Therapeutic effectiveness of a single exercise session combined with Walk Aide functional electrical stimulation in post-stroke patients:a crossover design study

A growing body of evidence has suggested that the imbalance of epigenetic markers and oxidative stress appears to be involved in the pathophysiology and progression of stroke. Thus, strategies that modulate these biomarkers might be considered targets for neuroprotection and novel therapeutic opportunities for these patients. Physical exercise has been reported to induce changes in these epigenetic markers and improve clinical outcomes in different populations. However, little is reported on this in post-stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single exercise session with Walk Aide functional electrical stimulation(FES) on cognitive performance, clinical functional parameters, oxidative stress and epigenetic modulation in post-stroke individuals. In this crossover design study, 12 post-stroke individuals aged 54–72 years of either sexes were included and subjected to a single session of exercise(45 minutes) without Walk Aide functional electrical stimulation(EXE alone group), followed by another single session of exercise(45 minutes) with Walk Aide functional electrical stimulation(EXE + FES group). The clinical functional outcome measures, cognitive performance and blood collections for biomarker measurements were assessed pre-and post-intervention. After intervention, higher Berg Balance Scale scores were obtained in the EXE + FES group than in the EXE alone group. There was no significant difference in the Timed Up and Go test results post-intervention between EXE alone and EXE + FES groups. After intervention, a better cognitive performance was found in both groups compared with before the intervention. After intervention, the Timed Up and Go test scores were higher in the EXE + FES group than in the EXE alone group. In addition, the intervention induced lower levels of lipid peroxidation. After intervention, carbonyl level was lower, superoxide dismutase activity and superoxide dismutase/catalase activity ratio were higher in the EXE + FES group, compared with the EXE group alone. In each group, both histone deacetylase(HDAC2) and histone acetyltransferase activities were increased after intervention compared with before the intervention. These findings suggest that a single exercise session with Walk Aide FES is more effective on balance ability and cognitive performance compared with conventional exercise alone in post-stroke patients. This is likely to be related to the regulation of oxidative stress markers. The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Methodist University Center-IPA(approval No. 2.423.376) on December 7, 2017 and registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials—Re BEC(RBR-9 phj2 q) on February 11, 2019.     

Identification of volatile organic compounds in muscle tissues of different species based on Headspace-Gas-Chromatography Ion-Mobility spectrometry

Species identification of unknown biological samples is crucial for forensic applications, especially in cases of explosion, disaster accidents, and body mutilation after murdering, as well as poaching, illegal trade in endangered animals, and meat food fraud. In this study, we identified 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh skeletal muscle tissues of seven different animal species (cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, rats, chickens and carp) and a human dead body by headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), and compared their differences by retention time, drift time and molecular weight. The results showed that these VOCs formed different gallery plot fingerprints in the skeletal muscle tissues of the human dead body and seven animal species. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significantly different fingerprints between these species, and these fingerprints maintained good stability between the species and within the same species. Some VOCs have high species specificity, while VOCs of human fresh muscle tissues from different individual sources have little difference, demonstrating that all tested muscle tissue samples could be distinguished based on different VOCs. HS-GC-IMS has proved to be a rapid, high-throughput, highly sensitive and specific species identification method, which can be used for forensic species identification in criminal cases and disaster accidents, as well as detection in the field of food safety, such as meat fraud and adulteration.     

Characterizing Standardized Functional Data at Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

ObjectiveThe Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 mandates using standardized patient functional data across post-acute settings. This study characterized similarities and differences in clinician-observed scores of self-care and transfer items for the standardized section GG functional domain and the functional independent measure (FIM) at inpatient rehabilitation facilities.DesignWe conducted secondary analyses of 2017 Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation national data. Patients were assessed by clinicians on both section GG and FIM at admission and discharge. We identified 7 self-care items and 6 transfer items in section GG conceptually equivalent with FIM. Clinician-assessed scores for each pair of items were examined using score distributions, Bland-Altman plot, correlation (Pearson coefficients), and agreement (kappa and weighted kappa) analyses.Setting and ParticipantsIn all, 408,491 patients were admitted to Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation-affiliated inpatient rehabilitation facilities with one of the following impairments: stroke, brain dysfunction, neurologic condition, orthopedic disorders, and debility.MeasuresSection GG and FIM.ResultsPatients were scored as more functionally independent in section GG compared with FIM, but change score distributions and score orders within impairment groups were similar. Total scores in section GG had strong positive correlations (self-care: r = 0.87 and 0.95; transfer: r = 0.82 and 0.90 at admission and discharge, respectively) with total FIM scores. Weak to moderate ranking agreements with total FIM scores were observed (self-care: kappa = 0.49 and 0.60; transfers: kappa = 0.43 and 0.52 at admission and discharge, respectively). Lower agreements were observed for less able patients at admission and for higher ability patients of their change scores.Conclusions and ImplicationsOverall, response patterns were similar in section GG and FIM across impairments. However, variations exist in score distributions and ranking agreement. Future research should examine the use of GG codes to maintain effective care, outcomes, and unbiased reimbursement across post-acute settings.     

Role of high mobility group box-1 protein in pathogenesis of acute kidney injury induced by heat stroke in mice

Objective To observe the differential expression of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) in renal tissues of heat stroke mice models, and to explore its role in the pathogenesis of heat stroke associated acute kidney injury(HS-associated AKI). Methods According to random number table, 20 healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, including normal control (n=10) and heat stroke group (n=10). The mice in heat stroke group were given with a 2-hour-exposure in biological simulation chamber (temperature 41℃, humidity 70%). Heat stroke was defined as anal temperature lasting more than 40 degrees Celsius. A 18F-deoxyglucose nuclide labeled vivo imaging was conducted with micro- positron emission tomography(PET)/computer tomography (CT). Serum creatinine was examined with blood example. In order to evaluate the pathological changes, HE stain was conducted with kidney tissue, and mitochondrial morphological changes in kidney tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expressions of HMGB1 and apoptosis inducing factor mitochondria associated 2 (Aifm2) were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the levels of HMGB1 and RAGE were examined by Western blotting. The cell apoptosis of renal tissue was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL). The metabolomics of kidney tissue in mice were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and the pathway enrichment analysis was carried out by KEEG database. Results (1) The body temperature of the mice in heat shock group was significantly higher than that in normal control group 45 min after model establishment (P＜0.05). The level of serum creatinine in heat shock group was significantly higher than that in normal control group (P＜0.05), and the levels of 18F-deoxyglucose increased in skeletal muscle and visceral tissue of the mice in heat-shock group. (2) HE staining showed hemorrhage in collecting duct and tubular endothelial cell swelling, and mitochondrial swelling and deformation were observed by transmission electron microscopy in kidney tissue of the heat shock group. (3)Immunohistochemical method showed that the levels of Aifm2 and HMGB1 in heat shock group were higher (P＜0.05). (4) Western blotting showed that the levels of HMGB1 and RAGE in heat shock group were higher than those in normal control group (P＜0.05). (5) TUNEL showed that the number of cells with positive stain in kidney tissue of the heat shock group was higher than that in normal control group (P＜0.05). (6) Between normal control group and heat shock group, 136 differential metabolites were detected in kidney tissues. After analysis by KEGG database, pathway abnormalities such as unsaturated fatty acid metabolism disorder may be associated with HS-associated AKI, and many differential metabolites such as adrenic acid may be important regulatory points in the pathogenesis. Conclusion Acute kidney injury is a common complication of heat shock. It may be related to the dysfunction of renal mitochondria and activation of apoptotic pathway caused by systemic hypercatabolism, which may be related to the disorder of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism and activation of HMGB1. Some differential metabolites may be of high value in HS- associated AKI studies.     

Fretting and Corrosion Damage of Retrieved Dual-Mobility Total Hip Arthroplasty Systems

BackgroundDual-mobility (DM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) systems are designed to increase stability while potentially avoiding problems associated with large femoral heads. Complications of these systems are not yet fully understood. This study aims at characterizing in vivo performance of DM hip systems and assessing modes of clinical failure.MethodsUnder an institutional review board–approved implant retrieval protocol, 18 DM THA systems from 17 patients were included. Implants were graded at the head-neck junction for fretting and corrosion based on the system of Goldberg et al. Components were also macroscopically examined for different damage modes. Demographics and surgical data were collected from medical records, and radiographs were assessed for component positioning. Data were analyzed through Spearman rank-order correlation and Mann-Whitney U-tests, with α = 0.05.ResultsThe average length of implantation was 13.4 months with mild to moderate fretting corrosion damage. Polyethylene (PE) liners exhibited edge deformation, scratching, and pitting damage. Metallic components exhibited burnishing and scratching damage. Summed fretting and corrosion scores were strongly correlated (ρ = 0.967, P < .0001). Summed corrosion score was moderately correlated with presence of embedding on the PE liner (ρ = 0.690, P = .017). PE liner abrasion and edge deformation of the femoral stem taper were moderately positively correlated (ρ = 0.690, P = .017). Fretting and corrosion damage were not significantly correlated with patient demographics or radiographic positioning of implants. There were no differences in scores between modular and monoblock designs.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that dual-mobility THA systems may be susceptible to the same fretting and corrosion damage observed in traditional modular THA systems. Future studies are needed to confirm these results and clinical significance.     

Walking speed as a predictor of community mobility and quality of life after stroke

Background: Community mobility (CM) is considered a part of community reintegration that enhances Quality of Life (QoL). Achieving an appropriate gait speed is essential in attaining an independent outdoor ambulation and satisfactory CM.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify whether gait speed is a predictor of CM and QoL in patients with stroke following a multimodal rehabilitation program (MRP).

Methods: This was a baseline control trial with 6-months follow-up in an outpatient rehabilitation setting at a university hospital. Twenty-six stroke survivors completed the MRP (24 sessions, 2 days/wk, 1 hr/session). The MRP consisted of aerobic exercise, task-oriented exercises, balance exercises and stretching. Participants also performed an ambulation program at home. Outcome variables were: walking speed (10-m walking test) and QoL (physical and psychosocial domains of Euroquol and Sickness Impact Profile).

Results: At the end of the intervention, comfortable and fast walking speed increased by an average of 0.16 (SD 0.21) (*p < .05) and 0.40 (SD 0.51) (**p < .001) m/s, respectively. After the intervention, all participants achieved independent outdoor ambulation with an increase of 34.14 of walking minutes/day in the community and a decrease of sitting time of 95.45 minutes/day. Regarding QoL there were increased mean scores on the physical and psychosocial dimensions of Euroquol and the Sickness Impact Profile, respectively (**p < .001).

Conclusions: The results suggest that improved walking speed after the MRP is associated with CM and higher scores in QoL. These findings support the need to implement rehabilitation programs to promote increased speed.     

Inter-ictal assay of peripheral circulating inflammatory mediators in migraine patients under adjunctive cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS): A proof-of-concept study

Objective

To assay peripheral inter-ictal cytokine serum levels and possible relations with non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) responsiveness in migraineurs.

In vivo kinematics of fixed-bearing total ankle arthroplasty

BackgroundA good recovery of the physiological mobility of the ankle is an indication of patients’ satisfaction after total ankle arthroplasty, which does not generally match that of other consolidated procedures such as hip and knee replacement. The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of the Zimmer Total Metal Total Ankle (ZTMTA) during the different exercises.MethodsFifteen patients with ZTMTA were enrolled in this study. The patients performed non-weightbearing flexion-extension, stair climbing and descending, and fluoroscopic images were taken to capture the ankle movements. A combined images/three-dimensional models method was used to perform a kinematic analysis.ResultsPlantar-dorsiflexion resulted the main plane of movement, with the largest range of motion (ROM) of 23.3 ± 9.0° during flexion-extension. Inversion–eversion and adduction–abduction resulted lower than 10° in any trials.ConclusionsIn the investigated population, the ZTMTA allowed a good recovery of the mobility, with ROMs comparable to the healthy subjects.     

短期非融合固定治疗枢椎齿状突Ⅱ型骨折后的颈椎活动度

[目的]探讨短期寰枢椎椎弓根螺钉非融合固定治疗枢椎齿状突Ⅱ型骨折后颈椎活动功能。[方法]2012年2月~2017年12月,选取枢椎齿状突II型骨折后接受后路寰枢椎椎弓根螺钉非融合内固定术,并二次手术取出内固定物的患者32例。对比患者自身前后两次手术后颈椎过伸过屈、左右旋转角度,同时参考正常人群颈椎活动度进行比较。[结果]32例患者均顺利完成C1/2椎弓根螺钉非融合内固定术,经影像学确认内固定位置良好,无血管、神经损伤等并发症的发生。于初次内固定术后4~15个月,平均(9.55±2.72)个月,32例患者再次入院行内固定取出术。取内固定术后平均随访(16.41±4.25)个月。末次随访时32例患者前屈、后伸、左旋转和右旋转ROM均显著大于取内固定之前角度(P<0.05),但仍显著不及正常人。[结论]短期寰枢椎椎弓根螺钉非融合内固定治疗枢椎齿状突骨折,可有效保留颈椎活动功能,值得临床推广应用。