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Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Apr 2024Various exercise programs are used to treat lateral abdominal muscle (LAM) impairments in people with low back pain. Factors comprising these programs include exercise... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Various exercise programs are used to treat lateral abdominal muscle (LAM) impairments in people with low back pain. Factors comprising these programs include exercise type, session time, frequency, and program duration. However, specific clinical guidance about optimal exercise prescription is lacking.
OBJECTIVES
To perform a dose-response analysis on exercise prescription variables for LAM thickness and activation as measured by ultrasound imaging.
DESIGN
Systematic review METHOD: Databases were searched from their inception for studies examining the association between exercise interventions and LAM thickness/activation measured by ultrasound imaging in healthy individuals. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Brigg's Institute critical appraisal tools. For each muscle, subgroup analyses were performed to determine the dose response of exercise prescription variables for LAM thickness and activation. Where there was insufficient data for subgroup analyses, data was narratively synthesised.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies comprising 395 participants were included. Statistical and narrative synthesis revealed specific local abdominal exercises, programs from four weeks duration, three sessions per week and sessions of ≥30 min were associated with greatest improvements to LAM thickness. Only the variables exercise type, program duration and session frequency showed a significant between groups difference for the subgroup analysis. The main limitation was inability to perform subgroup analyses for all variables across all muscles measured at rest and during contraction, due to non-reporting of data.
CONCLUSION
This review provides preliminary guidance to practitioners on how the LAM respond to different exercise dosages. Future research should trial these findings.
Topics: Humans; Abdominal Muscles; Exercise Therapy; Low Back Pain; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 38763566
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.01.016 -
Molecular Metabolism May 2024Although glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is known to regulate feeding, the central mechanisms contributing to this function remain enigmatic. Here, we aim to test the...
OBJECTIVE
Although glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is known to regulate feeding, the central mechanisms contributing to this function remain enigmatic. Here, we aim to test the role of neurons expressing GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1R) in the dorsolateral septum (dLS; dLS) that project to the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) on food intake and determine the relationship with feeding regulation.
METHODS
Using chemogenetic manipulations, we assessed how activation or inhibition of dLS neurons affected food intake in Glp1r-ires-Cre mice. Then, we used channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping, chemogenetics, and electrophysiological recordings to identify and assess the role of the pathway from dLS →LHA projections in regulating food intake.
RESULTS
Chemogenetic inhibition of dLS neurons increases food intake. LHA is a major downstream target of dLS neurons. The dLS→LHA projections are GABAergic, and chemogenetic inhibition of this pathway also promotes food intake. While chemogenetic activation of dLS→LHA projections modestly decreases food intake, optogenetic stimulation of the dLS→LHA projection terminals in the LHA rapidly suppressed feeding behavior. Finally, we demonstrate that the GLP-1R agonist, Exendin 4 enhances dLS →LHA GABA release.
CONCLUSIONS
Together, these results demonstrate that dLS-GLP-1R neurons and the inhibitory pathway to LHA can regulate feeding behavior, which might serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of eating disorders or obesity.
PubMed: 38763494
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101960 -
Contemporary Clinical Trials May 2024Novel and scalable psychotherapies are urgently needed to address the depression and anxiety epidemic. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), a voice-based virtual...
BACKGROUND
Novel and scalable psychotherapies are urgently needed to address the depression and anxiety epidemic. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), a voice-based virtual coach named Lumen was developed to deliver problem solving treatment (PST). The first pilot trial showed promising changes in cognitive control measured by functional neuroimaging and improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms.
METHODS
To further validate Lumen in a 3-arm randomized clinical trial, 200 participants with mild-to-moderate depression and/or anxiety will be randomly assigned in a 2:1:1 ratio to receive Lumen-coached PST, human-coached PST as active treatment comparison, or a waitlist control condition where participants can receive Lumen after the trial period. Participants will be assessed at baseline and 18 weeks. The primary aim is to confirm neural target engagement by testing whether compared with waitlist controls, Lumen participants will show significantly greater improvements from baseline to 18 weeks in the a priori neural target for cognitive control, right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex engaged by the go/nogo task (primary superiority hypothesis). A secondary hypothesis will test whether compared with human-coached PST participants, Lumen participants will show equivalent improvements (i.e., noninferiority) in the same neural target from baseline to 18 weeks. The second aim is to examine (1) treatment effects on depression and anxiety symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life outcomes, and (2) relationships of neural target engagement to these patient-reported outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This study offers potential to improve the reach and impact of psychotherapy, mitigating access, cost, and stigma barriers for people with depression and/or anxiety.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov #: NCT05603923.
PubMed: 38763307
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107574 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders May 2024A variety of measurement methods and imaging modalities are in use to quantify the morphology of lateral femoral condyle (LFC), but the most reliable method remains...
BACKGROUND
A variety of measurement methods and imaging modalities are in use to quantify the morphology of lateral femoral condyle (LFC), but the most reliable method remains elusive in patients with lateral patellar dislocation (LPD). The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and inter-observer reliability of different measurement methods for evaluating the morphology of LFC on different imaging modalities in patients with LPD.
METHODS
Seventy-three patients with LPD were included. Four parameters for quantifying the morphology of LFC were retrospectively measured by three observers on MRI, sagittal CT image, conventional radiograph (CR), and three-dimensional CT (3D-CT). The intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the intra- and inter-observer reliability. Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to identify the bias between observers.
RESULTS
The lateral femoral condyle index (LFCI) showed better intra- and inter-observer reliability on MRI and 3D-CT than on CR and sagittal CT images. The mean difference in the LFCI between observers was lowest on 3D-CT (0.047), higher on MRI (0.053), and highest on sagittal CT images (0.062). The LFCI was associated with the lateral femoral condyle ratio (ρ = 0.422, P = 0.022), lateral condyle index (r = 0.413, P = 0.037), and lateral femoral condyle distance (r = 0.459, P = 0.014). The LFCI could be reliably measured by MRI and 3D-CT.
CONCLUSION
The LFCI could be reliably measured by MRI and 3D-CT. The LFCI was associated with both the height and length of LFC and could serve as a comprehensive parameter for quantifying the morphology of LFC in patients with LPD.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Patellar Dislocation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Femur; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult; Adult; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Adolescent; Observer Variation
PubMed: 38762738
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07495-x -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders May 2024This study aimed to evaluate the cervical sagittal profile after the spontaneous compensation of global sagittal imbalance and analyze the associations between the...
PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the cervical sagittal profile after the spontaneous compensation of global sagittal imbalance and analyze the associations between the changes in cervical sagittal alignment and spinopelvic parameters.
METHODS
In this retrospective radiographic study, we analyzed 90 patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis (DLS) and sagittal imbalance who underwent short lumbar fusion (imbalance group). We used 60 patients with DLS and sagittal balance as the control group (balance group). Patients in the imbalance group were also divided into two groups according to the preoperative PI: low PI group (≤ 50°), high PI group (PI > 50°). We measured the spinal sagittal alignment parameters on the long-cassette standing lateral radiographs of the whole spine. We compared the changes of spinal sagittal parameters between pre-operation and post-operation. We observed the relationships between the changes in cervical profile and spinopelvic parameters.
RESULTS
Sagittal vertical axis (SVA) occurred spontaneous compensation (p = 0.000) and significant changes were observed in cervical lordosis (CL) (p = 0.000) and cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) (p = 0.023) after surgery in the imbalance group. However, there were no significant differences in the radiographic parameters from pre-operation to post-operation in the balance group. The variations in CL were correlated with the variations in SVA (R = 0.307, p = 0.041). The variations in cSVA were correlated with the variations in SVA (R=-0.470, p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Cervical sagittal profile would have compensatory changes after short lumbar fusion. The spontaneous decrease in CL would occur in patients with DLS after the spontaneous compensation of global sagittal imbalance following one- or two-level lumbar fusion. The changes of cervical sagittal profile were related to the extent of the spontaneous compensation of SVA.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Fusion; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; Lumbar Vertebrae; Cervical Vertebrae; Spinal Stenosis; Lordosis; Postural Balance; Radiography
PubMed: 38762722
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07518-7 -
Scientific Reports May 2024This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy of five non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise intervention (EI), nutritional intervention... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy of five non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise intervention (EI), nutritional intervention (NI), respiratory intervention (RI), psychological intervention (PSI), and integrated physical intervention (IPI), on functional status, quality of life, muscle strength, pulmonary function, and safety in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We searched nine databases, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, WFPD, and CSTJ, for randomized controlled trials of ALS patients. The primary outcome was the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score. Secondary outcomes were the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (McGill-QoL), Medical Research Council (MRC)-sum score, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score. This NMA was conducted using random-effect models to calculate the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). All types of supplemental interventions had some benefit for patients with ALS. EI had a beneficial effect on the ALSFRS-R score (SMD: 1.01; 95% CI 0.50-1.51), FVC (SMD: 0.78; 95% CI 0.02-1.55), McGill-QoL (SMD: 0.71 95% CI 0.33-1.08), and MRC (SMD: 1.11; 95% CI 0.08-2.14). RI had a beneficial effect on the ALSFRS-R score (SMD: 0.83 95% CI 0.12-1.55). IPI had a beneficial effect on the ALSFRS-R score (SMD: 0.65 95% CI 0.06-1.24). NI had a beneficial effect on the McGill-QoL (SMD: 0.63 95% CI 0.02-1.23). The current study findings support a multimodal intervention strategy with an emphasis on EI for slowing disease progression in patients with ALS.
Topics: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Quality of Life; Network Meta-Analysis; Exercise Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 38762656
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62213-w -
Scientific Reports May 2024Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most frequently reported in staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreaks. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that are...
Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most frequently reported in staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreaks. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that are seen as promising alternatives to antibodies in several areas, including diagnostics. In this work, systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to select DNA aptamers against SEA. The SELEX protocol employed magnetic beads as an immobilization matrix for the target molecule and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for monitoring and optimizing sequence enrichment. After 10 selection cycles, the ssDNA pool with the highest affinity was sequenced by next generation sequencing (NGS). Approximately 3 million aptamer candidates were identified, and the most representative cluster sequences were selected for further characterization. The aptamer with the highest affinity showed an experimental dissociation constant (K) of 13.36 ± 18.62 nM. Increased temperature negatively affected the affinity of the aptamer for the target. Application of the selected aptamers in a lateral flow assay demonstrated their functionality in detecting samples containing 100 ng SEA, the minimum amount capable of causing food poisoning. Overall, the applicability of DNA aptamers in SEA recognition was demonstrated and characterized under different conditions, paving the way for the development of diagnostic tools.
Topics: Enterotoxins; Aptamers, Nucleotide; SELEX Aptamer Technique; Staphylococcal Food Poisoning; Humans; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; DNA, Single-Stranded
PubMed: 38762575
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61094-3 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Despite the therapeutic potential of chemogenetics, the method lacks comprehensive preclinical validation, hindering its progression to human clinical trials. We aimed...
Despite the therapeutic potential of chemogenetics, the method lacks comprehensive preclinical validation, hindering its progression to human clinical trials. We aimed to validate a robust but simple in vivo efficacy assay in rats which could support chemogenetic drug discovery by providing a quick, simple and reliable animal model. Key methodological parameters such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype, actuator drug, dose, and application routes were investigated by measuring the food-intake-reducing effect of chemogenetic inhibition of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) by hM4D(Gi) designer receptor stimulation. Subcutaneous deschloroclozapine in rats transfected with AAV9 resulted in a substantial reduction of food-intake, comparable to the efficacy of exenatide. We estimated that the effect of deschloroclozapine lasts 1-3 h post-administration. AAV5, oral administration of deschloroclozapine, and clozapine-N-oxide were also effective but with slightly less potency. The strongest effect on food-intake occurred within the first 30 min after re-feeding, suggesting this as the optimal experimental endpoint. This study demonstrates that general chemogenetic silencing of the LH can be utilized as an optimal, fast and reliable in vivo experimental model for conducting preclinical proof-of-concept studies in order to validate the in vivo effectiveness of novel chemogenetic treatments. We also hypothesize based on our results that universal LH silencing with existing and human translatable genetic neuroengineering techniques might be a viable strategy to affect food intake and influence obesity.
Topics: Animals; Clozapine; Rats; Eating; Hypothalamic Area, Lateral; Dependovirus; Male; Proof of Concept Study; Exenatide; Humans
PubMed: 38762561
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62014-1 -
BMC Surgery May 2024Because the cases are quite scarce, we aimed to review cases of foreign body impaction penetrating the neck through the esophagus to analyze the characteristics of these...
BACKGROUND
Because the cases are quite scarce, we aimed to review cases of foreign body impaction penetrating the neck through the esophagus to analyze the characteristics of these cases. The open surgery skills of the surgeon, the treatment procedure and the surgeons' experience in the rare diseases were analyzed.
METHODS
We collected and analyzed all cases from 2015-2020 in our hospital. Surgical skills and procedures for fasting and anti-infection treatment were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up was telephone communication.
RESULTS
Our series included 15 cases. Tenderness in the pre-cervical site was a physical sign for screening. Thirteen cases underwent a lateral neck open surgery with the incision including the left side of neck and only two cases were incised from the right side of the neck. Pus was found 3 days after the impaction in one case, the shortest time observed in our series. The esophageal laceration was only sutured primarily in 5 cases (33.33%) among all fifteen cases. After sufficient drainage (average more than 9 days), antibiotic treatment and fasting (normally 2-3 weeks), patients gradually began to switch to solid foods from fluids after complete blood counts and confirmations from esophageal radiography result. No severe complications occurred, and all the patients have no swallowing dis-function and recovered well.
CONCLUSION
Surgery should be performed as soon as possible after impaction. Lateral neck approach surgery and the therapeutic procedure described in this article are safe and effective treatments.
Topics: Humans; Foreign Bodies; Male; Female; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Esophagus; Neck; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged
PubMed: 38762478
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02449-5 -
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... May 2024Early life stress may induce synaptic changes within brain regions associated with behavioral disorders. Here, we investigated glutamatergic functional connectivity by a...
Early life stress may induce synaptic changes within brain regions associated with behavioral disorders. Here, we investigated glutamatergic functional connectivity by a postsynaptic density immediate-early gene-based network analysis. Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: one exposed to stress sessions and the other serving as a stress-free control group. Homer1 expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization technique in eighty-eight brain regions of interest of male rat offspring. Differences between the perinatal stress exposed group (PRS) (n = 5) and the control group (CTR) (n = 5) were assessed by performing the Student's t-test via SPSS 28.0.1.0 with Bonferroni correction. Additionally, all possible pairwise Spearman's correlations were computed as well as correlation matrices and networks for each experimental group were generated via RStudio and Cytoscape. Perinatal stress exposure was associated with Homer1a induction in several cortical, thalamic, and striatal regions. Furthermore, it was found to affect functional connectivity between the lateral septal nucleus and central medial thalamic nucleus; retrosplenial granular b cortex and the anterior part of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus; and between the anterior part of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus and prefrontal cortex, amygdaloid nuclei, and hippocampal regions. Finally, the study of networks showed a significant reduction in multiple connections for the ventrolateral part of the anteroventral thalamic nucleus after perinatal stress exposure, as well as a decrease in the centrality of ventral anterior thalamic and amygdaloid nuclei. Within the present preclinical setting, perinatal stress exposure is a modifier of glutamatergic early gene-based functional connectivity in neuronal circuits involved in behaviors relevant to model neurodevelopmental disorders.
PubMed: 38762163
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111032