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Histochem Cell Biol 2019 Mar 19. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical School, Regional Center for Biomedical Research, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina (UCLM-CSIC), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Calle Almansa 14, 02008, Albacete, Spain.

DLK1 and DLK2 are transmembrane proteins belonging to the EGF-like repeat-containing family that function as non-canonical NOTCH inhibitory ligands. DLK1 is usually downregulated after embryo development and its distribution in some adult and embryonic tissues has been described. However, the expression and role of DLK2 in embryo and adult tissues remains unclear. Read More

Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care 2019 Mar 11:2048872618814700. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

4 Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background:: While preclinical studies suggest that mitochondria play a pivotal role in ischaemia-reperfusion injury, the knowledge of mitochondrial function in human out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains scarce. The present study sought to compare oxidative phosphorylation capacity in skeletal muscle biopsies from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients to healthy controls.

Methods:: This was a substudy of a randomised trial comparing targeted temperature management at 33°C versus 36°C for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences System, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.

Hell J Nucl Med 2019 Mar 5. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Nuclear Medicine Unit, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the best known haemoglobinopathy, caused by a mutation substituting valina for glutamic acid at position 6 of the beta-globin chain of adult hemoglobin A, resulting in hemoglobin S (HbS). The homozygous HbS disease (HbSS), an autosomal recessive disorder, is the most common form and the Mediterranean area, along with sub-Saharian African and India, have the highest prevalence (1%-15%). In particular, Sicily with a prevalence of 2%-5%, is among the most interested regions. Read More

Anticancer Res 2019 Mar;39(3):1347-1353

Department of Surgery, Kyoto Chubu Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan.

Background/aim: Chemotherapy dose adjustments in colorectal cancer are usually based on body surface area (BSA). The goal of this study was to investigate patients with nutritional disorder who developed early peripheral neuropathy due to inappropriate dose adjustment of oxaliplatin.

Patients And Methods: The study subjects were 88 patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer who underwent chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

University of Michigan Morphomics Analysis Group (MAG).

Background: REBOA is a valuable resuscitative adjunct in a variety of clinical settings. In resource-limited or emergency environments, REBOA may be required with delayed or absent image-guidance or verification. Catheter insertion lengths may be informed by making CT correlations of skeletal landmarks with vascular lengths. Read More

Curr Top Dev Biol 2019 3;132:137-176. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. Electronic address:

Skeletal muscle powers all movement of the vertebrate body and is distributed in multiple regions that have evolved distinct functions. Axial muscles are ancestral muscles essential for support and locomotion of the whole body. The evolution of the head was accompanied by development of cranial muscles essential for eye movement, feeding, vocalization, and facial expression. Read More

Physiol Behav 2019 Feb 19;204:248-255. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil. Electronic address:

Benefits of exercise have been documented for many diseases with a chronic progression, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, certain types of cancers, and overall mortality. Low-grade systemic inflammation is a key component of these pathologies and it has been demonstrated that can be prevented by performing regularly physical exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on glucose and insulin tolerance, exercise performance, production of urinary neopterin and striatal neurotransmitters levels in adult male C57BL/6 mice. Read More

Chronobiol Int 2019 Feb 22:1-15. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

a Department of Molecular Genetics , University Medical Center Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.

Circadian rhythm disturbance (CRD) increases the risk of disease, e.g. metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Read More

Cells 2019 Feb 20;8(2). Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27701, USA.

Skeletal muscle has remarkable regenerative capacity, relying on precise coordination between resident muscle stem cells (satellite cells) and the immune system. The age-related decline in skeletal muscle regenerative capacity contributes to the onset of sarcopenia, prolonged hospitalization, and loss of autonomy. Although several age-sensitive pathways have been identified, further investigation is needed to define targets of cellular dysfunction. Read More

Br J Pharmacol 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Sanofi R & D, Integrated Drug Discovery - High Content Biology, F-94440, Vitry-sur-Seine, France.

Background And Purpose: Na 1.7 channel subtype is highly expressed in dorsal root ganglia of the sensory nervous system and plays a central role in the pain signaling process. We investigated a library prepared from original venoms of 117 different animals to identify new selective inhibitors of this target. Read More

Ultrasound 2019 Feb 2;27(1):6-19. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Department of Radiology, York Hospital, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Musculoskeletal trauma in the paediatric population covers a wide range of injuries; although many overlap with their adult counterparts, others are exclusive to the immature skeletal system. Ultrasound is a versatile tool particularly suited to both the imaging of children and the dynamic assessment of musculoskeletal injuries. This pictorial review aims to discuss a range of injuries, focusing on those commonly encountered in children. Read More

Mol Cell Neurosci 2019 Mar 11;95:59-70. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America; Neuroscience Program, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America. Electronic address:

Increasing evidence indicates that, first, the sympathetic nervous system interacts extensively with both vasculature and skeletal muscle fibers near neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and, second, its neurotransmitter, noradrenaline, influences myofiber molecular composition and function and motor innervation. Since sympathomimetic agents have been reported to improve NMJ transmission, we examined whether two in clinical use, salbutamol and clenbuterol, affect the motor axon terminal via extracellular Ca and molecular targets, such as TRPV1 and P/Q- and N-type voltage-activated Ca channels. Electrophysiological recordings in ex-vivo preparations of peroneal nerves and lumbricalis muscles from young adult mice focused on spontaneous miniature end-plate potentials and singly and repetitively evoked end-plate potentials. Read More

Elife 2019 Feb 8;8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States.

Two decades after signals controlling bone length were discovered, the endogenous ligands determining bone width remain unknown. We show that postnatal establishment of normal bone width in mice, as mediated by bone-forming activity of the periosteum, requires BMP signaling at the innermost layer of the periosteal niche. This developmental signaling center becomes quiescent during adult life. Read More

Auton Neurosci 2019 Mar 22;217:18-25. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Laboratory of Cardiovascular Investigation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a new I-imidazoline receptor-selective pyrroline compound on the hemodynamic, metabolic and microvascular alterations in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced model of metabolic syndrome in rats.

Methods: In total, twenty adult male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 20) for 20 weeks. Thereafter, the rats received a new pyrroline compound selective for I1-imidazoline receptors (LNP599; 10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (n = 10/group) orally by gavage for 4 weeks. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2019 Jan 31;2019. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a heterogeneous group of rare endocrine disorders characterised by normal renal function and renal resistance to the action of the parathyroid hormone. Type 1A (PHP1A), which is the most common variant, also include developmental and skeletal defects named as Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO). We present two cases, a 54- and a 33-year-old male diagnosed with PHP who were referred to us for persistently high levels of serum calcitonin. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2019 Jan 29;19(3). Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.

The study aims to explore the spatial distribution of multi-tendinous muscle modulated by central nervous system (CNS) during sustained contraction. Nine subjects were recruited to trace constant target forces with right index finger extension. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of extensor digitorum (ED) were recorded with a 32-channel electrode array. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2019 Jan 28;19(3). Epub 2019 Jan 28.

The Robotics Research Group, College of Engineering, Peking University, China.

The muscles of the lower limbs directly influence leg motion, therefore, lower limb muscle exercise is important for persons living with lower limb disabilities. This paper presents a medical assistive robot with leg exoskeletons for locomotion and leg muscle exercises. It also presents a novel pedal-cycling actuation method with a crank-rocker mechanism. Read More

Front Physiol 2018 14;9:1915. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.

Anabolic resistance to feeding in aged muscle is well-characterized; however, whether old skeletal muscle is intrinsically resistant to acute mechanical loading is less clear. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of aging on muscle protein synthesis (MPS), ribosome biogenesis, and protein breakdown in skeletal muscle following a single bout of resistance exercise. Adult male F344/BN rats aged 10 (Adult) and 30 (Old) months underwent unilateral maximal eccentric contractions of the hindlimb. Read More

Eur J Neurosci 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.

Transmembrane collagen XIII has been linked to maturation of the musculoskeletal system. Its absence in mice (Col13a1 ) results in impaired neuromuscular junction (NMJ) differentiation and function, while transgenic overexpression (Col13a1 ) leads to abnormally high bone mass. Similarly, loss-of-function mutations in COL13A1 in humans produce muscle weakness, decreased motor synapse function and mild dysmorphic skeletal features. Read More

Front Cell Dev Biol 2018 7;6:170. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Plastic Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.

Wnt signaling plays a central regulatory role across a remarkably diverse range of functions during embryonic development, including those involved in the formation of bone and cartilage. Wnt signaling continues to play a critical role in adult osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Disruptions in this highly-conserved and complex system leads to various pathological conditions, including impaired bone healing, autoimmune diseases and malignant degeneration. Read More

J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2019 Feb 7;44:156-164. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Manchester United Football Club, AON Training Complex, Carrington, Manchester, UK; Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.

In elite football, measurement of running kinetics with inertial measurement units (IMUs) may be useful as a component of periodic health examination (PHE). This study determined the reliability of, and agreement between a research orientated IMU and clinically orientated IMU system for initial peak acceleration (IPA) and IPA symmetry index (SI) measurement during running in elite footballers. On consecutive days, 16 participants performed treadmill running at 14kmph and 18kmph. Read More

Autophagy 2019 Jan 18:1-18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

a Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases , Washington University School of Medicine , St Louis , MO , USA.

Differentiated tissue is particularly vulnerable to alterations in protein and organelle homeostasis. The essential protein VCP, mutated in hereditary inclusion body myopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, is critical for efficient clearance of misfolded proteins and damaged organelles in dividing cells, but its role in terminally differentiated tissue affected by disease mutations is less clear. To understand the relevance of VCP in differentiated tissue, we inactivated it in skeletal muscle of adult mice. Read More

Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Lund University, Medical Service, Clinical Genetics and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology and Pathology, Lund, Sweden.

Aims: To determine the rate of injuries related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in cardiac arrest non-survivors, comparing manual CPR with CPR performed using the Lund University Cardiac Assist System (LUCAS).

Methods And Results: We prospectively evaluated 414 deceased adult patients using focused, standardized post-mortem investigation in years 2005 through 2013. Skeletal and soft tissue injuries were noted, and soft tissue injuries were evaluated with respect to degree of severity. Read More

Nat Commun 2019 01 14;10(1):181. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.

Whether sensory nerve can sense bone density or metabolic activity to control bone homeostasis is unknown. Here we found prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secreted by osteoblastic cells activates PGE2 receptor 4 (EP4) in sensory nerves to regulate bone formation by inhibiting sympathetic activity through the central nervous system. PGE2 secreted by osteoblasts increases when bone density decreases as demonstrated in osteoporotic animal models. Read More

Pflugers Arch 2019 Mar 9;471(3):491-505. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Pharmacology and Hypoxia-related Disease Research Center, Inha University School of Medicine, Room 1015, 60th Anniversary Hall, 100, Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.

Exercise is a well-known non-pharmacological intervention to improve brain functions, including cognition, memory, and motor coordination. Contraction of skeletal muscles during exercise releases humoral factors that regulate the whole-body metabolism via interaction with other non-muscle organs. Myokines are muscle-derived effectors that regulate body metabolism by autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine action and were reportedly suggested as "exercise factors" that can improve the brain function. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2019 Jan 7;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.

Background: Motion capture and analyzing systems are essential for understanding locomotion. However, the existing devices are too cumbersome and can be used indoors only. A newly-developed wearable motion capture and measurement system with multiple sensors and ultrasound imaging was introduced in this study. Read More

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2019 Jan;155(1):117-126

Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

This case report describes the successful camouflage treatment to correct a moderate skeletal Class III malocclusion in a 19-year-old male cleft-palate patient. Early closure of the palate produced palatal scar tissue that inhibited midfacial growth, causing maxillary arch deficiency, severe maxillary crowding, and anterior and posterior crossbites. Combined surgical-orthodontic therapy would have been the preferred treatment of choice; however, the patient declined this option because of surgical risks and costs. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Dec 22;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Avda. De la Ilustración, 60, University of Granada, Granada 18016, Spain.

This study aimed to investigate the association between the muscle fitness to visceral fat level (MVF) ratio and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics among college students. A total of 1467 young adults recruited from the FUPRECOL study (Asociación de la Fuerza Prensil con Manifestaciones Tempranas de Riesgo Cardiovascular en Jóvenes y Adultos Colombianos), were categorized into four quartiles based on their MVF ratio. Muscular fitness was assessed using a digital handgrip dynamometer and visceral fat level was determined through bioelectrical impedance analysis. Read More

Nat Biomed Eng 2018 Dec 1;2(12):942-954. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.

Adult skeletal muscle has a robust capacity for self-repair, owing to synergies between muscle satellite cells and the immune system. In vitro models of muscle self-repair would facilitate the basic understanding of muscle regeneration and the screening of therapies for muscle disease. Here, we show that the incorporation of macrophages into muscle tissues engineered from adult-rat myogenic cells enables near-complete structural and functional repair after cardiotoxic injury in vitro. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019 Mar 20;1864(3):358-371. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States of America. Electronic address:

Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) plays a pivotal role in fatty acid β‑oxidation in heart, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. However, key functions of ACSL1 in the liver remain largely unknown. We investigated acute effects of hepatic ACSL1 deficiency on lipid metabolism in adult mice under hyperlipidemic and normolipidemic conditions. Read More

Clin Interv Aging 2018 10;13:2495-2502. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany,

Background: The age-related decline in muscle strength is a well documented phenomenon in human beings. Resistance-type exercise including the novel, joint-friendly, and time-efficient whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) technology decelerates this unfavorable decline. However, the issue of trainability of the neuromuscular system during different periods of life still remains, especially for WB-EMS. Read More

Neurol Genet 2018 Dec 27;4(6):e298. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Neurology (D.M.H.), Ghent University Hospital; Department of Pediatrics (A.V.V., J.S., E.V., R.V.C.), Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital; Department of Radiology (M.A.), Ghent University Hospital; Department of Nuclear Medicine (I.G.), Ghent University Hospital; Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (T.S., B.M.), Ghent University, Belgium; and Center for Medical Genetics (S.S.), UZ Brussel and Reproduction Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Objective: To report the clinical, radiologic, biochemical, and molecular characteristics in a 46-year-old participant with adult-onset Leigh syndrome (LS), followed by parkinsonism.

Methods: Case description with diagnostic workup included blood and CSF analysis, skeletal muscle investigations, blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, whole exome sequencing targeting nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial transcription and translation, cerebral MRI, 123I-FP-CIT brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and C-11 raclopride positron emission tomography (PET).

Results: The participant was found to have a defect in the oxidative phosphorylation caused by a c. Read More

Surg Radiol Anat 2019 Mar 17;41(3):287-296. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Service de Chirurgie du Rachis, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle (FMTS), 1 Place de l'hôpital, BP 426, 67091, Strasbourg Cedex, France.

Purpose: The thoracic spine, the chondral and osseous ribs, and the sternum together make up the thoracic cage. These elements are strictly correlated, although their growth is not synchronous. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive data set of thoracic dimensions and non-invasive volumetric assessment in a large cohort of males and females from early childhood to young adult age. Read More

Gait Posture 2018 09 20;65:163-168. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

Department of Kinesiology and Recreation Administration, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, United States.

Background: Older adults (≥65 years) exhibit greater metabolic rates during walking (worse walking economy) compared to young adults. Yet, previous research suggests that habitual running, but not habitual walking, exercise mitigates the age-related deterioration of walking economy.

Research Question: Does total leg muscle activation and/or agonist-antagonist co-activation explain the superior walking economy of older runners versus older walkers?

Methods: We quantified metabolic power, leg muscle activation, and co-activation in older walkers and older runners during walking at 0. Read More

Radiat Oncol 2018 Dec 17;13(1):248. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Background: To report our experience in planning and delivering total marrow irradiation (TMI) and total marrow and lymphatic irradiation (TMLI) in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation were treated with TMI/TMLI using Helical Tomotherapy (HT). All skeletal bones exclusion of the mandible comprised the treatment target volume and, for TMLI, lymph node chains, liver, spleen and/or brain were also included according to the clinical indication. Read More

Zoology (Jena) 2018 10 16;130:30-37. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Department of Physiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia.

During their complex life cycle, anurans are faced with various physiological and biochemical demands that can result in increased free radical production. The antioxidative system (AOS), assumes a central role in protection from oxidative stress, and increased knowledge of its response would allow us to identify and quantify underlying costs of free radical production. In this study, we compared the patterns and levels of integration of the AOS during two life stages of Bufotes viridis toads from natural populations: young, fully developed, reproductively inactive subadults and reproductively active adults. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2018 Nov-Dec;51(6):861-863

Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Cysticercosis is caused by the hematogenous dissemination of the larval form (cysticercus) of Taenia solium. It can affect any organ or tissue in the body but commonly affects the subcutaneous tissue, central nervous system, eyes, and skeletal muscle. Skin lesions can assist as a marker in the diagnosis of asymptomatic neurocysticercosis in endemic areas. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Dec 3;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Medical Nutrition, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea.

The ketogenic diet has long been recommended in patients with neurological disorders, and its protective effects on the cardiovascular system are of growing research interest. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two-week of low-calorie ketogenic nutrition drinks in obese adults. Subjects were randomized to consume drinks either a ketone-to-non-ketone ratio of 4:1 (KD 4:1), a drink partially complemented with protein at 1. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2018 Nov 30;18(12). Epub 2018 Nov 30.

College of Electronic Information Engineering & Hebei Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.

The center of plantar pressure (COP) reflects the dynamic balance of subjects to a certain extent. In this study, wearable pressure insoles are designed, body pose measure is detected by the Kinect sensor, and a balance evaluation system is formulated. With the designed games for the interactive actions, the Kinect sensor reads the skeletal poses to judge whether the desired action is performed, and the pressure insoles simultaneously collect the plantar pressure data. Read More

J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2019 Feb 13;44:46-55. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan.

The conventional acromion marker cluster (AMC) method used to estimate scapular orientation cannot adequately represent complex shoulder movements due to soft tissue artifacts. The regression method may have nonlinear error changes depending on humeral elevation angle and elevation plane. Therefore, we aimed to develop a new method of estimating scapular orientation using curved surface interpolation during various shoulder movements, and to compare its accuracy with conventional and regression methods. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2018 Nov 29;19(1):419. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, NO.139 Ziqiang Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050051, People's Republic of China.

Background: Minimally invasive treatment of complex tibial plateau fracture represents one of the most challenging problems in orthopedic surgery. We intended to describe the percutaneous surgery involving an originally designed traction device which might facilitate the closed reduction for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. Further, to assess the clinical outcomes of this minimally invasive technique. Read More

J Surg Orthop Adv Fall 2018;27(3):178-186

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Oncology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Mirels scoring system for determining prophylactic stabilization need of skeletal metastases includes a limited number of variables and does not differentiate between procedure types. This study sought to identify additional variables associated with surgical failure, radiographic disease progression, and patient survival. A retrospective review was performed of patients from January 2004 to 2014 who underwent surgical treatment of skeletal metastases of the extremities, were >18 years of age, and had adequate radiographic surveillance. Read More

Appl Ergon 2019 Jan 17;74:55-66. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Department of Industrial and System Engineering, Virginia Tech, 250 Durham Hall (0118), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Virginia Tech - Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA, USA. Electronic address:

We compared different passive exoskeletal designs in terms of physical demands (maximum acceptable frequency = MAF, perceived discomfort, and muscular loading) and quality in a simulated overhead drilling task, and the moderating influence of tool mass (∼2 and ∼5 kg). Three distinct designs were used: full-body and upper-body exoskeletons with attached mechanical arms; and an upper-body exoskeleton providing primarily shoulder support. Participants (n = 16, gender-balanced) simulated drilling for 15 min to determine their MAF, then maintained this pace for three additional minutes while the remaining outcome measures were obtained. Read More

Appl Ergon 2019 Jan 2;74:172-176. Epub 2018 Sep 2.

HFPS Humanergonomics UG, Fraunhoferstrasse 13, 24118, Kiel, Germany.

The aim of this study is to investigate the neuromuscular response of shoulder muscles at different attachment heights of a carrying system during arm movement. It was hypothesized that (1) different height adjustments lead to changes in muscle activity and (2) the shoulder horizontal provides a benchmark for the optimal attachment height of the shoulder belts. The musculus deltoideus was significantly relieved after the elevation of the shoulder belt for subjects with an initial attachment height of 2 cm below the shoulder. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, Department of Development and Regeneration , KU Leuven , Leuven 3000 , Belgium.

The combination of biomaterials with stem cells is a promising therapeutic strategy to repair traumatic injuries in the central nervous system, and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) offer a clinically translatable option among other possible sources of stem cells. We report here on the use of a supramolecular bioactive material based on a peptide amphiphile (PA), displaying a laminin-mimetic IKVAV sequence to drive neural transdifferentiation of human BMSCs. The IKVAV-PA self-assembles into supramolecular nanofibers that induce neuroectodermal lineage commitment after 1 week, as evidenced by the upregulation of the neural progenitor gene nestin ( NES) and glial fibrillary acidic protein ( GFAP). Read More

Int J Paleopathol 2019 Mar 23;24:171-174. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Building 42, Floor G, Room 70, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Objective: To evaluate differences in lesion identification in skeletal remains with respect to bone type and method of analysis.

Materials: 212 mostly 19th century adult skeletons from St. Bride's Church in London. Read More

Neurol Sci 2019 Feb 23;40(2):363-369. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), No. 758, Hefei Road, Shibei District, Qingdao, 266035, Shandong, China.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the clinical onset locations and the electrophysiological characteristics of different spinal segments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. To develop a rapid examination method using electromyographs (EMGs) for the diagnosis of ALS.

Methods: The clinical symptoms and electrodiagnostic examination results of 150 patients with definite or probable ALS were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Handb Clin Neurol 2018 ;157:749-760

Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry/Neurology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the major adult-onset motor neuron disease, and is clinically, pathologically, and genetically associated with frontotemporal dementia, the second cause of dementia in the elderly. Here, we review the evidence linking thermoregulation and ALS. Indeed, while ALS is not classically associated with defective thermoregulatory function, its progression severely affects key brain regions controlling body temperature and impacts multiple sensors and effectors of this homeostatic function. Read More