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Background: Physical inactivity is a main cause of childhood obesity which tracks into adulthood obesity, making it important to address early in life. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is an evidence-based intervention that has shown good effect on physical activity levels in adults, but has not been evaluated in children with obesity. This project aims to evaluate the prerequisites, determinants, and feasibility of implementing PAP adapted to children with obesity and to explore children's, parents', and healthcare providers' experiences of PAP., Methods: In the first phase of the project, healthcare providers and managers from 26 paediatric clinics in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, will be invited to participate in a web-based survey and a subset of this sample for a focus group study. Findings from these two data collections will form the basis for adaptation of PAP to the target group and context. In a second phase, this adapted PAP intervention will be evaluated in a clinical study in a sample of approximately 60 children with obesity (ISO-BMI > 30) between 6 and 12 years of age and one of their parents/legal guardians. Implementation process and clinical outcomes will be assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 8 and 12 months' follow-up. Implementation outcomes are the four core constructs of the Normalization Process Theory; coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring; and appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of the PAP intervention. Additional implementation process outcomes are recruitment and attrition rates, intervention fidelity, dose, and adherence. Clinical outcomes are physical activity pattern, BMI, metabolic risk factors, health-related quality of life, sleep, and self-efficacy and motivation for physical activity. Lastly, we will explore the perspectives of children and parents in semi-structured interviews. Design and analysis of the included studies are guided by the Normalization Process Theory., Discussion: This project will provide new knowledge regarding the feasibility of PAP for children with obesity and about whether and how an evidence-based intervention can be fitted and adapted to new contexts and populations. The results may inform a larger scale trial and future implementation and may enhance the role of PAP in the management of obesity in paediatric health care in Sweden., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04847271 , registered 14 April 2021., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Patients with eating disorders may experience a severe and enduring course of illness. Treatment outcome for patients provided with inpatient treatment is reported as poor. Research to date has not provided consistent results for predictors of treatment outcome. The aims of the study were to investigate rates of remission at follow-up after inpatient treatment, symptom change from admission to follow-up, and predictors of treatment outcome., Methods: The follow-up sample consisted of 150 female adult former patients (69.4% of all eligible female patients) with eating disorders. Mean age at admission was 21.7 (SD = 4.9) years. Diagnostic distribution: 66% (n = 99) anorexia nervosa, 21.3% (n = 32) bulimia nervosa and 12.7% (n = 19) other specified feeding or eating disorder, including binge eating. Data were collected at admission, discharge and follow-up (mean 2.7 (SD = 1.9) years). Definition of remission was based on the EDE-Q Global score, body mass index and binge/purge behavior. Paired T-tests were performed to investigate change over time. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were estimated to investigate predictors of remission., Results: At follow-up, 35.2% of the participants were classified as in remission. Significant symptom reduction (in all patients) (p <  0.001) and significant increase in body mass index (BMI) (in underweight participants at admission) (p <  0.001) was found. Increased BMI (p <  0.05), the level of core eating disorder symptoms at admission (p <  0.01) and reduced core eating disorder symptoms (p <  0.01) during inpatient treatment were found significant predictors of outcome in the multivariate model., Conclusions: All participants had an eating disorder requiring inpatient treatment. Approximately one-third of all participants could be classified as in remission at follow-up. However, most participants experienced significant symptom improvement during inpatient treatment and the improvements were sustained at follow-up. Increased probability of remission at follow-up was indicated by lower core ED symptoms at admission for all patients, raised BMI during admission for patients with AN, and reduced core ED symptoms during inpatient treatment for all patients. This finding contributes important information and highlights the importance of targeting these core symptoms in transdiagnostic treatment programs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new combined treatment approach using arthrocentesis, hyaluronic acid (HA) injection, mandibular manipulation (MM), and the Twin-Block appliance (TBA) for managing acute anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed. Thirty-seven patients (38 joints) diagnosed with acute ADDwoR were treated with arthrocentesis plus HA combined with MM and TBA in turn from January 2022 to December 2023. The maximum mouth opening (MMO), visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, condyle/disc position were measured and comparatively analyzed at baseline and one week, three and six months post-treatment. Analysis of variance, Dunnett's T3 analysis, and paired samples t-tests were conducted for statistical analyses setting the threshold for statistical significance at P < 0.05. This treatment achieved a success rate of 94.59% (35/37). After one week of treatment, the MMO exhibited a statistically significant improvement, while the VAS pain scores showed a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.001). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that at six months post-treatment, there was a significant forward shift in the condylar position compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.001),alongside a significant backward movement of the disc on the affected side (P < 0.001).The combination of arthrocentesis plus HA, MM, and TBA can effectively relieve clinical symptoms and restore the disc-condylar relationship in patients with acute ADDwoR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 67 year old man with the myasthenic syndrome associated with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma was treated with a new drug, 4-aminopyridine. The muscle weakness showed marked improvement and electrophysiological examinations demonstrated restoration of neuromuscular transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 67 year old man with the myasthenic syndrome associated with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma was treated with a new drug, 4-aminopyridine. The muscle weakness showed marked improvement and electrophysiological examinations demonstrated restoration of neuromuscular transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new drug, 4-aminopyridine, was prepared for use in humans and tested by repeated injections in six patients with myasthenia gravis. The drug caused improvement of muscle strength and neuromuscular transmission as demonstrated by clinical observations and repetitive electrical nerve stimulation. The drug was effective in cases without any other treatment as well as in cases undergoing treatment with anticholinesterases. It is concluded that 4-aminopyridine may be of value as a supplementary drug in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction is one of the most common types of TMJ arthropathy. This single-blinded, randomized clinical study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three different therapeutic methods. Methods: Standard splints (Group 1), modified occlusal splint (Group 2), and conventional physical therapy with exercises (Group 3). A total of 48 patients were randomly assigned by a computer-generated allocation sequence to receive rehabilitation. The outcome was defined as improvements in pain and intermittent locking episodes. The follow-up visits were scheduled as one month and a long-term evaluation at one (T1), two (T2), three (T3), and four years (T4). Magnetic resonance images were also taken to evaluate each patient before treatment and at one year. Image analysis involved the evaluation of morphology and the function of intra-articular structures. Variables such as age, gender, and pre- vs. post-treatment values of VAS and TMJ locks between the three intervention categories were compared for statistical evaluations. p values ≤ 0.05 were taken as being significant. Results: A total of 16 subjects were allocated to each group. At T1, a decrease in pain and TMJ locking episodes was observed, which was maintained throughout the course of the study for four years of follow-ups, with no statistically significant differences. However, there was a tendency for better outcomes in favor of Group 2, with less clicking of the TMJ at opening. Conclusions: The modified mandibular splint seems to be successful as an effective alternative for the management of temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reductions in intermittent locking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Eating disorder recovery is a poorly defined concept, with large variations among researchers’ definitions. Weight maintenance is a key aspect of recovery that remains relatively underexplored in the literature. Understanding the role of weight maintenance may help guide the development of treatments. This paper aims to address this by (1) investigating the factors predicting long-term weight maintenance in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients; (2) exploring differences in predictive factors between adolescent and adult populations; and (3) exploring how weight maintenance is conceptualised in the literature. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines to address our research questions. Five databases were searched and filtered according to our exclusion criteria. Results: From the search, 1059 studies were yielded, and 13 studies were included for review. A range of weight, biological and psychological factors were found to predict weight maintenance among these papers. BMI at admission and discharge from inpatient treatment was the most common predictor among the papers. Few studies investigated biological factors and mixed evidence was found for psychological factors. We found no observable differences between adult and adolescent populations. Finally, weight maintenance was defined and measured differently across studies. Conclusion: This review’s findings can help contribute to a well-rounded understanding of weight maintenance, and ultimately, of recovery. This can help support clinicians in tailoring interventions to improve long-term outcomes in AN. Future research should aim to replicate studies to better understand the relationship between the factors identified and weight maintenance. Level I: Systematic review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is a non-selective blocker of voltage-dependent K+ channels used to improve walking in multiple sclerosis patients, and it may be useful in the treatment of cerebellar diseases. In animal models, 4-AP is used as a convulsant agent. When administered intrahippocampally, 4-AP induces acute local glucose hypermetabolism and significant brain damage, while i.p. administration causes less neuronal damage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single i.p. administration of 4-AP on acute brain glucose metabolism as well as on neuronal viability and signs of neuroinflammation 3 days after the insult. Brain glucose metabolism was evaluated by [18F]FDG PET neuroimaging. [18F]FDG uptake was analyzed based on volumes of interest (VOIs) as well as by voxel-based (SPM) analyses. The results showed that independently of the type of data analysis used (VOIs or SPM), 4-AP induced acute generalized brain glucose hypometabolism, except in the cerebellum. Furthermore, the SPM analysis normalized by the whole brain uptake revealed a significant cerebellar hypermetabolism. The neurohistochemical assays showed that 4-AP induced hippocampal astrocyte reactivity 3 days after the insult, without inducing changes in neuronal integrity or microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Thus, acute brain glucose metabolic and neuroinflammatory profiles in response to i.p. 4-AP clearly differed from that reported for intrahippocampal administration. Finally, the results suggest that the cerebellum might be more resilient to the 4-AP-induced hypometabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydro-viscous clutch has become an inevitable choice for special vehicle transmissions. As a nonlinear dynamic system with large lagging link, its timing performance is affected by input rotational speed, lubricating oil temperature and pressure and other factors. However, from the control perspective, the speed regulation law, formation mechanism control characteristics, global model of hydro-viscous speed control system (HSCS) are unclear. To solve these problems, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the Hydro-viscous Speed Control System (HSCS), focusing on its steady-state and dynamic speed control characteristics. A data-driven model is established to describe the relationship between input rotational speed, output speed, control oil pressure, and lubricating oil temperature. The findings provide a foundation for optimizing HSCS structure and parameters, enhancing the performance and reliability of such systems in special vehicle transmissions and establishing a temperature-speed control system for special vehicle transmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botulinum toxin A (BT-A), a potential neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is known for its ability to prevent the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular synapse, leading to temporary muscle paralysis. BT-A is used for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Several studies have shown mechanisms beyond the inhibition of acetylcholine release for pain control. BT-A inhibits the release of neurotransmitters associated with pain and inflammation, such as glutamate, CGRP, and substance P. Additionally, it would be effective in nerve entrapment leading to neuronal hypersensitivity, which is known as a new pathogenesis of painful conditions. BT-A has been applied to the treatment of a wide variety of neurological disorders. Since 2010, BT-A application has been approved and widely used as a chronic migraine prophylaxis. Moreover, due to its effects on pain through sensory modulation, it may also be effective for other headaches. Several studies using BT-A, at different doses and administration sites for headaches, have shown beneficial effects on frequency and severity. In this review, we provide an overview of using BT-A to treat primary and secondary headache disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent era, the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) commonly known as drones has emerged as a one of the most significant and promising tools which has demonstrated its wide range of implementations variating from commercial domain to the field of defense due to its distinct capabilities such as inspection, surveillance, precision and so forth. Internet connected drones provides a propitious trend that boosts the flying safety, and service qualities of the UAVs where numerous low‐altitude drones winged in different flying regions for executing a precise task such as gathering the real‐time information from the unuttered environment to be interpretated by users. Nevertheless, the open‐access insecure communications in hostile environment, the issues like safety and confidentiality threats, various security concerns such as the leakage of flying courses, identities, position, and gathered data by the drones are upstretched. To address these security concerns, access control mechanism provides a potential service in terms of authentication and key agreement for securing the communication between the individual drones within their respective flying regions. This article introduces a robust, efficient, lightweight, and privacy preserving ECC integrated access control approach by employing digital certificate with considering the high dynamicity and mobility of the drones. The designing of this proposed approach, that is, CLAASC‐IoD is influenced by the aim of inter‐drone and drone‐to‐ground station communication in the IoD paradigm. The detailed analysis of security using probabilistic random oracle model as well as simulation using well‐accepted security verification tool AVISPA and comparative performance evaluation supports the claim of robustness, effectiveness, and proficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, it has become evident that neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain continuously generate new neurons, mainly in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. Although different growth factors have been shown to stimulate neurogenesis in the adult brain, very little is known about the role of neuropeptides in this process. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with pleiotropic effects acting through three receptors to which it has high affinity, namely, PACAP receptor 1 (PAC1), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor 1, and VIP receptor 2. We show that PAC1 is expressed in the neurogenic regions of the adult mouse brain, namely the ventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Cultured neural stem cells isolated from the lateral ventricle wall of adult mice express PAC1 and proliferate in vitro in response to two PAC1 agonists, PACAP and Maxadilan, but not VIP at physiologic concentrations, indicating PAC1 as a mediator of neural stem cell proliferation. Pharmacologic and biochemical characterization of PACAP-induced neural stem cell proliferation revealed the protein kinase C pathway as the principal signaling pathway, whereas addition of epidermal growth factor synergistically enhanced the proliferating effect of PACAP. Further in vitro characterization of the effect of PACAP on neural stem cells showed PACAP capable of stimulating ex novo in vitro formation of multipotent neurospheres with the capacity to generate both neuronal and glial cells. Finally, intracerebroventricular infusion of PACAP increases cell proliferation in the ventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. We conclude that PACAP, through PAC1, is a potent mediator of adult neural stem cell proliferation., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Four cases are described to demonstrate the extrapyramidal clinical syndrome sometimes appearing in chronic amphetamine users. The symptoms are dominated by choreiform or athetoid movements, ataxia and disturbances of gait. The syndrome develops during amphetamine abuse and may be observed also during abstinence. The symptoms usually disappear within a week when the drug is discontinued, but may remain for years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and histological changes in TMJs with disc displacement., Method: Samples from capsules and posterior disc attachments from 27 TMJ pain patients who underwent surgery were compared with samples from seven asymptomatic persons., Results: On logistic regression analysis, retrodiscal tissues from the painful joints demonstrated a significantly higher density of fibroblasts, presence of narrowed and obliterated arterial lumens, and a significantly lower distribution of elastic fibers., Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a difference between painful and asymptomatic joints at the microscopic level.

Purpose: This study compares the histologic features of the lateral capsule and lateral and central posterior disc attachment of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in young and elderly persons., Material and Methods: Samples were removed from 36 joints belonging to young persons (mean age, 30 years; age range, 16 to 39 years) and 29 joints belonging to elderly persons (mean age, 69 years; age range, 58 to 78 years). Twelve joints from elderly persons had altered disc position, whereas none of the young joints had this condition. Six-micrometer-thick sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the Fränkel method (for elastic fibers). Logistic regression analysis using a likelihood-ratio test was applied for comparisons between groups and to avoid the confounding effect of differences in disc position and gender., Results: A significantly lower density of fibroblasts was observed in elderly persons in all the three areas investigated. In addition, elderly persons demonstrated a significantly lower distribution of vascular tissue and a significantly higher presence of dense connective tissue in the central third of the posterior disc attachment., Conclusion: This study shows that retrodiscal tissues, which may eventually function as an articular disc during altered disc position, are susceptible to age-related connective tissue changes.

The purpose of this autopsy study was to test the hypotheses that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrosis is more common in women than in men, increases with age, and is more common in edentulous persons than in those with natural teeth. Two hundred forty-eight TMJs removed at autopsy from 224 fresh cadavers were investigated macroscopically with dissection or cryosectioning. Age was found to be a significant factor in prediction of TMJ arthrosis (p < 0.001) and of disk perforation (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between morphologic changes in the TMJ and the factor of sex for the whole group. Disk displacement and disk perforation were, however, more common in the joints of women than men in the group of persons 80 years of age or older (p < 0.05). There were significant associations (p < 0.001) between arthrosis, disk displacement, disk deformation, and disk perforation. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of morphologic changes in the joints from persons with 10 or more natural teeth in each jaw compared with those from persons without natural teeth. The results of this study showed that TMJ arthrosis is more frequent in older than in younger persons. TMJ disk displacement generally appears necessary for the development of perforations. The findings of this study indicate that sex and dentition are not major factors for the development of TMJ pathosis in elderly individuals.

Comparisons among several temporomandibular joint autopsy studies indicate that the frequency of arthrosis and disk displacement is higher in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to investigate type, frequency, and location of morphologic changes in temporomandibular joint autopsy specimens divided into two groups according to age and to determine the differences between the two groups. For this purpose 68 temporomandibular joints were removed from 37 persons at autopsy. Group I (young) consisted of 36 specimens belonging to 19 persons with a mean age of 30 years (range, 16 to 39 years). Group II (elderly) consisted of 32 specimens from persons with a mean age of 68 years (range, 55 to 78 years). Significant differences between the two groups were observed with respect to several of the morphologic changes that were evaluated. The results of this study suggest that the frequency of morphologic changes such as deviation in form, arthrosis, perforations, disk displacement, disk deformation, and adhesions is higher in the temporomandibular joints of elderly persons.

Numerous temporomandibular joint autopsy studies have been presented in the literature for the last two decades, but signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders before death were not available. To investigate the clinical significance of morphologic changes in the temporomandibular joint, 19 persons were clinically examined for signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. The temporomandibular joints were subsequently analyzed macroscopically at autopsy and statistically associated with history and clinical findings. The average time between clinical examination and autopsy was 12 months. Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were not common findings for these persons. Morphologically, 31 of the 34 joints showed different forms of changes such as deviation in form, arthrosis, disk displacement, disk deformation, and adhesions. Crepitation showed a significant association with arthrosis. It was concluded that the association between pain and dysfunction and joint morphology is complex and gross morphologic alterations can be present in the absence of temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction.

Thirty-three patients with an arthrographically documented anterior disk displacement without reduction were randomly assigned to be treated with upper joint space lavage or to serve as controls in an 8-week clinical trial. Pain was evaluated by the patients on a visual analog scale at rest and after chewing gum. The clinical examination followed a standardized protocol. Improvements in pain and mouth opening were found in both the lavage and control group after 8 weeks, but there were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups. It was concluded that upper joint space lavage after arthrography seems to be ineffective to decrease pain and to increase mouth opening in patients with anterior disk displacement without reduction.

An estimated 8 to 15% of women, and 3 to 10% of men currently suffer from Temporomandibular disorders, and it has been reported that sounds are a common finding and have been observed in 28% to 50% of the adult population; sounds are almost always connected to "internal derangements" a condition in which the articular disk displaced from its position on the mandibular condyle. Due to the multifactorial etiology of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, any accurate diagnosis based on clinical examination alone often proves to be difficult, so a clinical examination should be utilized together with other imaging methods to determine the relationship between the disk and condyle before and after treatment. In general, management of temporomandibular joint-related conditions is necessary when pain or dysfunction is present, so many surgical or nonsurgical methods of treatment have been reported. The Occlusal splint is 1 of the most widespread treatment it induces a slight vertical condylar distraction and eliminates the occlusal factor, which can be responsible for Temporomandibular joint disturbances, removing the influence of the teeth on the joint position by the slight distraction of the joint which, in turn, enables damaged connective tissue to heal., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

A flat occlusal splint has been extensively used in the treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disk displacement without reduction, but no studies with untreated controls have assessed its effect. We randomly assigned 51 patients with temporomandibular joint pain and arthrographically verified disk displacement without reduction to be treated with a flat occlusal splint or to serve as untreated control subjects in a 12-month clinical trial. Pain symptoms disappeared in about one third of the patients in each group. Another third of the patients in the control group improved. Sixteen percent of the patients in the control group and 40% of the patients treated with a flat occlusal splint were worse at the end than at the beginning of the study. Joint pain and muscle tenderness decreased more frequently in the nontreatment controls than in the treatment group. A statistically significant benefit of a flat occlusal splint over nontreatment control subjects could not be identified in this study of patients with painful disk displacement without reduction. The use of a flat occlusal splint in this patient group should therefore be reconsidered.

We reviewed the literature from 1985 to 1996 concerning the preliminary treatment of disc dislocation with reduction (DDWR) by means of occlusal splints, pinpointing two main methods. The conflicting results of many papers induced us to make a literature meta‐analysis of those articles with the necessary requirements in order to verify the effectiveness of the two therapeutic means more frequently used in DDWR; the repositioning splint and the bite plane. A statistical comparison between the two kinds of treatment has demonstrated that the repositioning splint is more effective both in the resolution of the articular click and of the pain at a level of P ≤ 0·00001, which is noteworthy and highly significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the frequency and distribution of clinical signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement in an adult non-TMJ patient population. Four hundred three persons who participated in an epidemiologic investigation were examined for clinical signs of TMJ internal derangement by four examiners who followed a standardized form. Clinical signs of internal derangement were found in 76 persons (19%). Twenty-nine persons (7%) had reciprocal clicking and 47 (12%) had a history of clicking replaced by limitation of mouth opening with deviation to the affected side. Reciprocal clicking was associated with TMJ pain during mouth opening and with limitation of jaw movement. A history of clicking replaced by limitation of mouth opening with deviation to the affected side was associated with pain during mouth opening, limitation of opening, and palpatory tenderness of the TMJ. The study indicates that clinical signs of TMJ internal derangement are present in nearly one fifth of non-TMJ patients. Those with clinical signs of internal derangement frequently also have subjective symptoms but they have not sought treatment for these symptoms.

Low-intensity light beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), commonly known as vortex beams, have garnered significant attention due to promising applications in areas ranging from optical trapping to communication. In recent years, there has been a surge in global research exploring the potential of high-intensity vortex laser beams and specifically their interactions with plasmas. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in this area. Compared with conventional laser beams, intense vortex beams exhibit unique properties such as twisted phase fronts, OAM delivery, hollow intensity distribution, and spatially isolated longitudinal fields. These distinct characteristics give rise to a multitude of rich phenomena, profoundly influencing laser-plasma interactions and offering diverse applications. The paper also discusses future prospects and identifies promising general research areas involving vortex beams. These areas include low-divergence particle acceleration, instability suppression, high-energy photon delivery with OAM, and the generation of strong magnetic fields. With growing scientific interest and application potential, the study of intense vortex lasers is poised for rapid development in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation with expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in several neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory conditions and may cause neurochemical changes to endogenous neuroprotective systems. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are two neuropeptides with well-established protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Yet, whether PACAP and VIP levels are altered in mice with CNS-restricted, astrocyte-targeted production of IL-6 (GFAP-IL6) remains unknown. In this study, PACAP/VIP levels were assessed in the brain of GFAP-IL6 mice. In addition, we utilised bi-genic GFAP-IL6 mice carrying the human sgp130-Fc transgene (termed GFAP-IL6/sgp130Fc mice) to determine whether trans-signalling inhibition rescued PACAP/VIP changes in the CNS. Transcripts and protein levels of PACAP and VIP, as well as their receptors PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2, were significantly increased in the cerebrum and cerebellum of GFAP-IL6 mice vs. wild type (WT) littermates. These results were paralleled by a robust activation of the JAK/STAT3, NF-κB and ERK1/2MAPK pathways in GFAP-IL6 mice. In contrast, co-expression of sgp130Fc in GFAP-IL6/sgp130Fc mice reduced VIP expression and activation of STAT3 and NF-κB pathways, but it failed to rescue PACAP, PACAP/VIP receptors and Erk1/2MAPK phosphorylation. We conclude that forced expression of IL-6 in astrocytes induces the activation of the PACAP/VIP neuropeptide system in the brain, which is only partly modulated upon IL-6 trans-signalling inhibition. Increased expression of PACAP/VIP neuropeptides and receptors may represent a homeostatic response of the CNS to an uncontrolled IL-6 synthesis and its neuroinflammatory consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare computed tomography (CT) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by using texture analysis (TA) to detect condylar bone marrow changes associated with the flattening and erosion of cortical bone. A total of 47 patients from the Dentomaxillofacial Radiology Division at São Paulo State University were evaluated. Images from 250 CT and 250 MRI images were assessed by experienced radiologists employing OnDemand3D software. Texture parameters were extracted with MaZda software (version 4.6), and we focused on regions of interest within the condyles. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in texture parameters between the affected and control groups. CT images showed higher correlation values in cases of flattening, whereas MRI images demonstrated substantial changes in texture parameters for both flattening and erosion. These findings suggest that the texture analysis of CT and MRI images can effectively detect early and advanced degenerative changes in the TMJ, thus providing valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiology and aiding in early intervention and treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out a comparison of the neuromuscular and clinical effects produced by electrostimulation therapies, as an adjuvant to the use of occlusal splints (removable muscle relaxation apparatus) in patients with temporomandibular disorders In this simple randomized clinical trial, 91 patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group A (GA) received transcutaneous electrostimulation therapy and an occlusal splint, Group B (GB) received percutaneous electrostimulation therapy and an occlusal splint, and Group C (GC) received an occlusal splint. The neuromuscular activity, as well as the signs and symptoms of each patient, were evaluated every week throughout the treatment (T0 = baseline; T1 = 7 days; T2 = 14 days; T3 = 21 days; T4 = 28 days; and T5 = 35 days). Pain was measured with a visual analog scale, and neuromuscular electrical activity was determined by the root mean square of the masseter muscles through the use of a UNAM-CINVESTAV 1.2 electromyograph. Comparisons were made using ANOVA for repeated measures (p-value = 0.05). The comparison between the groups determined that muscle fatigue (p-value = 0.001), joint pain (p-value = 0.009), and muscle pain (p-value = 0.003) decreased to a greater extent, and in the short term for the group treated with transcutaneous electrostimulation therapy as an adjuvant to the use of the occlusal splint. The comparison between the groups determined that muscle fatigue (p-value = 0.001), joint pain (p-value = 0.009), and muscle pain (p-value = 0.003) decreased to a greater extent and in a shorter term in the GA (calculation therapy, transcutaneous electrostimulation) and GB (occlusal splint). Transcutaneous electrostimulation is a feasible and faster alternative that was accepted by most of the patients for treating temporomandibular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]