Main Expected Project Outputs

1. The protocols developed in the MEMORI-net project will be reviewed by the participating partners. They will be upgraded to address the consequences of the rapid increase in physical inactivity following stroke by incorporating physical activity, cognitive, and nutritional interventions to achieve the most effective rehabilitation.
2. Cross-border cooperation between the clinical institutions (ASUGI and SBI) and the research institutions (ZRS Koper and DSM-UNITS) will facilitate the exchange of valuable expertise and professional knowledge.
3. Cross-border harmonized and established Active Rooms for more comprehensive and effective post-stroke rehabilitation will be set up for sustainable long-term use and equipped with modern ICT and technological equipment. Jointly developed physical and cognitive rehabilitation protocols will be produced in both Slovenian and Italian.

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Training material intened for clinical staff for the use of active rooms.

SLO_TRAINING MATERIAL   ITA_TRAINING MATERIAL

The document contains instructions for the use of active rooms intended for end users – patients. It includes communication materials in the form of posters to inform patients about the use of active rooms.

SLO_ACTIVE ROOMS  ITA_ACTIVE ROOMS

Evaluation of Rehabilitation outcomes in active rooms.

SLO_EVALUATION ACTIVE ROOMS    ITA_EVALUATION ACTIVE ROOMS

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Video X-BRAIN.net:

Outputs

Publications

Metabolic Consequences of Anabolic Steroids, Insulin, and Growth Hormone Abuse in Recreational Bodybuilders: Implications for the World Anti-Doping Agency Passport

doi: 10.1186/s40798-024-00697-6

This study examined the metabolic impacts and fatty acid profiles of 92 male recreational bodybuilders compared to 45 healthy controls to improve indirect doping detection methods. The findings revealed that abusing anabolic steroids, insulin, or growth hormones significantly altered specific metabolic markers, including lowering HDL-cholesterol and elevating liver enzymes (ALT and AST). Ultimately, the researchers concluded that tracking these distinct metabolic and enzyme alterations could help anti-doping organizations better identify hidden insulin and growth hormone abuse in sport.

Initial Glutathione Depletion During Short-Term Bed Rest: Pinpointing Synthesis and Degradation Checkpoints in the γ-Glutamyl Cycle

doi: 10.3390/antiox13121430

This study investigated how physical inactivity affects oxidative stress by tracking glutathione levels and γ-glutamyl cycle metabolites in 19 young male volunteers during a short-term bed rest experiment. The data revealed a significant 9±9% drop in glutathione levels during the first 5 days of bed rest, alongside distinct changes in key enzyme activity ratios regulating its synthesis and breakdown. Ultimately, the researchers identified specific metabolic checkpoints in glutathione kinetics during early muscle unloading, highlighting potential therapeutic targets to combat inactivity-induced oxidative stress.

Low, Intermediate, and High Glutamine Levels Are Progressively Associated with Increased Lymphopenia, a Diminished Inflammatory Response, and Higher Mortality in Internal Medicine Patients with Sepsis

doi: 10.3390/jcm14103313

This study evaluated 469 internal medicine patients with sepsis to examine how variations in plasma glutamine levels impact metabolic disruption, immune responses, and patient survival rates. The results demonstrated that patients with high glutamine levels (hyperglutaminemia) showed significantly lower body temperatures, reduced white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, and more pronounced metabolic derangements. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that increasing plasma glutamine levels are progressively associated with deeper lymphopenia and significantly higher short-term and long-term mortality in sepsis patients

The Abdominal Adiposity Index (A Body Shape Index) Predicts 10-Year All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Active Non-Obese Subjects

doi: 10.3390/jcm13206155

This prospective cohort study followed 159 physically active, non-obese elderly volunteers over a 10-year period to evaluate if A Body Shape Index (ABSI)—which measures waist circumference relative to height and weight—predicts mortality risk. The findings demonstrated that higher ABSI scores independently predicted 10-year all-cause mortality and were strongly linked to reduced cardiovascular fitness (VO₂max) and increased systolic blood pressure. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that ABSI is a reliable tool for long-term mortality prediction in active, non-obese older adults and can significantly enhance risk stratification in clinical settings.

Statin-Intolerant Patients Exhibit Diminished Muscle Strength Regardless of Lipid-Lowering Therapy

doi: 10.3390/jcm14041221

This study compared body composition and muscle strength between statin-intolerant patients experiencing muscle symptoms and a matched control group over a 45-month follow-up period. The findings revealed that statin-intolerant individuals exhibited higher body mass index (BMI), elevated fat mass percentage, and significantly weaker handgrip strength in their non-dominant arms. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that statin intolerance is clinically associated with poorer muscle quality, particularly in lesser-exercised muscles.

Inhibitory Immune Checkpoints Predict 7-Day, In-Hospital, and 1-Year Mortality of Internal Medicine Patients Admitted with Bacterial Sepsis

https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiae370

This study evaluated 12 immune response biomarkers in 113 internal medicine patients with bacterial sepsis to improve risk stratification and predict mortality outcomes. The researchers found that elevated levels of specific biomarkers, particularly IRAK-M and galectin-1, served as strong indicators for higher short-term and 1-year mortality rates. Ultimately, the study concluded that these two biomarkers can successfully identify three distinct sepsis phenotypes with varying prognoses, offering promising new pathways for targeted therapeutic trials.

Epidemiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in polygenic hypercholesterolemia with or without high lipoprotein(a) levels

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1272288

The researchers conducted a retrospective study comparing patients with polygenic hypercholesterolemia who had high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels with those who did not. They analyzed medical records to evaluate the occurrence of cardiovascular events over a median follow-up of 10 years. They found that patients with elevated Lp(a) experienced cardiovascular events more frequently and about seven years earlier. Men had a higher risk of coronary artery disease, while women with elevated Lp(a) showed a greater risk of peripheral artery disease. Overall, high Lp(a) was associated with a greater and earlier burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Efficacy of a somatostatin analogue in a case of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

The researchers described the case of an 89-year-old woman with severe obscure gastrointestinal bleeding that could not be treated with standard diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. After multiple blood transfusions failed to stabilize her condition, they started treatment with the somatostatin analogue octreotide. The patient's bleeding stopped, hemoglobin levels improved, and no further transfusions were needed. She was discharged in stable condition and remained well at follow-up. The authors concluded that octreotide may be an effective option for refractory obscure gastrointestinal bleeding when conventional treatments are not feasible.