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Journal of Alternative and... Oct 2020The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to describe the status on the effects of physical scar treatments on pain, pigmentation, pliability, pruritus,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to describe the status on the effects of physical scar treatments on pain, pigmentation, pliability, pruritus, scar thickening, and surface area. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Adults with any kind of scar tissue. Physical scar management versus control or no scar management. Pain, pigmentation, pliability, pruritus, surface area, scar thickness. The overall results revealed that physical scar management is beneficial compared with the control treatment regarding the management of pain ( = 0.012), pruritus ( < 0.001), pigmentation ( = 0.010), pliability ( < 0.001), surface area ( < 0.001), and thickness ( = 0.022) of scar tissue in adults. The observed risk of bias was high for blinding of participants and personnel (47%) and low for other bias (100%). Physical scar management demonstrates moderate-to-strong effects on improvement of scar issues as related to signs and symptoms. These results show the importance of specific physical management of scar tissue.
Topics: Cicatrix; Female; Humans; Male; Pigmentation Disorders; Postoperative Complications; Pruritus; Wound Healing
PubMed: 32589450
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2020.0109 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Mar 2023The skin is a protective barrier of the body against external factors, and its damage leads to a loss of integrity. Normal wound healing results in a correct, flat,...
BACKGROUND
The skin is a protective barrier of the body against external factors, and its damage leads to a loss of integrity. Normal wound healing results in a correct, flat, bright, and flexible scar. Initial skin damage and patient specific factors in wound healing contribute that many of these scars may progress into widespread or pathologic hypertrophic and keloid scars. The changes in cosmetic appearance, continuing pain, and loss of movement due to contracture or adhesion and persistent pruritis can significantly affect an individual's quality of life and psychological recovery post injury. Many different treatment methods can reduce the trauma and surgical scars. Manual scar treatment includes various techniques of therapy. The most effectiveness is a combined therapy, which has a multidirectional impact. Clinical observations show an effectiveness of manual scar therapy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The aim of this work was to evaluate effectiveness of the scar manual therapy combined with complementary methods on the postoperative scars. Treatment protocol included two therapies during 30 min per week for 8 weeks. Therapy included manual scar manipulation, massage, cupping, dry needling, and taping.
RESULTS
Treatment had a significant positive effect to influence pain, pigmentation, pliability, pruritus, surface area, and scar stiffness. Improvement of skin parameters (scar elasticity, thickness, regularity, color) was also noticed.
CONCLUSION
To investigate the most effective manual therapy strategy, further studies are needed, evaluating comparisons of different individual and combined scar therapy modalities.
Topics: Humans; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; Keloid; Pain; Pruritus; Quality of Life; Cicatrix; Wound Healing; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Cupping Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Dry Needling
PubMed: 36973982
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13272 -
Chemical Society Reviews Nov 2021Invention of DNA origami has transformed the fabrication and application of biological nanomaterials. In this review, we discuss DNA origami nanoassemblies according to... (Review)
Review
Invention of DNA origami has transformed the fabrication and application of biological nanomaterials. In this review, we discuss DNA origami nanoassemblies according to their four fundamental mechanical properties in response to external forces: elasticity, pliability, plasticity and stability. While elasticity and pliability refer to reversible changes in structures and associated properties, plasticity shows irreversible variation in topologies. The irreversible property is also inherent in the disintegration of DNA nanoassemblies, which is manifested by its mechanical stability. Disparate DNA origami devices in the past decade have exploited the mechanical regimes of pliability, elasticity, and plasticity, among which plasticity has shown its dominating potential in biomechanical and physiochemical applications. On the other hand, the mechanical stability of the DNA origami has been used to understand the mechanics of the assembly and disassembly of DNA nano-devices. At the end of this review, we discuss the challenges and future development of DNA origami nanoassemblies, again, from these fundamental mechanical perspectives.
Topics: DNA; Nanostructures; Nucleic Acid Conformation
PubMed: 34499072
DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00250c -
Nature Feb 2018Piezo1 and Piezo2 are mechanically activated ion channels that mediate touch perception, proprioception and vascular development. Piezo proteins are distinct from other...
Piezo1 and Piezo2 are mechanically activated ion channels that mediate touch perception, proprioception and vascular development. Piezo proteins are distinct from other ion channels and their structure remains poorly defined, which impedes detailed study of their gating and ion permeation properties. Here we report a high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of the mouse Piezo1 trimer. The detergent-solubilized complex adopts a three-bladed propeller shape with a curved transmembrane region containing at least 26 transmembrane helices per protomer. The flexible propeller blades can adopt distinct conformations, and consist of a series of four-transmembrane helical bundles that we term Piezo repeats. Carboxy-terminal domains line the central ion pore, and the channel is closed by constrictions in the cytosol. A kinked helical beam and anchor domain link the Piezo repeats to the pore, and are poised to control gating allosterically. The structure provides a foundation to dissect further how Piezo channels are regulated by mechanical force.
Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Ion Channel Gating; Ion Channels; Lipids; Mice; Models, Molecular; Mutation; Pliability; Protein Domains; Solubility
PubMed: 29261642
DOI: 10.1038/nature25453 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2017Within the context of screening tests, it is important to avoid misconceptions about sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. In this article, therefore,...
Within the context of screening tests, it is important to avoid misconceptions about sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. In this article, therefore, foundations are first established concerning these metrics along with the first of several aspects of pliability that should be recognized in relation to those metrics. Clarification is then provided about the definitions of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values and why researchers and clinicians can misunderstand and misrepresent them. Arguments are made that sensitivity and specificity should usually be applied only in the context of describing a screening test's attributes relative to a reference standard; that predictive values are more appropriate and informative in actual screening contexts, but that sensitivity and specificity can be used for screening decisions about individual people if they are extremely high; that predictive values need not always be high and might be used to advantage by adjusting the sensitivity and specificity of screening tests; that, in screening contexts, researchers should provide information about all four metrics and how they were derived; and that, where necessary, consumers of health research should have the skills to interpret those metrics effectively for maximum benefit to clients and the healthcare system.
PubMed: 29209603
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00307 -
Nature Dec 2020Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virions are surrounded by a lipid bilayer from which spike (S) protein trimers protrude. Heavily...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virions are surrounded by a lipid bilayer from which spike (S) protein trimers protrude. Heavily glycosylated S trimers bind to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and mediate entry of virions into target cells. S exhibits extensive conformational flexibility: it modulates exposure of its receptor-binding site and subsequently undergoes complete structural rearrangement to drive fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The structures and conformations of soluble, overexpressed, purified S proteins have been studied in detail using cryo-electron microscopy, but the structure and distribution of S on the virion surface remain unknown. Here we applied cryo-electron microscopy and tomography to image intact SARS-CoV-2 virions and determine the high-resolution structure, conformational flexibility and distribution of S trimers in situ on the virion surface. These results reveal the conformations of S on the virion, and provide a basis from which to understand interactions between S and neutralizing antibodies during infection or vaccination.
Topics: Antibodies, Neutralizing; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cell Line, Tumor; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Humans; Models, Molecular; Pliability; Protein Conformation; Protein Multimerization; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Virion
PubMed: 32805734
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2665-2 -
Journal of Strength and Conditioning... Dec 2016Jones, TW, Smith, A, Macnaughton, LS, and French, DN. Strength and Conditioning and Concurrent Training Practices in Elite Rugby Union. J Strength Cond Res 30(12):...
Jones, TW, Smith, A, Macnaughton, LS, and French, DN. Strength and Conditioning and Concurrent Training Practices in Elite Rugby Union. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3354-3366, 2016-There is limited published research on strength and conditioning (S&C) practices in elite rugby union (RU). Information regarding testing batteries and programme design would provide valuable information to both applied practitioners and researchers investigating the influence of training interventions or preperformance strategies. The aim of this study was to detail the current practices of S&C coaches and sport scientists working in RU. A questionnaire was developed that comprised 7 sections: personal details, physical testing, strength and power development, concurrent training, flexibility development, unique aspects of the programme, and any further relevant information regarding prescribed training programmes. Forty-three (41 men, 2 women; age: 33.1 ± 5.3 years) of 52 (83%) coaches responded to the questionnaire. The majority of practitioners worked with international level and/or professional RU athletes. All respondents believed strength training benefits RU performance and reported that their athletes regularly performed strength training. The clean and back squat were rated the most important prescribed exercises. Forty-one (95%) respondents reported prescribing plyometric exercises and 38 (88%) indicated that periodization strategies were used. Forty-two (98%) practitioners reported conducting physical testing, with body composition being the most commonly tested phenotype. Thirty-three (77%) practitioners indicated that the potential muted strength development associated with concurrent training was considered when programming and 27 (63%) believed that strength before aerobic training was more favorable for strength development than vice versa. This research represents the only published survey to date of S&C practices in northern and southern hemisphere RU.
Topics: Adult; Athletes; Athletic Performance; Body Composition; Exercise; Female; Football; Humans; Male; Muscle Strength; Physical Conditioning, Human; Physical Education and Training; Pliability; Plyometric Exercise; Resistance Training; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 27870696
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001445 -
Medical Science Monitor Basic Research Apr 2020BACKGROUND This study aimed to quantify the outcomes of combining Schroth and Pilates exercises on the Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), chest expansion,...
Outcome of 24 Weeks of Combined Schroth and Pilates Exercises on Cobb Angle, Angle of Trunk Rotation, Chest Expansion, Flexibility and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis.
BACKGROUND This study aimed to quantify the outcomes of combining Schroth and Pilates exercises on the Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), chest expansion, flexibility (trunk flexion), and quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with mild and moderate idiopathic scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-nine adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis aged 10-17 years, presenting with a Cobb angle of 10-45º were enrolled in this study. The treatment protocol, including selected exercises from Schroth and Pilates methods, was performed over 24 weeks and consisted of 2 periods of 2-week treatment regimens performed daily for 60 minutes. Each of treatment periods was then followed by the same home program treatment for 10 weeks. Cobb angle (x-rays), ATR (Scoliometer), chest expansion (cm), trunk flexion (cm, distance between C7 to S2 with measuring tape), and QoL (SRS-22r Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire) were assessed pre-treatment, at 12 week, and at 24 weeks. RESULTS Significant improvements (P<0.05) were found in both groups of patients wearing and not wearing a brace for Cobb angle (from 21.97±4.99° to 18.11±6.39°; from 14.19±3.11° to 11.66±2.73°), angle of trunk rotation (from 7.19±1.36° to 5.36±1.66°; from 4.72±1.04° to 3.58±0.94°), chest expansion (from 2.56±0.84 cm to 3.46±0.72 cm; from 2.57±0.87 cm to 3.52±0.72 cm), trunk flexion (from 9.55±1.95 cm to 14.33±2.40 cm; from 9.82±2.61 cm to 13.98±2.18 cm) and QoL (from 3.50±0.27 to 3.82±0.2; from 3.42±0.24 to 3.78±0.23) respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that combined exercises provided benefit on the Cobb angle, ATR, chest expansion, trunk flexion and QoL in adolescents with mild and moderate idiopathic scoliosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Exercise; Exercise Movement Techniques; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Kosovo; Male; Pliability; Quality of Life; Rotation; Scoliosis; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32280133
DOI: 10.12659/MSMBR.920449 -
JACS Au Feb 2024Flexible crystals have gained significant attention owing to their remarkable pliability, plasticity, and adaptability, making them highly popular in various research... (Review)
Review
Flexible crystals have gained significant attention owing to their remarkable pliability, plasticity, and adaptability, making them highly popular in various research and application fields. The main challenges in developing flexible crystals lie in the rational design, preparation, and performance optimization of such crystals. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental origins of crystal flexibility is crucial for establishing evaluation criteria and design principles. This Perspective offers a retrospective analysis of the development of flexible crystals over the past two decades. It summarizes the elastic standards and possible plastic bending mechanisms tailored to diverse flexible crystals and analyzes the assessment of their theoretical basis and applicability. Meanwhile, the compatibility between crystal elasticity and plasticity has been discussed, unveiling the immense prospects of elastic/plastic crystals for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronic devices, and flexible optics. Furthermore, this Perspective presents state-of-the-art experimental avenues and analysis methods for investigating molecular interactions in molecular crystals, which is vital for the future exploration of the mechanisms of crystal flexibility.
PubMed: 38425899
DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00481 -
Nature Feb 2020Shear stress on arteries produced by blood flow is important for vascular development and homeostasis but can also initiate atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells that line...
Shear stress on arteries produced by blood flow is important for vascular development and homeostasis but can also initiate atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells that line the vasculature use molecular mechanosensors to directly detect shear stress profiles that will ultimately lead to atheroprotective or atherogenic responses. Plexins are key cell-surface receptors of the semaphorin family of cell-guidance signalling proteins and can regulate cellular patterning by modulating the cytoskeleton and focal adhesion structures. However, a role for plexin proteins in mechanotransduction has not been examined. Here we show that plexin D1 (PLXND1) has a role in mechanosensation and mechanically induced disease pathogenesis. PLXND1 is required for the response of endothelial cells to shear stress in vitro and in vivo and regulates the site-specific distribution of atherosclerotic lesions. In endothelial cells, PLXND1 is a direct force sensor and forms a mechanocomplex with neuropilin-1 and VEGFR2 that is necessary and sufficient for conferring mechanosensitivity upstream of the junctional complex and integrins. PLXND1 achieves its binary functions as either a ligand or a force receptor by adopting two distinct molecular conformations. Our results establish a previously undescribed mechanosensor in endothelial cells that regulates cardiovascular pathophysiology, and provide a mechanism by which a single receptor can exhibit a binary biochemical nature.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Endothelial Cells; Female; Integrins; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Neuropilin-1; Pliability; Receptors, Cell Surface; Semaphorins; Stress, Mechanical; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
PubMed: 32025034
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-1979-4