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Biomedicines Jul 2023Dopamine (DA) is the critical neurotransmitter involved in the unconscious control of muscle tone and body posture. We evaluated the general motor capacities and muscle...
Dopamine (DA) is the critical neurotransmitter involved in the unconscious control of muscle tone and body posture. We evaluated the general motor capacities and muscle responses to postural disturbance in three conditions: normal DA level (wild-type rats, WT), mild DA deficiency (WT after administration of α-methyl-p-tyrosine-AMPT, that blocks DA synthesis), and severe DA depletion (DAT-KO rats after AMPT). The horizontal displacements in WT rats elicited a multi-component EMG corrective response in the flexor and extensor muscles. Similar to the gradual progression of DA-related diseases, we observed different degrees of bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability after AMPT. The mild DA deficiency impaired the initiation pattern of corrective responses, specifically delaying the extensor muscles' activity ipsilaterally to displacement direction and earlier extensor activity from the opposite side. DA depletion in DAT-KO rats after AMPT elicited tremors, general stiffness, and akinesia, and caused earlier response to horizontal displacements in the coactivated flexor and extensor muscles bilaterally. The data obtained show the specific role of DA in postural reactions and suggest that this experimental approach can be used to investigate sensorimotor control in different dopamine-deficient states and to model DA-related diseases.
PubMed: 37509596
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071958 -
Hippokratia 2022Structural spine changes are the frequent musculoskeletal disorders occurring in the human body in the form of scoliosis, hypo- or hyper-kyphosis, hypo- or...
BACKGROUND
Structural spine changes are the frequent musculoskeletal disorders occurring in the human body in the form of scoliosis, hypo- or hyper-kyphosis, hypo- or hyper-lordosis, or a combination of the above.
METHODS
In this retrospective, observational-comparative study, we included 240 third- and fifth-grade primary school pupils of both sexes and different daily life habits from four schools in the South and North of Montenegro. Data collected included children's posture examination conducted by a qualified professional. The testing procedure included standing position inspection, elasticity test application for the iliopsoas muscle, Adam's test, and the curve rigidity test. To analyze the differences between individual groups for categorical and continuous variables, we used the chi-square test and Student's t-test for independent samples, respectively.
RESULTS
We did not observe a significantly higher prevalence of suspected scoliosis among male participants who did not engage in sports activities. The presence of suspected scoliosis in participants from the South is significantly higher than in their peers from the North of Montenegro. A significantly higher prevalence of suspected scoliosis was observed among female participants who did not engage in sports activities. Suspected spinal variations are significantly more frequent among participants from the South of Montenegro (p <0.001, Cramer's V= 0.319) and significantly more frequent in females with lower sports engagement (χ =3.941, p =0.042). This fact could be attributed to the slower development of the central nervous system and motor control in girls in combination with their engagement in less physical activity.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study impose doubt that multifactorial etiology, including gender, child's age, engagement in sports activities, and the manner of conducting daily activities, is crucial for developing spinal deformities and may facilitate future studies and support preventive and therapeutic procedures in treating postural changes. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (4):147-151.
PubMed: 37497532
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2023Serotonin syndrome can be a life-threatening condition that occurs from the overactivity of serotonin in the central nervous system. This report describes the use of...
Serotonin syndrome can be a life-threatening condition that occurs from the overactivity of serotonin in the central nervous system. This report describes the use of cyproheptadine for the management of serotonin syndrome in a patient taking fluoxetine and bupropion, who received methylene blue for vasoplegia syndrome. A 61-year-old female taking fluoxetine and bupropion preoperatively was given a total of three doses of methylene blue 100 mg IV within a brief time frame during and after a planned coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Postoperatively, the patient was not following commands, was agitated and confused, febrile with diaphoresis, tachycardic, had muscle rigidity, and horizontal ocular clonus. The patient's presentation was most consistent with serotonin syndrome due to a drug-drug interaction. Cyproheptadine and supportive care were used successfully to treat serotonin syndrome, and the patient was discharged home 14 days postoperatively. Based on the literature, there is no standardized method of weaning cyproheptadine when used for serotonin syndrome. The patient in our case received a total of 188 mg of cyproheptadine over the course of 10 days and did not experience any side effects. This case highlights a potential dosing regimen that can be used for other patients.
PubMed: 37476598
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7720 -
Neurology. Genetics Oct 2023-related muscular dystrophy (-MD) is a rare neuromuscular disease characterized by proximal and axial muscle weakness, rigidity of the spine, scoliosis, and respiratory...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
-related muscular dystrophy (-MD) is a rare neuromuscular disease characterized by proximal and axial muscle weakness, rigidity of the spine, scoliosis, and respiratory impairment. No curative treatment options exist, yet promising preclinical studies are ongoing. Currently, there is a paucity on natural history data, and appropriate clinical and functional outcome measures are needed. We aim for deep clinical phenotyping, establishment of a well-characterized baseline cohort for prospective follow-up and recruitment for future clinical trials, improvement of clinical care, and selection of outcome measures for reaching trial readiness.
METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional, single-center, observational study. This study included neurologic examination and functional measurements among others the Motor Function Measure 20/32 (MFM-20/32) as primary outcome measure, accelerometry, questionnaires, muscle ultrasound, respiratory function tests, electrocardiography and echocardiography, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients with genetically confirmed -MD were included (21 ± 13 years; M = 9; ambulant = 7). Axial and proximal muscle weakness was most pronounced. The mean MFM-20/32 score was 42.0% ± 29.4%, with domain 1 (standing and transfers) being severely affected and domain 3 (distal muscle function) relatively spared. Physical activity as measured through accelerometry showed very strong correlations to MFM-20/32 (Pearson correlation, -0.928, < 0.01). Muscle ultrasound showed symmetrically increased echogenicity, with the sternocleidomastoid muscle most affected. Respiratory function was impaired in 85% of patients without prominent diaphragm dysfunction and was independent of age. Ten patients (37%) needed (non)invasive ventilatory support. Cardiac assessment revealed QRS fragmentation in 62%, abnormal left ventricular global longitudinal strain in 25%, and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction in 14% of patients. Decreased bone quality leading to fragility fractures was seen in most of the patients.
DISCUSSION
-MD has a widely variable phenotype. Based on the results of this cross-sectional study and current standards of care for congenital muscular dystrophies, we advise routine cardiorespiratory follow-up and optimization of bone quality. We propose MFM-20/32, accelerometry, and muscle ultrasound for assessing disease severity and progression. For definitive clinical recommendations and outcome measures, natural history data are needed.
CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04478981, 21 July 2020). The first patient was enrolled in September 2020.
PubMed: 37476021
DOI: 10.1212/NXG.0000000000200089 -
Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine :... 2023Antiglutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (anti-GAD65) autoantibodies have been identified in variety of rare neurologic disorders most frequently in stiff-person syndrome...
Antiglutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (anti-GAD65) autoantibodies have been identified in variety of rare neurologic disorders most frequently in stiff-person syndrome (SPS), condition characterized by muscle rigidity and overlying painful spasms, typically affecting axial and limb musculature. In anti-GAD65-related neurologic disorder, malignancy screening is often performed with F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT). Here, we present an interesting image of 18FFDG PET/CT whole body showing muscle uptake and FDG brain showing thalamic hypometabolism in SPS.
PubMed: 37456188
DOI: 10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_94_22 -
Nutrients Apr 2023is a marine microalga rich in proteins and containing all the essential amino acids. also contains fiber and other polysaccharides, as well as polyunsaturated fatty... (Review)
Review
is a marine microalga rich in proteins and containing all the essential amino acids. also contains fiber and other polysaccharides, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. The proportion of the different macronutrients in can be modulated by altering the conditions in which it is cultured. The bioactivities of these macronutrients make a good candidate food to include in regular diets or as the basis of dietary supplements in exercise-related nutrition both for recreational exercisers and professional athletes. This paper reviews current knowledge of the effects of the macronutrients in on physical exercise, specifically their impact on performance and recovery. In general, consuming improves both anaerobic and aerobic exercise performance as well as physical stamina and reduces fatigue. These effects seem to be related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic activity of all its macronutrients, while each component of contributes its bioactivity via a specific action. is an excellent dietary source of high-quality protein in the context of physical exercise, as dietary proteins increase satiety, activation of the anabolic mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin) pathway in skeletal muscle, and the thermic effects of meals. proteins also increase intramuscular free amino acid levels and enhance the ability of the muscles to utilize them during exercise. Fiber from increases the diversity of the gut microbiota, which helps control body weight and maintain intestinal barrier integrity, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which improve physical performance. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from contribute to endothelial protection and modulate the fluidity and rigidity of cell membranes, which may improve performance. Ultimately, in contrast to several other nutritional sources, the use of to provide high-quality protein, dietary fiber, and bioactive fatty acids may also significantly contribute to a sustainable world through the fixation of carbon dioxide and a reduction of the amount of land used to produce animal feed.
Topics: Animals; Chlorella; Nutrients; Amino Acids, Essential; Dietary Fiber; Exercise; Mammals
PubMed: 37432326
DOI: 10.3390/nu15092168 -
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Feb 2023Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are regarded as a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by weakening muscle strength and dystrophic... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are regarded as a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by weakening muscle strength and dystrophic changes in the muscle. Due to the nature of these diseases, it can be challenging for anesthesiologists to provide appropriate pain medications, symptom management, and other necessary techniques that are implemented to anesthetize the patient properly.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
This study was based on the available literature and the authors' experience. The current study aimed to review the available anesthesia for patients suffering from NMDs. The search process resulted in the detection of relevant articles using valid keywords on electronic databases, including Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Subsequently, 19 articles published between 2009 to 2022 were identified as eligible for this review.
RESULTS
When anesthetizing a patient with NMD, special attention should be paid to preoperative evaluation, medical-history taking, risk of difficult intubation or cardiac incidents, respiratory insufficiency, and frequent pulmonary infections. It is also necessary to keep in mind that these patients are at risk of prolonged paralysis, hyperkalemia, rigidity, malignant hyperthermia, cardiac arrest, rhabdomyolysis, or even death.
CONCLUSIONS
Problems of anesthesia in patients with NMDs arise from the nature of the condition itself and the interaction of anesthetics and muscle relaxants with anticholinesterase drugs used in therapy. Each patient's individual risk should be assessed before anesthesia. Therefore, it is important (and even necessary before major surgery) to perform a thorough preoperative examination to not only determine perioperative risk but also to ensure optimal perioperative follow-up.
PubMed: 37409004
DOI: 10.5812/aapm-132088 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Oxidative stress, accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, is a key mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Both carnosine and lipoic acid...
Oxidative stress, accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, is a key mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Both carnosine and lipoic acid are potent antioxidants, the applicability of which in therapy is hindered by their limited bioavailability. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective properties of a nanomicellar complex of carnosine and lipoic acid (CLA) in a rotenone-induced rat model of PD. Parkinsonism was induced via the administration of 2 mg/kg rotenone over the course of 18 days. Two doses of intraperitoneal CLA (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) were administered alongside rotenone to assess its neuroprotective effect. At 25 mg/kg CLA decreased muscle rigidity and partially restored locomotor activity in animals that received rotenone. Furthermore, it caused an overall increase in brain tissue antioxidant activity, accompanied by a 19% increase in neuron density in the substantia nigra and increased dopamine levels in the striatum relative to animals that only received rotenone. Based on the acquired results, it may be concluded that CLA have neuroprotective properties and could potentially be beneficial in PD treatment when used in conjunction with the base therapy.
PubMed: 37371945
DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061215