Muscular System Research Articles

Long-term observations of a sponge in situ reveal a rich repertoire of contractile behaviors, including winter dormancy

Sponges are remarkably active animals with a range of behaviors that are broadly termed sneezes. Little is known about what triggers sneezes or how sneezes propagate in an animal that lacks either muscular or nervous systems. We explored the triggers of sponge behavior in situ in the demosponge Suberites concinnus. The placement of this tennis ball-sized sponge at the focal point of a camera array on an instrument platform in Barkley Sound, BC, Canada, provided a unique opportunity for our investigation. The observatory has a suite of environmental sensors measuring parameters such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), oxygen, turbidity, salinity, pressure, current speed, and temperature. An array of 8 cameras designed for 3D imaging was used to capture hourly images. Our findings revealed both long-term (annual) and short-term (daily) behaviors in S. concinnus. The sponge contracted for 2 mo each winter. In February, it gradually expanded and became very active with short-term full-body contractions each lasting 11 h through the summer. A meta-analysis of contraction behaviors in other species of sponge showed that contraction duration is a factor of sponge size and that all sponges contract faster than they expand. Invertebrates and fish were frequently in contact with the sponge, but no single interaction was found to correlate with patterns of sponge behavior. However, significant correlations between sponge behaviors and chlorophyll and turbidity were found using generalized additive mixed models. Our study underscores the dynamic nature of these sessile filter feeders and their responses to their environment.

The Complementary Role of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Coronary Artery Disease: From Early Diagnosis to Tailored Management

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for over 9 million deaths annually. The prevalence of CAD continues to rise, driven by ageing and the increasing prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Current clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of functional tests in the diagnostic pathway, particularly for assessing the presence and severity of ischemia. While recommended tests are valuable, they may not fully capture the complex physiological responses to exercise or provide the necessary detail to tailor personalized treatment plans. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) offers a comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and muscular systems under stress, potentially addressing these gaps and providing a more precise understanding of CAD, particularly in settings where traditional diagnostics may be insufficient. By enabling more personalized and precise treatment strategies, CPET could play a central role in the future of CAD management. This narrative review examines the current evidence supporting the use of CPET in CAD diagnosis and management and explores the potential for integrating CPET into existing clinical guidelines, considering its diagnostic and prognostic capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and the challenges associated with its adoption.

Chronic neuroborreliosis and post-COVID syndrome: a clinical case

Lyme borreliosis is a natural focal, vector-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The transmission of ixodes ticks is characterized by a staged course with damage to various organs and systems. This disease is an urgent problem in medicine because of the peculiarities of its clinical course, including in the late period. Not infrequently, due to the lack of vigilance of physicians and the polymorphism of the clinical presentation of the disease, Lyme borreliosis runs under the masks of other diagnoses. In Covid-19, caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, both in the acute period of the disease and later develop systemic clinical manifestations in the central and peripheral nervous systems and the musculoskeletal system. These features are particularly characteristic of the post-Covid-19 syndrome.A clinical case of chronic neuroborreliosis and post-COVID-19 syndrome with lesions in the nervous and muscular systems is presented.

A case of invasive Aspergillus niger spondylodiscitis with epidural abscess following COVID-19 infection in an immunocompromised host with literature review

Introduction and Importance: Aspergillosis is defined as an opportunistic infection that may spread hematogenously. COVID-19 infection has not been reported as a direct cause or risk factor. Its treatment (e.g. corticosteroids) significantly increases the risk for invasive infections. The respiratory system remains the main target, and the Aspergillus fumigatus is the most responsible subtype. Other species like Aspergillus (A) flavus, A. niger, and A. nidulans follow in frequency. Other included sites are the skeletal muscular system and the entire spine leading to spondylodiscitis. Only a total of 118 cases of Aspergillus spondylodiscitis have been reported in the literature, and only 21 cases reporting spinal epidural abscess were identified. Case Presentation: The authors report a new rare case of invasive A. Niger spondylodiscitis with epidural and iliopsoas abscesses in a 63-year-old North African female patient with a history of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) treated with high doses of corticosteroids. The patient had favorable medical and radiological outcomes after 6 months of antibiotic and antifungal therapy. Clinical Discussion: Fungal spondylodiscitis is a rare pathology that may be lethal. Immunosuppression plays a determining role. Discovertebral contamination results from hematogenous dissemination, found in the majority of cases in adults. The main symptom is segmental spinal pain, with an inflammatory pattern most often predominating in the thoracolumbar spine. Clinical signs of spinal cord compression, such as paresthesias, radiculalgia, and paraplegia, can sometimes be associated. Diagnosis of such spondylodiscitis is based on cultures and/or histology, whereas in most cases, it was made by MRI. Epidural abscess remains a rare entity. The authors will explore the current literature in more detail to dissect and explain this rare entity. Conclusion: Aspergillus spondylodiscitis remains a rare and very demanding clinical entity. Early diagnosis and well-targeted medical treatment seem the ideal solution given that this type of infection has a poor prognosis.

Implementasi Aromaterapi Mawar Untuk Mengurangi Kecemasan Pre Operasi Pada Pasien Sectio Caesarea Dengan Anestesi Spinal

Introduction: A cesarean section is a risky operation that could make some people anxious. Failure to alleviate patient anxiety during a cesarean section might compromise the patient's ability to undergo the procedure since it affects their circulatory, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and muscular systems. Rose aromatherapy is one of the non-pharmacological methods that may be used to manage anxiety prior to surgery. Objective: Patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for a caesarean section might benefit from this community service project's non-pharmacological methods of anxiety reduction, which included the use of rose aromatherapy. Method: As a community service project, we inhale rose aromatherapy for four minutes after placing a cotton ball about two centimeters from the patient's nose and adding six drops of rose aromatherapy to it. Result: According to the findings of this community service project, thirteen participants (43.3%) reported moderate anxiety and seventeen (56.7%) reported severe anxiety prior to the use of rose aromatherapy. A total of 11 subjects (36.7%) reported mild anxiety, 18 reported moderate anxiety (60%) and 1 reported severe anxiety (3.3%) after receiving rose aromatherapy. Conclusion: Based on the results of this Community Service activity, it can be concluded that rose aromatherapy can reduce preoperative anxiety in patients who will perform sectio caesarea.

Compendium of Bifidobacterium-based probiotics: characteristics and therapeutic impact on human diseases

The human microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms residing in and on the human body, plays a crucial role in maintaining health and preventing disease. Bifidobacterium species have shown remarkable therapeutic potential across a range of health conditions, thus being considered optimal probiotic bacteria. This review provides insights into the concept of probiotics and explores the impact of bifidobacteria on human health, focusing on the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. It also integrates information on the available genetic bases underlying the beneficial effects of each bifidobacterial probiotic species on different aspects of human physiology. Notably, Bifidobacterium -based probiotics have proven effective in managing gastrointestinal conditions such as constipation, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Helicobacter pylori infections. These benefits are achieved by modulating the intestinal microbiota, boosting immune responses, and strengthening the gut barrier. Moreover, Bifidobacterium species have been reported to reduce respiratory infections and asthma severity. Additionally, these probiotic bacteria offer benefits for skeletal and muscular health, as evidenced by Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium breve , which have shown anti-inflammatory effects and symptom relief in arthritis models, suggesting potential in treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, probiotic therapies based on bifidobacterial species have shown promising effects in alleviating anxiety and depression, reducing stress, and enhancing cognitive function. Overall, this review integrates the extensive scientific literature now available that supports the health-promoting applications of probiotic Bifidobacterium species and underscores the need for further research to confirm their clinical efficacy across different body systems.

Prediction of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) for young Saudi females using exercise parameters

BACKGROUND: Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), an essential indicator of integrated function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems, is an excellent predictor of all-cause morbidity and mortality. Direct measurement is a sophisticated procedure which for some individuals is difficult to perform. The use of international formulae leads to overestimation or underestimation of values. Therefore, the present study aimed to generate a best-fit VO2max prediction formula for young Saudi females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and two randomly selected young healthy Saudi females (19–25 years) with normal body mass index (18.5–24.99 kg m−2) and sedentary lifestyle underwent maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing on cycle ergometer when using breath-by-breath analyzing system. Hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters were assessed before and during the maximum exercise. Significantly correlated exercise and nonexercise parameters enterd in multiple linear regression analysis to find the best-fit model, and used to generate a VO2max prediction formula. RESULTS: The mean measured VO2max was 1449.1 ± 233.92 ml min−1. The VO2max prediction formula was 1304.193 ± 17.902 × body weight + 43.857 × time until exhaustion − 6.83 × maximum heart rate. The mean calculated VO2max was 1449.14 ± 143.97 ml min−1. No statistically significant difference was observed between the measured and calculated VO2max. The Bland–Altman test for the limit of agreement was performed and showed good agreement between the two values with a minute proportional bias. The standard error of the estimate was 156.34, which is approximately 10.6% of the mean measured VO2max. Reliability analysis yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.709. CONCLUSION: This study presents a reliable and valid VO2max prediction formula for young Saudi females. This nationally generated formula is far more representative of the VO2max value than international formulae. We recommend the implementation of this formula and an investigation of its validity in other Saudi population groups.

Impact of citrulline malate supplementation on exercise performance and muscle regeneration

Background. A world of sport is filled with various types of supplements. For many years we have been searching for ways, to improve our strength and endurance. One of them is L-citrulline, witch is an endogenous amino acid, created from carbamyl and ornithine in the urea cycle. In the organism it is converted into arginine, and used during the cycle of transition into nitric oxide (NO). This mechanism probably can be associated with enhaced blood flow into muscle tissue, what can be helpful during both resistance and high-intensity exercise performance, and also during recovery of muscular performance.Material and methods. This article comprises a literature review based on publications from: PubMed, Clinicalkey, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Google scholar.Results. Citrulline malate is a sports supplement. However, the evidence base for its efficacy is still insufficient to permit clear conclusions to be drawn about its action.Conclusion. The substance citrulline malate increases the concentration of nitric oxide in the organism through numerous transformations. At present, it is not possible to state unequivocally whether this effect positively improves the function and efficiency of the muscular system, or whether it increases the efficiency of blood supply to organs and muscles. However, there are a large number of indications that, with the right dosage and supplementation regimen, we will be able to fully exploit the potential of this supplement as an aid to further sporting performance.

Cardiopulmonary exercise test in medical and biological practice (literature review)

Most tests assess physiology at rest, whereas many symptoms occur with physical exertion, and physical activity is an integral part of healthy functioning and quality of life of a person. Today, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is considered the standard for identifying exercise limitations and differentiating their causes.Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is widely used in both basic and the latest research from cardiology and pulmonology to neurology and hematology and has great prognostic value. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is considered the gold standard for non-invasive assessment of the cardiopulmonary system and physical performance. This study has become even more relevant and in demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak; now it plays an important role in the clinical assessment of recovering patients who have had COVID-19.Numerous indicators recorded at each stage of the study, taken together, allow us to obtain a complete picture of the work of the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems, as well as to study the characteristics of the metabolic response to stress.This article contains a review of the literature on the history of the application and development of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing, its physiological characteristics and a study of the literature concerning application of studied method in medicine over the past 5 years. The search and analysis of articles were carried out using the scientometric databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Academia.The presented article may be useful for young specialists working in functional diagnostics, cardiology and pulmonology, as well as for researchers and postgraduates whose work involves application of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing method.

Mechanisms of muscle tissue adaptation in response to the influence of low-dose ionizing radiation

Mechanisms of interaction of ionizing radiation with biological objects are a chain of successive physical and physico-chemical changes, which manifest themselves in the form of excitation, primary and secondary ionization of molecules. Biosynthesis of ATP, which is carried out by a system of oxidation-reduction enzymes localized in the inner membrane of mitochondria - the respiratory chain, belongs to the vital processes that are directly disturbed under the action of ionizing radiation. The high degree of damage to this system is due to the significant radiosensitivity of metal-containing enzymes. The purpose of the work is to study the formation of the adaptive response of muscle tissue of sexually mature rats to the influence of ionizing radiation at a dose of 0.5 Gy. It was concluded that a day after irradiation with the dose of 0.5 Gy, the content of contractile proteins in skeletal muscle decreases slightly. On the 15th day, the content of contractile proteins began to decrease. By the 30th day, the content of contractile proteins decreased by 22.9% for myosin, by more than 11% for actin, and by 7 and 8% for troponin and tropomyosin, respectively, compared to the values of the intact group. A similar picture is observed in the cardiac muscle. Mg2+,Ca2+-ATP-ase activity of actomyosin, starting from the 1st day was shown to be increased in both the skeletal and cardiac muscles, reaching its peak in the cardiac muscle on the 15th day, in contrast to the skeletal muscle, where this indicator reached its peak on the 7th day. The authors conclude that irradiation of sexually mature animals with the dose of 0.5 Gy forms an adaptive response that is accompanied by an increase in Mg2+,Ca2+-ATP-ase activity due to the formation of a strong form of binding between F-actin and myosin, actin monomers go into the typical for actomyosin “turned on stage”, and the myosin heads acquire an ordered orientation in the muscle fiber. According to author’s idea, the data obtained indicated the benefit and reasonability of using in post-radiation dysfunctions complex pharmacological treatment drugs that are able to normalize intracellular homeostasis, eliminate probable acidic changes initiated by radiation exposure, activate the processes of intramuscle energy generation and which have protective properties in relation to the muscular system.

Клиническая характеристика феномена боли при остеоартрите

To date, the problem of pain and the fight against it is very relevant for medicine in general. It is of particular importance in rheumatology, neurology and anesthesiology. The pain syndrome is a leading manifestation of the vast majority of diseases of the bone muscular system, the main cause of disability and reducing the quality of life of patients. The article has a characteristic of pain in 131 patients suffering from osteatrite, taking into account the identified phenotypes of the disease: inflammatory, metabolic and osteoporotic.

Mortality of Guillain Barre Syndrome and Myasthenic Crisis in Haji Adam Malik Central General Hospital Medan January 2021- December 2022

Introduction: Neuromuscular disorders are disorders of the neuro system that impact the muscular system. Among them are Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Myasthenic Crisis. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disorder of the nervous system that is polyradiculoneuropathic, characterized by weakness that radiates from the legs to the arms, torso, and face. Myasthenic crisis is a state of acute respiratory failure due to the exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis. These two diseases are the most common types of neurodiseases found in hospital ICU patients. Objective: Determining the mortality rate of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Myasthenic Crisis at Haji Adam Malik Central General Hospital Medan January 2021-December 2022. Methods : This study was a descriptive study with data obtained from medical records. The subjects were inpatients and outpatients with Guillain Barré Syndrome and Myasthenia Crisis, with as many as 129 patients. The subjects were selected by purposive sampling and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 40 Guillain-Barré Syndrome patients were studied, and 6 of them died. The majority were patients aged 36-50 years, and the male and female sexes were equally significant. A total of 89 patients with Myasthenic Crisis were studied, and 1 of them died, namely patients with the age category of 36-50 years and female. Conclusion: Guillain-Barré Syndrome mortality was 15%, and Myasthenic Crisis was 1.12% at Haji Adam Malik Center General Hospital Medan January 2021-December 2022. Keyword : Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Mortality, Myasthenic Crisis

Serum Biochemistry and Haematology Alterations in Sled Dogs Before and After a Race

Abstract Long-distance sled dogs are known for their great endurance and ability to run several hundred kilometres over the course of a few days. There are several factors to consider when selecting a team of high-performing sled dogs, including their physique, body score condition, appetite, paws, and ability to adapt to unknown environments and situations. The most common breed used in sled dog racing, Alaska Huskies, are known for their great work diligence, and determined mindset. It has previously been researched how well these dogs endure such intense physical activity using observation of behavioural patterns, physical examinations, and the analysis of alterations in blood parameters. This study aimed to evaluate serum chemistry and haematology alterations in dogs before and after completing a 300 km race in Norway. Changes were observed in haematology and serum chemistry between pre- and post-race blood sampling. Significant increases were observed in the white blood cell count, haemoglobin in blood and creatine phosphokine activity in serum (CK), and significant decreases were seen in the electrolytes (e.g., chlorides, potassium), cholesterol levels, liver (e.g., alkaline phosphatase) and pancreatic enzymes (α-amylase, lipase), and total red blood cell count. Several other parameters were measured, and resulted in insignificant changes. Our results indicated that long-distance racing, in fact, has an impact on the physiology of the dog, influencing muscular system, the gastrointestinal tract, electrolyte balance and haematopoiesis among others.

Forecasting of functional readiness and construction of variable tactics of elite single combatants on the basis of assessment of psychophysiological state

The goal is to substantiate and experimentally verify the effectiveness of using the results of the tapping test to assess readiness for a match. Methodology: analysis and synthesis of data from modern scientific and scientific and methodical literature as well as Internet on the problem being studied, dynamic tapping testing, forecasting. Scientific novelty. The article provides new data on the generalization of the results of the informativeness and effectiveness of the assessment of the current psychophysiological state for predicting changes in the functional preparedness of elite single combatants and the possibility of forming strategies and tactics for future matches taking into account the individual dynamics of changes in the studied parameters of the tapping test. Conclusions. In the course of the conducted research and generalization of the obtained individual results, it was established that the state of "strength - weakness" is the limit of physical and mental capacity, i.e., the time during which excitement in the brain cells can be maintained during long-term actions of the enemy. It was also found that the most informative for monitoring the psychophysiological state and functional abilities of martial artists are the indicators of the maximum frequency of movements in 30 sec. When choosing the time of the examination, it is necessary to take into account that the dynamics of the pace of hand movements are affected by the peculiarities of not only the nervous system, but also the muscular system, therefore, in the presence of weak muscle development or during particularly long examinations, the presence of fatigue may affect the results. It is very important that tapping metrics allows you to determine: the level of the total amount of work performed, or the most favorable time for the match, an indicator of the level of activity of attacking and defensive actions for the entire period of the fight; a favorable time for carrying out a series of actions; stability of the battle; the speed of single action, and also simplifies the process of selection and selection of the national team for participation in competitions. The use of the method of controlling the psychophysiological state by conducting a tapping test to assess functional abilities optimizes the process of forming a strategy and tactics of fighting a match depending on the state and stability of the central nervous system of the wrestler.

Novel Approaches to Mortierella alpina Identification and Arachidonic Acid Production Optimization.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is an integral constituent of cell structures and is instrumental for the nervous, muscular, and immune systems' functions. The sore need for this nutrient may be fulfilled via production based on the fungus Mortierella alpina. The identity of the M. alpina culture obtained from Assiut University, Egypt, was confirmed based on internal transcribed spacer DNA barcoding and elongation enzyme RNA sequencing. Liquid media glucose and peptone as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, and diverse micronutritional factors were adjusted for optimal biomass and ARA production. Shake flask cultivation at 25 °C for 7 days produced around 0.570 g of ARA per liter of culture. M. alpina treatment using mutagen 5-fluorouracil and octyl gallate-supplemented glucose-yeast-agar screening plates and shake-flask incubation at 25 °C, then at 20 °C, followed by aging at 10 °C, led to >3 g ARA/liter culture, a yield considered suitable for potential commercial production.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on risk of sarcopenia: From lockdown and infection perspectives: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

During the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there are numerous symptoms in the skeletal muscular system, such as decreased skeletal muscle mass, strength, and muscle function, which are the main manifestations of sarcopenia. To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sarcopenia from the perspectives of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and COVID-19 infection, we conducted this study. We searched for literature related to COVID-19 and sarcopenia published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Two researchers independently searched and screened the articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the final included literature. RevMan 5.4 was used for meta-analysis. A total of 8 articles with a total of 1145 patients were included. There was a significant difference in SARC-F scores (MD = 0.67, 95%CI = [0.41, 0.93], Z = 5.00, P < .00001), handgrip (MD = -1.57, 95%CI = [-2.41, -0.73], Z = 3.66, P = .0002), body weight (MD = -1.87, 95%CI = [-3.69, -0.05], Z = 2.01, P = .04), and skeletal muscle mass index (MD = -0.28, 95%CI = [-0.54, -0.02], Z = 2.13, P = .03) between the time before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the results showed that there was no significant difference in muscle mass between the 2 groups (MD = -1.72, 95%CI = [-4.39, 0.94], Z = 1.27, P = .21). The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on sarcopenia. Both infection with COVID-19 and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic increase the risk of sarcopenia. Research should pay more attention to this disease during the COVID-19 pandemic and adopt effective interventions to minimize adverse outcomes.

Comparative Analysis of Mixed Reality and PowerPoint in Education: Tailoring Learning Approaches to Cognitive Profiles.

The term immersive technology refers to various types of technologies and perspectives that are constantly changing and developing. It can be used for different purposes and domains such as education, healthcare, entertainment, arts, and engineering. This paper aims to compare the effectiveness of immersive technologies used in education, namely mixed reality, generated with Microsoft HoloLens 2, with traditional teaching methods. The experiment involves comparing two groups of students who received different training methods: the first group saw a PowerPoint slide with an image of the human muscular system, while the second group saw a 3D hologram of the human body that showed the same muscle groups as in the PowerPoint (PPT). By integrating the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) levels of the participants as a predictive variable, the study sought to ascertain whether the incorporation of mixed reality technology could significantly influence the learning outcomes and retention capabilities of the learners. This investigation was designed to contribute to the evolving pedagogical landscape by providing empirical evidence on the potential benefits of advanced educational technologies in diverse learning environments. The main finding of this study indicates that while MR has potential, its effectiveness is closely tied to its interactivity. In cases where the content remains static and non-interactive, MR does not significantly enhance in-formation retention compared to traditional PPT methods. Additionally, the study highlights that instructional strategies should be adapted to individual cognitive profiles, as the technology type (MR or PPT) alone does not significantly impact learning outcomes when the information presented is identical.

The integrated relationship between type two muscle fibers and aging: An update study

Aging is an intriguing process that fascinates many researchers. This fascination is related to the impossibility of controlling time and its influence on human beings. Many theories have been studied to understand this complex process and the impact it has on the muscular system. The ability to control this influence and how to reduce the risk of falls, prevent illnesses, and improve the quality of life of the elderly has encouraged the development of many studies related to it. It is known that type two fibers undergo more denervation than type one fibers during aging, as well as the relationship between specific characteristics and their decline. However, some questions related to how this process actually happened and the ideal exercises that can enhance hypertrophy and the recruitment of type two fibers, although resistance training has been more accepted, are not clear and require further studies focused on this issue. Therefore, considering the importance of these type 2 muscle fibers in the aging process and how they impact the elderly, the objective of this study is to be pioneer in collecting recent and relevant information associated with this specific kind of fiber, show the current gaps on the subject and encourage new research to seek knowledge that improves science.

Effect of C60 Fullerene on Muscle Injury-Induced Rhabdomyolysis and Associated Acute Renal Failure.

Rhabdomyolysis, as an acute stage of myopathy, causes kidney damage. It is known that this pathology is caused by the accumulation of muscle breakdown products and is associated with oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effect of intraperitoneal administration (dose 1 mg/kg) of water-soluble C60 fullerenes, as powerful antioxidants, on the development of rat kidney damage due to rhabdomyolysis caused by mechanical trauma of the muscle soleus of different severity (crush syndrome lasting 1 min under a pressure of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 kg/cm2, respectively). Using tensometry, biochemical and histopathological analyses, the biomechanical parameters of muscle soleus contraction (contraction force and integrated muscle power), biochemical indicators of rat blood (concentrations of creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, urea and hydrogen peroxide, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity), glomerular filtration rate and fractional sodium excretion value, as well as pathohistological and morphometric features of muscle and kidney damages in rats on days 1, 3, 6 and 9 after the initiation of the injury were studied. Positive changes in biomechanical and biochemical parameters were found during the experiment by about 27-30 ± 2%, as well as a decrease in pathohistological and morphometric features of muscle and kidney damages in rats treated with water-soluble C60 fullerenes. These findings indicate the potential application of water-soluble C60 fullerenes in the treatment of pathological conditions of the muscular system caused by rhabdomyolysis and the associated oxidative stress.

Bee morphology: A skeletomuscular anatomy of Thyreus (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Although the knowledge of the skeletal morphology of bees has progressed enormously, a corresponding advance has not happened for the muscular system. Most of the knowledge about bee musculature was generated over 50 years ago, well before the digital revolution for anatomical imaging, including the application of microcomputed tomography. This technique, in particular, has made it possible to dissect small insects digitally, document anatomy efficiently and in detail, and visualize these data three dimensionally. In this study, we document the skeletomuscular system of a cuckoo bee, Thyreus albomaculatus and, with that, we provide a 3D atlas of bee skeletomuscular anatomy. The results obtained for Thyreus are compared with representatives of two other bee families (Andrenidae and Halictidae), to evaluate the generality of our morphological conclusions. Besides documenting 199 specific muscles in terms of origin, insertion, and structure, we update the interpretation of complex homologies in the maxillolabial complex of bee mouthparts. We also clarify the complicated 3D structure of the cephalic endoskeleton, identifying the tentorial, hypostomal, and postgenal structures and their connecting regions. We describe the anatomy of the medial elevator muscles of the head, precisely identifying their origins and insertions as well as their homologs in other groups of Hymenoptera. We reject the hypothesis that the synapomorphic propodeal triangle of Apoidea is homologous with the metapostnotum, and instead recognize that this is a modification of the third phragma. We recognize two previously undocumented metasomal muscle groups in bees, clarifying the serial skeletomusculature of the metasoma and revealing shortcomings of Snodgrass' "internal-external" terminological system for the abdomen. Finally, we elucidate the muscular structure of the sting apparatus, resolving previously unclear interpretations. The work conducted herein not only provides new insights into bee morphology but also represents a source for future phenomic research on Hymenoptera.