Evaluating massage therapy for radiation-induced fibrosis in rats: preliminary findings and palpation results.

Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, but can manifest into a devastating syndrome for which there is no preventive measure or cure. In rats who perform a repetitive work task, who left untreated develop signs and symptoms that resemble repetitive motion disorders in humans, we have shown that manual therapy prevents the development of fibrosis and other key biomarkers. The fibrosis of RIF and repetitive motion disorders has similar biomarkers.

Epitranscriptomics and epigenetics: two sides of the same coin?

Gene expression is an intricate biological process that bridges gap between the genotype and the phenotype. Canonical and hereditable epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone and DNA modifications, regulate the release of genetic information encoded in DNA without altering the underlying sequence. Many other non-canonical players, such as chromatin regulators and noncoding RNAs, are also involved in regulating gene expression.

Quality of melatonin use in children and adolescents: findings from a UK clinical audit.

Background: Melatonin is commonly used to treat sleep disturbance in children and adolescents, although uncertainties about its optimal use remain.

Objective: To determine to what extent prescribing of melatonin complies with evidence-based clinical practice standards.

Methods: As part of a quality improvement programme, the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health conducted a retrospective clinical audit in UK services for children and adolescents.

The mA-independent role of epitranscriptomic factors in cancer.

Protein function alteration and protein mislocalization are cancer hallmarks that drive oncogenesis. N-methyladenosine (mA) deposition mediated by METTL3, METTL16, and METTL5 together with the contribution of additional subunits of the mA system, has shown a dramatic impact on cancer development. However, the cellular localization of mA proteins inside tumor cells has been little studied so far.

The ion resonance and bromelain-vitamin C vs bromelainvitamin C to prevent ankle complications in post-operative bimalleolar surgery.

Aim To investigate whether the use of ion resonance and bromelain-vitamin C or bromelain-vitamin C is the best to prevent ankle complications in post operative bimalleolar surgery. Methods A total of 61 patients treated with bimalleolar surgery were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups: the first group (n=22) treated only with the surgery, the second group (n=18) treated by ion resonance and bromelain-vitamin C, and the third group (n=21) was treated with bromelain-vitamin C.

A system for the management of sandy shorelines under climate change: United States Virgin Islands (USVI).

A methodological framework is presented for the assessment of beach vulnerability to climate variability and change on small touristic islands. Based on the development of a coastal vulnerability index (CVI) fueled by open-source Earth Observations and social media information, it includes both physical and socio-economic characteristics of the shoreline. In a pilot study in the U.

Partial mixed neuropathy of the fourth lumbar spinal nerve misdiagnosed as "shin splints.".

A case of anteromedial leg pain diagnosed and treated for 10 years as "shin splints" (medial tibial stress syndrome) is described. A history and examination was performed focused on anatomy, biomechanics, and peripheral nerves. Detailed sensory testing was performed in the painful area, and imaging was obtained to confirm the diagnosis.

Epigenetic alterations in glioblastomas: Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic relevance.

Glioblastoma, the most common and heterogeneous tumor affecting brain parenchyma, is dismally characterized by a very poor prognosis. Thus, the search of new, more effective treatments is a vital need. Here, we will review the druggable epigenetic features of glioblastomas that are, indeed, currently explored in preclinical studies and in clinical trials for the development of more effective, personalized treatments.

Interplay between m A epitranscriptome and epigenome in cancer: current knowledge and therapeutic perspectives.

Chromatin has an extremely flexible structure that allows the fine regulation of gene expression. To orchestrate this process, small chemical modifications are dynamically added or removed on DNA, RNA and histone substrates. Epigenetic modifications govern a plethora of key cellular functions, whose dysregulation contributes to oncogenesis.

Efficacy of selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibition in mouse models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: A new glimpse for reducing inflammation and infection in cystic fibrosis.

The latest studies identified the histone deacetylase (HDAC) class of enzymes as strategic components of the complex molecular machinery underlying inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF). Compelling new support has been provided for HDAC6 isoform as a key player in the generation of the dysregulated proinflammatory phenotype in CF, as well as in the immune response to the persistent bacterial infection accompanying CF patients. We herein provide in vivo proof-of-concept (PoC) of the efficacy of selective HDAC6 inhibition in contrasting the pro-inflammatory phenotype in a mouse model of chronic P.

Discovery of a new class of triazole based inhibitors of acetyl transferase KAT2A.

We have recently developed a new synthetic methodology that provided both -aryl-5-hydroxytriazoles and -pyridine-4-alkyl triazoles. A selection of these products was carried through virtual screening towards targets that are contemporary and validated for drug discovery and development. This study determined a number of potential structure target dyads of which -pyridinium-4-carboxylic-5-alkyl triazole displayed the highest score specificity towards KAT2A.

Looking Beyond the Glioblastoma Mask: Is Genomics the Right Path?

Glioblastomas are the most frequent and malignant brain tumor hallmarked by an invariably poor prognosis. They have been classically differentiated into primary isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 () wild-type (wt) glioblastoma (GBM) and secondary IDH mutant GBM, with wt GBMs being commonly associated with older age and poor prognosis. Recently, genetic analyses have been integrated with epigenetic investigations, strongly implementing typing and subtyping of brain tumors, including GBMs, and leading to the new WHO 2021 classification.

Manual Therapy Facilitates Homeostatic Adaptation to Bone Microstructural Declines Induced by a Rat Model of Repetitive Forceful Task.

The effectiveness of manual therapy in reducing the catabolic effects of performing repetitive intensive force tasks on bones has not been reported. We examined if manual therapy could reduce radial bone microstructural declines in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats performing a 12-week high-repetition and high-force task, with or without simultaneous manual therapy to forelimbs. Additional rats were provided 6 weeks of rest after task cessation, with or without manual therapy.

Efficacy of a Brazelton home-visiting program: a single-case subject analysis.

Background: The purpose of this current study is to examine the efficacy of a one-year home-visiting Brazelton program to support at-risk families, that is based on the concept of Touchpoints and anticipatory guidance.

Methods: A single-subject analysis evaluated the treatment of a middle-class family with three children (48, 42 and 11 months) benefited from a one-year home-visiting program with a home visitor certified in the Brazelton method. Inclusion criteria, based on a pre-assessment grid, were: (a) prior use of corporal punishment in the home, (b) unavailability of support from extended family, (c) number of offspring (3).

Manual Therapy Research Methods in Animal Models, Focusing on Soft Tissues.

Manual therapies have been practiced for centuries, yet little research has been performed to understand their efficacy and almost no animal research has been performed to inform mechanisms of action. The methods of manual therapy practice are quite varied and present a challenge for scientists to model the treatments and perform research using rodents. In this perspective we present a descriptive analysis of the complexity of the treatments, highlighting the role of tissue mechanics and physics.

OFD1: One gene, several disorders.

The OFD1 protein is necessary for the formation of primary cilia and left-right asymmetry establishment but additional functions have also been ascribed to this multitask protein. When mutated, this protein results in a variety of phenotypes ranging from multiorgan involvement, such as OFD type I (OFDI) and Joubert syndromes (JBS10), and Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), to the engagement of single tissues such as in the case of retinitis pigmentosa (RP23). The inheritance pattern of these condition differs from X-linked dominant male-lethal (OFDI) to X-linked recessive (JBS10, PCD, and RP23).

Aberrant Neuronal Activity in a Model of Work-Related Upper Limb Pain and Dysfunction.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders associated with intense repetitive tasks are highly prevalent. Painful symptoms associated with such disorders can be attributed to neuropathy. In this study, we characterized the neuronal discharge from the median nerve in rats trained to perform an operant repetitive task.

Manual Therapy With Rest as a Treatment for Established Inflammation and Fibrosis in a Rat Model of Repetitive Strain Injury.

: Repetitive strain injuries caused by repetitive occupational work are difficult to prevent for multiple reasons. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of manual therapy (MT) with rest to treat the inflammation and fibrosis that develops through the performance of a repetitive task. We hypothesized that this treatment would reduce task-induced sensorimotor declines and neuromuscular inflammation.

Emotional Eating Predicts Weight Regain Among Black Women in the SisterTalk Intervention.

Objective: This study aimed to assess effects of emotional eating and stress on weight change among Black women in a culturally tailored weight-control program.

Methods: SisterTalk, a cable-TV-delivered weight-control randomized trial, included 331 Black women (aged 18-75 years; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) in Boston, Massachusetts. BMI and waist circumference (WC) were assessed at baseline and 3, 8, and 12 months post randomization.

Key indicators of repetitive overuse-induced neuromuscular inflammation and fibrosis are prevented by manual therapy in a rat model.

Background: We examined the effectiveness of a manual therapy consisting of forearm skin rolling, muscle mobilization, and upper extremity traction as a preventive treatment for rats performing an intensive lever-pulling task. We hypothesized that this treatment would reduce task-induced neuromuscular and tendon inflammation, fibrosis, and sensorimotor declines.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats performed a reaching and lever pulling task for a food reward, 2 h/day, 3 days/week, for 12 weeks, while simultaneously receiving the manual therapy treatment 3 times per week for 12 weeks to either the task-involved upper extremities (TASK-Tx), or the lower extremities as an active control group (TASK-Ac).

Factor Uniqueness of the Structural Parafac Model.

Factor analysis is a well-known method for describing the covariance structure among a set of manifest variables through a limited number of unobserved factors. When the observed variables are collected at various occasions on the same statistical units, the data have a three-way structure and standard factor analysis may fail. To overcome these limitations, three-way models, such as the Parafac model, can be adopted.

The orthopaedic and traumatology scenario during Covid-19 outbreak in Italy: chronicles of a silent war.

Background: From February 21, the day of hospitalisation in ICU of the first diagnosed case of Covid-19, the social situation and the hospitals' organisation throughout Italy dramatically changed.

Methods: The CIO (Club Italiano dell'Osteosintesi) is an Italian society devoted to the study of traumatology that counts members spread in public and private hospitals throughout the country. Fifteen members of the CIO, Chairmen of 15 Orthopaedic and Trauma Units of level 1 or 2 trauma centres in Italy, have been involved in the study.

SEM BSE 3D Image Analysis of Human Incus Bone Affected by Cholesteatoma Ascribes to Osteoclasts the Bone Erosion and VpSEM dEDX Analysis Reveals New Bone Formation.

Bone erosion is considered a typical characteristic of advanced or complicated cholesteatoma (CHO), although it is still a matter of debate if bone erosion is due to osteoclast action, being the specific literature controversial. The purpose of this study was to apply a novel scanning characterization approach, the BSE 3D image analysis, to study the pathological erosion on the surface of human incus bone involved by CHO, in order to definitely assess the eventual osteoclastic resorptive action. To do this, a comparison of BSE 3D image of resorption lacunae (resorption pits) from osteoporotic human femur neck (indubitably of osteoclastic origin) with that of the incus was performed.

A method for regional estimation of climate change exposure of coastal infrastructure: Case of USVI and the influence of digital elevation models on assessments.

Objective: This study tests the impacts of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data on an exposure assessment methodology developed to quantify flooding of coastal infrastructure from storms and sea level rise on a regional scale. The approach is piloted on the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) for a one-hundred-year storm event in 2050 under the IPCC's 8.5 emission scenario (RCP 8,5).