Search Results (4)

Maintaining proper posture is essential for preventing musculoskeletal disorders and reducing injury risks. This study investigates the impact of insoles with ankle dorsiflexion (inverted drop sole) on sagittal posture, spinal curvatures, and core muscle activation. Methods: Fifty-five participants (29 men, 26 women; aged 20–70 years) were evaluated in two conditions: barefoot and with insoles incorporating an inverted drop sole. Kinematic data of trunk, hip, and knee angles, along with spinal curvatures (dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral slope), were collected using the Simi Aktysis 3D system and the Medi Mouse IDIAG 360^®. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris muscles was analyzed using the Bioplux^® device. Statistical analyses were conducted using Wilcoxon tests (W) for non-parametric data and Student’s t-tests (T) for parametric data with significance set at p < 0.05. For parametric data, effect size (ES) was used to assess the magnitude of differences based on the Cohen scale. For nonparametric data, the rank biserial correlation (rB) was used, considered an ES equivalent to the correlation coefficient. Results: Significant differences were observed between the barefoot and insole conditions for trunk and knee angles (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively) with moderate and large magnitude of difference (rB = −0.41 and rB = −0.96, respectively). No significant change in hip angle (p = 0.162) was observed. Spinal curvatures, including dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral slope, significantly decreased (p < 0.001), with a large magnitude of difference for dorsal kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral scope (rB = 0.71, rB = −0.94 and ES = 0.54, respectively). EMG analysis revealed the increased activation of the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris muscles (p < 0.001), with a large magnitude of difference both the rectus abdominis and rectus femoris (rB = −0.82, and ES = −0.82, respectively). Conclusions: Insoles with ankle dorsiflexion significantly improve sagittal posture by reducing spinal curvatures and enhancing core muscle activation. These findings suggest that dorsiflexion technology in footwear may serve as a non-invasive strategy for improving posture, preventing musculoskeletal disorders, and managing low back pain. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the acute and long-term effects of karate kata training on body posture (range of motion (ROM)) and musculoskeletal pain in elite karate athletes. Twelve kata athletes from the Polish national team participated in the study. A cross-sectional study protocol was used, with direct participatory observation (NMQ-7/6 questionnaire, spinal curvatures and spinal ROM testing, ROM of joints) and natural experiment (225 min of kata training) methods of assessment. Age and number of weekly kata sessions were found to correlate with ROM of the lumbar spine (R = (−0.6), p < 0.05). High increase in the prevalence of lumbar hypolordosis and posterior pelvic tilt was noted after karate training sessions. ROM of the inclination in the sagittal plane differed significantly between the first and second trials, by 10.0 degrees on average. Kata stances and their movement pattern seem to be related to the occurrence of disturbances in the ROM of the internal and external rotations of the hip joints and decreased depth of the lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and their ROM. The locations of the long-term musculoskeletal complaints (NMQ-6) seem to result from compensatory changes that occur in the musculoskeletal structures as a result of elite-level kata training. Full article

There is a rapid increase in the percentage of elderly people in Europe. Consequently, the prevalence of age-related diseases will also significantly increase. Therefore, the main goal of MediHealth, an international research project, is to introduce a novel approach for the discovery of active agents of food plants from the Mediterranean diet and other global sources that promote healthy ageing. To achieve this goal, a series of plants from the Mediterranean diet and food plants from other origins are carefully selected and subjected to in silico, cell-based, in vivo (fly and mouse models), and metabolism analyses. Advanced analytical techniques complement the bio-evaluation process for the efficient isolation and identification of the bioactive plant constituents. Furthermore, pharmacological profiling of bioactive natural products, as well as the identification and synthesis of their metabolites, is carried out. Finally, optimization studies are performed in order to proceed to the development of innovative nutraceuticals, dietary supplements or herbal medicinal products. The project is based on an exchange of researchers between nine universities and four companies from European and non-European countries, exploiting the existing complementary multidisciplinary expertise. Herein, the unique and novel approach of this interdisciplinary project is presented. Full article

Exaggerated or inappropriate responses by B cells are an important feature in many types of autoimmune neurological diseases. The recent success of B-cell depletion in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has stimulated the development of novel B-cell-targeting therapies with the potential for improved efficacy. CD19 has emerged as a promising target for the depletion of B cells as well as CD19-positive plasmablasts and plasma cells. Inebilizumab (MEDI-551), an anti-CD19 antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against B cells, is currently being evaluated in MS and neuromyelitis optica. This review discusses the role of B cells in autoimmune neurological disorders, summarizes the development of inebilizumab, and analyzes the recent results for inebilizumab treatment in an autoimmune encephalitis mouse model. The novel insights obtained from these preclinical studies can potentially guide future investigation of inebilizumab in patients. Full article