Fish Oil Consumption: Its Effects on Bone and Blood Parameters of the Ovariectomized Rat Model of Osteopenia.

: The beneficial effects of ω-3 fatty acids on the cardiovascular system have been observed in many epidemiological studies; however, their effects on the skeleton and in particular on postmenopausal bone loss appear to vary. The present study's purpose was to investigate the effects of oral fish oil (rich in ω-3 fatty acids) consumption on bone, plasma, and inflammation parameters in the ovariectomized (Ovx) rat model of osteopenia. : Four Groups of ten rats each were separated into Non-Ovx receiving fish oil (2.

Respiratory Muscle Strength Correlation with Functional Capacity, Quality of Life, Demographics and Co-morbidities in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury.

Objectives: To record Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) in neuro-rehabilitation patients and establish correlation with functional status, quality of life, demographics and co-morbidities.

Methods: Respiratory muscle strength was measured in 50 stroke patients and 50 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Both groups were evaluated with the Modified Barthel Index (MBI-Shah version) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey.

Guidance on the assessment of learning outcomes for those designing procedures and projects - Report of an ETPLAS Working Group.

This document provides assessment criteria for evaluation of each of the Learning Outcomes of the Modules specified (in addition to the Core Modules) for those designing procedures and projects in the Education and Training Framework guidance document by the European Commission and endorsed by the Member States Competent Authorities. This Working Group was tasked to produce these criteria by the Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science, which was funded by the European Commission to this aim. The assessment criteria address knowledge and skills (including critical thinking) expected to be acquired during education and training of persons preparing to design research procedures and projects using animals under the scope of Directive 2010/63/EU.

Fall risk question-based tools for fall screening in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review of the literature.

Fall screening tools aim to accurately identify the high fall risk individuals. To increase ease of administration and cost-effectiveness many studies focus on question-based tools. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify question-based tools for fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults over the age of 60 and the risk factors that are covered by these tools.

Reliability and validity of the Greek adaptation of the Modified Barthel Index in neurorehabilitation patients.

Background: The Modified Barthel Index (MBI) (Shah version) is a widely used functional assessment measure with greater sensitivity and improved reliability compared to the original Barthel Index.

Aim: The aim of this study was to adapt the MBI for use in Greece and measure its reliability and validity on a Greek neuro-rehabilitation population.

Design: Observational study.

Rehabilitation Prognostic Factors following Hip Fractures Associated with Patient's Pre-Fracture Mobility and Functional Ability: A Prospective Observation Study.

Low physical function is associated with poor outcomes in the elderly population suffering from hip fractures. The present study aims to evaluate the prognostic tools for predicting patient recovery after hip fractures and investigate the correlation between the pre-fracture motor and functional statuses. A prospective study was performed, including 80 patients suffering from hip fractures.

European Union Legislation for the Welfare of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes: Areas Identified for Further Discussion.

The Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council has been in force for more than a decade and has brought about significant improvements and novel requirements for the welfare of animals used for scientific purposes, while safeguarding research integrity. The Directive sets clear provisions for its scope, the authorization procedures, animal welfare bodies, national committees, cost/benefit analysis, severity classification, retrospective assessment, and statistical reporting, among many others. From this perspective, indicative areas in the existing legislative texts and guidance documents, which may influence animal welfare and scientific integrity, have been identified by the authors after years of working in this field.

The Effect of Postoperative Physical Therapy Following Hip Fracture: A Literature Review.

Hip fractures in the elderly have become a major public health concern as the population ages. Post-operative rehabilitation is associated with improved outcomes and a greater likelihood of returning to pre-operative functional capacity. Several studies have been conducted to investigate various post-operative recovery pathways.

Tuberculosis of the Spine in a Patient With Kidney Cancer.

Tuberculosis is a widespread, airborne infectious disease caused by bacteria. This infection is often misdiagnosed, particularly in the case of spinal tuberculosis which can present atypically. Although rare, tuberculosis can mimic bone tumors or metastatic lesions in the spine.

The Effect of Supplement on Bone Mineral Density in Ovariectomy-induced Osteoporosis in Rats.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Ceratonia siliqua on bone mineral density (BMD) as a non-pharmaceutical alternative treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Materials And Methods: Thirty mature female Wistar rats were randomly separated into three groups of 10: Control, ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized-plus-C. siliqua (OVX+CS).

Development and validation of a fall risk Questionnaire in Greek community-dwelling individuals over 60 years old.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire that can reliably recognize Greek individuals over the age of 60 with increased risk of falls.

Methods: An 11-item self-reported Questionnaire (LRMS) was developed and delivered to 200 individuals. Collected data were compared to Timed Up and Go (TUG), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Tinetti Assessment Tool, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and Morse fall scale.

Bone and Joint Tuberculosis in Greece: A Retrospective Study From 2011 to 2019.

Purpose: Bone and joint tuberculosis (BJTB) represents approximately 2-5% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases and its characteristics are infrequently discussed. The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology, characteristics, and management of BJTB in Greece.

Methods: We conducted retrospective analyses of demographic clinical and treatment data accessed from medical records of patients with BJTB and with pulmonary involvement between 2011 and 2019 from the national TB reference hospital in Greece.

Alveolar bone response distal to applied orthodontic forces in ovariectomized rats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the application of orthodontic tooth forces on the alveolar bone distal to the loaded teeth, in ovariectomized female rats.

Methods: Twenty-four eight-month-old Wistar rats were divided into one group ovariectomized at the age of six months and one control. An orthodontic appliance delivering a mesial traction force of 60 gr* was placed on the right maxillary 1 molar of all animals for 14 days.

The Efficacy of High-Intensity Preoperative Physiotherapy Training on Postoperative Outcomes in Greek Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Purpose: Several studies have shown that patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee can reduce their knee pain, improve their quadriceps strength, and improve their functional ability through regular exercise training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a six-week supervised high-intensity preoperative training program on muscle strength, functional performance, and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Ninety-eight patients scheduled for unilateral TKA for severe OA were allocated to an intervention group (N = 49) who completed a six-week preoperative training program, five days per week prior to surgery, and a control group (N=49) who did not follow any preoperative training program.

Effect of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation With and Without Collagen Peptides on Volumetric and Areal Bone Mineral Density, Bone Geometry and Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia.

Collagen peptides (CPs) have been shown to potentially have a role as a treatment option in osteopenia. In the present randomized prospective study, we examined the effect of calcium, vitamin D with and without CPs supplementation on changes in volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone geometry assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography at the tibia, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and the hip and bone turnover markers over 12-mo. Fifty-one postmenopausal women with osteopenia were allocated to Group A who received orally 5 g CPs, 500 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D3 and Group B who received the same dose of calcium and vitamin D3 per day.

Inhibition versus activation of canonical Wnt-signaling, to promote chondrogenic differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. A review.

Canonical Wnt signaling regulation is essential for controlling stemness and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the mechanism through which canonical Wnt-dependent MSC lineage commitment leads to chondrogenesis is controversial. Some studies hypothesize that inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling induces MSC chondrogenic differentiation, while others support that the pathway should be activated to achieve MSC chondrogenesis.

Evaluation of Femoral Bone Fracture Healing in Rats by the Modal Damping Factor and Its Correlation With Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography.

Introduction Monitoring the progress of fracture healing is essential in order to establish the appropriate timing that ensures adequate bone strength for weight-bearing. In the present experimental study on a rat model of femoral fracture healing, the measurement of bone density and strength by peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT) was correlated with the modal damping factor (MDF) method. Methods Four groups of 12 male six-month-old Wistar rats each were anesthetized and submitted to baseline femoral pQCT and MDF scanning, followed by aseptic midshaft osteotomy of the right femur which was fixed by a locking intramedullary nail technique.

The effect of table olive wastewater extract administration on the adult ovariectomised rat model of osteoporosis.

Recent efforts for alternative non-pharmaceutical treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis are focused on nutritional measures. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of table olive wastewater extract (OE) administration on bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical strength in ovariectomised rats. Thirty mature 9-month-old female Wistar rats were separated into three groups of ten: Control, Ovariectomised (OVX) and OVX + OE.

Assessable learning outcomes for the EU Education and Training Framework core and Function A specific modules: Report of an ETPLAS WORKING Group.

Article 23(2) of the European Union Directive 2010/63/EU, which regulates welfare provisions for animals used for scientific purposes, requires that staff involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes be adequately educated and trained before they undertake any such work. However, the nature and extent of such training is not stipulated in the Directive. To facilitate Member States in fulfilling their education and training obligations, the European Commission developed a common Education and Training Framework, which was endorsed by the Member States Competent Authorities.

Platelet-rich Plasma and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Local Infiltration Promote Functional Recovery and Histological Repair of Experimentally Transected Sciatic Nerves in Rats.

Introduction Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) products and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seem to have a significant potential as neurogenic therapeutic modulator systems. This study aimed to investigate such biological blood derivatives that could enhance nerve regeneration when applied locally in the primary repair of peripheral nerve transection of an experimental rat model. Methods A total of 42 two-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into three "treatment" groups (control, PRP, and MSCs).

Pathophysiological Changes During Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rodent Hepatic Steatosis.

Background/aim: Ischemia and reperfusion injuries may produce deleterious effects on hepatic tissue after liver surgery and transplantation. The impact of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) on the liver depends on its substrate, the percentage of liver ischemic tissue subjected to IRI and the ischemia time. The consequences of IRI are more evident in pathologic liver substrates, such as steatotic livers.