Locomotor Disorders Research Articles

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF REHABILITATION MATHODTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND LOCOMOTOR DISORDERS (REVIEW ARTICLE)

This review article aims at analyzing the modern medical literature on evaluating the effectiveness of current methods of rehabilitation care for children with disabilities and locomotor disabilities. According to the latest reports, in the structure and causes of children disability for 2011-2015, diseases of the nervous system (17.0% -18.9%) rank the second position. Cerebral palsy is a serious disease leading to disability. Current social and economic situation in Ukraine necessitates the strengthening of social protection of children with disabilities, the definition of priority areas in this field of care, and put the early social rehabilitation of children with disabilities among the social and medical priorities. Along with impacted psychophysical development, children can experience social maladaptation, lack of social contacts, low sociometric status that negatively impacts their mental development, the emotional and volitional spheres. Therefore, it is important to introduce wide-scale socio-psychological rehabilitation among this category of children in order to restore lost socio-psychic functions. The main goal of rehabilitation care is to improve the quality of life of patients and to promote their maximum social adaptation. For further development and improvement of the rehabilitation system, various scientific studies are being carried out. One of the important directions in this domain is the evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures. The study of methods for evaluating complex rehabilitation programs is a promising direction for the implementation of approaches in organizing an in-depth investigation of this problem. The evaluation of the effectiveness of socio-psychological, psychological-pedagogical, physical rehabilitation care for children with disabilities, cerebral palsy and other central nervous system disorders and locomotive disorders should be carried out by multidisciplinary teams. Despite the significant number of existing methods for assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation care, there are currently no highly effective and specific methods, and the main disadvantages of existing methods, according to the studied literature sources, are low specificity and laboriousness. Summarizing all of the above, it is important to evaluate the results of literature data in order to identify trends associated with modern methods for assessing rehabilitation measures for children with disabilities.

Timing of MeCP2 Expression Determines Midbrain Dopamine Neuron Phenotype Specification.

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are associated with locomotor and psychiatric disorders. DA phenotype is specified in ancestral neural precursor cells (NPCs) and maintained throughout neuronal differentiation. Here we show that endogenous expression of MeCP2 coincides with DA phenotype specification in mouse mesencephalon, and premature expression of MeCP2 prevents in vitro cultured NPCs from acquiring DA phenotype through interfering NURR1 transactivation of DA phenotype genes. By contrast, ectopic MeCP2 expression does not disturb DA phenotype in the DA neurons. By analyzing the dynamic change of DNA methylation along DA neuronal differentiation at the promoter of DA phenotype gene tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), we show that Th expression is determined by TET1-mediated de-methylation of NURR1 binding sites within Th promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that premature MeCP2 dominates the DNA binding of the corresponding sites thereby blocking TET1 function in DA NPCs, whereas TET1-mediated de-methylation prevents excessive MeCP2 binding in DA neurons. The significance of temporal DNA methylation status is further confirmed by targeted methylation/demethylation experiments showing that targeted de-methylation in DA NPCs protects DA phenotype specification from ectopic MeCP2 expression, whereas targeted methylation disturbs phenotype maintenance in MeCP2-overexpressed DA neurons. These findings suggest the appropriate timing of MeCP2 expression as a novel determining factor for guiding NPCs into DA lineage.

Causes of Sow Mortality and Risks to Post-Mortem Findings in a Brazilian Intensive Swine Production System.

Simple SummaryGenetic selection increased sow productivity over the last decades, but also increased sow mortality. The impact of mortality includes financial losses, affects labor morale, and raises ethical and animal-welfare concerns. Despite the impact of mortality, the literature is still scarce regarding risk factors for post-mortem findings and bacterial agents involved. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the cause and risk factors related to post-mortem findings in sow death by performing post-mortem examinations, bacteriological investigations, and evaluations of individual sow records. Spontaneous death occurred mainly in the peripartum period. Deaths in the peripartum period were associated with heart failures, genitourinary disorders, and prolapses. Euthanized sows had more locomotor disorders. Sow mortality had a multifactorial etiology including infectious and non-infectious agents; in 75% of the deaths, lesions affecting more than one system were observed. Infections were polymicrobial. The high index of secondary lesions such as gastric ulcers, cystitis, locomotor disorders, and lung pleurisy raise concerns about sow welfare. This study can be used to identify females with a higher risk of injuries and to guide management practices to reduce sow death and increase sow welfare in breeding herds.The present study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for post-mortem findings and causes of sow mortality. A post-mortem examination and microbiological investigation were conducted on 123 sows from a breeding herd with 15,000 dams. The mortality of spontaneous death in sows occurred mostly in the peripartum period (53%; p < 0.05). The spontaneous deaths were associated with heart failures, hemorrhagic and perforating gastric ulcers, and liver torsion, while in the euthanized sows, the post-mortem findings were associated with locomotor disorders. A higher body condition score (BCS ≥ 3.5) increased (p < 0.05) heart failure on the post-mortem examination. The excessive use of manual obstetric interventions increased sow deaths resulting from cervix/uterus ruptures and increased the odds of death (p < 0.05) due to metritis. Sow mortality had a multifactorial etiology. Infections were polymicrobial. The main microbial agents identified from a septic lesion in locomotor, genitourinary, and respiratory systems were Trueperella pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, respectively. In conclusion, sow mortality involved multiple risk factors and several bacterial agents. These results indicate that better management practices can reduce sow mortality in swine production and increase sow welfare.

Effects of Maca on Muscle Hypertrophy in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells.

With aging, sarcopenia and the associated locomotor disorders, have become serious problems. The roots of maca contain active ingredients (triterpenes) that have a preventive effect on sarcopenia. However, the effect of maca on muscle hypertrophy has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and mechanism of maca on muscle hypertrophy by adding different concentrations of yellow maca (0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL) to C2C12 skeletal muscle cell culture. Two days after differentiation, maca was added for two days of incubation. The muscle diameter, area, differentiation index, and multinucleation, were assessed by immunostaining, and the expression levels of the proteins related to muscle protein synthesis/degradation were examined by Western blotting. Compared with the control group, the muscle diameter and area of the myotubes in the maca groups were significantly increased, and the cell differentiation index and multinucleation were significantly higher in the maca groups. Phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR was elevated in the maca groups. Maca also promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK. These results suggest that maca may promote muscle hypertrophy, differentiation, and maturation, potentially via the muscle hypertrophic signaling pathways such as Akt and mTOR, while exploring other pathways are needed.

Phytochemicals and Nano-Phytopharmaceuticals Use in Skin, Urogenital and Locomotor Disorders: Are We There?

Nanomedicines emerged from nanotechnology and have been introduced to bring advancements in treating multiple diseases. Nano-phytomedicines are synthesized from active phytoconstituents or plant extracts. Advancements in nanotechnology also help in the diagnosis, monitoring, control, and prevention of various diseases. The field of nanomedicine and the improvements of nanoparticles has been of keen interest in multiple industries, including pharmaceutics, diagnostics, electronics, communications, and cosmetics. In herbal medicines, these nanoparticles have several attractive properties that have brought them to the forefront in searching for novel drug delivery systems by enhancing efficacy, bioavailability, and target specificity. The current review investigated various therapeutic applications of different nano-phytopharmaceuticals in locomotor, dermal, reproductive, and urinary tract disorders to enhance bioavailability and efficacy of phytochemicals and herbal extracts in preclinical and in vitro studies. There is a lack of clinical and extensive preclinical studies. The research in this field is expanding but strong evidence on the efficacy of these nano-phytopharmaceuticals for human use is still limited. The long-term efficacy and safety of nano-phytopharmaceuticals must be ensured with priority before these materials emerge as common human therapeutics. Overall, this review provides up-to-date information on related contemporary research on nano-phytopharmaceuticals and nano-extracts in the fields of dermatological, urogenital, and locomotor disorders.

Increasing incidence of Enterococcus-associated diseases in poultry in France over the past 15 years

Enterococci are commensal intestinal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens in humans and animals. Enterococcus-associated diseases are an emerging health issue in poultry. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the occurrence of enterococci in poultry in France with regard to the manifested diseases and the affected avian species. Our analysis is based on veterinary laboratory data collected by the French poultry epidemiological surveillance network (RNOEA) that monitors avian diseases in France based on the voluntary participation of its veterinarian members. Since the creation of the network in 1989, 12, 177 Enterococcus cases have been reported by veterinary laboratories (Enterococcus cecorum 53.1% and Enterococcus faecalis 24.3%), with emergence starting in 2006, year in which Enterococcus represented 0.4% of all reported pathogens, and incidence growing to 12.9% in 2020. The main diseases associated with these reports were locomotor disorders 35.2% (mainly involving E. cecorum 77.9%), septicaemia 34.9% (involving E. cecorum 53.4% and E. faecalis 23.8%), and omphalitis 14.4% (mainly involving E. faecalis 59.5%). Most of these Enterococcus-associated diseases (71.5%) were reported in broilers (particularly affected by the locomotor disorders and septicaemia involving E. cecorum), accounting for 9.1% of all the diseases reported in this production sector, with an increase from 1.4% in 2006 to 17.2% in 2020. This study highlights the emergence of enterococcal diseases in poultry in France over the past 15 years and the need to maintain a surveillance system.

PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS OF HEART DISEASES WITH MACHINE LEARNING APPROACHES

Machine Learning (ML) is used in healthcare sectors worldwide. ML methods help in the protection of heart diseases, locomotor disorders in the medical data set. The discovery of such essential data helps researchers gain valuable insight into how to utilize their diagnosis and treatment for a particular patient. Researchers use various Machine Learning methods to examine massive amounts of complex healthcare data, which aids healthcare professionals in predicting diseases. In this research, we are using an online UCI dataset with 303 rows and 76 properties. Approximately 14 of these 76 properties are selected for testing, which is necessary to validate the performances of different methods. The isolation forest approach uses the data set’s most essential qualities and metrics to standardize the information for better precision. This analysis is based on supervised learning methods, i.e., Naive Bayes, SVM, Logistic regression, Decision Tree Classifier, Random Forest, and K- Nearest Neighbor. The experimental results demonstrate the strength of KNN with eight neighbours order to test the effectiveness, sensitivity, precision, and accuracy, F1-score; as compared to other methods, i.e., Naive Bayes, SVM (Linear Kernel), Decision Tree Classifier with 4 or 18 features, and Random Forest classifiers.

Toxicity evaluation of traditional and organic yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) extracts

ABSTRACT Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) is an important source of biologically active compounds with pharmacological potential. The aim of this study was to examine the toxicity of different extracts obtained from either traditional or organic cultivated yerba mate in vitro and in vivo. Aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts were obtained from commercial samples of yerba mate and total phenolic content was determined employing Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The aqueous extracts presented higher content of total phenols, compared to ethanolic and methanolic extracts, and also demonstrated lower cytotoxicity, which is the basis for testing were carried out only using aqueous extracts. The main phenolic acids found in traditional aqueous (TA) extract were chlorogenic, gallic and protocatechuic acids. Gallic and hydroxybenzoic acids were detected in aqueous cultivated organic (OA) extract. Pretreatment with OA extract (100 µg/ml, 1 hr) was cytoprotective against rotenone-induced toxicity (1 µM). For in vivo toxicity assay, zebrafish embryos were exposed to OA or TA extracts (10–160 µg/ml) at 4 hr post fertilization. TA extract decreased embryos survival in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced the hatching rate at 40 µg/ml, increased edema frequency at 80 µg/ml and altered body curvature at 120 µg/ml. Further, TA extract produced locomotor disorders at concentrations equal to or greater than 10 µg/ml. In contrast, OA extract exhibited no apparent toxic effect on organogenesis and behavior up to 100 µg/ml. In summary, the OA cultivated extract showed the lowest cytotoxicity in vitro, enhanced reduction in rotenone-induced toxicity, and produced less toxicity in zebrafish embryos compared to the TA extract.

Aspectos clínicos e patológicos de um surto de infecção por Streptococcus suis sorotipo 9 em suínos

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive pathogen that inhabits the upper respiratory tract and can cause severe systemic inflammatory disease in pigs, mainly during the nursery phase. Streptococcus suis is a reemergent pathogen, and outbreaks of its inducing disease represent significant economic losses for the pig industry worldwide. In this study, we described the clinical, pathological, and molecular aspects of an outbreak of S. suis infection with atypically high mortality. The outbreak occurred in nursery farms integrated into a cooperative in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Of the 30 nurseries, 10 were severely affected by the pathogen and had high economic losses. Clinical signs usually started approximately 10 days after weaning and were mainly characterized by acute nervous and locomotor disorders. The mortality of the affected batches usually ranged between 8% and 10%, but in some cases, it reached 18%. Nine piglets were submitted to post mortem examination. Macroscopically, the synovial joints were enlarged and contained fibrinous exudates. In the central nervous system, there was hyperemia of the leptomeningeal vessels associated with deposition of fibrin and purulent exudate in the leptomeninges. In three piglets, there was thickening of the choroid plexus associated with dilation of the lateral ventricles. Microscopic lesions were characterized mainly by fibrinosuppurative inflammation, which involved the synovial membranes, leptomeninges of the brain, and spinal cord. Furthermore, it also affects the choroid plexus, ependyma, nerve roots, and central canal of the spinal cord. S. suis was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid, meningeal swabs, and/or synovial fluid of 8/9 piglets, and typified as serotype 9 by multiplex PCR.

Peculiarities of the biomechanical and innervative structure of walking of healthy children of the early age

Restoration of the locomotor function is one of the most essential problems of medicine. This problem becomes especially essential, when we deal with those children, who can’t walk from their birth. Term “abilitation” is used just in relation to such children, what means not retraining children the right stereotype of walking, but appearance of this skill and its further adequate development. Nowadays, more and more specialists, who occupy themselves with abilitation of children of the early age, realize necessity of the instrumental estimation of the locomotor function. This phenomenon is connected with the fact, that in contrast with the score system of estimation, instrumental estimation of walking is maximally concrete and exact, and complex investigation of the biomechanical and innervative structure of walking gives complete idea of the locomotor disturbances of the child. Authors of this article investigated biomechanical and innervative structure of walking of 4 healthy children at the age of 2–2.5 years. On the basis of these investigations, it has been revealed, that the following peculiarities of walking are characteristic of children at the age of 2: remarkable diminution of the mean walking velocity, increase of cadence and shortening of the step length, essential transformation of the temporal structure of walking (growth of duration of the stance and double-support phase and decrease of duration of the swing phase), flexion position of the lower extremities, displacement of all extreme values of the angular displacements to the right along the temporal axis, considerable prolongation of the maximums of activity, absence of the second maximum of activity in a number of muscles, severe disturbances in the resonance properties of the lower extremities. All these peculiarities point out to the immaturity of the process of locomotion in children at the age of 2. The received data are necessary first of all as the standard ones, because walking parameters of children with the locomotor disorders of the early age must be compared with the corresponding parameters of the healthy children of the same age.

Do Rubber Floor Mats Prevent Lameness in Gestating Sows Housed in Large Groups? A Field Experiment on Three Commercial Farms in France.

Simple SummaryIn the European Union, gestating sows are housed in groups in pens that often have slatted floors. Slatted floor can cause injuries to the animals’ legs and hooves, leading to potentially painful lameness. The purpose of our study was to verify if the installation of rubber mats on their floors could limit the occurrence of injuries and lameness in gestating sows. Mats were installed on three commercial farms for use over two consecutive sow pregnancies. The mats limited the occurrence of inflammations around the sows’ leg joints but had no impact on the occurrence of lameness or leg and hoof injuries. The benefit of mats would be greater if they were available throughout the sows’ lives and not just during the gestation period. However, the mat design tested was unsatisfactory because manure did not drain well off the mat and sows were dirtied quickly.Lameness and foot disorders are major health and welfare issues in intensive swine production systems. They are exacerbated when sows are housed in large groups on slatted concrete floors during gestation. Our study aimed to assess the effect of rubber mats in the lying area of the gestation pen on lameness and leg health in gestating sows housed in large pens in commercial conditions. The study was conducted on three commercial farms over two successive gestations. A total of 582 Large White × Landrace sows, housed in 10 static groups, were enrolled: 5 groups in pens with rubber mats and 5 groups on slatted concrete floors. Lameness, bursitis, leg injuries, claw growth defects and claw lesions were measured at the beginning, middle and end of each gestation period. The rubber mats decreased the risk of suffering from bursitis, but had no effect on the risk of lameness, leg injuries, claw growth defects or claw lesions. Sows housed on rubber mats were heavily soiled compared with those on slatted concrete floors because the mats were not perforated for slurry evacuation. Locomotion disorders and foot lesions remained prevalent despite the rubber mats in the lying area of the gestation pens, but adding rubber mats in service rooms and farrowing crates may produce better results.

Fibroblast growth factor 19 as a countermeasure to muscle and locomotion dysfunctions in experimental cerebral palsy.

BackgroundCerebral palsy (CP) associates cerebral function damages with strong locomotor defects and premature sarcopenia. We previously showed that fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) exerts hypertrophic effects on skeletal muscle and improves muscle mass and strength in mouse models with muscle atrophy. Facing the lack of therapeutics to treat locomotor dysfunctions in CP, we investigated whether FGF19 treatment could have beneficial effects in an experimental rat model of CP.MethodsCerebral palsy was induced in male Wistar rat pups by perinatal anoxia immediately after birth and by sensorimotor restriction of hind paws maintained until Day 28. Daily subcutaneous injections with recombinant human FGF19 (0.1 mg/kg bw) were performed from Days 22 to 28. Locomotor activity and muscle strength were assessed before and after FGF19 treatment. At Day 29, motor coordination on rotarod and various musculoskeletal parameters (weight of tibia bone and of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles; area of skeletal muscle fibres) were evaluated. In addition, expression of specific genes linked to human CP was measured in rat skeletal muscles.ResultsCompared to controls, CP rats had reduced locomotion activity (−37.8% of distance travelled, P < 0.05), motor coordination (−88.9% latency of falls on rotarod, P < 0.05) and muscle strength (−25.1%, P < 0.05). These defects were associated with reduction in soleus (−51.5%, P < 0.05) and EDL (−42.5%, P < 0.05) weight, smaller area of muscle fibres, and with lower tibia weight (−38%, P < 0.05). In muscles from rats submitted to CP, changes in the expression levels of several genes related to muscle development and neuromuscular junctions were similar to those found in wrist muscle of children with CP (increased mRNA levels of Igfbp5, Kcnn3, Gdf8, and MyH4 and decreased expression of Myog, Ucp2 and Lpl). Compared with vehicle‐treated CP rats, FGF19 administration improved locomotor activity (+53.2%, P < 0.05) and muscle strength (+25.7%, P < 0.05), and increased tibia weight (+13.8%, P < 0.05) and soleus and EDL muscle weight (+28.6% and +27.3%, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, it reduced a number of very small fibres in both muscles (P < 0.05). Finally, gene expression analyses revealed that FGF19 might counteract the immature state of skeletal muscles induced by CP.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that pharmacological intervention with recombinant FGF19 could restore musculoskeletal and locomotor dysfunction in an experimental CP model, suggesting that FGF19 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to combat the locomotor disorders associated with CP.

The beneficial effect of physical activity on cognitive function in community-dwelling older persons with locomotive syndrome

BackgroundCognitive decline is closely related to motor decline. Locomotive syndrome (LS) is defined as a state associated with a high risk of requiring support because of locomotive organ disorders, and can be evaluated using a questionnaire. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of daily goal-targeted exercise on cognitive function in two different populations classified by scores on the Locomo 25 questionnaire.MethodsSeventy community-dwelling older people who participated in a 13-week health class were divided into two populations based on Locomo 25 scores: <7 (non-LS) and ≥7 (LS). Participants were presented with a daily target steps and worked towards that goal. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Japanese version of Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R). Average daily physical activity (exercise [Ex]) for 13 weeks was measured using a portable activity meter. Depression status was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).ResultsNo significant differences were observed in age, years of education, body mass index, smooth muscle mass index, GDS-15 scores, or ACE-R scores between the non-LS and LS populations. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that Ex (odds ratio = 5.01, p = 0.002) for 13 weeks was significantly associated with increased cognitive function in the LS population. The Ex threshold for the increase in cognitive function based on receiver operating curve analysis was 2.29 metabolic equivalents of task (METs) × h (METs · h/day) (p = 0.047) in the LS population. After 13 weeks, ACE-R scores were significantly higher in the Ex ≥ 2.29 than in the Ex < 2.29 METs · h/day group (p = 0.024, ηp2 = 0.241) in the LS population based on two-way analysis of covariance. Furthermore, a significant increase in the ACE-R memory domain was seen in the Ex ≥ 2.29 group (p = 0.035, ηp2 = 0.213).ConclusionsThese results suggest that Ex ≥ 2.29 METs · h/day is important for improving cognitive function in LS populations.

Early Detection of Locomotion Disorders in Gilts Using a Novel Visual Analogue Scale; Associations with Chronic Stress and Reproduction.

Simple SummaryLameness in sows causes pain and poor welfare. Early detection is crucial if treatment is likely to be effective. Locomotion scoring is the best way to achieve this, but existing scoring systems are not sensitive enough to detect subtle deviations from optimal locomotion. Our objective was to develop a new visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure the locomotory ability of sows over time. Effectiveness in detecting slight deviations was tested in young female pigs by comparing the scale to an existing categorical scoring system. The VAS detected slight deviations from optimal locomotion over time more effectively than the categorical locomotion scoring system. It was also positively associated with hair cortisol concentrations (chronic stress) and measures of reproductive performance. If used by farmers, the VAS could potentially help in lameness prevention and thereby improve sow welfare and performance.Locomotion scoring is crucial for the early detection of lameness, which reduces sow welfare and performance. Our objective was to test the effectiveness of a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure locomotory ability (OVERALL) compared to a categorical scoring system (CAT) and to investigate associations with hair cortisol and reproductive performance. Locomotion was scored in gilts (n = 51) at service, on day 57 and day 108 of pregnancy, and at weaning, using a VAS (150 mm line: 0 mm (perfect)–150 mm (severely lame)), and a CAT (1 (perfect)–5 (severely lame)). Hair cortisol concentration was measured on day 108 of pregnancy. Reproductive performance data (parity 1–4) were acquired from farm records. VAS detected deviations from optimal locomotion more effectively than the CAT (F3,145 = 2.70; p ≤ 0.05 versus F3,195 = 2.45; p = 0.065). Higher OVERALL scores at service (REG = 0.003 ± 0.0012; F1,48 = 4.25; p ≤ 0.05) and on day 57 (REG = 0.003 ± 0.0013; F1,48 = 6.95; p ≤ 0.05) were associated with higher hair cortisol concentrations on day 108. Positive associations were detected between OVERALL at service and the number of piglets born dead (REG = 0.01 ± 0.006; F1,36 = 4.24; p ≤ 0.05), and total born (REG = 0.1 ± 0.03; F1,120 = 4.88; p ≤ 0.05). The VAS better facilitates early detection of lameness, which could help to prevent detrimental effects, possibly mediated by chronic stress, on reproductive performance.

A predictive model for hip abductor strength and knee extensor strength 12 months after total hip arthroplasty with an interaction term

BackgroundIdentifying populations with poor muscle recovery after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is important for postoperative physical therapy. Preoperative muscle strength is a strong factor that determines postoperative muscle strength. However, this effect may depend on other factors. Thus, predictive models with interaction terms are important for accurately predicting postoperative muscle strength. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for lower muscle strength 12 months after THA which incorporates interaction terms.MethodsSubjects were female patients with hip osteoarthritis who underwent unilateral THA. Patients with locomotor disorders, neurological disorders, or postoperative complications were excluded. Hip abductor and knee extensor strength were measured, and a generalized linear model approach with preoperative muscle strength, age, body weight, height, disease duration, physical activity, and leg extension as explanatory variables was used to identify factors that determine muscle strength 12 months after THA. Models with interaction terms between preoperative muscle strength and other explanatory variables were also examined.ResultsA total of 82 patients were analyzed. Preoperative muscle strength, age, body weight, physical activity, and disease duration were extracted as factors that significantly and independently determine hip abductor and knee extensor strength. The interaction term between preoperative muscle strength and age was identified as a factor that significantly determines knee extensor strength. Regression coefficients for preoperative knee extensor strength and postoperative muscle strength were significant when age was +1 SD, but not when age was -1 SD.ConclusionsThe predictive model demonstrated that lower muscle strength 12 months after THA is determined by preoperative muscle strength, age, weight, physical activity, disease duration, and preoperative muscle strength, with the effect of preoperative muscle strength on knee extensor strength being dependent on age. When predicting postoperative knee extensor strength using preoperative muscle strength, it is important to consider the effect of age.

INFLUENCE OF REHABILITATION MEASURES ON THE QUALITY AND FULL-VALUE OF THE LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH LOWER LIMB PROSTHESES

Quality and value of life are often recognized as an important indicator for assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures for people with amputation defects of the lower extremities. However, although the topic itself is quite relevant and important, the number of studies that would be devoted to the multiplicity of these factors that directly affect this issue is still quite limited. Such assessments are becoming more and more necessary every year to demonstrate the changes associated with surgical intervention in the anatomical integrity of the human body and the consequences that inevitably occur over time. According to statistics, more than 10,000 amputations are performed in various segments in Ukraine. Analysis of the reasons why people need this operation revealed that most of them (75%) are performed in connection with cardiovascular disease, and more precisely: diabetes, chronic ischemia of the lower extremities, atherosclerosis and endarteritis obliterans. Such grounds for amputation are typical for middle-aged and elderly people. That is why the rehabilitation of these categories of patients after amputation of the lower extremities is determined by significant locomotor disorders that limit a person's independent movement, self-care, posture disorders, reduced body tolerance to exercise and, consequently, severe limitation of life. Rehabilitation measures for this contingent of persons should be evaluated in terms of social and moral benefits, both for the person with amputation and for people close to him and others. Timely and effective physical rehabilitation also provides significant economic benefits, as it frees up significant costs of resources for the care of special staff, as well as relatives, often forced to leave their professional activities due to the need to care for a loved one. In order to assess the quality of life of patients with lower limb amputation and the impact of rehabilitation measures on these indicators, a study of 32 patients was observed in the rehabilitation center on the basis of the Kyiv State Experimental Prosthetic and Orthopedic Enterprise. In addition to the SF-36 functional assessment questionnaire, the developed Prosthesis Movement Index was tested. The results showed that an individual approach to the rehabilitation process is more effective than working on a typical program without changes in it, as well as the possible convenience of using the index of walking on a prosthesis to assess the effectiveness of mastering the lower limb prosthesis by the patient.

Locomotive Organ Disorder in Children and Prevention of Locomotive Syndrome

Locomotive Organ Disorder in Children and Prevention of Locomotive Syndrome

Protective effects of selenium on acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Objective(s):Acrylamide (ACR), has wide uses in different industries. ACR induced several toxicities including neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The probable protective effects of selenium on ACR-induced neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats were evaluated.Materials and Methods:Male Wistar rats were studied for 11 days in 8 groups: 1. Control, 2. ACR (50 mg/kg, IP), 3-5. ACR+ selenium (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mg/kg, IP), 6. ACR+ the most effective dose of selenium (0.6 mg/kg, IP) three days after ACR administration, 7. ACR+ vitamin E (200 mg/kg IP, every other day) 8. Selenium (0.6 mg/kg IP). Finally, behavioral tests were done. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 3 proteins in liver and cerebral cortex tissues were measured. Also, the amount of albumin, total protein, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) enzymes were determined in serum. Results:ACR caused the severe motor impairment, increased MDA level and decreased GSH content, enhanced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase 3 proteins in brain and liver tissues. Besides, the level of AST was elevated while the total serum protein and albumin levels were decreased. Administration of selenium (0.6 mg/kg) (from the first day of the experiment and the third day) significantly recovered locomotor disorders, increased GSH content, and reduced MDA level. Also, selenium decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase 3 levels in brain and liver tissues.Conclusion:The oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways have important roles in neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of ACR. Selenium significantly reduced ACR-induced toxicity through inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Polystyrene nanoparticles induced neurodevelopmental toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans through regulation of dpy-5 and rol-6

Micro- and nano- polystyrene particles have been widely detected in environment, posing potential threats to human health. This study was designed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), to screen crucial genes and investigate the underlying mechanism. In wild-type C. elegans, polystyrene NPs (diameter 50 nm) could concentration-dependently induce significant inhibition in body length, survival rate, head thrashes, and body bending, accompanying with increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipofuscin accumulation, and apoptosis and decrease of dopamine (DA) contents. Moreover, pink-1 mutant was demonstrated to alleviate the locomotion disorders and oxidative damage induced by polystyrene NPs, indicating involvement of pink-1 in the polystyrene NPs-induced neurotoxicity. RNA sequencing results revealed 89 up-regulated and 56 down-regulated differently expressed genes (DEGs) response to polystyrene NPs (100 μg/L) exposure. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that predominant enriched DEGs were correlated with biological function of cuticle development and molting cycle. Furthermore, mutant strains test showed that the neurodevelopmental toxicity and oxidative stress responses induced by 50 nm polystyrene NPs were regulated by dpy-5 and rol-6. In general, polystyrene NPs induced obvious neurodevelopmental toxicity in C. elegans through oxidative damage and dopamine reduction. Crucial genes dpy-5 and rol-6 might participate in polystyrene NPs-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity through regulation on synthesis and deposition of cuticle collagen.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin in a model of experimental arthritis

The epiphyseal hormone melatonin (1 and 5 mg/kg) significantly limited locomotor and psychoemotional disorders, indicators of inflammation and immunological reactivity in rats with experimental adjuvant arthritis.