Skeletal muscle is the largest metabolic and motor organ in the human body. It facilitates daily movement and maintains posture through contraction. It also acts as a core tissue for energy metabolism by participating in glucose uptake, lipid oxidation, and thermogenesis. Thus, it plays a vital role in regulating systemic metabolic homeostasis. Under physiological conditions, skeletal muscle maintains a dynamic regulatory network to coordinate multiple cellular processes for tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis selectively removes damaged myonuclei and maintains myofiber structural integrity. Necroptosis prevents excessive inflammatory responses. Autophagy degrades abnormal proteins and organelles to ensure cytoplasmic quality control. Additionally, pyroptosis supports immune surveillance. In pathological states, abnormal activation of cell death programs occurs. These include apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. Such dysregulation can lead to myonuclear loss, myofiber atrophy, and fibrosis. While previous reviews have often focused on individual cell death pathways, this review provides a novel, integrated perspective by systematically outlining the roles and regulatory mechanisms of multiple death modalities in skeletal muscle. The interactions and balances among these pathways collectively determine muscle fate. We further discuss the implications of this network across various pathological contexts, such as muscular dystrophy, sarcopenia, and sepsis-induced atrophy. Finally, we identify promising therapeutic targets arising from this integrated view and discuss the challenges and future directions for translating these findings into clinical strategies. This review provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of skeletal muscle-related diseases.

Acute sleep deprivation significantly impacts cognitive function, contributes to accidents, and increases the risk of chronic illnesses, underscoring the need for reliable and objective diagnosis. Our work aims to develop a machine learning-based approach to discriminate between EEG recordings from acutely sleep-deprived individuals and those that are well-rested, facilitating the objective detection of acute sleep deprivation and enabling timely intervention to mitigate its adverse effects.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading global cause of mortality, with hypertension (HT) being a significant contributor, responsible for 56% of CVD-related deaths. Masked hypertension (MHT), a condition where patients exhibit normotensive blood pressure (BP) in clinical settings but elevated BP in out-of-clinic measurements, poses an elevated risk for cardiovascular complications and often goes undiagnosed. Current diagnostic methods, such as ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and home BP monitoring (HBPM), have limitations in feasibility and accessibility.

Conduction system pacing, including His bundle pacing and left bundle branch area pacing, has emerged as a physiological alternative to biventricular pacing (BiVP) for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). BiVP benefits patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), but outcomes in non-LBBB morphologies are inconsistent. We synthesised the evidence for CSP in heart failure patients with non-LBBB conduction patterns.

Mandibular advancement serves as a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but its effectiveness differs among patients. The position of the hyoid bone is crucial for maintaining upper airway patency and may influence mandibular advancement outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of surgical hyoid re-positioning on mandibular advancement-induced changes in upper airway collapsibility in an animal model.

The association between hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (hIRI) in steatotic livers and subsequent acute kidney injury (AKI) is well established. Ferroptosis plays a critical role in fatty liver IRI. However, whether ferroptosis also contributes to secondary AKI following hIRI remains unclear.

This study aimed to compare inter-limb asymmetry in balance, jumping and strength between male and female basketball players aged 14-15 years old.

This study systematically investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and lung function, incorporating Z-scores, thereby offering a novel approach to lung function management.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and substantial healthcare costs. Peripheral insulin resistance, involving interconnected dysregulation of multiple organs, is considered a major driver of T2D. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are suggested as mediators of this dysregulation based on their properties in intercellular communication. Given the role of skeletal muscle in glucose metabolism, the content of skeletal muscle-derived EVs may provide insights into mechanisms of T2D. To examine this, myotubes from severely obese female T2D donors and matched women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were cultured. Small EVs (sEVs) were isolated by differential centrifugation and filter columns and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The micro-RNA (miR) content of sEV was analyzed via Affymetrix microarray, while proteins were detected by LC-MS/MS. No group differences were found in sEV concentration, size, or EV-marker levels. In total, 495 proteins were detected in the sEVs, of which 55 were unique to the T2D group and 2 to the NGT group. Principal component analysis showed distinct clustering, demonstrating clearly different protein profiles. Quantification of the protein cargo revealed 194 proteins with significantly higher levels and 21 with significantly lower levels in the T2D group. While 208 miRs were detected, no significant group differences were observed. However, 40 miRs were unique to the T2D group and 5 to the NGT group. Pathway analysis of protein and miR data revealed associations with EV-related mechanisms such as exocytosis and protein homeostasis, as well as T2D-relevant pathways including some involved in glucose metabolism, inositol metabolism, and extracellular matrix organization. In conclusion, myotube-derived sEVs from severely obese female donors with or without T2D showed distinct proteome-profiles, however, no differences were observed in the miR content. Other sEV characteristics were similar between the groups.

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) impairs peri-ankle strength and balance. While blood flow restriction training (BFRT) enhances muscle strength, hypertrophy, and activation, its efficacy in CAI remains uncertain, warranting this systematic review.

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) remains a major global health issue with rising morbidity and mortality. Blood flow restoration can worsen damage to oxygen-deprived cardiac tissue. This research aimed to identify hub genes linked to MIRI across various reperfusion stages, offering potential diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets.

Successful organ transplantation depends on several factors, including donor and recipient sex and age. Experimental data show that donor inflammatory status can be influenced by sex hormones, and, after brain death, there are significant differences in organ quality. Sex hormones also influence the immune system during different life stages, for example, during menopause there is a significant reduction in estrogen levels. Thus, the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the steroid profile of human donors after brain death. We performed a retrospective observational case-control study and selected samples from living (LD) and brain-dead (BD) donors from the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study. Donors were stratified by age as Young (Y) from 20-40 years and Old (O), older than 55 years. Serum steroidal hormones from one hundred donors were analysed through LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). In BD-females, cortisol and estradiol decreased significantly ( = 0.0001) in both age groups when compared to LD. However, an increase in progesterone was seen after BD for older donors ( = 0.0001). In BD-males, cortisol decreased significantly in both age ( = 0.0001) groups when compared to LD. For testosterone, the results were similar as BD decreased the steroid levels (p = 0.0001) compared to LD in both age groups. In conclusion, our results indicate that steroid hormone levels decrease after brain death.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics on the growth performance, immune function, and gut health in turkeys. A total of 180 turkeys were allocated into four dietary groups: basal diet (control group); basal diet supplemented with 1.0 × 108 CFU/g acidophilus and 1.0 × 108 CFU/g (Probiotic group); basal diet supplemented with 1% inulin and 0.5% Mannan oligosaccharides (Prebiotic group) or basal diet supplemented with both prebiotic and probiotic mixtures (Synbiotic group), and fed for 12 weeks. Growth performance was evaluated at 4-10 weeks (phase 1) and 10-16 weeks (phase 2), then blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of the study to assess immunological, biochemical parameters, and intestinal morphometry. Compared to the control group, the body weight gain of the probiotics and synbiotic groups were significantly higher at phase 2 (P < 0.05), and this persisted with synbiotic supplementation during the overall phase (P = 0.05). Similarly, the feed intake of turkeys during the overall phase was improved in the probiotic, prebiotics and synbiotics groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Carcass yield remained unaffected, but the spleen and bursa weights were significantly higher in the probiotics and synbiotic groups (P < 0.05). Blood analysis revealed elevated white blood cell counts and total cholesterol in turkeys fed probiotic, prebiotics and synbiotics relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Duodenal morphology showed no significant differences among treatment groups, whereas, the counts were significantly higher in probiotics and synbiotics-fed turkeys compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Crude protein digestibility was higher with prebiotics and synbiotics supplementation, and the probiotic diet further increased nitrogen retention in turkeys (P < 0.05), compared to the control group. Additionally, behavioral assessments indicated increased activity of synbiotics-fed turkeys compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Overall, synbiotics emerged as an effective dietary intervention, providing the synergistic actions of both pre- and probiotics on the growth performance, immune functioning, and nutrient utilization, thus, underscoring their potential as a strategic nutritional supplement for turkey production.

Diabetic wounds (DWs) remain a major complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by impaired healing and limited therapeutic options. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), a non-invasive physical modality, has recently shown promise in accelerating chronic wound repair, yet the underlying cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Physical fitness tests are an essential part of police selection and retention. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical fitness tests of police officers in various countries. We systematically searched Chinese and English databases, including Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and CNKI, from their establishment dates to 1 December 2024. A total of 16 physical fitness tests for police officers from 7 countries were analyzed. All physical fitness tests were divided into two categories: one focused on basic fitness test items (n = 9), and the other was an obstacle courses, the main content of which simulates specific occupational tasks that police officers may need to perform on duty (n = 7). The most used components were cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance and agility. This review includes two distinct testing paradigms: 'General Physical Fitness' and 'Job-Specific Competence'. It indicates that there is no universally 'optimal' testing model. The selection or development of police physical fitness tests must be grounded in selection efficiency, ecological validity, and cultural applicability.

This study aimed to assess the physiological profile of the Norwegian National Taekwondo Team (ITF).

Fertility decline in aging turkey breeder hens is associated with reduced sperm storage in the uterovaginal junction (UVJ), inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue aging. The mucosal microbiome is an important contributor to subfertility, with shifts in immune function, inflammation, and oxidative stress linked to microbial changes. Bardoxolone methyl, a potent activator of the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway, enhances antioxidant defenses and reduces inflammation. This study investigated if bardoxolone methyl treatment alters the microbial composition and diversity of the UVJ and vagina in turkey hens.

Gut microbiota and metabolites play a crucial role in the progression of colorectal cancer. Over half of the CRC patients are at pT3 stage, the presence or absence of regional lymph node metastasis in pT3 patients significantly influences both treatment strategies and prognosis. However, the associations between these are not been revealed yet. It is crucial to gain a deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying the differences in gut microbiota and metabolites between pT3 CRCs with and without lymph node metastasis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common cardiac arrhythmia whose mechanisms are still a topic of debate. This work applied concepts of topology to gain new insights into reentry-based simulated AF, similar to our previous work in atrial tachycardia (AT). We demonstrate that the Index Theorem - which states reentries must come in pairs of opposite rotations - applies to a model of AF, even when the complex dynamics change over time. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that connecting opposite pairs of singularities can terminate simulated AF in the same way as clinical and simulated AT.

Advanced footwear technology (AFT) spikes are commonly offered in two configurations: foam only and foam combined with a carbon fiber plate. Whether the plate provides additional metabolic or performance benefits over foam-only designs remains uncertain. Therefore, this study compared physiological, biomechanical, and perceptual responses to two commercially available AFT spikes (Nike ZoomX Dragonfly, foam only; Nike Air Zoom Victory, foam plus carbon plate) in trained and national-level distance runners.