Skeletal Structure Research Articles

Investigating the Effects of Diet-Induced Prediabetes on Skeletal Muscle Strength in Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition preceded by prediabetes, is documented to compromise skeletal muscle health, consequently affecting skeletal muscle structure, strength, and glucose homeostasis. A disturbance in skeletal muscle functional capacity has been demonstrated to induce insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. However, the modifications in skeletal muscle function in the prediabetic state are not well elucidated. Hence, this study investigated the effects of diet-induced prediabetes on skeletal muscle strength in a prediabetic model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the two groups (n = 6 per group; six prediabetic (PD) and six non-pre-diabetic (NPD)). The PD group (n = 6) was induced with prediabetes for 20 weeks. The diet that was used to induce prediabetes consisted of fats (30% Kcal/g), proteins (15% Kcal/g), and carbohydrates (55% Kcal/g). In addition to the diet, the experimental animals (n = 6) were supplied with drinking water that was supplemented with 15% fructose. The control group (n = 6) was allowed access to normal rat chow, consisting of 35% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 15% fats, and 20% other components, as well as ordinary tap water. At the end of week 20, the experimental animals were diagnosed with prediabetes using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) prediabetes impaired fasting blood glucose criteria (5.6-6.9 mmol/L). Upon prediabetes diagnosis, the animals were subjected to a four-limb grip strength test to assess skeletal muscle strength at week 20. After the grip strength test was conducted, the animals were euthanized for blood and tissue collection to analyze glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma insulin, and insulin resistance using the homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the associations of skeletal muscle strength with HOMA-IR, plasma glucose, HbA1c, and MDA concentration. The results demonstrated increased HbA1c, FBG, insulin, HOMA-IR, and MDA concentrations in the PD group compared to the NPD group. Grip strength was reduced in the PD group compared to the NPD group. Grip strength was negatively correlated with HbA1c, plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, and MDA concentration in the PD group. These observations suggest that diet-induced prediabetes compromises muscle function, which may contribute to increased levels of sedentary behavior during prediabetes progression, and this may contribute to the development of hyperglycemia in T2DM.

Generation of Chicken Contractile Skeletal Muscle Structure Using Decellularized Plant Scaffolds.

Cultured meat is a meat analogue produced by in vitro cell culture, which can replace the conventional animal production system. Tissue engineering using myogenic cells and biomaterials is a core technology for cultured meat production. In this study, we provide an efficient and economical method to produce skeletal muscle tissue-like structures by culturing chicken myoblasts in a fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free medium and plant-derived scaffolds. An FBS-free medium supplemented with 10% horse serum (HS) and 5% chick embryo extract (CEE) was suitable for the proliferation and differentiation of chicken myoblasts. Decellularized celery scaffolds (Decelery), manufactured using 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), were nontoxic to cells and supported myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Decelery could support the 3D culture of chicken myoblasts, which could adhere and coagulate to the surface of the Decelery and form MYH1E+ and F-actin+ myotubes. After 2 weeks of culture on Decelery, fully grown myoblasts completely covered the surface of the scaffolds and formed fiber-like myotube structures. They further differentiated to form spontaneously contracting myofiber-like myotubes on the scaffold surface, indicating that the Decelery scaffold system could support the formation of a functional mature myofiber structure. In addition, as the spontaneously contracting myofibers did not detach from the surface of the Decelery, the Decelery system is a suitable biomaterial for the long-term culture and maintenance of the myofiber structures.

Skeletal Features of Talus in Hepple V Lesion

The present study was to determine the characteristics of the ankle skeletal structure in patients with talus Hepple V type. We conducted a retrospective study on the skeletal structure of the talus in 110 patients with Hepple V osteochondral lesions of the talus and in control participants. The radiographic measurements taken include the following: in the coronal plane - depth of talus frontal curvature, length of the lateral and medial malleolus; in the sagittal plane - radius and height of talus, angle of tibial lateral surface, tibiotalar sector, and vertical neck angle. The osteochondral lesion of the talus showed a significantly larger mean radius (mean ± SD, 21.4 ± 2.5 mm; p < .001) and height (mean ± SD, 26.0 ± 2.7 mm; p < .005). It also demonstrated a longer mean medial malleolus length (mean ± SD, 15.7 ± 2.4 mm; p < .005), a larger mean vertical neck angle (mean ± SD, 86.2 ± 5.4°; p < .050), and a greater mean tibial lateral surface angle (mean ± SD, 80.0 ± 4.5°; p < .001). And there was a greater mean frontal curvature depth (mean ± SD, 3.9 ± 0.6 mm; p < .005). Overall, this study found that patients with Hepple V osteochondral lesions of the talus had a larger vertical neck angle and tibial lateral surface angle, a longer talus radius and medial malleolus length, a higher talus height, and a deeper frontal curvature depth. Study DesignsRetrospective Case-Control Study.

Reduced exercise capacity occurs before intrinsic skeletal muscle dysfunction in experimental rat models of pulmonary hypertension.

Reduced exercise capacity in pulmonary hypertension (PH) significantly impacts quality of life. However, the cause of reduced exercise capacity in PH remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate whether intrinsic skeletal muscle changes are causative in reduced exercise capacity in PH using preclinical PH rat models with different PH severity. PH was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) or Fischer (CDF) rats with one dose of SU5416 (20 mg/kg) injection, followed by 3 weeks of hypoxia and additional 0-4 weeks of normoxia exposure. Control s rats were injected with vehicle and housed in normoxia. Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function. Exercise capacity was assessed by VO2 max. Skeletal muscle structural changes (atrophy, fiber type switching, and capillary density), mitochondrial function, isometric force, and fatigue profile were assessed. In SD rats, right ventricular systolic dysfunction is associated with reduced exercise capacity in PH rats at 7-weektimepoint in comparison to control rats, while no changes were observed in skeletal muscle structure, mitochondrial function, isometric force, or fatigue profile. CDF rats at 4-weektimepoint developed a more severe PH and, in addition to right ventricular dysfunction, the reduced exercise capacity in these rats is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy; however, mitochondrial function, isometric force, and fatigue profile in skeletal muscle remain unchanged. Our data suggest that cardiopulmonary impairments in PH are the primary cause of reduced exercise capacity, which occurs before intrinsic skeletal muscle dysfunction.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Verrubenzospirolactone and (+)-Capillobenzopyranol.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-verrubenzospirolactone (1), a distinctive highly fused benzosesquiterpenoid, characterized by a pentacyclic skeletal structure, is realized through a concise 10-step synthetic pathway with an impressive 22.8% overall yield. Notable highlights of this synthetic endeavor include (i) the introduction of a Ru-catalyzed ortho C-H activation step, (ii) the application of Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation to establish a pivotal stereocenter at C-3 with an excellent enantiomeric excess, (iii) B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling to construct a Diels-Alder precursor, and, ultimately, (iv) the successful deployment of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to complete the synthesis of (+)-verrubenzospirolactone without erosion of the enantiomeric excess.

Anti-osteoporotic effects of Yi Mai Jian on bone metabolism of ovariectomized rats.

Yi Mai Jian herbal formula (YMJ) is formulated with Eucommiae Folium, Astragali Radix, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, and Elaeagnus Fructus to improve bone function in traditional Chinese medicine. The anti-osteoporotic effects of YMJ in bone metabolism were evaluated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The skeletal structure of the femur and vertebrae was analyzed after treating OVX rats with YMJ for 114days. The results showed that YMJ significantly increased the bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular number (Tb. N) of the femur and 5th lumbar vertebrae and reduced trabecular separation (Tb. Sp). Moreover, trabecular bone volume/total tissue volume (BV/TV), bone stiffness, and maximum femur load were significantly increased. The serum concentrations of NTX1 and PYD were significantly decreased. According to these results, YMJ could ameliorate osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Eucommiae Folium and Elaeagnus Fructus inhibited osteoclast differentiation, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus inhibited calcium reabsorption, Astragali Radix stimulated osteoblast proliferation, and Astragali Radix and Eucommiae Folium stimulated mineralization. Therefore, the combination of the four herbs into one formula, YMJ, could alleviate bone remodeling caused by low estrogen levels. We suggest that YMJ could be a healthy food candidate for preventing post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Effects of Obesity and Prevention

The body Weight varies with sex, age, height, skeletal Structure, Therefore it is not possible to recommend an ideal weight for an individual. The excess weight is called as obesity. Body weight is directly associated with various risk factor. Having over weight or obesity increases your risk of heart disease, Stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver diseases, cancers, and kidney disease etc. Obesity is a condition where your weight affects your health. Now-a-day’s it is a long-term (chronic) condition with a wide range of causes. The aim of present study was to find out the effects and prevention of obesity. The author rise to aware of society about obesity and its prevention in this present study.

Preparation, antibacterial activity, and structure-activity relationship of low molecular weight κ-carrageenan

κ-Carrageenan (KC) is a polysaccharide widely used in food industry. It has been widely studied for its excellent physicochemical and beneficial properties. However, the high molecular weight and high viscosity of KC make it difficult to be absorbed and to exert its' biological activities, thus limit its extensive industrial application. In order to solve this problem, five low molecular weight κ-carrageenans (DCPs) were prepared by the degradation of KC using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ascorbic acid (AH2). The chemical compositions and structure characteristics of the DCPs were then determined. The results showed that H2O2 and AH2 could effectively degrade KC to DCPs, and DCPs remained the basic skeletal structure of KC. DCPs showed good antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of DCPs with the highest antibacterial effects were 5.25, 4.5, 5.25, and 4.5 mg/mL, respectively. This is due to the underlying mechanism of DCPs that bind to the bacterial membrane proteins and change the membrane permeability, thus exerting antibacterial activity. In addition, Spearman's rank correlation and Ridge regression analysis revealed that the molecular weight and the contents of 3,6-anhydro-D-galactose, aldehyde group, carboxyl, and sulfate were the main structural characteristics affecting the antibacterial activity. Our findings reveal that the H2O2-AH2 degradation treatment could significantly improve the antibacterial activity of KC and provide insights into the quantitative structure-activity relationships of the antibacterial activity of DCPs.

Synthetic Studies toward Pseudolaric Acids: Radical Cyclization to Form Bridged Scaffold

Comprehensive SummaryPseudolaric acids are a family of diterpenoid natural products that exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. The main structural feature of their framework is a trans‐fused perhydroazulene bearing a bridged lactone positioned at the junction of the rings. Herein, we have developed a radical cyclization strategy that allows flexible tuning of the cyclization process through diverse silicon substitutions on the substrates. This strategy can assist in constructing a series of skeletons with structural resemblance to pseudolaric acids and expedites the construction of the bridged lactone. Finally, it facilitates the synthesis of the entire skeletal structure of the pseudolaric acid family of natural products, excluding the B‐ring functionalization.

Slip boundary conditions effect on bidispersive convection with local thermal non-equilibrium: Significant findings

We examine a theory concerning heat convection within a porous material characterized by a skeletal structure comprising macropores and, additionally, cracks or fissures leading to a network of micro pores. Brinkman theory and slip conditions were considered applicable within the macropores, while exclusively Darcy theory was applied within the micropores. This represents a scenario of thermal convection within a double-porosity porous medium. The theory accommodates non-equilibrium thermal conditions, allowing for the possibility that the temperature of the solid skeleton differs from that of the fluid present in either the macro or micro pores. Importantly, the model permits independent fluid velocities and pressures within both the macro and micro pores. We conducted both linear and nonlinear stability assessments, with a specific focus on assessing how slip boundary conditions affect the stability of the system. Once we pinpointed the onset of instability, we calculated the critical Rayleigh number as a variable dependent on the slip coefficient. Additionally, we provided numerical results that outline the thresholds for stability and instability.

Comparative Analysis of the Systematics and Evolution of the Pampus Genus of Fish (Perciformes: Stromateidae) Based on Osteology, Population Genetics and Complete Mitogenomes.

Pampus is a widespread species of fish in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans that has significant commercial worth. Its evolutionary history and phylogenetics are still poorly understood, and details on its intraspecific taxonomy are debatable, despite some morphological and molecular research. Here, we analyzed this species using skeletal structure data as well as nuclear (S7 gene) and mitochondrial genetic information (COI, D-loop and mitogenomes). We found that the genetic distance between P. argenteus and P. echinogaster was much smaller than that between other Pampus species, and both maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic trees yielded almost identical tree topologies. An additional and adjacent M repeat was found in the downstream region of the IQM gene cluster of P. argenteus and P. echinogaster, and the trnL2 gene of P. minor was translocated. The genus Pampus experienced early rapid radiation during the Palaeocene with major lineages diversifying within a relatively narrow timescale. Additionally, three different methods were conducted to distinguish the genus Pampus species, proving that P. argenteus and P. echinogaster are the same species, and P. liuorum is speculated to be a valid species. Overall, our study provides new insights not only into the evolutionary history of Pampus but its intraspecific taxonomy as well.

Case Report: Skeletal Fluorosis - An Uncommon Cause of Bone Densification

Skeletal fluorosis is an uncommon toxic bone condition marked by the excessive buildup of fluoride in the skeletal structure. The disease manifests as an endemic issue in certain regions of the world and arises from prolonged ingestion or, rarely, inhalation of elevated levels of fluoride. Key imaging features include bilateral patchy bony sclerosis, enthesopathy, ligament, and periosteal bony proliferation, as well as ossification of spinal ligaments. Management of fluorosis generally focuses on symptom treatment.

Exercises with the StretchPole improve shoulder joint range of motion

The ‘StretchPole’ foam roller product is mainly used to loosen muscle groups and joints in the deeper layers of the body that are normally inaccessible to the human hand, and to realign the skeletal structure by lying on the pole and performing exercises. It is also used to strengthen the core, which plays an important role in postural maintenance and stability. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the ‘Solacon’ exercise routine using a StretchPole on shoulder joint range of motion. Forty healthy participants performed Solacon exercises using a StretchPole. The specific method of Solacon comprises six movements: (1) chest slide, (2) crescent, (3) cone, (4) twister, (5) shoulder alternating rotation, and (6) chin-in exercise. The joint range of motion of the bilateral shoulder joint flexion, abduction, horizontal abduction, and external rotation (1st and 2nd) were measured before and after the exercises. All measures were significantly higher after exercise compared to before exercise. Solacon exercises improve thoracic spine and scapular mobility and stretch the anterior thoracic muscle groups. The shoulder joint in the broad sense consists of the humerus, scapula, clavicle, sternum, and ribs. These in turn constitute the scapulohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint, sternoclavicular joint, scapulothoracic joint and functional second shoulder joint. In addition, costovertebral joints and intervertebral joints are also involved because of the added motion of the ribs and the spine. We considered that the ranges of motion of shoulder joint flexion, abduction, horizontal abduction, and external rotation measured in this study were expanded.

Diversity and discrimination of large ornithopods revealed through their tracks (Lower Cretaceous, Spain): A phenetic correlation approach

Large ornithopods were frequent in the alluvial-to-coastal sedimentary systems developed during the Barremian in the Iberian Peninsula. Here, several pes track casts of large ornithopods from the Barremian Camarillas Formation of the southwestern sector of the Maestrazgo Basin (Iberian Basin, Spain) are analyzed. Two morphotypes of tracks from three different size classes are differentiated based on some morphological features, such as length of digits, the width of the “heel” pad impression, and width of the proximal part of digit III. These casts are assigned to Caririchnium isp. Morphotype 1 is represented by small to large-sized tracks, whereas Morphotype 2 by medium-sized tracks. Morphological variation seen among tracks of Morphotype 1 is interpreted to be possibly an ontogenetic variation. On the contrary, the differences seen between Morphotype 1 and 2 cannot be explained only by extramorphological causes, so might represent different trackmakers, especially when taking into account the considerable Barremian ornithopod diversity. A modified phenetic correlation is carried out between several well-preserved casts and the identified feet of Barremian ornithopods from Iberia, in order to infer the putative trackmakers. Morphotype 1 fits with the foot skeletal structure of the large styracosternan Iguanodon, including small-sized tracks that are perfectly accommodated to that of perinates of I. galvensis. Morphotype 2 matches better to the pes skeletal structure of the medium-sized Mantellisaurus. Similar two morphotypes can be also identified in other areas of the Lower Cretaceous of Europe, so, they could be tentatively produced by the two sized groups of styracosternans typical in the Early Cretaceous of Europe. Therefore, the ichnological analysis may allow differentiation of the diversity known through the direct record. In addition, the paleoecological analysis indicates a spatial niche partitioning between two size groups of styracosternans, because large-sized tracks and bones of these dinosaurs are the most common in such sediments.

Morphological and genetic analysis for the diversity conservation of rare species, Thamnaconus multilineatus (Tetraodontiformes: Monacanthidae).

Climate changes have altered biodiversity and ultimately induced community changes that have threatened the survival of certain aquatic organisms such as fish species. Obtaining biological and genetic information on endangered fish species is critical for ecological population management. Thamnaconus multilineatus, registered as an endangered species by the IUCN in 2019, is a Data Deficient (DD) species with a remarkably small number of habitats worldwide and no known information other than its habitat and external form. In this study, we characterized the external and osteological morphology of a T. multilineatus specimen collected from eastern Jeju Island, South Korea, in 2020. We also investigated the phylogenetic relationships among related fish species through complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of the T. multilineatus specimen. The external and skeletal characteristics of T. multilineatus were similar to those of previous reports describing other fish of the genus Thamnaconus, making it difficult to classify T. multilineatus as a similar species based only on morphological characteristics. As a result of analyzing the complete mtDNA of T. multilineatus, the length of the mtDNA was determined to be 16,435 bp, and the mitochondrial genome was found to have 37 CDCs, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. In the phylogenetic analysis within the suborder Balistoidei, T. multilineatus mtDNA formed a cluster with fish of the genus Thamnaconus. This study is the first to report on the skeletal structure and complete mtDNA of T. multilineatus. Since the current research on T. multilineatus has only been reported on morphology, the results of this study will be utilized as important information for the management and restoration of T. multilineatus as an endangered species and significant fishery resource.

Elaboration of a green and highly dispersible Co-MOFs induced Co-doped C3N5 photocatalyst: Applications and mechanistic insights into activated perxymonosulfate degradation of antibiotics

In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as metal-based carbon materials have been widely concerned with the application of activated perxymonosulfate(PMS) to degrade antibiotics. However, constructing MOFs-derived materials with excellent dispersion, highly exposed metal active sites, and environmental friendliness remains a challenge. This paper reports for the first time the in-situ formation of nitrogen-rich Co-doped C3N5 (Co-C3N5) materials using a cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-MOFs), which has highly dispersed metal sites that are conducive to the activation of PMS. The forbidden bandwidth value of Co-C3N5 photocatalyst is as low as ∼1.20 eV, which could completely degrade chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC) with the initial concentration of 30 mg/L within 6 min under a light source of 50 W LED lamp. The results indicate that efficient photoelectron separation and transport are key factors in the activation and degradation of CTC by PMS, involving both free radical and non-free radical degradation processes. Meanwhile, the skeletal structure of MOFs and the triazine ring of C3N5 were retained, enhancing the stability of the photocatalyst and reducing the leaching of cobalt Finally, the seed germination experiment of Chinese cabbage showed that the treated CTC could increase the root length of Chinese cabbage seedlings by 10.1∼42.9%, which proved that the materials had no toxic effect on environment and could provide carbon and nitrogen source for plant growth. Based on this, this study proposes a novel approach for the development of MOFs-derived carbon photocatalysts that exhibit excellent dispersion and highly exposed metal active sites.

Removal of dyes from aqueous media using environmentally friendly aerogels based on chitosan

According to the World Health Organization, between 17% and 20% of water pollution is caused by dye treatments in the textile industry, which makes the development of efficient technologies for its removal essential. Environmentally friendly adsorbent materials, such as aerogels, can be effectively used in adsorption processes involving water remediation because of their high specific surface area and the possibility of an easy separation from the contaminated solutions. In this work, aerogels were obtained by a simple procedure that includes the cross-linking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde, followed by a freeze-drying step to eliminate water by water sublimation. The obtained aerogels presented low density (0.049–0.083 g/cm3), a three-dimensional skeletal structure that provides them with high porosity, acceptable swelling capacity and good dimensional stability. FTIR and X-Ray analysis were used to identify aerogels’ chemical structure and dynamic-mechanical analysis to complement the characterization of these materials. Selected formulations were also tested as adsorbents of Congo Red in aqueous media. The adsorption results demonstrated that the aerogels adsorption capacity strongly depended not only on the crosslinking agent content but also on the amount of chitosan in the initial solution used in their synthesis. Moreover, preliminary thermodynamic studies of the adsorption process indicate that both adsorption rate and aerogel sorption capacity increase with increasing temperature.

A strong and tough supramolecular assembled β-cyclodextrin and chitin nanocrystals protein adhesive: Synthesis, characterization, bonding performance on three-layer plywood

The development of a biomass adhesive as a substitute for petroleum-derived adhesives has been considered a viable option. However, achieving both superior bonding strength and toughness in biomass adhesives remains a significant challenge. Inspired by the human skeletal muscles structure, this study reveals a promising supramolecular structure using tannin acid (TA) functionalized poly-β-cyclodextrin (PCD) (TA@PCD) as elastic tissues and chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) as green reinforcements to strengthen the soybean meal (SM) adhesive crosslinking network. TA@PCD acts as a dynamic crosslinker that facilitates reversible host-guest interactions, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic interactions between adjacent stiff ChNCs and SM matrix, resulting in satisfactory strength and toughness. The resulting SM/TA@PCD/ChNCs-2 adhesive has demonstrated satisfactory wet and dry shear strength (1.25 MPa and 2.57 MPa, respectively), toughness (0.69 J), and long-term solvents resistance (80 d). Furthermore, the adhesive can exhibit desirable antimildew characteristics owing to the phenol hydroxyl groups of TA and amino groups of ChNCs. This work showcases an effective supramolecular chemistry strategy for fabricating high-performance biomass adhesives with great potential for practical applications.

Refining quinoa storage stability through microwave-induced structural alterations and activity suppression of key enzymes

This study investigated the effects of microwave on preserving the quality of quinoa during storage. Quinoa treated with 9W/60s exhibited a significant decrease in fatty acid values compared to hot air treatment. Microwave effectively delayed lipid oxidation during quinoa storage by suppressing the increase in peroxide values. MDA gradually accumulated from peroxides during storage, reaching its peak at 0.423 μmol/L in the second week. Microwave disrupted the original hydrogen bonds in lipase, causing the unwinding of the α-helix and resulting in the loss of its regular structure. Microwave reduced the stability of the β-sheet structure in lipoxygenase, breaking the natural secondary structure composition. The observed fluorescence and UV spectra features were similar, indicating that microwave alter the peptide chain of the enzyme's skeletal structure, increasing the exposure of hydrophobic chromophores. These results indicated the potential of microwave to enhance the stability of quinoa during storage.

The 50th anniversary of the European Society for Muscle Research: a journey through half a century of scientific advances.

The European Society for Muscle Research (ESMR) started in 1971 as "European Muscle Club" in a joint initiative of Marcus Schaub, Eduard Jenny and Rudolf Billeter (Zurich), Caspar Rüegg (Heidelberg), Jean Légér (Montpellier), Bernard Swynghedauw (Paris), George Maréchal (Brussels), Gabriel Hamoir (Liège), and Endre Biró (Budapest). Since 1972, local organizers took care of muscle conferences held yearly in different European countries and in Israel in 1987. One of the goals was to establish contacts and collaborations between scientists on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Starting as an informal club, enthusiastically guided by Marcus Schaub as secretary (1971-1995) and later by Ger Stienen (1996-2005), Anders Arner (2006-2017) and Wolfgang Linke (2018-), the ESMR meetings steered international collaborations. The meetings witnessed the remarkable advancement of the insight in skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle structure and function. In the five decades, the thin and thick filament structure has been resolved to the atomic level, the mechanism of acto-myosin energy transduction and force generation as well as its regulation have been elucidated. The molecular basis of striated and smooth muscle diversity has been found in the existence of multiple protein isoforms. The transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulations which give rise to adaptive responses of muscle tissue have been revealed. Many new players entered the field, such as titin, the ryanodine receptor and several signalling factors. Substantial progress has also been made in the identification of the pathogenesis of many hereditary muscle diseases such as Duchenne MuscularDystrophy and Hypertrophic Cardiac Myopathies.