Exploring the interplay between mechanisms of neuroplasticity and cardiovascular health in aging adults: A multiple linear regression analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Neuroplasticity and cardiovascular health behavior are critically important factors for optimal brain health. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the efficacy of the mechanisms of neuroplasticity and metrics of cardiovascular heath in sedentary aging adults. METHODS: We included thirty sedentary individuals (age = 60.6 ± 3.8 y; 63 % female). All underwent assessments of neuroplasticity, measured by the change in amplitude of motor evoked potentials elicited by single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at baseline and following intermittent Theta-Burst (iTBS) at regular intervals. Cardiovascular health measures were derived from the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test and included Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) at 1-min/2-min after test cessation. We also collected plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and c-reactive protein. RESULTS: We revealed moderate but significant relationships between TMS-iTBS neuroplasticity, and the predictors of cardiovascular health (|r| = 0.38 to 0.53, p < .05). HRR1 was the best predictor of neuroplasticity (ß = 0.019, p = .002). The best fit model (Likelihood ratio = 5.83, p = .016) of the association between neuroplasticity and HRR1 (ß = 0.043, p = .002) was selected when controlling for demographics and health status. VEGF and BDNF plasma levels augmented the association between neuroplasticity and HRR1. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings build on existing data demonstrating that TMS may provide insight into neuroplasticity and the role cardiovascular health have on its mechanisms. These implications serve as theoretical framework for future longitudinal and interventional studies aiming to improve cardiovascular and brain health. HRR1 is a potential prognostic measure of cardiovascular health and a surrogate marker of brain health in aging adults.

Restoring global offset and lower limb length with a 3 offset option double-tapered stem.

BACKGROUND: A proper restoration of hip biomechanics is fundamental to achieve satisfactory outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA). A global hip offset (GO) postoperatively reduction of more than 5 mm was known to impair hip functionality after THA. This study aimed to verify the restoration of the GO radiographic parameter after primary THA by the use of a cementless femoral stem available in three different offset options without length changing. METHODS: From a consecutive series of 201 patients (201 hips) underwent primary cementless THA in our center with a minimum 3-year follow up, 80 patients (80 hips) were available for complete radiographic evaluation for GO and limb length (LL) and clinical evaluation with Harris hip score (HHS). All patients received the same femoral stem with three different offset options (option A with - 5 mm offset, option B and option C with + 5 mm offset, constant for each sizes) without changing stem length. RESULTS: Mean GO significantly increased by + 3 mm (P < 0.05) and mean LL significantly decreased by + 5 mm (P < 0.05) after surgery, meaning that postoperatively the limb length of the operated side increased by + 5 mm. HHS significantly improved from 56.3 points preoperatively to 95.8 postoperatively (P < 0.001). Offset option A was used in 1 hip (1%), B in 59 hips (74%) and C in 20 hips (25%). CONCLUSIONS: The femur is lateralized with a mean of + 5 mm after surgery than, the native anatomy, whatever type of stem was used. Thus, the use of this 3-offset options femoral stem is effective in restoring the native biomechanical hip parameters as GO, even if 2 offset options were considered sufficient to restore GO.

Technologies for Monitoring Lifestyle Habits Related to Brain Health: A Systematic Review.

Brain health refers to the preservation of brain integrity and function optimized for an individual's biological age. Several studies have demonstrated that our lifestyles habits impact our brain health and our cognitive and mental wellbeing. Monitoring such lifestyles is thus critical and mobile technologies are essential to enable such a goal. Three databases were selected to carry out the search. Then, a PRISMA and PICOTS based criteria for a more detailed review on the basis of monitoring lifestyle aspects were used to filter the publications. We identified 133 publications after removing duplicates. Fifteen were finally selected from our criteria. Many studies still use questionnaires as the only tool for monitoring and do not apply advanced analytic or AI approaches to fine-tune results. We anticipate a transformative boom in the near future developing and implementing solutions that are able to integrate, in a flexible and adaptable way, data from technologies and devices that users might already use. This will enable continuous monitoring of objective data to guide the personalized definition of lifestyle goals and data-driven coaching to offer the necessary support to ensure adherence and satisfaction.

Ten-Year Results of Primary and Revision Condylar-Constrained Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Severe Coronal Plane Instability.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review the results at minimum ten years after surgery of a consecutive series of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) performed using a constrained condylar implant in patients with severe coronal plane instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The series comprised of 44 patients (45 knees) who received primary (19 knees) or revision (26 knees) TKA with a constrained condylar implant between 2001 and 2003 at a single institution. RESULTS: There were no revisions or any other surgery related complications at a mean implantation time of 11.0 years. In 38 patients (15 knees in the primary group and 24 knees in the revision group) who were available for clinico-radiographic follow-up at a minimum of ten years, there was no sign of radiographic loosening. Two patients showed cortical hypertrophy at the extension stem tip but none complained of pain around the stem tip. According to the TLKSS score grading, 73% of the patients in the primary group had results categorized as good or excellent, while 54% of the patients in the revision group had fair results. Four patients (one (7%) in the primary group and three (13%) in the revision group) had poor results. The median WOMAC Index was 80.2% (interquartile range: 74.0% - 81.2%) and 74.0% (interquartile range: 72.1% - 75.8%) in the primary and in the revision groups, respectively (p=0.010). CONCLUSION: This study showed satisfactory clinical outcomes with no re-operations at minimum ten years after implantation in patients who had undergone primary or revision TKA with a condylar constrained implant.