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Neuropsychiatric conditions represent a major medical and societal challenge. The etiology of these conditions is very complex and combines genetic and environmental factors. The latter, for example, excessive maternal or early postnatal inflammation, as well as various forms of psychotrauma, often act as triggers leading to mental illness after a prolonged latent period (sometimes years). Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) is an extracellularly and extrasynaptic operating protease that is markedly activated in response to the aforementioned environmental insults. MMP‐9 has also been shown to play a pivotal role in the plasticity of excitatory synapses, which, in its aberrant form, has repeatedly been implicated in the etiology of mental illness. In this conceptual review, we evaluate the experimental and clinical evidence supporting the claim that MMP‐9 is uniquely positioned to be considered a drug target for ameliorating the adverse effects of environmental insults on the development of a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, autism spectrum disorders, addiction, and epilepsy. We also identify specific challenges and bottlenecks hampering the translation of knowledge on MMP‐9 into new clinical treatments for the conditions above and suggest ways to overcome these barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a three-layer system, proposing a comprehensive model of granular mixture transport over a mobile sloped bed in a steady flow. This system, consisting of the bottom, contact, and upper zones, provides complete, continuous sediment velocity and concentration vertical profiles. The aim of this study is to develop and experimentally verify this model for sediment transport over a bottom locally sloping in line with or opposite the direction of sediment flow. The model considers gravity's effect on sediment transport in the bottom (dense) layer when the component of gravity parallel to the bottom acts together with shear stresses associated with water flow. This is a crucial factor often overlooked in previous studies. This effect causes an increase in velocity in the mobile sublayer of the dense layer and significantly affects the vertical distributions of velocity and concentration above this layer. The proposed shear variation due to the interaction between fractions and an intensive sediment mixing and sorting process over a mobile sloped bed adds to the novelty of our approach. The data sets used for the model's validation cover various conditions, including slopes, grain diameters, densities, and grain mobility conditions, from incipient motion to a fully mobilized bed. This extensive validation process instils confidence in the theoretical description and its applicability to real-world scenarios in the design of hydraulic infrastructure, such as dams, barrages, bridges, and irrigation, and flood control systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Biodex System® is an advanced dynamometer used for testing various biomechanical parameters of muscles. Test outcomes allow for the identification of muscle pathology and consequently lead to a clinical diagnosis. Despite being widely used for the testing and rehabilitation of the human musculoskeletal system, no universal and acceptable protocol for wrist examination has been proposed for patients with wrist pathology. In this study, the authors aim to identify the most appropriate protocol for testing the biomechanical parameters of flexors and extensors of the wrist. Materials and Methods: A group of 20 patients with symptomatic tennis elbow and 26 healthy volunteers were examined using three different protocols: isokinetic, isometric and isotonic. Protocol order for each study participant was assigned at random with a minimum of a 24 h break between protocols. All protocol parameters were set according to data obtained from a literature review and an earlier pilot study. Following completion of each protocol, participants filled out a questionnaire-based protocol, assessing pain intensity during the exam, difficulty with exam performance and post-exam muscle fatigue. Results: The isotonic protocol showed the best patient tolerance and the highest questionnaire score. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the three protocols in average pain intensity reported by study participants. All participants completed the isotonic protocol, but not all patients with symptomatic tennis elbow were able to complete the isometric and isokinetic protocols. The isotonic protocol was deemed "difficult but possible to complete" by study participants. Conclusions: The isotonic protocol is most suitable for testing the flexors and extensors of the wrist. It gives the most biomechanical data of all protocols, is well tolerated by patients and rarely causes pain during examination even in symptomatic participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feature of self-cleansing in sewer pipes is a standard requirement in the design of drainage systems, as sediments deposited on the channel bottom cause changes in channel geometric properties and in hydrodynamic parameters, including the friction caused by the cohesive forces of sediment fractions. Here, it is shown that the content of cohesive fractions significantly inhibits the transport of non-cohesive sediments. This paper presents an advanced calculation procedure for estimating flushing flows in channels. This procedure is based on innovative predictive models developed for non-cohesive and granulometrically heterogeneous sediment transport with additional cohesive fraction content to estimate the magnitude of increased flow necessary to ensure self-cleansing of channels. The computations according to the proposed procedure were carried out for a wide range of hydrodynamic conditions, two grain diameters, six cohesive (clay) fraction additive contents and two critical stress values. The trend lines of calculations were composed with the results of experimental studies in hydraulic flumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder affecting over 50 million individuals globally, is characterized by an enduring predisposition and diverse consequences, both neurobiological and social. Acquired epilepsy, constituting 30% of cases, often results from brain-damaging injuries like ischemic stroke. With one third of epilepsy cases being resistant to existing drugs and without any preventive therapeutics for epileptogenesis, identifying anti-epileptogenic targets is crucial. Stroke being a leading cause of acquired epilepsy, particularly in the elderly, prompts the need for understanding post-stroke epileptogenesis. Despite the challenges in studying stroke-evoked epilepsy in rodents due to poor long-term survival rates, in this presented study the use of an animal care protocol allowed for comprehensive investigation. We highlight the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in post-stroke epileptogenesis, emphasizing MMP-9 involvement in mouse models and its potential as a therapeutic target. Using a focal Middle Cerebral Artery occlusion model, this study demonstrates MMP-9 activation following ischemia, influencing susceptibility to seizures. MMP-9 knockout reduces epileptic features, while overexpression exacerbates them. The findings show that MMP-9 is a key player in post-stroke epileptogenesis, presenting opportunities for future therapies and expanding our understanding of acquired epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madelung deformity consists of excessive ulnar and palmar angulation of the distal radius. It may also involve the radiocapitellar joint and the sagittal bow of the radius. Commonly, the disease becomes clinically apparent in young adolescents with wrist deformity, pain and limited range of movement. There are multiple options for operative treatment. We retrospectively assessed a 14-year-old-girl treated in our department. The patient required treatment due to exacerbating pain in both wrists. The left hand underwent resection of the distal ulna; however, persistent pain led to the decision to perform the radiolunate arthrodesis (RL). The right hand was treated according to the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. Three years post-surgery, the patient was called for a follow-up examination. The assessment included measuring the range of motion using a goniometer, grip strength with a dynamometer, and evaluating follow-up wrist X-rays in lateral and posteroanterior views. The patient has also been evaluated using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaires. Three years post-operation, the patient reported the absence of rest pain and occasional pain during loading. With the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure, a greater range of palmar flexion of the wrist and improved strength was achieved. The patient scored 5.83 points on the DASH scale, 9.5 points on the left hand, and 8.5 points on the right hand on the PRWE scale. In this patient’s case, better outcomes were achieved by employing the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. The patient’s right-handedness may have influenced the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]