Amid the global health crisis instigated by COVID-19, the resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) has underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions. With TB claiming 1.6 million lives in 2021, it remains a formidable challenge, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Central to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) pathogenesis is the decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose oxidase (DprE1)/decaprenylphosphoryl-2-keto-β-D-erythropentose reductase (DprE2) complex, pivotal for synthesizing decaprenylphosphoryl-arabinofuranose (DPA), a critical component of mycobacterial cell walls. DprE1 has emerged as a prime therapeutic target, with several inhibitors in clinical trials. This review elucidates the indispensability of DprE1, examines existing ligands, and delineates key considerations for the development of next-generation anti-TB therapeutics. Our analysis highlights the potential of DprE1 inhibitors to revolutionize TB treatment, emphasizing the need for continued research and development in this area to address the evolving landscape of TB and drug resistance.
{"title":"Unveiling DprE1 as a Key Target in the Fight against Tuberculosis: Insights and Perspectives on Developing Novel Antimicrobial Agents","authors":"Maximilien Fil, Sandrine Alibert","doi":"10.3390/biomed4030018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4030018","url":null,"abstract":"Amid the global health crisis instigated by COVID-19, the resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) has underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions. With TB claiming 1.6 million lives in 2021, it remains a formidable challenge, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Central to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) pathogenesis is the decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose oxidase (DprE1)/decaprenylphosphoryl-2-keto-β-D-erythropentose reductase (DprE2) complex, pivotal for synthesizing decaprenylphosphoryl-arabinofuranose (DPA), a critical component of mycobacterial cell walls. DprE1 has emerged as a prime therapeutic target, with several inhibitors in clinical trials. This review elucidates the indispensability of DprE1, examines existing ligands, and delineates key considerations for the development of next-generation anti-TB therapeutics. Our analysis highlights the potential of DprE1 inhibitors to revolutionize TB treatment, emphasizing the need for continued research and development in this area to address the evolving landscape of TB and drug resistance.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"49 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141802643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
W.A. Barragan Flores, C. Carrillo George, José María Sandoval, C. Cívico Sánchez, Cristina Flores, Victoria Muñoz, Tomás Fernández Aparicio
Background: Lymph node involvement (N+) in bladder cancer indicates a poor prognosis. Current preoperative evaluations of N+ are often inaccurate. We aimed to develop a predictive model for N+ using basic clinical variables and assess the diagnostic accuracy of Computed Tomography (CT). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. We include 62 MIBC patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) from 2010 to 2019 in our center. We evaluated diagnostic concordance between CT and histopathology for extravesical extension (T3a≥) and N+. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to create a predictive model, with an ROC curve and nomogram developed. Results: We found 59% sensitivity and 69% specificity for CT for staging cT3≥ and a sensitivity of 22% and a specificity of 21% for N+. NLR > 2.60 (OR 6.03, p = 0.02) and lymphovascular invasion (LVInv) in the TURB sample (OR 9.26, p = 0.04) were correlated with N+. Both fundus lesions (OR 0.21, p = 0.04) and creatinine > 0.94 mg/dL (OR 0.17, p = 0.025) were associated with reduced risk. The ROC curve of the model showed 80.4% AUC. Conclusions: A predictive model with good diagnostic performance for N+ can be developed from basic clinical data. CT sensitivity and specificity for the detection of N+ patients are limited.
{"title":"Assessing Lymph Node Involvement in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Proposal of a Predictive Model Using Clinical Variables","authors":"W.A. Barragan Flores, C. Carrillo George, José María Sandoval, C. Cívico Sánchez, Cristina Flores, Victoria Muñoz, Tomás Fernández Aparicio","doi":"10.3390/biomed4030017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4030017","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Lymph node involvement (N+) in bladder cancer indicates a poor prognosis. Current preoperative evaluations of N+ are often inaccurate. We aimed to develop a predictive model for N+ using basic clinical variables and assess the diagnostic accuracy of Computed Tomography (CT). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. We include 62 MIBC patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) from 2010 to 2019 in our center. We evaluated diagnostic concordance between CT and histopathology for extravesical extension (T3a≥) and N+. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to create a predictive model, with an ROC curve and nomogram developed. Results: We found 59% sensitivity and 69% specificity for CT for staging cT3≥ and a sensitivity of 22% and a specificity of 21% for N+. NLR > 2.60 (OR 6.03, p = 0.02) and lymphovascular invasion (LVInv) in the TURB sample (OR 9.26, p = 0.04) were correlated with N+. Both fundus lesions (OR 0.21, p = 0.04) and creatinine > 0.94 mg/dL (OR 0.17, p = 0.025) were associated with reduced risk. The ROC curve of the model showed 80.4% AUC. Conclusions: A predictive model with good diagnostic performance for N+ can be developed from basic clinical data. CT sensitivity and specificity for the detection of N+ patients are limited.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"51 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141660078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Prostate and bladder cancer treatments have several challenges, including intense side effects and mechanisms of resistance. Thus, it is urgent to find drugs that can fill these gaps. For this purpose, Entecavir (ETV) was tested alone and in combination with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Prior to this, a preliminary computational analysis was conducted to evaluate the combination of these two drugs. After exposing PC-3 and UM-UC-5 cells to the drugs, cell morphology was assessed using a microscope, while cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were evaluated using the MTT assay, and finally, the statistical analysis was performed. It was concluded that ETV showed significant cytotoxic effects in the PC-3 cells, and 5-FU, although not as effective as in other tumor types, it managed to inhibit the viability of the PC-3 cells. The combination of 5-FU with ETV after 72 h of exposure is an advantageous association, surpassing the results of each drug alone. In the UM-UC-5 cells, ETV alone did not produce the expected effect, neither did the combination. Nevertheless, repurposing ETV has proven to be an effective strategy in PC, especially through its combination with 5-FU.
前列腺癌和膀胱癌的治疗面临着一些挑战，包括强烈的副作用和抗药性机制。因此，当务之急是找到能够填补这些空白的药物。为此，我们测试了恩替卡韦（ETV）单独使用和与 5-氟尿嘧啶（5-FU）联合使用的情况。在此之前，对这两种药物的组合进行了初步的计算分析。将 PC-3 和 UM-UC-5 细胞暴露于药物后，用显微镜评估细胞形态，用 MTT 检测法评估细胞活力、增殖和细胞毒性，最后进行统计分析。结果表明，ETV 对 PC-3 细胞有明显的细胞毒性作用，而 5-FU 虽然对其他类型的肿瘤效果不佳，但也能抑制 PC-3 细胞的活力。暴露 72 小时后，5-FU 与 ETV 的组合具有优势，超过了每种药物单独使用的效果。在 UM-UC-5 细胞中，单独使用 ETV 没有产生预期效果，联合使用也是如此。尽管如此，事实证明重新利用 ETV 是治疗 PC 的有效策略，尤其是通过与 5-FU 联合使用。
{"title":"Enhancing Prostate and Bladder Cancer Treatment: Exploring the Synergistic Potential of Entecavir and 5-Fluorouracil Combinations","authors":"Tânia Lourenço, Lara Marques, Eduarda Ribeiro, Nuno Vale","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020015","url":null,"abstract":"Prostate and bladder cancer treatments have several challenges, including intense side effects and mechanisms of resistance. Thus, it is urgent to find drugs that can fill these gaps. For this purpose, Entecavir (ETV) was tested alone and in combination with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Prior to this, a preliminary computational analysis was conducted to evaluate the combination of these two drugs. After exposing PC-3 and UM-UC-5 cells to the drugs, cell morphology was assessed using a microscope, while cell viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were evaluated using the MTT assay, and finally, the statistical analysis was performed. It was concluded that ETV showed significant cytotoxic effects in the PC-3 cells, and 5-FU, although not as effective as in other tumor types, it managed to inhibit the viability of the PC-3 cells. The combination of 5-FU with ETV after 72 h of exposure is an advantageous association, surpassing the results of each drug alone. In the UM-UC-5 cells, ETV alone did not produce the expected effect, neither did the combination. Nevertheless, repurposing ETV has proven to be an effective strategy in PC, especially through its combination with 5-FU.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"24 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141341661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. El-Gizawy, Xuewei Ma, Joshua C. Arnone, A. Melaibari
Existing implants used with Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), and other joint reconstruction treatments, have displayed premature failures and frequent needs for revision surgery in recent years, particularly with young active patients who represent more than 55% of all joint reconstruction patients. Bone cement and stress shielding have been identified as the major reasons for premature joint failures. A breakdown of the cement may happen, and revision surgery may be needed because of the aseptic loosening. The significant mismatch of stiffness properties of patient trabecular bones and metallic implant materials in joint reconstruction surgery results in the stress shielding phenomenon. This could lead to significant bone resorption and increased risk of bone fracture and the aseptic loosening of implants. The present project introduces an approach for development of customized cellular structures to match the mechanical properties and architecture of human trabecular bone. The present work aims at fulfilling the objectives of the introduced approach by exploring new designs of customized lattice structures and texture tailored to mimic closely patients’ bone anisotropic properties and that can incorporate an engineered biological press-fit fixation technique. The effects of various lattice design variables on the mechanical performance of the structure are examined through a systematic experimental plan using the statistical design of experiments technique and analysis of variance method. All tested lattice designs were explored under realistic geometrical, biological, and manufacturing constraints. Of the four design factors examined in this study, strut thickness was found to have the highest percent contribution (41%) regarding the structure stiffness, followed by unit cell type, and cell size. Strut shape was found to have the lowest effect with only 11% contribution. The introduced solution offers lattice structure designs that can be adjusted to match bone stiffness distribution and promote bone ingrowth and hence eliminating the phenomenon of stress shielding while incorporating biological press-fit fixation technique.
{"title":"Customized Lattice Structures Tailored to Mimic Patients’ Bone Anisotropic Properties and Microarchitecture for Joint Reconstruction Applications","authors":"A. El-Gizawy, Xuewei Ma, Joshua C. Arnone, A. Melaibari","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020014","url":null,"abstract":"Existing implants used with Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), and other joint reconstruction treatments, have displayed premature failures and frequent needs for revision surgery in recent years, particularly with young active patients who represent more than 55% of all joint reconstruction patients. Bone cement and stress shielding have been identified as the major reasons for premature joint failures. A breakdown of the cement may happen, and revision surgery may be needed because of the aseptic loosening. The significant mismatch of stiffness properties of patient trabecular bones and metallic implant materials in joint reconstruction surgery results in the stress shielding phenomenon. This could lead to significant bone resorption and increased risk of bone fracture and the aseptic loosening of implants. The present project introduces an approach for development of customized cellular structures to match the mechanical properties and architecture of human trabecular bone. The present work aims at fulfilling the objectives of the introduced approach by exploring new designs of customized lattice structures and texture tailored to mimic closely patients’ bone anisotropic properties and that can incorporate an engineered biological press-fit fixation technique. The effects of various lattice design variables on the mechanical performance of the structure are examined through a systematic experimental plan using the statistical design of experiments technique and analysis of variance method. All tested lattice designs were explored under realistic geometrical, biological, and manufacturing constraints. Of the four design factors examined in this study, strut thickness was found to have the highest percent contribution (41%) regarding the structure stiffness, followed by unit cell type, and cell size. Strut shape was found to have the lowest effect with only 11% contribution. The introduced solution offers lattice structure designs that can be adjusted to match bone stiffness distribution and promote bone ingrowth and hence eliminating the phenomenon of stress shielding while incorporating biological press-fit fixation technique.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"30 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141346190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the impact of manual reduction (MR) on patients with subacute osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures and severe compression fractures (OTLBFSCFs). From January 2016 to May 2020, 101 cases of OTLBFSCFs were reviewed, comprising 73 women and 28 men, with an average age of 77.4 ± 8.5 years. Preoperative radiographs, CT or MRI scans, intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopic images, and postoperative X-ray films were utilized to evaluate spinal radiographic parameters. Initially, all patients underwent 3 min of prone positioning as posture reduction (PR), followed by 1–3 sessions of six-member MR to approximate anatomical reduction of the fracture. The average preoperative anterior body height ratio (ABH%) and lateral Cobb angle (LCA) were 38.8% ± 6.2% and 22.6° ± 4.2°, respectively. Post-PR, the average ABH% and LCA were 50.5% ± 8.0% and 14.7° ± 2.7°, respectively. Following MR, the average ABH% and LCA were 99.6% ± 2.4% and 0.4° ± 2.4°, respectively. PR achieved an ABH% correction of 11.7%, while MR achieved 49.1%. LCA restoration was 7.9° with PR and 14.3° with MR. It was deduced that MR proved to be safe and efficacious for subacute OTLBFSCFs and could potentially alter the approach to subsequent surgeries.
{"title":"Manual Reduction for Subacute Osteoporotic Burst and Severe Compression Thoracolumbar Fractures","authors":"Kung-Chia Li, Ching-Hsiang Hsieh, Ting-Hua Liao, Chih-Hung Chen","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020011","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the impact of manual reduction (MR) on patients with subacute osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fractures and severe compression fractures (OTLBFSCFs). From January 2016 to May 2020, 101 cases of OTLBFSCFs were reviewed, comprising 73 women and 28 men, with an average age of 77.4 ± 8.5 years. Preoperative radiographs, CT or MRI scans, intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopic images, and postoperative X-ray films were utilized to evaluate spinal radiographic parameters. Initially, all patients underwent 3 min of prone positioning as posture reduction (PR), followed by 1–3 sessions of six-member MR to approximate anatomical reduction of the fracture. The average preoperative anterior body height ratio (ABH%) and lateral Cobb angle (LCA) were 38.8% ± 6.2% and 22.6° ± 4.2°, respectively. Post-PR, the average ABH% and LCA were 50.5% ± 8.0% and 14.7° ± 2.7°, respectively. Following MR, the average ABH% and LCA were 99.6% ± 2.4% and 0.4° ± 2.4°, respectively. PR achieved an ABH% correction of 11.7%, while MR achieved 49.1%. LCA restoration was 7.9° with PR and 14.3° with MR. It was deduced that MR proved to be safe and efficacious for subacute OTLBFSCFs and could potentially alter the approach to subsequent surgeries.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"5 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141100085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The purpose of this review is to elucidate the different laboratory and biomarker testing methods available for screening and diagnosis of preeclampsia. These include routine testing, such as blood pressure readings, qualitative and quantitative urine testing, complete blood count with platelets, serum creatinine levels, liver chemistries, and serum bilirubin levels. This review also details the use of non-routine testing, such as screening for angiogenic and anti-angiogenic markers, such as placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). Blood pressure measurements and proteinuria are the most routinely used screening tools used for preeclampsia and there are limited data on the utility of other screening techniques because of a greater focus on the etiology and treatment of preeclampsia. Similarly, serum angiogenic biomarkers are not routinely collected, so there is limited evidence regarding using them as screening tools for preeclampsia and more data are needed to determine their significance in the screening and diagnosis of preeclampsia.
{"title":"Review of Laboratory Testing and Biomarker Screening for Preeclampsia","authors":"Antonia F. Oladipo, Maansi Jayade","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020010","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this review is to elucidate the different laboratory and biomarker testing methods available for screening and diagnosis of preeclampsia. These include routine testing, such as blood pressure readings, qualitative and quantitative urine testing, complete blood count with platelets, serum creatinine levels, liver chemistries, and serum bilirubin levels. This review also details the use of non-routine testing, such as screening for angiogenic and anti-angiogenic markers, such as placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). Blood pressure measurements and proteinuria are the most routinely used screening tools used for preeclampsia and there are limited data on the utility of other screening techniques because of a greater focus on the etiology and treatment of preeclampsia. Similarly, serum angiogenic biomarkers are not routinely collected, so there is limited evidence regarding using them as screening tools for preeclampsia and more data are needed to determine their significance in the screening and diagnosis of preeclampsia.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"32 44","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140980243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nickolai J. P. Martonick, Russell T. Baker, C. McGowan
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques use specialized hand-held instruments for applying controlled mechanical forces to the body with the goal of facilitating healing, improving range of motion, and reducing pain. Nevertheless, an optimal range of forces for achieving clinical outcomes has yet to be established. A barrier to advancing research on IASTM force optimization is the lack of commercially available instruments that quantify treatment forces. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility of attaching a flexible force sensor to a commercially available IASTM instrument to obtain valid force measurements. The validity of this novel approach was assessed by comparing data between the flexible force sensor and a force plate during a simulated treatment. Intraclass correlation coefficients, linear regression models, and Bland Altman plots all indicated excellent agreement between the force plate and flexible sensor when the instrument was used at 45°, 65°, and 90° treatment angles. Agreement between measures decreased when the instrument was held at 30°. Thus, commercially available instruments with attached sensors could make force measurement more accessible and feasible for a wider range of research settings, facilitating the advancement of IASTM research and ultimately informing clinical decision-making to improve patient care.
{"title":"Implementing A Flexible Sensor to Identify Forces during Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization","authors":"Nickolai J. P. Martonick, Russell T. Baker, C. McGowan","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020008","url":null,"abstract":"Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques use specialized hand-held instruments for applying controlled mechanical forces to the body with the goal of facilitating healing, improving range of motion, and reducing pain. Nevertheless, an optimal range of forces for achieving clinical outcomes has yet to be established. A barrier to advancing research on IASTM force optimization is the lack of commercially available instruments that quantify treatment forces. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility of attaching a flexible force sensor to a commercially available IASTM instrument to obtain valid force measurements. The validity of this novel approach was assessed by comparing data between the flexible force sensor and a force plate during a simulated treatment. Intraclass correlation coefficients, linear regression models, and Bland Altman plots all indicated excellent agreement between the force plate and flexible sensor when the instrument was used at 45°, 65°, and 90° treatment angles. Agreement between measures decreased when the instrument was held at 30°. Thus, commercially available instruments with attached sensors could make force measurement more accessible and feasible for a wider range of research settings, facilitating the advancement of IASTM research and ultimately informing clinical decision-making to improve patient care.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"29 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140696031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brady Green, Molly Coventry, T. Pizzari, Ebonie K. Rio, M. Murphy
Practitioners routinely use the single leg heel raise (SLHR) to quantify calf function in healthy and injured populations. Despite this, approaches vary and the impact of cueing on SLHR performance and results interpretation in athletesis unknown. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the level of agreement of the cued versus non-cued SLHR tests. The secondary aim was to explore test outcomes and the potential impact of intrinsic factors. Cued and non-cued SLHR tests were conducted in fifty-one Australian football players (23 women, 28 men). Metronome pacing (60 bpm) and five key cues were included in the cued condition. The level of agreement (Bland–Altman) between tests was measured for capacity (repetitions to failure) and asymmetry. Data from 100 legs were included. The non-cued and cued SLHR tests demonstrated poor agreement in both capacity and asymmetry. More repetitions to failure were performed in the non-cued SLHR [Mean (SD) = 33.9 (10.3) vs. 21.9 (5.3), p < 0.001)], and men had greater capacity (36.8 (10.4) vs. 30.3 (9.2), p < 0.001). During the cued SLHR, older players (age ≥ 30 years: −5.1 repetitions, p = 0.01) and Indigenous players (−3.4 repetitions, p = 0.002) and had reduced calf muscle function. Cueing the SLHR test significantly changes the result—outcomes are not comparable or interchangeable with the commonly used non-cued SLHR. These findings can guide practitioners quantifying calf capacity.
{"title":"Form Matters—Technical Cues in the Single Leg Heel Raise to Failure Test Significantly Change the Outcome: A Study of Convergent Validity in Australian Football Players","authors":"Brady Green, Molly Coventry, T. Pizzari, Ebonie K. Rio, M. Murphy","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020007","url":null,"abstract":"Practitioners routinely use the single leg heel raise (SLHR) to quantify calf function in healthy and injured populations. Despite this, approaches vary and the impact of cueing on SLHR performance and results interpretation in athletesis unknown. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the level of agreement of the cued versus non-cued SLHR tests. The secondary aim was to explore test outcomes and the potential impact of intrinsic factors. Cued and non-cued SLHR tests were conducted in fifty-one Australian football players (23 women, 28 men). Metronome pacing (60 bpm) and five key cues were included in the cued condition. The level of agreement (Bland–Altman) between tests was measured for capacity (repetitions to failure) and asymmetry. Data from 100 legs were included. The non-cued and cued SLHR tests demonstrated poor agreement in both capacity and asymmetry. More repetitions to failure were performed in the non-cued SLHR [Mean (SD) = 33.9 (10.3) vs. 21.9 (5.3), p < 0.001)], and men had greater capacity (36.8 (10.4) vs. 30.3 (9.2), p < 0.001). During the cued SLHR, older players (age ≥ 30 years: −5.1 repetitions, p = 0.01) and Indigenous players (−3.4 repetitions, p = 0.002) and had reduced calf muscle function. Cueing the SLHR test significantly changes the result—outcomes are not comparable or interchangeable with the commonly used non-cued SLHR. These findings can guide practitioners quantifying calf capacity.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"48 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140733472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liraz Cohen-Biton, Dan Buskila, Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot
Objective: This study sought to examine whether the sense of coherence (SoC) and resilience among female fibromyalgia (FM) patients increased after participation in a fibrotherapy intervention program (FTI) and whether SoC and resilience increased among female FM patients (FFMPs) exposed to security threats who changed their coping strategies to problem-oriented coping. Methods: Ninety-six FFMPs aged 19–75 enrolled in the FTI program led by Rabbi Firer in Sderot, Israel. The intervention program is divided into three stages, each comprising a distinct weekly treatment plan. The treatment plans encompass the following modalities: physiotherapy adapted to FM conditions, group therapy, hydrotherapy, horticultural therapy/cooking therapy, Pilates, pottery therapy, and kundalini yoga. Each stage spans a duration of 10 weeks, culminating in a total program duration of 30 weeks. Results: The findings show that after participating in FTI, the problem-orientation level of coping and health indicators, including functional ability and physiological scores (pre- and post-exertion), increased while psychological distress levels decreased. Overall, all the physiological scales measured before and after the FTI showed a significant improvement among the entire sample. FFMPs with problem-oriented strategies reported higher levels of SoC and resilience after participating in the FTI program. Conclusions: The FTI provided FFMPs with tools to understand the meaning of their disease and its management, whereas before they were preoccupied with the presence of the disease and its negative impact on their lives. The participation of FFMPs in the FTI leads to a perceptual change, the adoption of problem-oriented coping strategies, and the increased utilization of coping resources, namely, SoC and resilience. Problem-oriented coping combined with high SoC and resilience led FFMPs to adopt health strategies such as physical activity and other empowering activities that raised their physical and mental health indicators.
{"title":"Resilience and Sense of Coherence among Female Fibromyalgia Patients Living in a Conflict Zone Who Underwent Fibrotherapy Intervention","authors":"Liraz Cohen-Biton, Dan Buskila, Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot","doi":"10.3390/biomed4020006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4020006","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: This study sought to examine whether the sense of coherence (SoC) and resilience among female fibromyalgia (FM) patients increased after participation in a fibrotherapy intervention program (FTI) and whether SoC and resilience increased among female FM patients (FFMPs) exposed to security threats who changed their coping strategies to problem-oriented coping. Methods: Ninety-six FFMPs aged 19–75 enrolled in the FTI program led by Rabbi Firer in Sderot, Israel. The intervention program is divided into three stages, each comprising a distinct weekly treatment plan. The treatment plans encompass the following modalities: physiotherapy adapted to FM conditions, group therapy, hydrotherapy, horticultural therapy/cooking therapy, Pilates, pottery therapy, and kundalini yoga. Each stage spans a duration of 10 weeks, culminating in a total program duration of 30 weeks. Results: The findings show that after participating in FTI, the problem-orientation level of coping and health indicators, including functional ability and physiological scores (pre- and post-exertion), increased while psychological distress levels decreased. Overall, all the physiological scales measured before and after the FTI showed a significant improvement among the entire sample. FFMPs with problem-oriented strategies reported higher levels of SoC and resilience after participating in the FTI program. Conclusions: The FTI provided FFMPs with tools to understand the meaning of their disease and its management, whereas before they were preoccupied with the presence of the disease and its negative impact on their lives. The participation of FFMPs in the FTI leads to a perceptual change, the adoption of problem-oriented coping strategies, and the increased utilization of coping resources, namely, SoC and resilience. Problem-oriented coping combined with high SoC and resilience led FFMPs to adopt health strategies such as physical activity and other empowering activities that raised their physical and mental health indicators.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":" 27","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140216190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zuriatou Yajeh Tanka, N. O. Ankoro, Vincent Ngouana, Franklin Loic Tchinda Taghu, Abongta Lum Mforbesi, Branly-Natalien Nguena-Dongue, Julius Nsami Ndi, Boniface Pone Kamdem, Paul Keilah Lunga, Fabrice Fekam Boyom
Caused by pathogenic microorganisms, infectious diseases are known to cause high mortality rates, severe burdens of disability, and serious worldwide aftermaths. Drug-resistant pathogens have reduced the efficacy of available therapies against these diseases, thus accentuating the need to search for effective antimicrobials. Medicinal plants have served as starting material for the preparation of a number of antimicrobial agents. To this end, the present study highlights the green synthesis of Cocos nucifera-based nanomaterials and evaluation of the mechanistic basis of their antimicrobial action. Accordingly, Cocos nucifera extract was used for the reduction of silver nitrate solution to afford silver nanoparticles. These entities were further incorporated onto sulfuric-acid-based activated carbons to generate the nanocomposites. The antimicrobial activity of the as-prepared nanomaterials was evaluated using the broth microdilution method, while the antioxidant activity was assessed through standard methods. The cytotoxicity of potent nanomaterials was assessed on Vero cells by the spectrophotometric method. As a result, nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, as evidenced by the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy analysis that revealed an intense absorption spectrum at 433 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy presented the functional group moieties involved as a capping and reducing agent in the synthesis of the nanomaterials. The incubation of nanomaterials with selected bacterial and fungal strains has led to significant inhibitory effects of these pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 7.813 to 250 μg/mL. In antioxidant assays, the nanocomposites presented scavenging activities comparable to those of ascorbic acid. Cytotoxicity experiment revealed no toxic effects on Vero cells (range of selectivity indices: from >4 to >128). These results provide evidence of the implication of Cocos nucifera-based nanomaterials in targeting bacterial or fungal systems that mediate free-radical damage or by inhibiting the oxidative damage caused by selected bacteria and fungi, the most susceptible being Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, respectively.
众所周知，由病原微生物引起的传染病会导致高死亡率、严重的残疾负担以及严重的全球性后遗症。抗药性病原体降低了现有疗法对这些疾病的疗效，因此更有必要寻找有效的抗菌剂。药用植物是制备多种抗菌剂的起始材料。为此，本研究重点关注以可可树为基础的纳米材料的绿色合成及其抗菌作用机理基础的评估。因此，可可树提取物被用于硝酸银溶液的还原，以获得银纳米粒子。这些实体被进一步结合到硫酸基活性碳上，生成纳米复合材料。使用肉汤微稀释法评估了制备的纳米材料的抗菌活性，并通过标准方法评估了抗氧化活性。采用分光光度法评估了强效纳米材料对 Vero 细胞的细胞毒性。结果表明，成功合成了纳米颗粒，紫外-可见光谱分析显示在 433 纳米处有强烈的吸收光谱。傅立叶变换红外光谱显示了纳米材料合成过程中作为封端剂和还原剂的官能团分子。纳米材料与选定的细菌和真菌菌株培养后，对这些病原体产生了显著的抑制作用，最低抑制浓度为 7.813 至 250 μg/mL。在抗氧化实验中，纳米复合材料的清除活性与抗坏血酸相当。细胞毒性实验显示，纳米复合材料对 Vero 细胞无毒性影响（选择性指数范围：>4 至 >128）。这些结果证明了以可可树为基础的纳米材料在针对介导自由基损伤的细菌或真菌系统或通过抑制由选定细菌和真菌（最易受影响的分别是大肠杆菌和白色念珠菌）引起的氧化损伤方面的作用。
{"title":"Green Synthesis of Cocos nucifera-Based Nanomaterials and Mechanistic Basis of Their Antimicrobial Action","authors":"Zuriatou Yajeh Tanka, N. O. Ankoro, Vincent Ngouana, Franklin Loic Tchinda Taghu, Abongta Lum Mforbesi, Branly-Natalien Nguena-Dongue, Julius Nsami Ndi, Boniface Pone Kamdem, Paul Keilah Lunga, Fabrice Fekam Boyom","doi":"10.3390/biomed4010005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biomed4010005","url":null,"abstract":"Caused by pathogenic microorganisms, infectious diseases are known to cause high mortality rates, severe burdens of disability, and serious worldwide aftermaths. Drug-resistant pathogens have reduced the efficacy of available therapies against these diseases, thus accentuating the need to search for effective antimicrobials. Medicinal plants have served as starting material for the preparation of a number of antimicrobial agents. To this end, the present study highlights the green synthesis of Cocos nucifera-based nanomaterials and evaluation of the mechanistic basis of their antimicrobial action. Accordingly, Cocos nucifera extract was used for the reduction of silver nitrate solution to afford silver nanoparticles. These entities were further incorporated onto sulfuric-acid-based activated carbons to generate the nanocomposites. The antimicrobial activity of the as-prepared nanomaterials was evaluated using the broth microdilution method, while the antioxidant activity was assessed through standard methods. The cytotoxicity of potent nanomaterials was assessed on Vero cells by the spectrophotometric method. As a result, nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, as evidenced by the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy analysis that revealed an intense absorption spectrum at 433 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy presented the functional group moieties involved as a capping and reducing agent in the synthesis of the nanomaterials. The incubation of nanomaterials with selected bacterial and fungal strains has led to significant inhibitory effects of these pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 7.813 to 250 μg/mL. In antioxidant assays, the nanocomposites presented scavenging activities comparable to those of ascorbic acid. Cytotoxicity experiment revealed no toxic effects on Vero cells (range of selectivity indices: from >4 to >128). These results provide evidence of the implication of Cocos nucifera-based nanomaterials in targeting bacterial or fungal systems that mediate free-radical damage or by inhibiting the oxidative damage caused by selected bacteria and fungi, the most susceptible being Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, respectively.","PeriodicalId":511609,"journal":{"name":"BioMed","volume":"43 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140260791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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