signaling in azoospermic testes. Functional assays with spermatogonial cell lines support these findings. Silencing Linc00513 leads to increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis, similar to TGF-β inhibition. Overexpression of miR-7 inhibits the effects of Linc00513 on TGF-β signaling. Our study sheds new light on how Linc00513, miR-7, and the TGF-β signaling pathway interact in azoospermia. Linc00513 regulates TGFBR1 expression and thus influences spermatogonial cell fate by acting as a miR-7 ceRNA. These findings identify a potential therapeutic target for azoospermia treatment, paving the way for future research into restoring fertility in affected individuals.

This case study examines the effectiveness of using combined CT imaging and 3D imaging in monitoring the prevention of sarcopenia through continuous daily exercises in an elderly patient. Using a 256-slice CT scanner with dose reduction technology and advanced muscle segmentation with the open-source software DAFNE, we compared changes in muscle mass and density in a 70-year-old patient in 2014 and in 2023. The obtained images allowed the creation of detailed 3D models for a more accurate and intuitive assessment of the leg musculature. Despite aging, the results of the scans performed at the beginning and end of the study period did not show significant changes in the patient's musculature, suggesting that a persistent Full-Body in-Bed Gym protocol ("Gym Bed" exercise routine) can effectively contribute to maintaining muscle mass and density in the elderly. These preliminary results highlight the potential of advanced imaging techniques not only to diagnose but also to quantify the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions against sarcopenia.

Ingrown toenails account for roughly 20% of all foot problems in primary care. It is most common in young men, with nail care habits and footwear being major contributors. Onychocryptosis is typically caused by self-treatment attempts to cure the condition in its early stages. Its clinical features are frequently confused with other osseous and soft tissue abnormalities. The goal of this study was to provide perspectives on the management of pain and inflammation in Onychocryptosis using an Ozoile-based hydrogel formulation in a semi-occlusive bandage for 14 days, while incorporating natural pharmacological solutions into established protocols. The primary outcomes measured were pain reduction on NRS and stadiation according to the Al Kline Classification. The reduction was statistically significant, with a mean decrease in VAS score from 10 to 4 (p < 0.05), and Al Kline classification decreased by an average of 1.6 stages. 42% of patients recovered within the first 15 days of treatment, and 93% by the end of the scheduled treatment.

Spasticity is a component of upper motor neuron disorders and can be seen in neurological conditions like stroke and multiple sclerosis. Although the incidence rate of spasticity is unknown, it can put pressure on the health condition of those with spasticity, and there is no absolute effective way to control it. In the past, stretching exercises were an accessible tool for physical therapists to manage and control spasticity, but opinions on the optimal dose, aftereffects, and mechanism of effects were controversial. Therefore, this article tries to provide an overview of the effectiveness and risks of stretching exercises. Furthermore, there are several adjunct therapies, such as brain stimulation and botulinum injection, that can increase the effectiveness of a simple stretch by increasing cortical excitability and reducing muscle tone and their role is evaluated in this regard. The results of this study propose that several prospective and case studies have demonstrated the benefits of stretching to control spasticity, but it seems that other methods such as casting can be more effective than a simple stretch. Therefore, it is better to use stretching in combination with other therapeutic regimes to increase its effectivity of it.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal tract disorder associated with regurgitation of gastric acid into the oesophagus. It can present itself as non-erosive reflux condition or erosive esophagitis. Our main objective was to evaluate the impact of oesophageal reflux disease on muscle fatigue among patients. The prospective study design was adopted using surveys performed at the South West China Medical University. All patients who were subjected to screening endoscopy at the South West China Medical University were prospectively enrolled in the study. Our study was conducted according to ethical guidelines involving animal and human subjects. Our study used Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) questionnaires to perform data collection on the levels of fatigue, depression, daytime hypersomnolence and anxiety. In the (HADS, Anxiety (β = 0.657, p < .001) and Depression (β = 2.927, p < .001) exhibited significant positive associations with the predicted fatigue. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) showed no significant difference between individuals with and without reflux esophagitis (p = 0.787, power = 0.071). However, a significant difference was observed based on the presence of GERD symptoms (p = 0.003, power = 0.789), with higher mean scores for those with GERD symptoms (6.1±3.5) compared to those without (4.9±2.9). In MFI, significant differences were observed between the two groups for General and Physical Fatigue (p = 0.040, power = 0.823), Mental Fatigue (p = 0.002, power = 0.767), and MFI Total Score (p = 0.002, power = 0.981). In conclusion, GERD symptoms exhibited stronger associations with fatigue and daytime sleepiness than endoscopic findings, emphasizing the impact of symptomatic experiences on well-being.