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Introduction: Peripheral neuropathies are progressive conditions characterized by muscle weakness, impaired balance, and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation programs and adaptive sports have shown promise in mitigating these effects. This paper explores the potential of adaptive Judo to improve motor skills, balance, and overall quality of life in patients with neuropathy. Methods: We review existing literature, analyze the benefits of Judo's physical and cognitive demands, and propose adaptive guidelines for its implementation. Results: This study highlights Judo's potential as a cost-effective and scalable intervention to support neuropathic patients. Conclusion: This review emphasizes the evidence-based benefits of adapted Judo training has the potential to transform both the physical and emotional health of neuropathic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Post-COVID-19 patients may develop impaired lung function, with reduced lung capacities and volumes, respiratory muscle weakness, and physical inactivity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a detailed protocol based on breathing training with two specifically designed respiratory devices (SpiroTiger and KS Brief Stimulator) in post-COVID-19 individuals. Methods. Sixteen young volunteers were randomly allocated into two groups: experimental (n = 8) and control (n = 8). The experimental group performed breathing training for 12 min two times a week for 9 months (from August 2023 to May 2024). Spirometric and baropodometric measurements were recorded every 3 months to evaluate the effects of the protocol. Results. Data analysis showed significant improvements in the forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow indices, and postural parameters in the experimental group. Conclusions. In conclusion, based on the study findings, the specific breathing training protocol developed for post-COVID-19 patients has proven to be effective and significantly impacted the quality of breathing functions and the postural system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite growing awareness of sex differences in inappropriate prescribing among older adults, including the initiation of problematic prescribing cascades, the impact of gender bias remains largely unexplored. Objectives: We explored how a patient's sex and gender-related sociocultural factors influence physicians' prescribing decisions, potentially leading to prescribing cascades in older adults. A secondary objective was to explore whether and how physician sex affected prescribing decisions for female and male patients. Methods: Physicians in Canada and Italy were presented with a clinical vignette describing an older male or female patient on amlodipine presenting with peripheral edema. Physicians were interviewed using the 'think-aloud' method to describe their treatment considerations. Thematic multi-site analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Of 30 physicians, only two considered prescribing a diuretic for an older female patient. Most physicians identified amlodipine as the cause of the edema and adjusted or substituted the medication, often making these treatment decisions without considering sex- and gender-related sociocultural factors. When prompted, physicians acknowledged the relevance of these factors, but their responses varied. Some adapted their treatment plans, noting the challenges of managing edema, particularly for female patients, whereas others did not incorporate these considerations. Interestingly, some physicians adjusted their plans based on gender-related factors yet still stated that gender did not influence their treatment decisions. No variations in treatment decisions based on physician sex were observed. Conclusion: The study reveals a gap between physicians' recognition of gender-related sociocultural factors and their consistent integration into clinical decision-making, highlighting the need for more nuanced approaches in prescribing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to develop prediction equations for the one repetition maximum (1RM) Bench Press (BP) in resistance-trained men based on muscle thickness and simple anthropometric parameters. 83 men (age: 26.2 ± 4.9y, height: 175.9 ± 6.3 cm, body mass: 82.9 ± 11.2 kg) participated in the present investigation and were assessed for anthropometric measurements and for muscle thickness of pectoral major (MTP). Then, the participants performed the 1RM BP test. A very large correlation was detected between MTP and 1RM BP (r = 0.83–0.88). A prediction equation based on MTP and body mass (EQ1) was developed: 1RM BP = –15.2460565 + (32.0751388 * MTP) + (0.6364405 * Body Weight) with R2 = 0.79. Another prediction equation was developed using MTP only (EQ2): 1RM BP = 20.36167 + (39.36532 * MTP) with R2 = 0.69. Bland-Altman analysis and paired sample t test provided insufficient evidence to support differences between the predicted and the measured 1RM BP in both the equations (p > 0.05). This study showed that both MTP based (EQ2) and MTP and body mass based (EQ1) methods can be used to predict 1RM BP and may represent important tools for the evaluation of maximal strength. These findings support the potential use of non-performance-based parameters to predict maximal dynamic strength in trained individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable devices have a significant impact on society, and recent advancements in modern sensor technologies are opening up new possibilities for healthcare applications. Continuous vital sign monitoring using Internet of Things solutions can be a crucial tool for emergency management, reducing risks in rescue operations and ensuring the safety of workers. The massive amounts of data, high network traffic, and computational demands of a typical monitoring application can be challenging to manage with traditional infrastructure. Cloud computing provides a solution with its built-in resilience and elasticity capabilities. This study presents a Cloud-based monitoring architecture for remote vital sign tracking of paramedics and medical workers through the use of a mobile wearable device. The system monitors vital signs such as electrocardiograms and breathing patterns during work sessions, and it is able to manage real-time alarm events to a personnel management center. In this study, 900 paramedics and emergency workers were monitored using wearable devices over a period of 12 months. Data from these devices were collected, processed via Cloud infrastructure, and analyzed to assess the system's reliability and scalability. The results showed a significant improvement in worker safety and operational efficiency. This study demonstrates the potential of Cloud-based systems and Internet of Things devices in enhancing emergency response efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition with significant clinical implications, and it is expected to escalate globally, demanding for effective diagnostic strategies, possibly at an early stage of the disease. Imaging techniques play a pivotal role in comprehensively evaluating sarcopenia, offering insights into both muscle quantity and quality. Among all the imaging techniques currently used for the diagnosis and follow up of sarcopenia, it is possible to distinguish two classes: Rx based techniques, using ionizing radiations, and non-invasive techniques, which are based on the use of safe and low risk diagnostic procedures. Dual-energy x-ray Absorptiometry and Computed Tomography, while widely utilized, entail radiation exposure concerns. Ultrasound imaging offers portability, real-time imaging, and absence of ionizing radiation, making it a promising tool Magnetic Resonance Imaging, particularly T1-weighted and Dixon sequences, provides cross-sectional and high-resolution images and fat-water separation capabilities, facilitating precise sarcopenia quantification. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), a non-invasive technique, estimates body composition, including muscle mass, albeit influenced by hydration status. Standardized protocols, such as those proposed by the Sarcopenia through Ultrasound (SARCUS) Working Group, are imperative for ensuring consistency across assessments. Future research should focus on refining these techniques and harnessing the potential of radiomics and artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic accuracy and prognostic capabilities in sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-related loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass is linked to adverse postoperative outcomes in older individuals with sarcopenia. Half of patients suffer from severe associated osteoarthritis requiring orthopedic interventions. Mitigating the onset and progression of sarcopenia before surgery is essential to improve the prognosis and reduce surgical complications. The aim of this research was to innovatively explore whether the preoperative period could be the appropriate timeframe to empower surgical resilience, through prehabilitation and dietary supplementation, in older sarcopenic patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. Methods: The current literature concerning the effectiveness of prehabilitation and dietary supplementation before knee arthroplasty in sarcopenic older individuals was reviewed, following the SANRA criteria, between December 2023 and February 2024. The study inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) prehabilitation and/or dietary supplementation interventions; (2) human participants aged 65 years and older; (3) relevant outcome reporting (functional status, postoperative complications, and patient-reported outcomes); and (4) articles written in English The extracted information included study characteristics, demographics, intervention details, outcomes, and the main findings. Results: Merged prehabilitation and dietary supplementation strategies extrapolated from the current literature and involving strength, resistance, balance, and flexibility training, as well as essential amino acids, iron, vitamin D, adenosine triphosphate, and glucosamine sulphate supplementation, could improve the functional capacity, ability to withstand the upcoming surgical stressors, and postoperative outcomes in older people undergoing knee arthroplasty. Conclusions: Addressing complex links between knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia in older individuals undergoing knee arthroplasty requires a multidimensional approach. Prehabilitation emerges as a crucial preliminary step, allowing the optimization of surgical outcomes. Nutraceutical integration, included in a comprehensive care plan, could have a synergic effect in achieving prehabilitation goals. Those interventions are essential for surgical resilience, in terms of muscle function preservation, recovery acceleration, and overall quality of life enhancement. Intensive collaboration among specialists could advance knowledge and the sharable consensus concerning the critical and evolutive field of perioperative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the risk of developing opportunistic infections has increased in parallel with the ever-increasing number of people suffering from chronic immunosuppressive diseases or undergoing prosthetic surgery. Staphylococcus warneri is a Gram-positive and coagulase-negative bacterium. Usually found as a component of the healthy human and animal microbiota of the skin and mucosae, it can take on the role of an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing a variety of infections, ranging from mild to life-threatening, not only in immunocompromised patients but even, although rarely, in healthy people. Here, in addition to a concise discussion of the identification and distinguishing features of S. warneri compared to other staphylococcal species, a systematic overview of the findings from case reports and clinical studies is provided. The paper highlights the virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles of S. warneri, the different clinical contexts in which it has proven to be a serious pathogen, emphasizing its ability to colonize artificial prosthetic materials and its tropism for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular tissues. Some original data on orthopedic implant infections by S. warneri complement the discussion. Finally, from a different perspective, the paper addresses the possibilities of industrial exploitation of this bacterium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D3 is a crucial fat-soluble pro-hormone essential for bolstering bone health and fortifying immune responses within the human body. Orodispersible films (ODFs) serve as a noteworthy formulation strategically designed to enhance the rapid dissolution of vitamin D, thereby facilitating efficient absorption in patients. This innovative approach not only streamlines the assimilation process but also plays a pivotal role in optimizing patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes. The judicious utilization of such advancements underscores a paradigm shift in clinical strategies aimed at harnessing the full potential of vitamin D for improved patient well-being. This study aims to examine the vitamin D3 ODF structure using spectroscopic techniques to analyze interactions with excipients like mannitol. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy were utilized to assess molecular composition, intermolecular bonding, and vitamin D3 stability. Understanding these interactions is essential for optimizing ODF formulation, ensuring stability, enhancing bioavailability, and facilitating efficient production. Furthermore, this study involves a translational approach to interpreting chemical properties to develop an administration protocol for ODFs, aiming to maximize absorption and minimize waste. In conclusion, understanding the characterized chemical properties is pivotal for translating them into effective self-administration modalities for Vitamin D films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies suggest that chronic psychological stress can lead to oral health deterioration, alter the immune response, and possibly contribute to increased inflammation, which can impact the physiological healing of periodontal tissues. This cross-sectional study seeks to assess and improve clinical understanding regarding the relationship between perceived stress, mindfulness, and periodontal health. Methods: A total of 203 people were analyzed from December 2022 to June 2023. The Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) score and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), and Plaque Control Record (PCR) of every patient were registered. Subsequently, participants completed the Sheldon Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale (MAAS) questionnaires. The collected data underwent statistical analysis, encompassing the evaluation of correlations and dependencies. Applying Welch's t-test to assess the relationship between MAAS and the variable indicating the presence or absence of periodontitis, a noteworthy p-value of 0.004265 was obtained. Results: This underscores a significant distinction in MAAS scores between patients affected by periodontitis and those unaffected by the condition. Additionally, Pearson correlations were computed for GBI and perceived stress, PCR and perceived stress, PCR and MAAS. The resulting p-values of 2.2–16, 3.925–8, and 2.468–8, respectively, indicate a statistically significant correlation in each instance. Conclusions: These findings contribute valuable insights into the interconnectedness of these variables, emphasizing the significance of their associations in the study context. Despite the limitations, the findings of this study suggest a significant relationship between psychological stress, mindfulness, and periodontal tissue health. Clinical trials are necessary to incorporate the assessment of a patient's psychological status as a new valuable tool in the management of periodontal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is a key factor of lifestyle behavior enhancing general health and fitness, especially in people after total hip or knee replacement (THR and TKR). Orthopaedic surgeons can play a primary role in advocating the benefits of an active lifestyle. Aim of the study was 1) to assess the attitude of orthopaedic surgeons towards PA for people after THR/TKR and 2) to compare the attitude between a Northern European (the Netherlands) and a Southern European (Italy) country and analyze which factors influence the attitude towards PA. Methods: A cross-cultural study. An (online) survey was distributed among orthopaedic surgeons in Italy and the Netherlands. Chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests were used to compare surgeons' and clinics' characteristics, and questionnaires' scores, respectively. A linear regression analysis was conducted to assess which surgeon characteristics influence attitude towards PA. Results: A cohort of 159 surgeons (103 Italians and 56 Dutch) was analyzed. The median score of overall orthopaedic surgeons' attitude towards PA was positive (57 out of 72). Dutch surgeons showed a more positive attitude compared to Italian surgeons (p < 0.01). Main difference was found in the "Physical activity concern" factor, where Italian surgeons showed more concern about the negative effects of PA on the survival of the prosthesis. The regression analyses showed that "Country" and "Type of clinic" were associated with the surgeons' attitude. Conclusions: Overall, the orthopaedic surgeons' attitude towards PA for people with THR and TKR was positive. However, Dutch surgeons seem to be more positive compared to the Italian. The country of residence was the item that most influenced attitude. Further investigations are needed to untangle specific factors, such as cultural, socioeconomic, or contextual differences within the variable "country" that may influence orthopaedic surgeons' attitudes towards PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myofascial pain is the most common cause of chronic pain in the masticatory region and can be assessed through clinical analysis and muscle palpation. Generally, it appears with headache and orofacial pain associated with sensitive points (trigger points) due to the excessive contraction of the masticatory muscle fibers. The study aims to evaluate how a correct treatment of myofascial pain can improve the life quality of affected patients. In this case series, 300 patients with myofascial pain were divided into two groups: 150 with intra- and extra-articular disorders and 150 with only extra-articular disorder. Each group included 75 males and 75 females. All the patients were treated with gnathological therapy through passive aligners and biofeedback exercises for four months. They underwent pain assessment (through a visual analogue scale and muscular palpation test) before, during, and after the treatment, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance of the temporomandibular joint before and after the gnathological treatment. The treatment considerably reduced the pain in all patients, without drugs, in four months according to the visual analogue scales and the palpation test. The temporomandibular magnetic resonance in each patient was similar before and after the gnathological treatment. The improvement in pain did not depend on a change in the relationship between the articular condyle and the disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The vertebral artery passes through the first cervical vertebra (or atlas). Around 20% of patients carry an atlas mutation in the presence of ponticulus posticus, an additional bony ridge over the vertebral artery groove that compresses or irritates the artery with its sympathetic periarterial plexus and suboccipital nerve. Early atlas mutation identification is essential for accurate diagnosis in patients affected by unexplainable symptoms, such as headache, neck pain, vertigo, visual disturbances, problems with speech and swallowing, neurosensory hearing loss, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, dizziness, postural muscle tone loss, shoulder pain, etc. Our cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and morphologic features of ponticulus posticus and its association with migraine using cone beam CT scans. We confirmed in a homogeneous population (220 Italian adults) the association between migraine and ponticulus posticus. Background: Ponticulus posticus (PP) is a medical term that describes an anomaly of the atlas (C1), which has a complete or partial bone bridge over the vertebral artery (VA) groove. The purpose of the study is to estimate the prevalence of PP in patients with a diagnosis of migraine. Methods: Cone beam CT (CBCT) scans (n = 220) were reviewed for the detection of PP in the University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti in the Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences. The sample included 220 Italian patients between 18 and 87 years. Pearson chi-square analysis (p < 0.05 and 95% CI) was used to establish an association between migraine and PP. Results: The present study found a prevalence of PP of 20.9% and a prevalence of migraine of 12.272%. The association between migraine and PP was confirmed by the chi-square statistic, since the p-value was 0.008065 (significant at p < 0.05). PP was more frequent in the migraine without aura group, without a statistical difference relative to the migraine with aura group. Conclusions. The study concluded that PP is positively associated with migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An association between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia has been proposed, but the evidence is controversial, with the recent literature showing disparate results. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia in knee OA patients compared to people not affected by this condition. We searched several databases until 22 February 2022. The data regarding prevalence were summarized using odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among the 504 papers initially screened, 4 were included for a total of 7495 participants with a mean age of 68.4 years, who were mainly females (72.4%). The prevalence of sarcopenia in people with knee OA was 45.2%, whilst, in the controls, it was 31.2%. Pooling the data of the studies included that the prevalence of sarcopenia in knee OA was more than two times higher than in the control group (OR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.43–3.00; I2 = 85%). This outcome did not suffer any publication bias. However, after removing an outlier study, the recalculated OR was 1.88. In conclusion, the presence of sarcopenia in knee OA patients was high, affecting one person in every two persons and was higher than in the control groups included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The research is placed in the context of interdisciplinary medical-legal studies on the importance of promoting physical activity as a public health tool. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to highlight the tools that can be used by EU members for planning interventions aimed at overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and for responding to a future crisis. METHODS: First, the medical resources relating to the indirect and direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are analysed. Then, the results are compared with the measures of the EU bodies to verify the correspondence of the scientific arrests, with the political-regulatory interventions. RESULTS: It was found that the prolonged closure of sports centres and the contagion from COVID-19 produce affects the body in a way that can only be recovered by motor activity. However, in the EU, there does not exist a regulatory harmonization about health issues that can directly impose the Members to implement their legislation to promote motor activity. CONCLUSIONS: The signing of the Rome Declaration at the Global Health Summit on 21 May 2021 constitutes an important and concrete commitment for the exchange in the medical-scientific field, and for an effective co-design of intervention strategies for the relaunch of physical activity within projects such as EU4Health and the two-year HealthyLifestyle4All campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by A. Moroni, C. Faldini, F. Pegreffi, A. Hoang-Kim and S. Giannini to a letter to the article about their article "Osteoporotic Pertrochanteric Fractures Can Be Successfully Treated With External Fixation," published in a previous issue is presented.

Background: Vitamin D can influence athletic performance and infection risk. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status, hematochemical factors, anthropometric and performance parameters, and dietary habits in runners (n = 23) and sedentary healthy individuals (non-runners, n = 22) during the autumn season., Methods: Both groups had their serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (ng/mL) levels, blood and performance parameters, and dietary habits measured., Results: Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in non-runners (runners: males 30.0 ± 5.6, females 31.2 ± 5.2 vs. non-runners: males, 22.8 ± 6.5, females 24.7 ± 6.5 ng/mL, p < 0.001). White blood cells, monocyte, and neutrophil levels were higher in non-runners for both males and females. Among the subjects, 23 had optimal vitamin D levels (>29 ng/mL), while 22 had insufficient/deficient levels (<29 ng/mL), with a higher prevalence of insufficiency in non-runners compared to runners (63.6% vs. 34.8%; p = 0.053). Maximal isometric force and jump height were equal in both groups, but VO 2 max was higher in runners. Linear regression analysis identified monocyte count as the only predictor of vitamin D levels for both males (y = -24.452 x + 40.520; R 2 = 0.200; p = 0.015) and females (y = -33.409 x + 45.240; R 2 = 0.368; p = 0.003)., Conclusions: This study highlights significant differences in vitamin D status between runners and non-runners, with runners exhibiting higher serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels, although this finding is likely due to the increased sun exposure that runners receive. It also provides valuable insights into the vitamin D status of healthy young sedentary individuals and runners, enhancing the understanding of how physical activity influences vitamin D levels.