Weakness Research Articles

Integrative study of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in a murine pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia model.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic cancer, is a deadly cancer, often diagnosed late and resistant to current therapies. PDAC patients are frequently affected by cachexia characterized by muscle mass and strength loss (sarcopenia) contributing to patient frailty and poor therapeutic response. This study assesses the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial remodeling in the cachectic skeletal muscle, through an integrative exploration combining functional, morphological, and omics-based evaluation of gastrocnemius muscle from KIC genetically engineered mice developing autochthonous pancreatic tumor and cachexia. Cachectic PDAC KIC mice exhibit severe sarcopenia with loss of muscle mass and strength associated with reduced muscle fiber's size and induction of protein degradation processes. Mitochondria in PDAC atrophied muscles show reduced respiratory capacities and structural alterations, associated with deregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial dynamics pathways. Beyond the metabolic pathways known to be altered in sarcopenic muscle (carbohydrates, proteins, and redox), lipid and nucleic acid metabolisms are also affected. Although the number of mitochondria per cell is not altered, mitochondrial mass shows a twofold decrease and the mitochondrial DNA threefold, suggesting a defect in mitochondrial genome homeostasis. In conclusion, this work provides a framework to guide toward the most relevant targets in the clinic to limit PDAC-induced cachexia.

Synthesis of a chitosan-based superabsorbent polymer and its influence on cement paste

To address the challenge of adaptability between cement-based materials and conventional superabsorbent polymers (sodium polyacrylate, Na-PA), a chitosan-based superabsorbent polymer (CSP) with high salt and alkaline resistance was synthesized, and the optimal synthesis process was determined by a single-factor method. The macroscopic performance and microstructure of CSP and Na-PA were compared, and their influences on cement paste were studied. The results show that CSP exhibits a gradual swelling process during water absorption, which is independent of the solution environment. The poriferous structure of CSP allows it to form a network composed of gel membranes. The introduction of amide group enhances the resistance of CSP to salt and alkaline conditions. The autogenous shrinkage of cement paste is mitigated by CSP, with a superior effect compared to Na-PA. The longer desorption time of CSP allows it to promote cement hydration for a longer period, reducing the loss of compressive strength. The heat release, chemically bound water and hydration products (portlandite and amorphous substances) of CSP pastes are higher than those of Na-PA pastes. The water desorption from CSP fills some middle capillary pores and mesopores, leading to the pores in the hardened cement paste being more concentrated in smaller sizes.

Study of hydrophobic cemented paste backfill (H-CPB) to prevent sulphate attack

One of the challenges encountered in mining is acid mine drainage (AMD) in sulphurous ores in response to rainfall and groundwater. CPB one of the most prevalent waste management systems addresses this issue today. Nevertheless, in the long term, the concretion in CPB may become ineffective because of external factors, such as groundwater and rainfall. The relevant sources in the literature have no mention of AMD problems that may occur in the long term with CPB, particularly in metallic ores. Most studies indicate that the issue which can be prevented by using cement. However, due to the destructive effects of nature, cement alone would be insufficient. Consequently, the research's principal aim is to form CPB hydrophobic, thereby reducing the interaction between CPB and water. In the study, stearic acid was chosen as the hydrophobic agent and application method to the CPB and the changes in load-bearing capacity were studied. Specimens were tested by ion chromatography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis by combustion, water absorption, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a decrease in the load-bearing capacity while gaining the hydrophobic properties of the material. The results confirm the validity of the selected agent and method and reveal that the effect of sulphate decreases with increasing hydrophobicity yet, there is no significant decrease in the 7, 14, and 28-day UCS tests. The optimal results were achieved when Stearic Acid (SA) was used at a concentration of 1.25 % for 7 % Portland cement and 0.75 % for 11 % Portland cement, with a UCS strength of 1.223 and 2.008 MPa, respectively. The expected benefit of stearic acid was realized as the water absorption value of the reference sample was 2.50 times higher in 7 % cement and 4.25 times higher in 11 % cement than the same value in Hydrophobic Cemented Paste Backfill (H-CPB). These results indicate that AMD formation can be prevented in the future with H-CPB. The results demonstrate that stearic acid, with the new methodology, forms the CPB hydrophobic, while only an acceptable strength loss was observed. Additionally, the outcomes point out that the methodology adopted does not consider a significantly adverse impact on hydration phase of concretation and can be utilized as an environmentally friendly backfilling method, thereby being evaluated as the cleaner backfilling for further CPB applications.

Comparison and mechanism study on solidification of loose pisha sandstone by indigenous bacteria and sporosarcina pasteurii

Pisha sandstone is a kind of sandstone which is easy to collapse by water in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia of China, and suffers from hydraulic erosion all the year round. In recent years, some scholars have used microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology to solidify Pisha sandstone to improve the water erosion resistance of Pisha sandstone. However, for the climate environment with low average temperature in Pisha sandstone area, the commonly used Sporosarcina pasteurii are not well adapted. The purpose of this study is to use the indigenous strainsto solidify the loose Pisha sandstone, and to compare the growth adaptability, mechanical properties and water erosion resistance of the solidified layer with Sarcina pasteurii at different temperatures, and to explore the mechanism of different temperatures and strains affecting the microbial solidification of Pisha sandstone from the micro scale. At the same time, a mixed bacterial liquid solidification test was also set up. The results showed that the solidified thickness of indigenous strains was 4.65 % higher than that of Sporosarcina pasteurii, and the thickness and strength of mixed strains were increased by 19.57 % and 36.62 %, respectively. The growth and solidification effect of indigenous strains were less affected by low temperature. Compared with Sporosarcina pasteurii, at low temperature, the bacterial concentration decrease of indigenous strains was reduced by 26.13 %, the thickness loss of solidified layer was reduced by 13.04 %, and the strength loss of solidified layer was reduced by 13.39 %. The effect of low temperature on the growth of bacteria is mainly reflected in affecting the maximum concentration of bacteria and the growth rate. The effect on MICP mainly reflected in affecting the life activities of bacteria and the crystal form and morphology of calcium carbonate. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the MICP technology application of indigenous strains and multi-strains in Pisha sandstone area soil reinforcement and solidification slope.

Nutrition in the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle ageing and sarcopenia: a single nutrient, a whole food and a whole diet approach.

Loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass (sarcopenia) is common in older adults and associated with an increased risk of disability, frailty and premature death. Finding cost-effective prevention and treatment strategies for sarcopenia for the growing ageing population is therefore of great public health interest. Although nutrition is considered an important factor in the aetiology of sarcopenia, its potential for sarcopenia prevention and/or treatment is still being evaluated. Nutrition research for sarcopenia utilises three main approaches to understand muscle-nutrition relationships, evaluating: single nutrients, whole foods and whole diet effects - both alone or combined with exercise. Applying these approaches, we summarise recent evidence from qualitative and quantitative syntheses of findings from observational and intervention studies of healthy older adults, and those with sarcopenia. We consider protein supplements, whole foods (fruits and vegetables) and the Mediterranean diet as exemplars. There is some evidence of beneficial effects of protein supplementation ≥ 0·8 g/kg body weight/d on muscle mass when combined with exercise training in intervention studies of healthy and sarcopenic older adults. In contrast, evidence for effects on muscle function (strength and physical performance) is inconclusive. There is reasonably consistent epidemiological evidence suggesting benefits of higher fruits and vegetables consumption for better physical performance. Similarly, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with beneficial effects on muscle function in observational studies. However, intervention studies are lacking. This review discusses how current evidence may inform the development of preventive and intervention strategies for optimal muscle ageing and nutritional public policy aimed at combatting sarcopenia.

Muscle Mass and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: Adaptive or Maladaptive Response to Weight Loss?

Recent studies have shown that pharmacologic weight loss with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and combination therapies is approaching magnitudes achieved with surgery. However, as more weight loss is achieved, there is concern for potential adverse effects on muscle quantity, composition, and function. This primer aims to address whether muscle-related changes associated with weight loss treatments such as GLP-1 RAs may be maladaptive (ie, adversely affecting muscle health or function), adaptive (ie, a physiologic response to weight loss maintaining or minimally affecting muscle health or function), or perhaps an enhanced response to weight loss (ie, improved muscle health or function after treatment). Based on contemporary evidence with the addition of studies using magnetic resonance imaging, skeletal muscle changes with GLP-1 RA treatments appear to be adaptive: changes in muscle volume z-score indicate a change in muscle volume that is commensurate with what is expected given aging, disease status, and weight loss achieved, and the improvement in insulin sensitivity and muscle fat infiltration likely contributes to an adaptive process with improved muscle quality, lowering the probability for loss in strength and function. Nevertheless, factors such as older age and prefrailty may influence the selection of appropriate candidates for these therapies because of risk for sarcopenia. Several pharmacologic treatments to maintain or improve muscle mass designed in combination with GLP-1-based therapies are under development. For future development of GLP-1-based therapies (and other therapies) designed for weight loss, as well as for patient-centered treatment optimization, the introduction of more objective and comprehensive ways of assessing muscle health (including accurate and meaningful assessments of muscle quantity, composition, function, mobility, and strength) is important for the substantial numbers of patients who will likely be taking these medications well into the future.

Mathematical model for predicting handgrip strength in Quilombola children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Objective: To determine which variables have the ability to predict hand grip strength in Quilombola children and adolescents. Methods: We calculated the sample seeking an R2 between 0.1 and 0.2 for a single dependent variable (handgrip strength), with 6 predictor variables (age, body mass, stature, BMI, fat, and lean mass), alpha of 0.05 and beta of 0.80; and included children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 (n=82). We measured handgrip strength using the Jamar dynamometer and built a model and evaluated the association between the predictor variables (i.e., independent, x-axis) and the outcome variable (i.e., dependent, y-axis [dynamometry]) by analysis of variance of mathematically adjusted models (F-value >60, p <0.05). Results: We noted an increasing gain in strength over the years, although between the ages of 11 and 12 and between 13 and 14, there was an apparent loss of strength on the part of Quilombola adolescents, passing from 18.75 to 16.12 and from 23.5 to 19.83, respectively. We observed that the variables age, stature, and lean mass contributed significantly (p <0.05, β coefficient ranging from 3.050 to 3.844) to the performance of the built model (F [7.74] = 62.16, p <0.001; R2 = 0.84). Conclusion: Age, stature, and lean mass significantly contribute to the performance of the built model. Namely, 84% of the variation in the mean handgrip strength may be explained by the independent variables. Therefore, the predicted handgrip strength, in kg, corresponds to: -29.530 + 1.103 + 0.196 + 0.011 × (age [years] + stature [cm] + lean mass [kg]).

Late-onset primary muscle diseases mimicking sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function that causes various health problems. In contrast, late-onset primary myopathies, which occur in the older population, are caused by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, autoimmune processes, and metabolic abnormalities. Although sarcopenia and primary myopathy are two distinct disease processes, their symptoms can overlap, making differentiation challenging. The diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia have evolved over time, and various criteria have been proposed by expert groups. Late-onset primary muscle diseases such as inclusion body myositis, sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy, muscular dystrophies, distal myopathies, myofibrillar myopathies, metabolic myopathies, and mitochondrial myopathies share common pathogenic mechanisms with sarcopenia, further complicating the diagnostic process. Appropriate clinical evaluation, including detailed history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, is essential for accurate diagnosis and management. Treatment approaches, including exercise, nutritional support, and disease-specific therapies, must be tailored to the characteristics of each disease. Despite these differences, sarcopenia and primary myopathies require careful consideration in the clinical setting for proper diagnosis and management. This review outlines the evolution of diagnostic criteria and diagnostic items for sarcopenia, late-onset primary myopathies that should be differentiated from sarcopenia, common pathomechanisms, and diagnostic algorithms to properly differentiate primary myopathies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1099-1110.

New Eco-Cements Made with Marabou Weed Biomass Ash

Biomass ash is currently attracting the attention of science and industry as an inexhaustible eco-friendly alternative to pozzolans traditionally used in commercial cement manufacture (fly ash, silica fume, natural/calcined pozzolan). This paper explores a new line of research into Marabou weed ash (MA), an alternative to better-known conventional agro-industry waste materials (rice husk, bagasse cane, bamboo, forest waste, etc.) produced in Cuba from an invasive plant harvested as biomass for bioenergy production. The study entailed full characterization of MA using a variety of instrumental techniques, analysis of pozzolanic reactivity in the pozzolan/lime system, and, finally its influence on the physical and mechanical properties of binary pastes and mortars containing 10% and 20% MA replacement content. The results indicate that MA has a very low acid oxide content and a high loss on ignition (30%) and K2O content (6.9%), which produces medium–low pozzolanic activity. Despite an observed increase in the blended mortars’ total and capillary water absorption capacity and electrical resistivity and a loss in mechanical strength approximately equivalent to the replacement percentage, the 10% and 20% MA blended cements meet the regulatory chemical, physical, and mechanical requirements specified. Marabou weed ash is therefore a viable future supplementary cementitious material.

Association between cognitive reserve proxies and frailty phenotype: data from UK Biobank.

A potential protective role of cognitive reserve proxies against frailty has been suggested in older adults. We explored the cross-sectional association between cognitive reserve indicators and frailty phenotype. Data were obtained from the UK Biobank. We included 31,975 dementia-free participants aged ≥ 60years (50.7% females, 2.2% frail) who completed a web-based cognitive assessment (fluid intelligence, working memory, visuospatial attention and processing speed, and executive functioning). Frailty was defined according to the Fried's phenotype (unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness). Participants meeting three or more criteria were classified as frail. Cognitive performance was compared between nonfrail and frail groups, and regression models were employed to analyze the associations between cognitive reserve proxies (education, skill level of occupation, social support, and multiple deprivation index (MDI)) and the likelihood of frailty. Frail and nonfrail groups significantly differed on cognitive function, with frail individuals demonstrating poorer performance on all cognitive functions (all p < .05) except fluid intelligence. Regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age and sex, a lower educational level (odds ratio (OR) .797, 95% confidence interval (CI) .673-.944, p = .009), having maintained occupations with low cognitive requirements (OR .790, 95% CI .668-.936, p = .006), having less social support (OR .755, 95% CI .631-.903, p = .002), and living in a region with a high rate of multiple deprivation (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.019-1.031, p < .001), significantly increased the probability of experiencing frailty. Our findings support the relationship between declined cognitive functions and frailty emphasizing the importance of implementing public health measures to enhance cognitive reserve.

Mechanical Properties of Recycled Concrete Incorporated with Super-Absorbent Polymer and Machine-Made Stone Powder under the Freeze-Thaw Cycle Environment.

Recycled concrete incorporating additional super-absorbent polymer (SAP) and machine-made stone powder (MSP) was prepared using a two-factor, four-level orthogonal test. To enhance the frost resistance of recycled concrete and improve its mechanical properties, such as compressive and flexural strength, the prepared concrete underwent 200 freeze-thaw cycles. Before freeze-thaw cycles, the amount of SAP has a predominant influence on the mechanical properties of recycled concrete in comparison with MSP. After 200 cycles of freeze-thaw, the influence of MSP became more significant than that of SAP. Typically, the compressive strength and flexural strength exhibited a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing as the contents of SAP and MSP increased. The optimized recycled concrete was identified as S16M6, containing 0.16% SAP and 6% MSP, as demonstrated by the minimal strength loss after freeze-thaw cycles. This study also proposed a linear regression model for predicting the mechanical properties which offered valuable guidance for the engineering application of recycled concrete mixed with SAP under the freeze-thaw cycle environment.

Optimizing the Preoperative Preparation of Sarcopenic Older People: The Role of Prehabilitation and Nutritional Supplementation before Knee Arthroplasty.

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

Exploring the relationship between sarcopenia and 11 respiratory diseases: a comprehensive mendelian randomization analysis

BackgroundSarcopenia (SP) is an aging-related loss of muscle mass and function, affecting the respiratory system. However, the causality of the association between sarcopenia on lung diseases remains elusive.MethodsThe bidirectional univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR), multivariate MR (MVMR) analysis, and mediation MR were utilized to systematically investigate the genetic causal relationship of SP and 11 respiratory diseases. Independent genomic variants related to sarcopenia or respiratory diseases were identified as instrumental variables (IVs), and the summary level data of genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) were obtained from the UK biobank and FinnGen. MVMR analysis was conducted to explore the mediation effects of body mass index (BMI), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), smoking, education attainment (EA), physical activity, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).ResultsForward UVMR analysis based on the primary method revealed that pneumoconiosis was associated with a higher risk of appendicular lean mass (ALM) (OR = 1.01, p = 0.03), and BMI (10.65%), smoking (10.65%), and physical activity (17.70%) had a mediating role in the effect of pneumoconiosis on ALM. In reverse MR analysis, we found that genetically predicted ALM was significantly associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) (OR = 1.24, p = 7.21E-05). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR = 0.98, p = 0.002) and sarcoidosis (OR = 1.01, p = 0.004) were identified to increase the loss of left-hand grip strength (HGS). Conversely, the increase in left- HGS presented a protective effect on chronic bronchitis (CB) (OR = 0.35, p = 0.03), (OR = 0.80, p = 0.02), and asthma (OR = 0.78, p = 0.04). Similarly, the loss of the right-HGS elevated the risk of low respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (OR = 0.97, p = 0.02) and bronchiectasis (OR = 1.01, p = 0.03), which is also an independent protective factor for LRTI and asthma. In the aspects of low HGS, the risk of LRTI was increased after MVMR analysis, and the risk of sarcoidosis and pneumoconiosis was elevated in the reverse analysis. Lastly, asthma was found to be related to the loss of the usual walking pace, and the reverse MR analysis suggested a causal relationship between the usual walking pace and LRTI (OR = 0.32, p = 2.79 × 10−5), asthma (OR = 0.24, p = 2.09 × 10−6), COPD (OR = 0.22, p = 6.64 × 10−4), and PE(OR = 0.35, p = 0.03).ConclusionsThis data-driven MR analysis revealed SP was bidirectional causally associated with lung diseases, providing genetic evidence for further mechanistic and clinical studies to understand the crosstalk between SP and lung diseases.

Grain gradient in the heat-affected zone acquires an advancement in the ductility of flash-butt welded IN718 alloy

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties are investigated systematically on Flash-butt welded IN718 alloy joint after annealing at 980 °C and subsequent aging. The yield strength (YS) is increased from 667 MPa to 1175 MPa and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is increased from unprocessed 980 MPa to 1412 MPa. A grain gradient distribution is achieved in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) with the grain size gradually increasing from the weld seam (WS) to the matrix after heat treatment, and the ductility of the welded sample is higher than that of the matrix without any loss of strength. The contribution mechanism of grain gradient to ductility is investigated by varying the fraction of the HAZ. The results demonstrate that the ductility of the welded sample higher than that of the matrix is because of the co-deformation between the HAZ and the matrix, which results in the effectively dynamic accumulation of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) from gradient transition zones into the matrix. Therefore, premature stress concentration is prevented and additional ductility is obtained for welded samples. Increasing the fraction of HAZ effectively enhances local strain within coordinated deformation zones, leading to improved ductility.

Withaferin A ameliorates ovarian cancer-induced renal damage through the regulation of expression of inflammatory cytokines

BackgroundCachexia a multifactorial syndrome is a common sequala in patients with cancer. It varies from 42 to 80% depending upon the oncological stage and is directly responsible for 30% of deaths in these patients. Previous research from our laboratory demonstrated that peritoneal ovarian cancer generated in NSG mice resulted in skeletal and cardiac muscle atrophy - leading to loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, and cardiac dysfunction (cachexia). Treatment of mice bearing i.p. tumors with withaferin A (WFA) showed reversal of skeletal muscle and cardiac cachexia. The present study is focused on determining effects of peritoneal ovarian tumors on kidney damage and effects of WFA treatment on ameliorating kidney damage.MethodsWe generated intraperitoneal ovarian cancer by injecting female NSG mice with ovarian cancer cell line (A2780). After one week of injecting cancer cells, mice were treated with WFA (4 mg/kg) every third day, for three weeks. After 4 weeks of injection of cancer cells, the mice were sacrificed and various tissues including kidney and blood were collected, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -800C. The presence of kidney biomarker creatinine, was measured in the plasma by an ELISA. The mRNA was isolated from mouse kidneys and was used to examine the expression levels of signaling proteins, inflammatory cytokines, and genes responsible for inducing cachexia (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, GDF-15, and MYD88).ResultsOur results showed a significant increase in levels of expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-1 β (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.001), TNF-α (p < 0.001), and other related genes including TRAF6 (p < 0.01), MYD88 (p < 0.01), and GDF-15 (p = 0.005) in tumor-bearing mice compared to controls. Treatment of mice bearing tumors with WFA attenuated the increase in expression of each gene. In addition, our results showed a significant increase in creatinine levels in circulation in tumor-bearing mice compared to control mice. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with WFA resulted in a significant decrease in plasma creatinine levels compared to tumor-bearing mice.ConclusionsOur results conclude that ovarian tumors in NSG mice caused kidney damage and renal dysfunction, which was effectively ameliorated by WFA treatment, suggesting a protective effect of WFA on kidney injury induced by ovarian cancer.

Aging Skeletal Muscles: What Are the Mechanisms of Age-Related Loss of Strength and Muscle Mass, and Can We Impede Its Development and Progression?

As we age, we lose muscle strength and power, a condition commonly referred to as sarcopenia (ICD-10-CM code (M62.84)). The prevalence of sarcopenia is about 5–10% of the elderly population, resulting in varying degrees of disability. In this review we emphasise that sarcopenia does not occur suddenly. It is an aging-induced deterioration that occurs over time and is only recognised as a disease when it manifests clinically in the 6th–7th decade of life. Evidence from animal studies, elite athletes and longitudinal population studies all confirms that the underlying process has been ongoing for decades once sarcopenia has manifested. We present hypotheses about the mechanism(s) underlying this process and their supporting evidence. We briefly review various proposals to impede sarcopenia, including cell therapy, reducing senescent cells and their secretome, utilising targets revealed by the skeletal muscle secretome, and muscle innervation. We conclude that although there are potential candidates and ongoing preclinical and clinical trials with drug treatments, the only evidence-based intervention today for humans is exercise. We present different exercise programmes and discuss to what extent the interindividual susceptibility to developing sarcopenia is due to our genetic predisposition or lifestyle factors.

Influence of dislocation cells on hydrogen embrittlement in wrought and additively manufactured Inconel 718

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a major issue for the mechanical integrity of high-strength alloys exposed to hydrogen-rich environments, with diffusion and trapping of hydrogen being critical phenomena. Here, the role of microstructure on hydrogen diffusion, trapping and embrittlement in additively manufactured (AM) and wrought Inconel 718 is compared, revealing the key role played by dislocation cells. Trapping behaviour in hydrogen-saturated alloys is analysed by thermal desorption spectroscopy and numerical simulations. A high density of hydrogen traps in cell walls, attributed to dense dislocations and Laves phases, are responsible for the local accumulation of hydrogen, causing significant loss in strength, and triggering cracking along dislocation cell walls. The influential role of dislocation cells alters fracture behaviour from intergranular in the wrought alloy to intragranular for the AM alloy, due to the large proportion of dislocation cells in AM alloys. In addition, the cellular network of dislocations accelerates hydrogen diffusion, enabling faster and deeper penetration of hydrogen in the AM alloy. These results indicate that the higher HE susceptibility of nickel superalloys is intrinsically associated with the interaction of hydrogen with dislocation walls.

Suppressive Effects of Arriheuk Wheat Sprout Extract on Muscle Atrophy in Dexamethasone-Induced C2C12 Myotubes and a Mouse Model.

Skeletal muscle atrophy refers to the loss of muscle strength and mass due to decreased protein synthesis or increased protein degradation. Various conditions can cause muscle atrophy, including aging, heart disease, chronic illness, obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, diabetes, AIDS, cancer, sepsis, and steroid use. Various natural materials have been studied for the prevention of muscle atrophy. In this study, we found that extracts from the sprouts of purple wheat, Arriheuk, prevented muscle atrophy in vitro and invivo. Arriheuk wheat sprouts extract inhibited the expression of muscle protein breakdown factors, which were increased by dexamethasone, and improved muscle strength. In C2C12 myotubes, Arriheuk wheat sprout extract (ARE) protected against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy by potentiating Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/forkhead box O3 (AMPK/Foxo3) signaling and inhibiting the expression of Atrogin-1, muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), and Myostatin. In addition, the administration of ARE in an animal model of muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone prevented myocardial and muscle strength loss by regulating the expression of muscle atrophy-related factors by affecting AMPK/Foxo3 signaling. Taken together, these results suggest that Arriheuk wheat sprouts extract effectively alleviates muscle atrophy by regulating the synthesis and breakdown of muscle proteins.

A novel approach to predicting liquefaction-induced settlements using Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KANs)

Soil liquefaction refers to the loss of strength and bearing capacity of soil under dynamic loads. Structures built on liquefied soils experience settlement. In this study, the newly developed Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KAN) method, an innovative artificial neural network technique, was utilized to predict liquefaction-induced settlement. The KAN method, which extends beyond the traditional Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) approach, was compared with the Random Forest method for benchmarking purposes. Using data derived from laboratory and field studies, models were constructed using both methods, and their performances were analyzed. According to the results, the KAN model outperformed the RF model in terms of R2, MAE, MSE, and RMSE metrics. Additionally, the feature importance analysis on the KAN model identified cyclic stress ratio (csr) and corrected SPT blow count (n1_60) as the most significant variables. These results underscore the potential of the KAN method in enhancing predictive accuracy and reliability in geotechnical applications, paving the way for its broader acceptance and implementation in real-world scenarios.

Recycling of RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) as aggregate for structural concrete: experimental study on physical and mechanical properties

The replacement of natural aggregate in concrete with artificial and/or recycled one has recently gained attention as meaningful strategy to reduce the environmental impact of structural concrete and promote circular economy principles. This study investigated the possibility to use Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), in the “as received conditions”, as a partial or complete substitution of natural aggregate for structural concrete. RAP aggregate was firstly characterized in terms of grain size distribution, density, assessment of fines, chloride content, moisture content and water absorption. Subsequently, a total of twenty-four concrete mixes were designed, considering two cement types, two w/c ratios and several aggregate substitution percentages. For each mix, properties at the fresh and hardened state were investigated, such as workability, density and total open porosity, compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and electrical resistivity. Results showed that RAP has a good potential to be used in reinforced concrete, provided that different water absorption and moisture content are considered in the mix design. RAP concrete was characterized by a lower density and increased total open porosity; however, an accurate tailoring of the concrete recipe could compensate the strength loss for several applications. Other properties, such as electrical resistivity and the relationship between dynamic modulus of elasticity and compressive strength did not result significantly altered by the presence of RAP.