A Systematic Review of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in an Osteoarthritic Population.

OBJECTIVE: To explore physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) in individuals with lower limb (LL) Osteoarthritis (OA) and the influence of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) on these behaviors. DESIGN: Systematic review search: PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception until July 2023. Study criteria: Studies that reported quantifiable device-based or self-reported data for PA and SB variables in adults clinically diagnosed with LL OA were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: A synthesis of PA and SB levels for those diagnosed with LL OA and the influence age, sex, and BMI have on these behaviors. RESULTS: From the 1930 studies identified through the electronic search process, 48 met the inclusion criteria. PA guidelines were met by 33% of the sample population that measured moderate and moderate to vigorous PA. No studies reported 75 minutes per week or more of vigorous PA. Additionally, 58% of the population reporting SB were sedentary for 8 hours per day or more. Also, increasing age, BMI, and the female sex were identified as negative influences on PA levels. There were numerous methodological inconsistencies in how data were collected and reported, such as various activity monitor cut points for PA and SB bout duration. CONCLUSION: Adults with LL OA may be at an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases due to low PA and high SB levels. It is important to consider age, sex, and BMI when investigating behavior patterns in those with LL OA.

Morphological and functional outcomes of operatively treated Achilles tendon ruptures.

Objectives: Achilles tendon rupture leads to functional impairments and these may be underpinned by morphological changes in the muscle-tendon unit. The functional performance of the injured limb will be impaired regardless of time since surgery and these impairments occur alongside changes in muscle-tendon morphology. Methods: Following operative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture and short-term immobilization, 12 patients completed a battery of tests during a single visit to the laboratory (performed an average of 4.4 ± 2.6 years post-surgery). Patients completed the Achilles' tendon rupture score (ATRS), tests of the ankle and hip range of motion (ROM) and ultrasound measurements of muscle-tendon architecture. Data on isokinetic (30°/s, 60°/s) plantar flexion strength, jumping performance and walking-running were also collected on the same visit. Percentage deficits were expressed relative to the non-injured limb and determined for statistical significance (p < 0.05). Relationships between outcome measures and time since surgery were tested using Pearson's correlation coefficients (p < 0.05). Results: The repaired limb showed a shorter muscle fascicle length (12.1-19.6%), increased fascicle pennation (18.0 ± 22.14%) and reduced muscle thickness (9.1-20.1%) in the gastrocnemius and/or soleus along with greater tendon cross-sectional area (46.7 ± 34.47%). Functionally, the repaired limb displayed lower countermovement jump height (-12.6 ± 15.68%) and longer drop jump contact times (5.5 ± 5.7%). Also, the repaired limb showed reduced hip internal-external ROM (6.3 ± 8.2%) but no differences existed between limbs for plantar flexion ROM and strength or gait characteristics. Good ATRS outcomes were reported (mean: 87.9 ± 16.2, range: 43-100) which related to time since surgery (r = 0.79) but individual ATRS items did not correlate with corresponding objective measures. Conclusion: Plantar flexor atrophy following surgically treated Achilles tendon rupture is partially compensated for by remodeling of the fascicles; however, impairments may still persist many years into the postoperative period although these may be more pronounced in high-velocity activities.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in 510 Finnish non--small-cell lung cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Among the driver gene mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer, mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are the most important because of their predictive role in selecting patients eligible for targeted therapy. Our aim was to study EGFR mutations in a Finnish non-small-cell lung cancer cohort of 528 patients. METHODS: Mutation testing was conducted on DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tumor material using the following real-time polymerase chain reaction-based kits: Therascreen EGFR PCR Kit and cobas EGFR Mutation Test. RESULTS: EGFR mutation frequency was 11.4% and all positive cases were adenocarcinomas, of which a majority had an acinar predominant pattern. Mutations were seen significantly more often in females and never-smokers than in males and smokers. The most frequent mutations were L858R in exon 21 and deletions in exon 19. Overall survival of the patients, not treated with EGFR inhibitor, did not differ between EGFR mutation-positive and EGFR mutation-negative patients. CONCLUSION: EGFR mutation profile in this Finnish non-small-cell lung cancer cohort resembles in many respect with that of other Western European cohorts, even though the overall frequency of mutations is slightly higher. We show the occurrence of EGFR mutations in patients with occupational asbestos exposure and also in those diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who have not been often investigated before.