Development of an ultrasound-based metric of muscle functional capacity for use in patients with neuromuscular disease.

Introduction/aims: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are progressive neuromuscular disorders characterized by severe muscle weakness and functional decline (Pillen et al., Muscle Nerve 2008; 37(6):679-693). With new therapeutics, objective methods with increased sensitivity are needed to assess muscle function.

The Effects of the Pneumonia Lung Microenvironment on MSC Function.

Background: Despite promise in preclinical models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have failed to translate to therapeutic benefit in clinical trials. The MSC is a live cell medicine and interacts with the patient's disease state. Here, we explored this interaction, seeking to devise strategies to enhance MSC therapeutic function.

Understanding non-response in psychotherapy: A meta-synthesis.

Introduction: There is considerable research focusing on the negative outcomes of psychotherapy, however, there remains an overlooked population: those who appear to show no response after treatment. This qualitative evidence synthesis aimed to review the available literature exploring client and therapist experiences of psychotherapy nonresponse.

Method: Seven databases were searched for studies using qualitative approaches to explore nonresponse.

Multivariate functional principal component analysis and k-means clustering to identify kinematic foot types during gait in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Children with neuromuscular disorders, such as cerebral palsy, frequently develop foot deformities, such as equinopronovalgus and equinosupovarus, leading to walking difficulties and discomfort. Traditional assessment methods, including clinical measures and radiographs, often fail to capture the dynamic nature of these deformities, resulting in suboptimal treatment. 3D gait analysis using multisegment foot models offers a more detailed understanding of these deformities.

'Would I risk it again?' The long-term impacts of a traumatic birth, as experienced by fathers.

Background: Extensive research has explored the impact of traumatic births on mothers, capturing enduring adverse outcomes as well as post-traumatic growth. The literature on fathers' experiences of birth trauma is more limited and little is known of the ongoing impact. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of attending a traumatic birth.