Nonspecific Conditions Research Articles

Scutellarin alleviated ulcerative colitis through gut microbiota-mediated cAMP/PKA/NF-κB pathway

PurposeUlcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory condition of the colon, characterized by recurrent episodes and a notable lack of effective pharmacological treatments. Scutellarin, a natural component, exhibits appreciable pharmacological effects and therapeutic potential for various diseases. However, its effects on UC are not fully understood, and the precise mechanisms remain to be deciphered. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of scutellarin and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in treating UC. MethodsThis study utilized dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice to evaluate the therapeutic potential of scutellarin against UC and to elucidate the mechanisms involving the gut microbiota. An antibiotics cocktail (ABX) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were also used to determine the mechanistic role of the gut microbiota. An integrative approach combining fecal metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis was used to explore the gut microbiota-directed molecular mechanism. ResultsThe results showed that scutellarin provided various therapeutic benefits in UC management, including alleviating weight loss, slowing disease progression, and reducing inflammatory damage in colon structures. The improved gut microbiota after scutellarin administration contributed to these effects. Fecal metabolome revealed that scutellarin selectively mitigated DSS-induced dysregulation of gut microbiota-derived metabolites, including glycolic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, tryptophan, xanthine, and β-hydroxypyruvate. Network pharmacology analysis, along with in vivo experimental verification, implicated the cAMP/PKA/NF-κB pathway in the action of these metabolites in treating UC, which may be the mechanism responsible for scutellarin's curative effects on UC. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the potential of scutellarin in alleviating UC by activating the cAMP/PKA/NF-κB pathway through gut microbiota-derived metabolites, highlighting scutellarin as a promising therapeutic agent for UC.

The effectiveness of massage gun treatment combined with passive stretching in reducing non-specific lower back pain

Non-specific lower back pain is a common condition characterized by strain, muscle spasms, or weakness of the paraspinal muscles, particularly the multifidus muscle, which affects adjacent musculature such as the gluteus, hamstrings, and quadriceps. This study aimed to investigate whether massage gun treatment combined with passive stretching could reduce non-specific low back pain in patients experiencing subacute and chronic phases of this condition. This pseudo-experimental research employed a one-group pretest-posttest design with three treatments. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria: suffering from non-specific low back pain, willingness to participate, and age between 20 and 65 years. Exclusion criteria included anatomical abnormalities of the spine, fractures, open wounds, and specific spinal disorders. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity before and after each treatment session. Initial VAS scores averaged 65.6 units. Following the first treatment, scores decreased significantly to 52.1 units; subsequent reductions occurred at 42.1 units post-second treatment and 33.5 units post-third treatment. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference across all three treatment sessions (p = 0.000 0.05), indicating a progressive improvement in pain control over time. Massage gun therapy coupled with passive stretching demonstrated efficacy in reducing non-specific lower back pain among participants. These findings suggest that repeated application of these interventions can lead to sustained improvements in pain management for individuals suffering from subacute and chronic non-specific low back pain conditions

Do sport-specific demands lead to sensory-motor changes?

The study investigated how sport-specific environmental demands influence reaction time. Fifty-six women were divided into groups by age (Adults and Children) and sport-specific sensory-motor demands (Volleyball, Track and Field, Control). The Reaction Time task measured sensorimotor performance, prompting participants to quickly respond to visual stimuli by pressing the corresponding key. Reaction time was evaluated under two conditions with varying stimuli counts. Adults outperformed children in reaction time regardless of sport or age group. However, no significant differences were observed between sports within each age group. Additionally, sport experience did not predict sensorimotor performance according to regression analysis. These findings suggest that age-related changes significantly impact sensorimotor performance, while sport-specific environmental demands and experience have limited influence under non-specific conditions.

Efficacy of a Therapeutic Pelvic Yoga Program Versus a Physical Conditioning Program on Urinary Incontinence in Women : A Randomized Trial.

Pelvic floor yoga has been recommended as a complementary treatment strategy for urinary incontinence (UI) in women, but evidence of its efficacy is lacking. To evaluate the effects of a therapeutic pelvic floor yoga program versus a nonspecific physical conditioning program on UI in women. Randomized trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03672461). Three study sites in California, United States. Ambulatory women aged 45 years or older reporting daily urgency-, stress-, or mixed-type UI. Twelve-week program of twice-weekly group instruction and once-weekly self-directed practice of pelvic floor-specific Hatha yoga techniques (pelvic yoga) versus equivalent-time instruction and practice of general skeletal muscle stretching and strengthening exercises (physical conditioning). Total and type-specific UI frequency assessed by 3-day voiding diaries. Among the 240 randomly assigned women (age range, 45 to 90 years), mean baseline UI frequency was 3.4 episodes per day (SD, 2.2), including 1.9 urgency-type episodes per day (SD, 1.9) and 1.4 stress-type episodes per day (SD, 1.7). Over a 12-week time period, total UI frequency (primary outcome) decreased by an average of 2.3 episodes per day with pelvic yoga and 1.9 episodes per day with physical conditioning (between-group difference of -0.3 episodes per day [95% CI, -0.7 to 0.0]). Urgency-type UI frequency decreased by 1.2 episodes per day in the pelvic yoga group and 1.0 episode per day in the physical conditioning group (between-group difference of -0.3 episodes per day [CI, -0.5 to 0.0]). Reductions in stress-type UI frequency did not differ between groups (-0.1 episodes per day [CI, -0.3 to 0.3]). No comparison to no treatment or other clinical UI treatments; conversion to videoconference-based intervention instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 12-week pelvic yoga program was not superior to a general muscle stretching and strengthening program in reducing clinically important UI in midlife and older women with daily UI. National Institutes of Health.

Intestine-On-Chip: Enhancing In Vitro Intestinal Models Using Caco-2 and HT29-MTX Cocultures Under Different Flow Conditions

This study explores the development of in vitro intestinal models on chip using cocultures of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells over time under different flow conditions. For this purpose, cocultures in the chip were connected to a syringe pump with a characteristic shear stress of the intestinal epithelium, 0.02dyn/cm2 for 4 days and, compared to cocultures with non-specific flow by rocker for 21 days. The effect of different flow conditions in the intestinal permeability was assessed following the Lucifer Yellow assay. Coculture under specific flow conditions showed similar permeability values after 4 days to those under non-specific flow conditions after 14 days. Therefore, optimalization and further characterization of this model, may lead to a promising alternative for intestinal in vitro studies.

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory condition characterized by recurring inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. However, the existing IBD treatments are ineffective and have serious side effects. The etiology of IBD is multifactorial and encompasses immune, genetic, environmental, dietary, and microbial factors. The nanoparticles (NPs) developed based on specific targeting methodologies exhibit great potential as nanotechnology advances. Nanoparticles are defined as particles between 1 and 100 nm in size. Depending on their size and surface functionality, NPs exhibit different properties. A variety of nanoparticle types have been employed as drug carriers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with encouraging outcomes observed in experimental models. They increase the bioavailability of drugs and enable targeted drug delivery, promoting localized treatment and thus enhancing efficacy. Nevertheless, numerous challenges persist in the translation from nanomedicine to clinical application, including enhanced formulations and preparation techniques, enhanced drug safety profiles, and so forth. In the future, it will be necessary for scientists and clinicians to collaborate in order to study disease mechanisms, develop new drug delivery strategies, and screen new nanomedicines. Nevertheless, numerous challenges persist in the translation from nanomedicine to clinical application, including enhanced formulations and preparation techniques, enhanced drug safety profiles, and so forth. In the future, it will be necessary for scientists and clinicians to collaborate in order to study disease mechanisms, develop new drug delivery strategies, and screen new nanomedicines.

Macrophagic Activation Syndrome Revealing Tuberculosis: A Case Report

We present a case involving an immunocompetent infant diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis complicated by macrophage activation syndrome. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), also known as bone marrow hemophagocytosis, presents as a non-specific clinical condition characterized by fever and hepatosplenomegaly. A 22-month-old infant from a non- consanguineous marriage, the only child in the family, was admitted to a regional hospital due to prolonged fever lasting 15 days. The syndrome can manifest as a primary disorder (familial HLH) due to various genetic mutations or as a sporadic secondary disorder triggered by infections, autoimmune diseases, or malignant conditions. The early initiation of antibacillary treatment in AMS complicating tuberculosis without the use of immunosuppressive drugs provides better management and improves the vital prognosis.

What can hospital emergency admissions prior to cancer diagnosis tell us about socio-economic inequalities in cancer diagnosis? Evidence from population-based data in England

BackgroundMore deprived cancer patients are at higher risk of Emergency Presentation (EP) with most studies pointing to lower symptom awareness and increased comorbidities to explain those patterns. With the example of colon cancer, we examine patterns of hospital emergency admissions (HEAs) history in the most and least deprived patients as a potential precursor of EP.MethodsWe analysed the rates of hospital admissions and their admission codes (retrieved from Hospital Episode Statistics) in the two years preceding cancer diagnosis by sex, deprivation and route to diagnosis (EP, non-EP). To select the conditions (grouped admission codes) that best predict emergency admission, we adapted the purposeful variable selection to mixed-effects logistic regression.ResultsColon cancer patients diagnosed through EP had the highest number of HEAs than all the other routes to diagnosis, especially in the last 7 months before diagnosis. Most deprived patients had an overall higher rate and higher probability of HEA but fewer conditions associated with it.ConclusionsOur findings point to higher use of emergency services for non-specific symptoms and conditions in the most deprived patients, preceding colon cancer diagnosis. Health system barriers may be a shared factor of socio-economic inequalities in EP and HEAs.

Hospital admission and its common causes in children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Lilongwe Malawi between 2001 and 2016: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background Paediatric HIV data shows a variable and sometimes catastrophic response in the initial stage of ART regimen administration. The burden of disease that affects children in their first year of treatment is not comprehensively available. Objective Objective of our study was to describe patterns of admission in children; before ART initiation, within the first six months, and post-six months of ART between 2001 and 2016. Methods Principal caregivers of 260 children (45.7% females 54.2% males, all <15 years) on ART for at least six months were interviewed about admissions of their children. Diagnoses were verified from the health passport books. Data on age, sex, date of ART initiation was obtained from the database of Baylor College of Medicine in Lilongwe. Data were analysed using Excel for descriptive analysis. Chi Square Test was used to test for significance. Results There were more admissions before starting ART 74% (95%CI 68.67–79.33%) vs. 42% (95%CI 36.00–48.00%), after starting ART (p = <0.001 at 5% significance level); after six months of ART 34% (95%CI 28.24–39.76) vs. 20% (95% CI 15.51–24.86%) (p = <0.001 at 5% significance level). The commonest causes of admission were pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis, anaemia; no difference in causes of admission within the first and after six months of ART initiation. Conclusion ART significantly reduces admission in children living with HIV. The common causes of admission are HIV non-specific conditions. No difference between causes of admission within and after six months of ART.

Pathological characterization of pulmonary lesion and identification of associated bacteria and parasite infection in sheep and goat slaughtered at Dessie municipal abattoir, North-East Ethiopia

BackgroundLung is susceptible and vulnerable to many infectious and non-infectious agents. From this, a large number of specific and nonspecific diseases conditions can be diagnosed. A cross-sectional study design was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 on major pulmonary lesion of sheep and goat slaughtered at Dessie municipal abattoir with the objective of characterizing the pulmonary pathological lesions, and isolating and identifying potential aerobic bacteria and parasite from pneumonic lung.Materials and MethodsA total of 420 (302 sheep and 118 goats) were examined for gross lung lesions and histopathological investigation using standard techniques. Additionally, detailed pathological investigation was conducted on purposively selected lung lesions. Besides, pneumonic lesions were subjected to routine bacteriological and parasitological analysis.ResultsThe overall abattoir prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities in sheep and goat was 81.2% (341/420). The common gross lesions encountered were Pneumonia (55.5%), emphysema (7.1%), atelectasis (3.3%), Hydatid cyst (4.3%), congestion (2.4%), haemorrhage (3.1%), Anthracosis (0.9%), adhesion (0.7%), and Bronchoectasis (0.7%) respectively. Pneumonia, hydatidosis, and pulmonary emphysema were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with animal age groups. Pneumonia was the most common disorder, accounting for 233 (55.5%). Dictyocaulus filaria (47.7%), Mullerius capillaries (23.2%) and Protostrongylus rufescens (17.16%) were isolated lung worm parasites; whereas E. coli (20.6%), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (12.7%), Mannheimia haemolytica (10.8%), Streptococcus species (4.9%), Staphylococcus aurous (7.8%) and Pasteurella multocida (2.9%), Pseudomonas (6.9%), Proteus (1.9%) and Cornybacterium (1%) were the isolated bacteria. Moreover, 18 (4.3%) Hydatid cysts were identified by cyst viability test. The pulmonary disorder of sheep and goats in the study are relatively high prevalent and posing great health and economic impacts.ConclusionPulmonary infection with different agents is very common in the study areas. Feasible and affordable control measures and using latest diagnostic techniques like molecular detections of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, is necessary.

Assessment of suicidality in trials of psychological interventions for depression: a meta-analysis

Psychological interventions that are efficacious as treatments for depression could indirectly affect suicide-related outcomes. We examined suicidal thoughts and behaviours as eligibility criteria, outcomes, and adverse events across trials of psychotherapy for depression. We used a publicly available meta-analytic database developed through systematic searches (updated as of May 1, 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials in which a psychological intervention for depression was compared with an inactive or non-specific control condition in adults with depression and in which any suicide-related outcomes were reported. We also identified studies in which suicide risk was an exclusion criterion. We excluded inpatient studies and trials of unguided digital interventions or collaborative care that included a psychological component. Pairs of reviewers worked independently to select studies and extract data. In a random-effects meta-analysis with robust variance estimation, we assessed the effect of the psychological intervention on suicide outcomes in trials in which suicide was explicitly assessed as an outcome with clinical scales with established psychometric properties. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (version 2). Of the 469 randomised trials we identified in which a psychological intervention was compared with an inactive control in people with depression, 251 excluded people judged at risk of suicide. Any assessment of suicide was included in only 45 trials, 12 of which assessed suicidal ideation or risk as an outcome. These 12 trials included 3930 participants, 2795 (71%) of whom were female and 1135 (29%) of whom were male; data for age and ethnicity were not consistently reported. Psychological interventions for depression were associated with a small reduction in suicidal ideation and risk in 11 trials (one trial reported only follow-up data) after the intervention (standardised mean difference -0·31 [95% CI -0·60 to -0·03]) but not at follow-up (-0·49 [-1·31 to 0·32]). Suicide-related adverse events were reported in 25 trials, and suicide-related serious adverse events (eg, suicide attempts, deaths by suicide) were reported in 13 trials. Heterogeneity was substantial across all analyses, and prediction intervals crossed zero. Trials of psychological interventions for depression rarely report assessments of suicide. Psychological interventions might reduce suicidal ideation in patients with depression, but more randomised controlled trials are required to clarify this effect. Monitoring and reporting of suicide-related adverse events should be improved in trials of psychological interventions for depression, and future trials should incorporate outcomes related to suicidal thoughts or behaviours. None. For the Spanish translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Intestinal Tuberculosis with Small Bowel Perforation in a Patient with AIDS: A Case Report

Tuberculosis is an infection that continues to be a global health problem, mainly in underdeveloped countries. Intestinal presentation is rare but increases in immunocompromised patients. Its symptoms are variable and can mimic chronic inflammatory diseases, leading to a difficult initial diagnosis, complications, and increased mortality. We present the case of a young and recently diagnosed HIV patient with chronic and nonspecific condition of diarrhea and abdominal pain, which was complicated by intestinal perforation triggered by an extrapulmonary infection and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It was resolved by surgery, leading to a pathological diagnosis by biopsy, followed by effective antibiotic treatment.

Pneumococcal vaccination and primary care presentations for acute respiratory tract infection and antibiotic prescribing in older adults.

While the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has demonstrated its role in preventing severe pneumococcal disease, its impact on more non-specific conditions like acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of PPV23 in prevention of presentations for ARI and LRTI and related antibiotic prescriptions among older adults in primary care. Using a nationwide general practice dataset, we followed a cohort of regularly attending patients aged ≥65 years from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2018 for presentations for ARI, LRTI, and related antibiotic prescriptions. Associations between PPV23 receipt and each outcome were assessed using a multiple failures survival model to estimate hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and various health measures. A cohort of 75,264 patients aged ≥65 years (mean 75.4, 56% female) in 2014 was followed. The incidence of presentations for ARI, ARI-related antibiotic prescription, LRTI, and LRTI-related antibiotic prescription was 157.6, 76.0, 49.6, and 24.3 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Recent PPV23 vaccine receipt was associated with a small reduction in ARI presentations (adjusted HR vaccinated vs. unvaccinated 0.96; 95%CI 0.94-0.98; p = 0.002); however, there was no reduction in ARI-related antibiotic prescription, LRTI presentation, nor LRTI-related antibiotic prescription (adjusted HR were 0.99[95%CI 0.96-1.03], 1.04[95%CI 0.99-1.09], 1.07[95%CI 1.00-1.14]). PPV23 vaccination in older adults may result in a small reduction in the incidence of total ARI presentations in primary care. However, the effect is small and residual confounding cannot be excluded.

The Effect of Ultrasound and Neuromuscular Taping Interventions on Reducing Pain in Non-Specific Low Back Pain Patients

Low back pain (LBP) is a musculoskeletal disorder caused by poor ergonomics. LBP is defined as pain localized between the costal margin and the inferior gluteal fold that lasts for more than one day. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Ultrasound and Neuromuscular Taping interventions on reducing non-specific low back pain. This study used a quasi-experimental method with a one-group pre-and post-test design, and the research sample was given Ultrasound and Neuromuscular Taping interventions. The pain measurement tool used was the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The normality test was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the effect test was performed using the Wilcoxon test. The results of this study showed that the pre-and post-intervention mean VAS scores were 6.7±1.766 and 1.7±0.674, respectively. With a value of p = 0.005 (p &lt; 0.005), which indicates a significant difference between the VAS scores before and after Ultrasound and Neuromuscular Taping interventions. This value can be interpreted as evidence that the combination of these two interventions can reduce the degree of pain in non-specific low back pain conditions. In conclusion, the study found that there was a significant effect of Ultrasound and neuro-muscular taping (NMT) interventions on reducing pain in cases of non-specific low back pain.

“Hole” Exome Sequences: The Importance of Phenotyping to Fill the Gaps in Whole Exome Sequencing

BackgroundWhole exome sequencing (WES) is commonly used for patients with nonspecific clinical features and conditions with genetic heterogeneity. However, a nondiagnostic exome does not exclude a genetic diagnosis, so history and physical examination is crucial to selecting appropriate genetic testing. CasesWe report three patients with three recognizable phenotypes: a seven-year-old female with classic Rett syndrome; a 28-year-old male with neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa; and a 16-year-old male with mosaic, segmental, paternal uniparental disomy 14 who had nondiagnostic WES. ConclusionsDespite recognizable phenotypes they had diagnostic delays due to incorrect selection of genetic testing. This case series highlights the limitations of WES and reinforces the importance of utilizing patient history and physical examination to select initial testing. We will discuss appropriate testing for these patients and a consistent diagnostic algorithm that can be applied when approaching patients with unknown or uncertain clinical presentations.

Hubungan Berdiri Lama Dengan Terjadinya Nyeri Punggung Bawah Pada Pegawai Rotte Bakery Di Kota Pekanbaru Tahun 2020

Low back pain (LBP) is a non-specific condition of acute or chronic pain in or near the lumbosacral spines that can be caused by inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic, or other disorders. Long standing can be caused discomfort for the worker’s body. A survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2011, low back pain is found in the top 10 diseases in Indonesia. As for jobs that required on standing for long duration and correlation by increased risk for low back pain, one of which is in a cake company called Rotte Bakery in Pekanbaru. The production process at Rotte Bakery required a lot of human roles, especially in terms of physical aspects, allowing staffs to long standing while working which can cause ergonomic problems such as low back pain. The research conducted by observational analytic method, with a cross sectional study design. The sampling technique used accidental sampling which was statistically tested using the chi-square test. The research purposes to determine the correlation of the long standing with low back pain event on Rotte Bakery Pekanbaru city staffs 2020. The result showed that there was a relationship (p-value = 0,000) and a significant correlation (p-value &lt; 0.05) long standing with lower back pain event on Rotte Bakery Pekanbaru city staffs. Rotte Bakery staffs advised to pay attention to standing time while working, adhere to the rules for using a complete PPE, and the company can provide education at the beginning before starting work.

Shaoyao decoction alleviates TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis by decreasing inflammation and balancing the homeostasis of Th17/Treg cells

BackgroundUlcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent and non-specific inflammatory condition that mainly affects the bowels and has challenging treatment. UC has a growing incidence and significantly affects the well-being of patients. Many medications used to treat UC can disrupt the metabolism and immune system homeostasis, frequently leading to significant adverse effects. Hence, exploring alternative therapies, such as traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics, has recently emerged as a primary research hotspot owing to their safety. Although the therapeutic mechanism of Shaoyao decoction has not been clarified, it has demonstrated a beneficial clinical effect on UC.AimThis study aimed to assess the effect of Shaoyao decoction on a rat model of UC and investigate its underlying mechanisms.MethodsThe rat model of UC was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The extent of damage to the intestines was assessed using the disease activity index (DAI), colonic mucosa damage index (CMDI), and histological scores. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-17, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and IL-10. Additionally, the proportion of Th17 and Treg cells was detected using flow cytometry. In colon tissue, the levels of forkhead box (Fox)p3, RAR-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt, IL-6, p-STAT3, and STAT3 proteins were quantified by Western blotting.ResultsTreatment with Shaoyao decoction enhanced the overall health of rats and reduced colonic damage. Additionally, Shaoyao decoction significantly alleviated the severity of DAI, CMDI, and HS. The proportion of Th17 cells was reduced, and the proportion of Treg cells was increased by Shaoyao decoction. The expression of IL-17 and RORγt was suppressed by Shaoyao decoction, while the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1, and Foxp3 was increased. The expression of IL-6, p-STAT3, and STAT3 was decreased by Shaoyao decoction.ConclusionThe Shaoyao decoction alleviates the symptoms of TNBS-induced UC by decreasing inflammation and mitigating intestinal damage while preserving the balance between Th17 and Treg. Shaoyao decoction modulates the IL-6/STAT3 axis, thereby regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg cells.

Role of epigenetic modifications and aging in inflammatory bowel disease

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), refers to a chronic and recurrent nonspecific inflammatory condition affecting the mucosal and submucosal layers of the intestines. A positive family history has been identified as a risk factor for the onset of IBD, likely influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In addition to intestinal damage, patients may have extraintestinal manifestations such as inflammation of the skin, eyes, and joints, inflammation of the liver or bile ducts, kidney stones, iron‐deficiency anemia, and growth retardation in children, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms of IBD and finding precise therapeutic targets provides enormous benefits to patients with IBD. Multiple studies have consistently demonstrated the influential role of dietary metabolism and aging in the development of IBD. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that aging often coincides with alterations in epigenetic modifications, while diet metabolism mediates these epigenetic changes. Epigenetics has emerged as a prospective field for identifying novel biomarkers to facilitate the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases. Therefore, in this perspective, we summarize the cross‐talk between epigenetic modifications, diet metabolism, and aging in the pathogenesis of IBD and attempt to identify new potential therapeutic targets and strategies.

Effects of a Therapeutic Exercise Protocol for Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Back Pain in Primary Health Care: A Single-Group Retrospective Cohort Study.

Back pain is highly prevalent; in Spain, it produces a very high economic cost and the scientific evidence supporting treatments shows low to moderate evidence for exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a therapeutic group exercise protocol in reducing pain intensity and disability in patients with back pain in primary health care setting. A total sample of 149 patients who suffered from chronic non-specific back pain was selected. Patients received a therapeutic exercise protocol, including auto-mobilization exercises for the neck and lumbar regions, as well as core stabilization exercises. Pain intensity and disability were evaluated before and after the therapeutic exercise protocol. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were shown in pain intensity and disability for patients with non-specific neck and low-back pain, with an effect size from moderate to large. A therapeutic exercise protocol may provide beneficial effects upon disability and pain intensity in patients with chronic non-specific back pain, including neck and low-back pain conditions In addition, It could be considered for inclusion as a back-pain-approach program in primary healthcare.

Effects of Upper-Body and Lower-Body Conditioning Activities on Postactivation Performance Enhancement During Sprinting and Jumping Tasks in Female Soccer Players.

Santos da Silva, V, Nakamura, FY, Gantois, P, Nogueira Gouveia, JN, Peña, J, Beato, M, and Abade, E. Effects of upper-body and lower-body conditioning activities on postactivation performance enhancement during sprinting and jumping tasks in female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 342-349, 2024-This study aimed to investigate the postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) effects of "specific" (half-back squat) and "nonspecific" (bench press) conditioning activities on sprinting and jumping performances in female soccer players. Fourteen players (mean ± SD : age = 22.3 ± 4.0 years; body mass = 60.2 ± 7.8 kg; height = 164.1 ± 4.2 cm) competing at national level (first League) participated in this within-subject crossover study. The players performed a warm-up protocol including 3 sets of 3 repetitions of half-back-squat or bench press exercises at 90% 1RM or a warm-up protocol without lifting weights (i.e., control condition). Forty-meter shuttle sprints (20 + 20 m with change of direction [COD-180°]), countermovement jump (CMJ), and horizontal jump (HJ) performances were recorded 6 minutes after the conditioning activities protocols or the control condition. Nonsignificant large positive effects were found for the HJ after the half-back-squat (ES = 1.68; p > 0.05) and bench press (ES = 1.68; p > 0.05) protocols. Although nonsignificant, HJ changes ( Δ = 0.07 m) were greater than the smallest worthwhile change (0.02 m) and standard error of measurement (0.03 m) after both conditioning activities. Moreover, no significant changes were found for sprint and CMJ performance after neither half-back-squat nor bench press protocols ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, both specific and nonspecific conditioning activities using heavy loads (i.e., 90% 1RM) may be suitable to enhance individual HJ. Finally, both conditioning activities are potentially ineffective for increasing sprint and CMJ performance in the context of this study.