Hamstrings on focus: Are 72 hours sufficient for recovery after a football (soccer) match? A multidisciplinary approach based on hamstring injury risk factors and histology.

This study aimed to assess acute and residual changes in sprint-related hamstring injury (HSI) risk factors after a football (soccer) match, focusing on recovery within the commonly observed 72-h timeframe between elite football matches. We used a multifactorial approach within a football context, incorporating optical and ultrastructural microscopic analysis of BFlh (biceps femoris long head) muscle fibres, along with an examination of BFlh fibre composition. Changes in sprint performance-related factors and HSI modifiable risk factors were examined until 3 days after the match (MD +3) in 20 football players. BFlh biopsy specimens were obtained before and at MD +3 in 10 players. The findings indicated that at MD +3, sprint-related performance and HSI risk factors had not fully recovered, with notable increases in localized BFlh fibre disruptions. Interestingly, match load (both external and internal) did not correlate with changes in sprint performance or HSI risk factors nor with BFlh fibre disruption. Furthermore, our study revealed a balanced distribution of ATPase-based fibre types in BFlh, with type-II fibres associated with sprint performance. Overall, the results suggest that a 72-h recovery period may not be adequate for hamstring muscles in terms of both HSI risk factors and BFlh fibre structure following a football match.

Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis for Inferring Molecular Players in Inclusion Body Myositis.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an acquired inflammatory myopathy affecting proximal and distal muscles that leads to weakness in patients over 50. It is diagnosed based on clinical and histological findings in muscle related to inflammation, degeneration, and mitochondria. In relation to IBM, a shortage of validated disease models and a lack of biomarkers and effective treatments constitute an unmet medical need. To overcome these hurdles, we performed an omics analysis of multiple samples from IBM patients (saliva, fibroblasts, urine, plasma, and muscle) to gain insight into the pathophysiology of IBM. Degeneration was evident due to the presence of amyloid ß peptide 1-42 (Aß1-42) in the saliva of the analyzed IBM patients. The presence of metabolic disarrangements in IBM was indicated by an imbalanced organic acid profile in fibroblasts and urine. Specifically, abnormal levels of L-pyroglutamic and orotic acid were supported by the abnormal expression of related metabolites in plasma and urine (glutathione and pyrimidines) and the aberrant expression of upstream gene regulators (L2HGDH, IDH2, OPLAH, and ASL) in muscle. Combined levels of L-pyroglutamic and orotic acid displayed an outstanding biomarker signature in urine with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The confirmation of systemic metabolic disarrangements in IBM and the identification of novel biomarkers reported herein unveil novel insights that require validation in larger cohorts.

Dermatomyositis unleashed by immune checkpoint inhibitors. Three additional cases and a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of several locally advanced and metastatic tumors. They enhance the effector function of the immune system, consequently leading to different immune-related adverse events. The aim of the present study was to describe three cases of dermatomyositis (DM) triggered by ICI diagnosed at our institution and to perform a review of the literature. METHODS: We performed a retrospective clinical, laboratory, and pathological evaluation of three cases of DM triggered by ICI belonging to a cohort of 187 DM patients from the Clinic Hospital Muscle Research Group of Barcelona from January 2009 to July 2022. Moreover, we undertook a narrative review of the literature from January 1990 to June 2022. RESULTS: Cases from our institution were triggered by avelumab, an anti-PD-1 ligand (PD-L1), nivolumab, and pembrolizumab, both anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1). One of these patients had locally advanced melanoma, and two had urothelial carcinoma. The severity and response to treatment were heterogeneous among the different cases. All were positive at high titers for anti-TIF1γ autoantibodies; in one of them, serum before the onset of ICI was available, and anti-TIF1γ autoantibodies were already present. RNA expression of IFNB1, IFNG and genes stimulated by these cytokines were markedly elevated in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, data from our patients and the narrative review suggest that early positivity to anti-TIF1γ unleashed by ICI may play a role in the development of full-blown DM, at least in some cases.