BACKGROUND Acute liver failure (ALF) remains a critical concern, accounting for about 8% of all liver transplants, with acetaminophen overdose contributing to nearly half of these cases. Besides synthetic toxins, natural toxins such as phallotoxin from Amanita phalloides mushrooms also lead to severe hepatocyte damage. This study investigates the outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) as a life-saving intervention in patients suffering from ALF due to acetaminophen and Amanita phalloides poisoning.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFacilitating forward movement while maintaining dynamic stability during transitions like sit-to-walk (STW) requires coordination from many muscles. Age-related muscle, sensory, and neural decline can introduce compensatory biomechanics when completing STW, such as adjusting initial foot position or rising with arm support. Many previous STW studies restrict arm movement and prescribe symmetric foot positions, therefore the purpose of this study was to quantify lower limb muscle excitations and joint moments in STW transitions from four initial foot positions [symmetric, posterior offset, wide, narrow] and two arm placements [hands on knees, arms folded] in 15 younger and 15 older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaintaining dynamic balance during transitional movements like sit-to-walk (STW) can be challenging for older adults. Age-related neuromuscular decline can alter movement in STW, such as rising with greater trunk flexion, narrowing the feet, or using arms to push off. Initial foot and arm position can affect subsequent movement biomechanics, with different ground reaction forces (GRFs) that stabilize and advance the body center of mass (COM).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStanding up from a chair is a key daily life activity that is sensitive to functional limitations as we age and associated with falls, frailty, and institutional living. Predictive neuromusculoskeletal models can potentially shed light on the interconnectivity and interdependency of age-related changes in neuromuscular capacity, reinforcement schemes, sensory integration, and adaptation strategies during stand-up. Most stand-up movements transfer directly into walking (sit-to-walk).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 'Timed Up and Go' test (TUG) is a widely used clinical tool for assessing gait and balance, relying primarily on timing as a measure. However, there are more observable biomechanical compensation strategies within TUG that are indicative of underlying neuromuscular issues and movement priorities. In individuals with unilateral knee osteoarthritis, an increased trunk flexion during TUG is a common phenomenon, often attributed to muscle weakness and/or pain avoidance.
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