Bone Structure Variation And Injury Risk

Does anatomical variation from person to person male some individuals more susceptible for particular kinds of injuries? Here is a study that says that glenoid bone structure can contribute to the risk of having anterior shoulder dislocation, abstract:

BACKGROUND:
Although increased retroversion of the glenoid has been shown to be an important factor in posterior instability of the shoulder, there are few studies reporting glenoid bone structure as a risk factor in anterior dislocation of the shoulder. This study aimed to compare glenoid version in patients with anterior dislocation of the shoulder and individuals in a control group with no shoulder problems before undergoing computed tomography and to assess a possible relationship between demographic characteristics and glenoid version angle.
METHODS:
The study group comprised 63 patients (12 women and 51 men; mean age, 35.71 years) with 1 or multiple unilateral anterior dislocations of the shoulder (dislocated group), whereas 63 individuals (11 women and 52 men; mean age, 35.38 years) with no history of shoulder complaints and no signs of instability constituted the control group. The glenoid version angle was measured on an axial cut of the computed tomography scan.
RESULTS:
The glenoid version angles on the dislocated side in the study group were significantly more anteverted than those of the dominant (P < .001) and nondominant (P = .023) shoulders of the control group. The version angles of dislocated shoulders significantly differed from those of nondislocated shoulders of both men (P = .041) and women (P = .049). There was no significant relationship between the glenoid version angle on the dislocated side and dislocation mechanism (P = .883), age group (P = .356), or number of dislocations (P = .971).
CONCLUSIONS:
Glenoid version is an important factor for the development of anterior dislocation of the shoulder.

You cannot change your inherent bone structure, but if you are aware of it – something that may be important particularly in athletes with a higher risk of certain injuries – you may take precautions to try and prevent those injuries for which you are particularly susceptible.

Dietary Supplements For The Athlete

A review of dietary supplements for the athlete can be found here. Abstract:

Some dietary supplements are recommended to athletes based on data that supports improved exercise performance. Other dietary supplements are not ergogenic per se, but may improve health, adaptation to exercise, or recovery from injury, and so could help athletes to train and/or compete more effectively. In this review, we describe several dietary supplements that may improve health, exercise adaptation, or recovery. Creatine monohydrate may improve: recovery from and adaptation to intense training, recovery from periods of injury with extreme inactivity, cognitive processing, and reduce severity of or enhance recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Omega 3-fatty acid supplementation may also reduce severity of or enhance recovery from mTBI. Replenishment of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency will likely improve some aspects of immune, bone, and muscle health. Probiotic supplementation can reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of upper respiratory tract infection, which may indirectly improve training or competitive performance. Preliminary data show that gelatin and/or collagen may improve connective tissue health. Some anti-inflammatory supplements, such as curcumin or tart cherry juice, may reduce inflammation and possibly delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Beta-hydroxy beta-methyl butyrate (HMB) does not consistently increase strength and/or lean mass or reduce markers of muscle damage, but more research on recovery from injury that includes periods of extreme inactivity is needed. Several dietary supplements, including creatine monohydrate, omega 3-fatty acids, vitamin D, probiotics, gelatin, and curcumin/tart cherry juice could help athletes train and/or compete more effectively.

Prognostic Genes For Colon Cancer

Determining prognostic genes for colon cancer; abstract:

PROPOSE:

We aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanism and independent prognostic genes for colon cancer (CC).

METHODS:

Microarray datasets GSE17536 and GSE39582 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Meanwhile, the whole CC-related dataset were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed mRNA (DEMs) were identified between cancer tissue samples and para-carcinoma tissue samples in TCGA dataset, followed by the KEGG pathway and GO function analyses. Furthermore, the clinical prognostic analysis including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were performed in all three datasets.

RESULTS:

A total of 633 up- and 321 down-regulated mRNAs were revealed in TCGA dataset. The up-regulated mRNAs were mainly assembled in functions including extracellular matrix and pathways including Wnt signaling. The down-regulated mRNAs were mainly assembled in functions like Digestion and pathways like Drug metabolism. Furthermore, up-regulation of UL16-binding protein 2 (ULBP2) was associated with OS in CC patients. A total of 12 DEMs including Surfactant Associated 2 (SFTA2) were potential DFS prognostic genes in CC patients. Meanwhile, the GRP and Transmembrane Protein 37 (TMEM37) were two outstanding independent DFS prognostic genes in CC.

CONCLUSIONS:

ULBP2 might be a potential novel OS prognostic biomarker in CC, while GRP and TMEM37 could be served as the independent DFS prognostic genes in CC. Furthermore, functions including extracellular matrix and digestion, as well as pathways including Wnt signaling and drug metabolism might play important roles in the process of CC.

The poor man spinach pie

This recipe reminds one of the recipes for spanakopita. However, the ingredients for this pie are cheaper and therefore, I named it "the poor man spinach pie".

Spinach pie
 
Ingredients
2 cups of plain yogurt (low fat)
2 packages frozen chopped spinach
4 eggs
¾ tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
3-4 cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup olive oil  

Directions
Prepare the filling by thawing the spinach and squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Add the eggs, 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. For the dough, mix 1 tsp salt, baking soda and 1 cup of yogurt. Add the oil and incorporate the flour cup by cup. The dough should be soft. Divide it into two balls and roll each batch into a flat layer to cover the surface of a pan (I used a 9x12 inch pan). Spray the pan with oil and put the lower layer of dough. Press with palms if the layer breaks in places. Raise the dough on the side of the pan. Spread the spinach filling and cover with the upper layer of dough. This type of dough tends to break easily; however, this is not a problem. Just arrange the pieces of the dough to cover the filling completely. Bake at 395°F for 40-45 minutes. Cut into small squares and enjoy cold or warm. If dill is in season, adding some to the filling would add additional taste.

Pear scones: higher fiber, no added sugar

I like to take a traditional recipe with sugar and refined flour and revamp it into a healthier one. 

The recipe below for pear scones is my new baking experiment. 

It was a success. I could not believe how sweet it tasted without added sugar! One explanation is the the pears were ripe and sweet.

Pear scones

Ingredients
2.5 cups of whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
10 Tbsp butter at room temperature
3 ripe pears (not peeled, chopped into small pieces)
4-oz cup of unsweetened apple sauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add the butter and mix with hands until the mixture resembles crumbs. Mash the bananas and add the eggs and apple sauce to them. Combine the flour and banana mixtures. Finally, add the pears and mix. Divide the dough into two batches and transfer each batch onto a greased cookie sheet. Shape into a circle with clean, wet hands. Press down to thickness of ¾ inches. Bake for about 20 minutes. Slice each circle into eight scones until warm. The recipe yields 16 scones.

Human Embryo Epigenetics: Methylation

Epigenetic programming during human embryonic development.  Abstract:

DNA methylation is a crucial layer of epigenetic regulation during mammalian embryonic development 1-3 . Although the DNA methylome of early human embryos has been analyzed 4-6 , some of the key features have not been addressed thus far. Here we performed single-cell DNA methylome sequencing for human preimplantation embryos and found that tens of thousands of genomic loci exhibited de novo DNA methylation. This finding indicates that genome-wide DNA methylation reprogramming during preimplantation development is a dynamic balance between strong global demethylation and drastic focused remethylation. Furthermore, demethylation of the paternal genome is much faster and thorough than that of the maternal genome. From the two-cell to the postimplantation stage, methylation of the paternal genome is consistently lower than that of the maternal genome. We also show that the genetic lineage of early blastomeres can be traced by DNA methylation analysis. Our work paves the way for deciphering the secrets of DNA methylation reprogramming in early human embryo.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Survival Of The Fittest

Cardiorespiratory fitness, which can be effectively measured in the clinic (VO2max), is associated with mortality and, hence, longevity.  Physical exercise that enhances such fitness may aid in promoting longevity, not yet at the point to “extend the genetically fixed lifespan” but to at least make the most out of what that (currently) fixed lifespan is.  Abstract:

Cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), is related to functional capacity and human performance and has been shown to be a strong and independent predictor of all-cause and disease-specific mortality. The purpose of this review is to emphasize age-related physiological adaptations occurring with regular exercise training, with specific reference to the main organs (lung, heart, skeletal muscles) involved in oxygen delivery and utilization as well as the importance of exercise training for promoting life expectancy in clinically referred populations. As yet, it is not possible to extend the genetically fixed lifespan with regular exercise training, but to give the years more life. This is where physical fitness plays an important role.

Wnt Signaling And Angiogenesis

Blocking angiogenesis to prevent tumors from getting their blood supply is an important therapeutic approach; Wnt signaling is involved.  Abstract:

Angiogenesis is a normal biological process wherein new blood vessels form from the growth of pre-existing blood vessels. Preventing angiogenesis in solid tumours by targeting pro-angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is currently under investigation for cancer treatment. Concurrently targeting the cell signalling pathways involved in the transcriptional and post-translational regulation of these factors may provide positive therapeutic results. One such pathway is the Wnt signalling pathway. Wnt was first discovered in mice infected with mouse mammary tumour virus, and has been crucial in improving our understanding of oncogenesis and development. In this review, we summarise molecular and cellular aspects of the importance of Wnt signalling to angiogenesis, including β-catenin-dependent mechanisms of angiogenic promotion, as well as the study of Wnt antagonists, such as the secreted frizzled-related protein family (SFRPs) which have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis. The growing understanding of the underlying complexity of the biochemical pathways mediating angiogenesis is critical to the identification of new molecular targets for therapeutic applications.

Tofu-celery spread

Hello, everyone!

This weekend I had my scheduled cooking experiment: I prepared a tofu spread with celery. 

I am not very enthusiastic about the taste yet, probably because I did not use the right spices. Feel free to explore and add any spices and herbs that will make this otherwise nutritious spread more palatable. 

The tofu provides protein, the sunflower seeds and olive oil add healthy fats, the seeds also contribute with fiber and magnesium, the celery adds more fiber.

The spread goes well with my home-made super-easy to bake bread.

 
Tofu-celery spread

Ingredients
16 oz firm tofu
4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1.5 cups thinly slices celery
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp olive oil
crushed garlic to taste
spices to taste

Directions
Divide the tofu into four pieces and squeeze these gently between your palms to remove the excess liquid. Mix all ingredients except for the celery and sunflower seeds in a food processor. After obtaining a smooth tofu spread, mix it with the celery and seeds and adjust the spices and herbs to taste.

About Iliotibial Band Syndrome

An interesting analysis on a common overuse injury in runners and cyclists. Abstract:

Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is regarded as an overuse injury, common in runners and cyclists. It is believed to be associated with excessive friction between the tract and the lateral femoral epicondyle-friction which 'inflames' the tract or a bursa. This article highlights evidence which challenges these views. Basic anatomical principles of the ITB have been overlooked: (a) it is not a discrete structure, but a thickened part of the fascia lata which envelops the thigh, (b) it is connected to the linea aspera by an intermuscular septum and to the supracondylar region of the femur (including the epicondyle) by coarse, fibrous bands (which are not pathological adhesions) that are clearly visible by dissection or MRI and (c) a bursa is rarely present-but may be mistaken for the lateral recess of the knee. We would thus suggest that the ITB cannot create frictional forces by moving forwards and backwards over the epicondyle during flexion and extension of the knee. The perception of movement of the ITB across the epicondyle is an illusion because of changing tension in its anterior and posterior fibres. Nevertheless, slight medial-lateral movement is possible and we propose that ITB syndrome is caused by increased compression of a highly vascularised and innervated layer of fat and loose connective tissue that separates the ITB from the epicondyle. Our view is that ITB syndrome is related to impaired function of the hip musculature and that its resolution can only be properly achieved when the biomechanics of hip muscle function are properly addressed.

Individuals with this disorder should discuss this article with their physician and/or physical therapist to see if something can be done to address the biomechanical deficiencies leading to the problem. Perhaps a change in technique? Strengthening certain muscles?