Search Results (2,575)

Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain and is associated with biomechanical, muscular, and functional impairments affecting the extensor mechanism of the knee. Quadriceps muscle dysfunction, altered tendon morphology, and impaired lower extremity biomechanics have been suggested to contribute to patellofemoral joint instability and pain development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the muscle and tendon thicknesses of the extensor mechanism using ultrasonography in individuals with PFPS and to investigate the relationship of these measurements with knee pain, knee function, and physical performance, with particular emphasis on the combined assessment of muscle morphology, tendon morphology, and functional performance parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 5 November 2019 and 15 December 2019, including 80 individuals aged 18–45 years who presented with anterior knee pain and were clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Demographic characteristics of the participants were collected. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional status was evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Physical performance was assessed using the 6 m walk test and the five-repetition sit-to-stand test. Ultrasonographic examination was used to measure rectus femoris muscle thickness, vastus intermedius muscle thickness, quadriceps tendon thickness, and patellar tendon thickness using a high-frequency linear probe in a standardized supine position with the knee relaxed and the lower extremity muscles at rest. Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.11 ± 7.08 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.05 ± 4.11 kg/m². Of the participants, 42 (52.5%) were male and 38 (47.5%) were female; 46 (57.5%) were smokers and 34 (42.5%) were non-smokers. Ultrasonographic measurements showed that rectus femoris muscle thickness was 1.98 ± 0.45 cm, vastus intermedius muscle thickness was 1.75 ± 0.53 cm, quadriceps tendon thickness was 0.54 ± 0.12 cm, and patellar tendon thickness was 0.35 ± 0.08 cm. Rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and quadriceps tendon thicknesses were significantly higher in males compared to females (p = 0.001). Individuals with BMI > 25 had greater rectus femoris (p = 0.023) and vastus intermedius (p = 0.001) muscle thicknesses. A negative correlation was found between rectus femoris muscle thickness and WOMAC total (r = −0.227, p = 0.042) and WOMAC pain scores (r = −0.233, p = 0.028). Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between quadriceps tendon thickness and the five-repetition sit-to-stand test (r = −0.247, p = 0.044). Conclusions: In patients with PFPS, quadriceps muscle and tendon thicknesses were found to be associated with certain demographic and clinical parameters. Ultrasonographic evaluation of muscle and tendon structures may be a useful, non-invasive, dynamic, and radiation-free method for better understanding the clinical characteristics of PFPS and its relationship with physical performance. Ultrasonographic assessment may also provide complementary information for rehabilitation planning and functional evaluation in individuals with PFPS, although these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the cross-sectional design and weak correlations observed. Full article

Background and Clinical Significanc: Neuropathic corneal pain is a debilitating condition characterized by ocular pain disproportionate to clinical signs, often resulting from peripheral and central sensitization of the corneal somatosensory pathway. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic involuntary muscle contraction in blepharospasm may lead to irritation of trigeminal afferents and corneal neurogenic inflammation, potentially predisposing patients to neuropathic corneal pain. Given its debilitating nature, early recognition can prevent the progression of neuropathic sequelae. This study examines the potential role of blepharospasm as a predisposing factor contributing to neuropathic corneal pain. Case Presentation: This retrospective case series describes three cases (median age: 50 years) of neuropathic corneal pain in association with blepharospasm and their clinical course following multimodal treatment over a median follow-up period of one year. Ocular surface was evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, while corneal nerve structure and morphology were assessed with in vivo confocal microscopy. All the three subjects presented with minimal ocular surface staining but disproportionate ocular pain characterized by burning sensation and photophobia. Proparacaine challenge testing was performed to determine the subtype of neuropathic corneal pain. Pain symptoms and quality of life were evaluated using the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey and Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaires. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated characteristic corneal nerve abnormalities including reduced corneal nerve density, increased nerve tortuosity, and the presence of microneuromas. Treatment included oral Pregabalin or Gabapentin, topical lubricants, Cyclosporine 0.05% (1 case), and 20% autologous serum eye drops (1 case). Two of the three cases received four to five injections of botulinum toxin for blepharospasm, whereas one had undergone a single injection prior to review. All patients also received weekly periorbital quantum molecular resonance electrotherapy for two months. Improvements were observed across multiple domains of the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey and Ocular Surface Disease Index evaluation, including ocular pain, photophobia, non-ocular pain, and quality-of-life measures following multimodal treatment. The co-existence of blepharospasm and neuropathic corneal pain observed in our cases supports a possible association between chronic periocular muscle hyperactivity and corneal nociceptor sensitization. Proposed mechanisms include chronic trigeminal nerve irritation, neurogenic inflammation, and sensitization mediated by pro-inflammatory neuropeptides. Multimodal treatment targeting both motor hyperactivity and neuropathic pain pathways appeared to provide symptomatic relief, including the use of quantum molecular resonance electrotherapy, which might modulate pain pathways, block nociceptor neurotransmission, and accelerate corneal nerve regeneration. Given the complexity of the neural pathways responsible for ocular discomfort, further studies are required to elucidate the relationship between neuropathic corneal pain and blepharospasm in larger cohorts, as well as refine existing therapeutic approaches, including evaluating the therapeutic role of electrotherapy. Conclusions: Blepharospasm may represent a potential predisposing factor of neuropathic corneal pain. Early recognition and concurrent treatment of blepharospasm and neuropathic corneal pain can effectively relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Adopting a multimodal treatment approach is therefore recommended. Full article

Background and Objectives: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients, particularly in the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Dietary glycemic and insulinemic characteristics may contribute to metabolic disturbances associated with muscle deterioration, although evidence in HD populations remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the associations between dietary indices, sarcopenia, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes in diabetic (DM+) and non-diabetic (DM−) HD patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 92 maintenance HD patients (43 DM+ and 49 DM−). Dietary intake was assessed using three-day food records, and dietary insulin index (DII), dietary insulin load (DIL), dietary glycemic index (DGI), and dietary glycemic load (DGL) were calculated. Sarcopenia was evaluated using handgrip strength, bioelectrical impedance analysis, gait speed, and SARC-F. Anthropometric, biochemical, nutritional, and sarcopenia-related parameters were compared across tertiles of dietary indices. Results: Sarcopenia was identified in 32.6% of patients with diabetes and 36.7% of those without diabetes. Diabetic patients exhibited significantly lower handgrip strength, slower walking speed, longer walking time, and higher SARC-F scores (p < 0.01). Across DGL tertiles in DM+ patients, significant progressive increases were observed in body weight (p < 0.05), body mass index (p < 0.05), lean mass (p < 0.05), mid-upper arm circumference (p < 0.01), and triceps skinfold thickness (p < 0.01). Higher DIL and DGL tertiles were also associated with elevated serum phosphorus, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). DIL and DGL showed stronger associations with overall energy and nutrient intake compared with DII and DGI. However, no significant associations were identified between dietary indices and sarcopenia diagnosis or sarcopenia-related risk indicators after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusions: Dietary indices were associated with various anthropometric, biochemical, and nutritional parameters in HD patients, with more pronounced associations observed among patients with DM, suggesting a potential role of dietary quality in the nutritional and metabolic profile of this population. Full article

Nectin-4 has emerged as a clinically relevant target in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), primarily because of its role in antibody–drug conjugate-based therapies. However, the broader biological context of Nectin-4 expression and its association with tumor-promoting signaling pathways in MIBC remain insufficiently characterized. In this single-institution study, Nectin-4 expression (H-score 0–300) was assessed by immunohistochemistry in two independent MIBC cohorts. Associations between Nectin-4 expression and key markers related to growth signaling, metabolic regulation, and inflammation were analyzed alongside clinicopathological characteristics. Nectin-4 expression was significantly higher in malignant tissue than in non-malignant tissue (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0302, respectively). Nectin-4 expression was not associated with demographic or clinicopathological parameters; however, a trend toward lower expression in more advanced disease stages was observed. Significant positive correlations were identified between Nectin-4 expression and protein kinase B (p = 0.0004), cytoplasmic (p = 0.0115) and membranous somatostatin receptor 2 (p = 0.0125), insulin receptor substrate 1 (p = 0.03), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA; p = 0.0045). In contrast, a negative correlation was observed with the IL-1β/IL-1RA ratio (p = 0.0246). Although Nectin-4 expression was not significantly associated with cancer-specific or overall survival, a trend toward shorter relapse-free survival was observed in patients with lower Nectin-4 expression (p = 0.0531). In multivariate analysis, patient age, but not Nectin-4 expression, emerged as an independent prognostic factor. Although Nectin-4 expression does not appear to have independent prognostic value, its biological associations suggest that it reflects an integrated tumor-related signaling context. These findings support further investigation of Nectin-4 as part of rational, biology-driven therapeutic strategies in bladder cancer. Full article

The bidirectional differentiation potential of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) enables them to differentiate into myofibers or intramuscular adipocytes, which affects meat quality in livestock. However, how insulin regulates ovine SMSC metabolism remains poorly understood. SMSCs were isolated from the longissimus dorsi muscle of 1-day-old Hu sheep, cultured, identified, and induced to differentiate with insulin. After induction, lipid droplet formation and the number of nuclei per cell were assessed, and samples were collected before adipogenic induction (No_AD) and after adipogenic induction (AD) for qPCR and whole-transcriptome sequencing. Immunofluorescence confirmed cells were positive for PAX7 and DESMIN. Bodipy, Oil Red O, and hematoxylin staining revealed lipid droplets and multinucleated cells. Sequencing and qPCR indicated that insulin promoted fatty acid uptake and utilization, inhibited adipogenic differentiation, and promoted myogenic differentiation. Integrated ceRNA analysis suggested that miR-2447-z and MSTRG.8123.1 may coordinate muscle development and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, under insulin induction, ovine SMSCs may undergo metabolic adaptation through the ceRNA network mediated by miR-2447-z and MSTRG.8123.1, exhibiting enhanced myogenesis, suppressed adipogenesis, and lipid droplet accumulation. These findings provide new insights into insulin-regulated SMSC metabolism, suggesting that leveraging the bidirectional differentiation potential of SMSCs to in-fluence muscle characteristics and fat deposition may be a feasible approach for im-proving meat production traits in sheep. Full article

Background. Accurate prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer (MIBC) remains an unmet clinical need. The neutrophil-to-platelet/hemoglobin-to-lymphocyte (NPLH) ratio, a composite hematologic index that reflects both systemic inflammation and nutritional oxygen-carrying capacity, has not been previously evaluated as a predictor of NAC response in this setting. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 114 consecutive patients with MIBC (cT2–T4, N0–N3) who received accelerated MVAC (aMVAC) NAC followed by radical cystectomy at a single academic center. Pretreatment NPLH (calculated as [neutrophils × platelets]/[hemoglobin × lymphocytes]) was assessed as a predictor of pCR (ypT0N0) and tumor regression grade (TRG). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Mann–Whitney U test, and logistic regression were used. NPLH performance was compared to NLR and PLR. Results. pCR was achieved in 35 patients (30.7%). Median NPLH was significantly lower in pCR vs. non-pCR patients (33.9 [IQR 23.1–42.4] vs. 47.6 [IQR 30.7–90.4]; p = 0.0007). NPLH yielded an AUC of 0.700 (bootstrap 95% CI 0.596–0.794) for pCR prediction, numerically superior to NLR (AUC 0.645 [0.542–0.741]) and PLR (AUC 0.643 [0.533–0.747]); DeLong test: NPLH vs. NLR p = 0.079, NPLH vs. PLR p = 0.090. At the optimal cut-off of 44.5, NPLH demonstrated 80.0% sensitivity and 57.0% specificity. pCR rates declined progressively across NPLH quartiles: 48.3% (Q1) to 10.3% (Q4). On multivariate logistic regression, log-transformed NPLH was the only independent predictor of pCR (parsimonious model, OR 0.292, 95% CI 0.131–0.652; p = 0.003; EPV = 17.5). A positive correlation was observed between NPLH and TRG score (Spearman r = 0.284; p = 0.0022), with significant differences between TRG 1 and TRG 3 subgroups (p = 0.0036). Conclusions. Pretreatment NPLH is an independent predictor of pCR to aMVAC in MIBC and is numerically superior to NLR and PLR (DeLong p = 0.079). Consisting exclusively of standard complete blood count parameters, NPLH is readily available and inexpensive. This single-center exploratory study is hypothesis-generating and requires prospective external validation before clinical implementation. Full article

Objectives: Skeletal muscle architecture (SMA) defines the mechanical limits of force production. However, its associations with force–time strategy under externally loaded conditions have received little research attention. This exploratory study examined associations between vastus lateralis (VL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) architecture and force–time strategy, jump-height retention, and stretch–shortening cycle (SSC) transfer-efficiency in collegiate basketball players. Methods: Seventeen collegiate male basketball players completed B-mode ultrasonographic assessment of VL and LG architecture, including muscle thickness, pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length. Athletes performed the squat jump (SJ), loaded squat jump (LSJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and loaded countermovement jump (LCMJ) on force platforms, with a 20 kg external load applied for loaded conditions. Loaded retention, defined as the percentage of jump height preserved under load, was proposed as a unified construct. Pearson’s correlations were calculated, with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) corrections applied within predefined functional groups and pooled across morphology-sensitive correlations. Results: LG PA showed a large negative association with LCMJ rate of force development (r = −0.68 [−0.87, −0.30]) and a large positive association with LCMJ time to peak force (r = 0.68 [0.29, 0.87]), both surviving within-group FDR correction. VL PA was associated with eccentric acceleration time and concentric time across jump conditions (r = 0.52 to 0.61), interpreted as exploratory. Transfer-efficiency indices showed no significant associations with SMA, except for the LCMJ/LSJ concentric time ratio, which showed a moderate negative association with LG PA (r = −0.49 [−0.79, −0.01]). Conclusions: Resting muscle architecture was associated with the temporal and rate characteristics of force expression under load, rather than with the gross preservation of jump height. Integrating architectural assessment with loaded force–time profiling warrants further investigation as a means of characterizing individual force-development strategies. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a highly prevalent and devastating chronic metabolic disease worldwide, with pathogenesis centrally characterized by insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that glucose metabolic reprogramming represents an adaptive metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis in cells in response to a hyperglycemic microenvironment. This shift acts as an upstream important event driving the initiation and progression of T2DM. This review summarizes the characteristics of glucose metabolic reprogramming in insulin-sensitive target organs under T2DM conditions, including the liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cells. It also discusses four major downstream effector mechanisms: mitochondrial energy metabolism disturbance, augmented oxidative stress, disruption of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) coupled with calcium homeostasis imbalance, and systemic inflammatory response. On this basis, we summarize the intervention strategies targeting the above signaling pathways, including antioxidant therapy, restoration of MAMs integrity and calcium homeostasis, systemic anti-inflammatory intervention, and multi-target regulatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine. Current studies indicate that early intervention in downstream stress events is induced by glucose metabolic reprogramming. This is particularly true for the preservation of MAMs’ integrity; restoration of calcium homeostasis; and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, the latter of which is expected to block or delay the progression from prediabetes to clinical T2DM. Nevertheless, substantial gaps still remain in the understanding of the dynamic regulatory mechanisms of MAMs, tissue-specific therapeutic targets, and relevant clinical translational research. Future integration of multi-omics technologies will provide novel therapeutic strategies and theoretical foundations for the early prevention and treatment of T2DM. Full article

Background: This study investigated the relationships among mitochondrial energy metabolism, immune function, and gut microbiota in mice under a fatigued state, providing preliminary evidence for future nutrition-related mechanistic and intervention studies. Methods: Mice were adaptively fed for 4 days and then randomly divided into a normal control group (NC) and a fatigue model group (NM). Immune organ indices, serum IgG levels, thigh muscle ATP content, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I–IV activities, and gut microbiota composition were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microplate assays, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Compared with the NC, the NM showed a significantly reduced spleen index, serum IgG levels, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, III, and IV activities, along with reduced ATP content. Regarding gut microbiota, mice in the NM exhibited disordered intestinal villus arrangement, inflammatory cell infiltration in the crypts and muscular layers, and markedly reduced intestinal microbial activity as well as protease and sucrase activities. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed fewer ASVs in the NM, with enrichment of Lactobacillaceae, Limosilactobacillus, and Ligilactobacillus, whereas the NC was characterized by Borkfalkiaceae and Borkfalkia. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified Lactobacillaceae, Firmicutes_D, and Lactobacillales as characteristic taxa of the NM. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) prediction indicated that fatigue-associated microbial functions were mainly related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. Correlation and RDA analyses further suggested that alterations in gut microbiota structure were closely associated with mitochondrial energy-related indicators and immune-related parameters. Conclusions: Fatigue was associated with alterations in energy metabolism, immune function, and gut microecology in mice. The “gut microbiota–energy metabolism–immunity” framework may represent a potential association-based framework and provides biological information to support future nutrition-related intervention studies. Full article

The aim of this study was to compare carcass composition, meat quality, digestive tract morphometry, and leg bone dimensions of Pekin and Muscovy ducks. The study involved 40 birds, including 10 males and 10 females from each genotype, reared to market age. Carcass traits, physicochemical properties of breast and leg muscles, texture parameters, internal organ development, intestinal measurements, and selected dimensions of the femur and tibia were evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant effect of duck genotype (p < 0.05) on carcass weight, dressing percentage, and the proportion of neck, wings, and skin with subcutaneous fat. Genotype also affected meat color (L*, a*, b*), intramuscular fat and collagen content, cooking loss, pH, electrical conductivity, and selected texture parameters of breast muscles. Differences were also observed in the mass and proportion of internal organs, most intestinal morphometric traits, and selected bone measurements. Sex had a significant effect on body and carcass weight, selected meat quality traits, intestinal measurements, and leg bone dimensions, with males generally showing greater body size and more developed skeletal structures. Significant interactions between genotype and sex were observed for several analyzed traits. The findings indicate that both genotype and sex substantially affect slaughter traits and meat quality characteristics of ducks. Full article

Laryngeal adductor breathing dystonia (LABD) is a rare form of focal, task-specific respiratory dystonia affecting the laryngeal muscles of unknown aetiology. Unlike classical laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia), LABD is not primarily characterised by impaired speech, but rather by dysfunction of respiratory laryngeal control. The hallmark pathophysiological alteration consists of involuntary, action-induced adductor spasms of the laryngeal muscles during respiration, particularly during inspiration. LABD must be distinguished from inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), a broader, heterogeneous condition encompassing episodic, stimulus-triggered supraglottic or glottic closure, associated with asthma, reflux, or psychological triggers, that is generally not task-specific and lacks the neurological substrate characteristic of dystonia. In contrast, LABD is a persistent, effort-dependent, neurologically driven dystonia, demonstrable by paradoxical adductor spasms on fibreoptic laryngoscopy during normal inspiration and confirmed electromyographically by paradoxical thyroarytenoid muscle activation instead of the expected inspiratory relaxation. Traditional treatments, including respiratory retraining, speech therapy, biofeedback, psychotherapy, benzodiazepines, dopamine-blocking agents, and anticholinergic drugs, have proved largely ineffective. Tracheostomy may be required in cases of severe respiratory compromise. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) injections have been reported to successfully reduce inspiratory stridor in selected patients. Here, we present three cases of LABD displaying distinct phenotypes, in which typical features were associated with involvement of extra-laryngeal cranial districts, further expanding the known phenotypic spectrum of this condition. Full article

The failure of therapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is primarily attributed to tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance. We propose a novel approach targeting interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha 2 (IL-13Rα2), which is expressed on bladder cancer (BC) cells but absent in normal urothelial cells. We investigated the therapeutic effects of WPD101a immunotoxin (IL-13-DT390) on IL-13Rα2-expressing BC cells in relation to BC cell phenotype and functional characteristics in vitro using both 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) models. Cell phenotype and IL-13Rα2 expression were assessed using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. The biological effects of WPD101a were evaluated by measuring cell viability and proliferation using the MTT, sulforhodamine B (SRB), CellTiter-Glo and Live/Dead assays. Apoptosis was assessed using Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of CASP genes expression. We found that the reference BC cell lines TCC-SUP, JMSU-1 and UM-UC-3 express IL-13Rα2 at various level in contrast to RT-4, HCV-29 and 5637 cells. Cells expressing IL-13Rα2 were sensitive to WPD101a at lower concentrations in the 2D model (0.1 ng/mL) compared to the 3D model (1.0 ng/mL). IL-13Rα2-negative cells remain resistant to the immunotoxin. WPD101a induces apoptosis in BC cells expressing IL-13Rα2 as confirmed by the presence of apoptotic cells, increase the proportion of cells in the subG1 phase, and by the effector CASP3, CASP7, and initiator CASP8, CASP9 genes expression. This study confirmed receptor-dependent cytotoxic effects of WPD101a and the ability and specificity to inhibit growth and apoptosis induction in MIBC cells expressing IL-13Rα2. Full article

Background/Objectives: Frailty and sarcopenia are common among hospitalized patients and are associated with poor clinical outcomes. Nutritional and exercise interventions are widely used to prevent muscle loss and functional decline; however, their independent and incremental effects remain unclear. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the characteristics and reported effects of these interventions during hospitalization. Methods: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and PEDro. Eligible studies included adult hospitalized patients receiving nutritional interventions, exercise interventions, or both. Interventions were categorized into four groups: no intervention, nutrition alone, exercise alone, and combined interventions. Data regarding study characteristics, intervention details, and clinical outcomes were extracted and descriptively summarized. Results: Thirty-three studies were included. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in patient populations, intervention characteristics, and outcome measures. Most studies evaluated configurations including an exercise component (exercise alone or combined nutrition–exercise), whereas studies isolating nutrition or providing direct head-to-head comparisons between combined and single-component configurations were limited. Intervention dose and reporting were highly variable across studies. Conclusions: Current evidence on the effects of nutritional and exercise interventions during hospitalization remains heterogeneous and limited. Future studies should adopt standardized intervention reporting and directly compare combined and single-component strategies to determine additive and synergistic effects in patients with frailty or sarcopenia. Full article

Although the Kazakh horse is a dual-purpose breed renowned for both milk and meat production, the extent to which surgical castration alters gene expression in its muscles has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, left longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) samples were obtained from six Kazakh stallions (W group) and six Kazakh geldings (S group) to comparatively evaluate meat quality parameters, examine histological characteristics in tissue sections, and apply transcriptomic profiling to comprehensively explore the principal regulatory pathways and candidate genes through which surgical castration modulates LDM growth. The results demonstrated that surgical castration did not induce significant alterations in meat color or pH-related parameters. However, cooking loss and shear force values were markedly diminished, accompanied by a marked decrease in muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Transcriptomic analysis identified 848 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in total, comprising 415 upregulated and 433 markedly downregulated DEGs, which were predominantly enriched in key biological pathways, including actin cytoskeleton regulation. Moreover, eleven core candidate genes, including MYL2, MYL3, and TNNI1, were further screened and identified. Full article

The application of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) as a pre-treatment in the meat industry offers significant potential for intensifying mass transfer processes. This study investigated the effect of PEF treatment at three energy levels (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 kJ/kg) on the efficiency of osmotic dehydration of pork loin using two ternary osmotic solutions: 5% NaCl + 40% maltose syrup and 10% NaCl + 40% maltose syrup. Key physicochemical and quality parameters were analyzed, including mass change, muscle tissue shrinkage, water-holding capacity (WHC), moisture content, salt content, and color attributes. The results demonstrated that PEF pre-treatment applied before osmotic dehydration significantly improved water-holding capacity and reduced water activity in pork. Moreover, the effect of the lowest tested energy level (0.1 kJ/kg) on dehydration-related parameters depended on the osmotic solution composition and was most evident in the 10% NaCl system after 6 h of dehydration, while this treatment also limited NaCl uptake by the tissue. A noticeable decrease in lightness (L*) and a shift toward negative b* values were also observed, which may be associated with structural condensation and reduced light scattering on the meat surface. Overall, the findings confirm that PEF pre-treatment combined with ternary osmotic solutions effectively modifies the physicochemical properties of pork, enabling the production of a stable product with distinctive quality characteristics and supporting process efficiency. The obtained results constitute a valuable contribution to the existing knowledge on the combined use of PEF and osmotic dehydration, as studies addressing this integrated approach in pork have not been published to date. Full article