Trunk Muscle Activity and Ratio of Local Muscle to Global Muscle Activity during Supine Bridge Exercises under Unstable Conditions in Young Participants with and without Chronic Low Back Pain.

Core exercises on an unstable surface increase trunk muscle activity, especially for local muscle groups. Therefore, there is a possibility that exercises on an unstable surface would be effective in the rehabilitation of non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). The present study assessed trunk muscle activities during bridge exercise on the floor and two kinds of unstable surfaces, i.e., a balance ball and the BOSU, for individuals with and without NSCLBP. This study enrolled 17 and 18 young participants with and without NSCLBP, respectively. In the balance ball condition, both groups showed a significant increase in erector spinae activity compared to the floor condition, and the increase in activity was significantly greater in the NSCLBP group than in the control group (p = 0.038). On the other hand, neither group showed significant changes in trunk muscle activities in the BOSU condition compared to those in the floor condition. The control group showed a significant increase in internal oblique/transversus abdominis activity under the balance ball condition (p = 0.020), whereas there were no significant changes in these muscle activities between the balance ball and floor conditions in the NSCLBP group. The present study showed that participants with NSCLBP significantly increased muscle activity of the erector spinae, one of the global back muscles, on the balance ball in spite of small effects on muscle activity of the internal oblique/transversus abdominis, which is one of the local abdominal muscles. Therefore, attention should be paid to the application of bridge exercises on the balance ball for individuals with NSCLBP.

Time-course changes in active stiffness of the supraspinatus muscle after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the time-course changes in the active stiffness of the supraspinatus muscle after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. METHODS: Eight male patients (mean age 61.5 ± 9.4 years) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for small to medium tears were recruited for this study. Movement tasks included 30° shoulder isometric abduction and maximal voluntary isometric contraction of shoulder abduction in the scapular plane. The stiffness of the supraspinatus (anterior superficial, anterior deep, posterior superficial, and posterior deep regions), upper trapezius, and middle deltoid muscles in bilateral shoulders was recorded using ultrasound shear wave elastography. For each subject, the measurement was performed preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The stiffness of the affected anterior superficial region of the supraspinatus muscle 12 months postoperatively was significantly higher than that measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05); it was significantly higher at 6 months postoperatively than at 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05). Further, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction had significantly improved 12 months postoperatively compared to that measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05). The stiffness of the affected upper trapezius and middle deltoid muscles 12 months postoperatively was significantly lower than that preoperatively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The maximal voluntary isometric contraction 12 months postoperatively possibly increased because of improvement in the active stiffness of the anterior superficial region. Active stiffness of the anterior superficial region may improve 6 months rather than 3 months postoperatively because of the different stages of muscle force, structural repair tendon strength, and remodeling.

Inhibitory effects of compounds isolated from the dried branches and leaves of murta (Myrceugenia euosma) on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

As obesity is a global health concern the demand for anti-obesity drugs is high. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of the dried branches and leaves of murta (Myrceugenia euosma Legrand, Myrtaceae). A methanol extract of the dried branches and leaves of murta inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Three known flavanones-cryptostrobin (1), pinocembrin (4), and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone (6), and three chalcones-2',6'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-4'-methoxychalcone (2), pinostrobin chalcone (3), and 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (5) were isolated from the active fraction. Structures of these compounds were identified using various spectral data. Each of these compounds also inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. In particular, compound 3 was a more potent inhibitor of triglyceride accumulation than the positive control berberine. Gene expression studies revealed that treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with 3 lowers the expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α and peroxisome proliferator activator γ2 during adipogenesis without affecting cell viability. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with 3 reduced the expression levels of mRNAs encoding sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c and several lipogenic enzymes, including fatty acid synthase and stearoyl CoA desaturase-1. These results indicate that the methanol extract and compounds isolated from the dried branches and leaves of murta exert their anti-obesity effects through the inhibition of adipogenesis.

Reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Cognitive Behavioral Rating Scale for stroke patients.

The aim of this study was to explore the reliability, validity, and factor structure of a newly developed Cognitive Behavioral Rating Scale (CBRS), designed to assess cognitive function through observation. The study included 180 stroke patients and 58 orthopedic patients. The CBRS and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were administered. Data on discharge disposition were also collected. The inter-rater reliability, construct validity, concurrent validity, predictive validity, and factor structure of the CBRS were evaluated. The interclass correlation coefficient was 0.736 (P<0.0001). Cronbach's α for the CBRS was 0.92. Patients with stroke showed a significantly higher total CBRS score than those with orthopedic problems (P<0.0001). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) was -0.70 (P<0.01) for the total FIM score and the CBRS, and -0.72 (P<0.01) for the cognitive FIM and the CBRS. The return-to-home group had a significantly lower CBRS total score than the not-to-home group (P<0.01). The CBRS comprised three factors: (i) 'language and performance', (ii) 'control of performance', and (iii) 'space-self relation.' The CBRS appears to have a high reliability and validity for the assessment of cognitive function.

Monoterpene glucosides from Ziziphora clinopodioides (Labiatae).

Three new monoterpene glucosides, ziziphoroside A (1), B (2), and C (3), together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the whole herb of Z. clinopodioides. The structures of new compounds were determined primarily from 1D-, 2D-NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ activated macrophages, RAW 264.7. Shizonepetoside A (8) and flavones (11, 12, 13) showed potent inhibitory activity against NO production.