Medicina
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Background and Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common injuries in athletes, and, accordingly, ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most common orthopedic surgical procedures performed on athletes. This study aims to compare the 6-month post-operative isokinetic knee strength evaluations of the semitendinous/gracilis (ST/G) ACLR technique performed on healthy (HK) and ACLR knees of athletes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 29 athletes from various sports branches who underwent ST/G ACLR technique by the same surgeon were evaluated. ⋯ Conclusions: The findings showed that the ST/G 6-month post-operative isokinetic knee strength in athletes produced high results in HK, and, when evaluated in terms of returning to sports, the H/Q ratios on the ACLR side were sufficient to make the decision to return to sports. It was found that the ACLR side was slower than the HK side in the reciprocal transitions, particularly in the Flx phase. We believe that this results from the deformation of the hamstring muscle after reconstruction of the ST/G ACLR side.
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Background and Objectives: Vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) is a controversial risk factor for cerebral infarction. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of vertebral artery hypoplasia and to evaluate its association with vertebrobasilar cerebrovascular accidents. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Neurology Departments of the Republican Vilnius University Hospital from 2015 to 2020. ⋯ There was no difference in the rates of other risk factors between PCI/VAS patients with and without VAH. Conclusions: Vertebral artery hypoplasia is not a rare finding in individuals without symptoms of cerebrovascular accident, but more frequent in patients with vertebrobasilar cerebral infarction or vertebrobasilar artery syndrome. Vertebral artery hypoplasia can be considered a risk factor for posterior circulation infarction in subjects under 65 years of age.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Immune and Inflammatory Markers in Athletes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Background and Objectives: Probiotic supplementation can prevent and alleviate gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in healthy individuals. Markers released from the site of inflammation are involved in the response to infection or tissue injury. Therefore, we measured the pre-exercise and postexercise levels of inflammation-related markers-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and C-reactive protein (CRP)-in probiotic versus placebo groups to investigate the effects of probiotics on these markers in athletes. ⋯ The subgroups whose blood samples were collected immediately after exercise demonstrated negative changes in their TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant positive changes in the IFN-γ and salivary IgA levels and negative changes in the IL-10 and TNF-α levels. No significant changes in the IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, or CRP levels were observed after probiotic use in athletes.
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Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of postacute rehabilitation duration on the outcome of the functional recovery and patients’ quality of life after the stroke. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients (52 females, 48 males, mean age: 66.5 ± 7.3; range 53 to 79 years) who experienced a stroke (50 with ischemic stroke (IS) and 50 with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)) took part in the study. Patients (treated with postacute rehabilitation measures for six months) were examined after one, three, and six months of postacute rehabilitation. ⋯ Furthermore, there is a statistically significant connection between functional independence and quality of life at all tested times. Conclusion: Patients achieved the highest degree of functional independence after six months. Furthermore, our findings point out that inpatient rehabilitation as well as outpatient rehabilitation are effective in functionality and quality of life improvement after a stroke; thus, both should be emphasized and regularly implemented.
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Background and Objectives: Since the first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure was performed in 2002, advances in technology and refinement of the method have led to its widespread use in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and high surgical risk. We aim to identify the impact of TAVI on the clinical and functional status of patients with severe AS at the one-month follow-up and to identify potential predictors associated with the evolution of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in this category of patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study which included 86 patients diagnosed with severe AS undergoing TAVI treatment. ⋯ Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.001), increase in the left ventricle ejection fraction (p = 0.007) and improvement of diastolic dysfunction (p < 0.001) are echocardiographic parameters with a prognostic role in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI. The pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) (p < 0.001), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (p = 0.020), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) (p < 0.001) and the TAPSE/PASP ratio (p < 0.001) are statistically significant echocardiographic parameters in our study that assess both PH and its associated prognosis in patients undergoing TAVI. Conclusions: PAAT, TAPSE, PASP and the TAPSE/PASP ratio are independent predictors that allow the assessment of PH and its prognostic implications post-TAVI.