Articles: function.
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Sarcopenia is a progressive, generalized disease of skeletal muscle characterized by a loss of muscle strength and muscle mass. The combination of obesity and sarcopenia is called sarcopenic obesity. Because of the aging of the population in many countries around the world, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are a challenge for global health policy. ⋯ A targeted and structured approach to the detection and treatment of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity can make a major contribution to the maintenance or improvement of these patients' functionality and quality of life.
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Axial spondyloarthritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition involving the sacroiliac joints, spine, and peripheral joints. It affects approximately 1% of adults in the US and is associated with impaired physical function and reduced quality of life. ⋯ Axial spondyloarthritis predominantly affects the sacroiliac joints and spine but is also associated with extraskeletal manifestations such as uveitis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Physical therapy and NSAIDs are first-line treatments, but most patients require therapy with biologics (anti-TNF or anti-IL-17 agents) or JAK inhibitors to achieve improvement in signs and symptoms, inflammation control, and reduced progression of structural damage.
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Review Meta Analysis
Does pain influence control of muscle force? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
In the presence of pain, whether clinical or experimentally induced, individuals commonly show impairments in the control of muscle force (commonly known as force steadiness). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we synthesized the available evidence on the influence of clinical and experimental pain on force steadiness. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analyses enhances our understanding of motor impairments observed in people experiencing musculoskeletal pain. It underscores the significance of incorporating force steadiness assessment when managing individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, it suggests that future research should explore the potential benefits of force steadiness training in alleviating patients' symptoms and enhancing their functional performance. This could potentially lead to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for individuals suffering from musculoskeletal pain.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2025
ReviewAdvances in achieving lung and diaphragm-protective ventilation.
Mechanical ventilation may have adverse effects on diaphragm and lung function. Lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation is an approach that challenges the clinician to facilitate physiological respiratory efforts, while maintaining minimal lung stress and strain. Here, we discuss the latest advances in monitoring and interventions to achieve lung- and diaphragm protective ventilation. ⋯ Achieving lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation may require more than a single intervention; it demands a comprehensive understanding of the (neuro)physiology of breathing and mechanical ventilation, along with the application of a series of interventions under close monitoring. We suggest a bedside-approach to achieve lung- and diaphragm protective ventilation targets.
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For trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a major role of imaging is to identify the causes, but recent studies demonstrated structural and microstructural changes in the affected nerve. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have reported central nervous system involvement in TN. In this systematic review, recent quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the trigeminal nerve and the brain in patients with TN were compiled, organized, and discussed, particularly emphasizing the possible background mechanisms and the interpretation of the results. ⋯ Studies of the affected nerve demonstrated evidence of demyelination and axonal damage, compatible with pathological findings, and have shown its potential value as a tool to assess treatment outcomes. Quantitative MRI has also revealed the possibility of dynamic microstructural, structural, and functional neuronal plasticity of the brain. Further studies are needed to understand these complex mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and to achieve a consensus on the clinical use of quantitative MRI in TN.