Locomotor Function Research Articles

Impact of spinal surgery on locomotive syndrome in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in clinical decision limit stage 3: a retrospective study

BackgroundLocomotive syndrome (LS) is characterized by reduced mobility. Clinical decision limit (CDL) stage 3 in LS indicates physical frailty. Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) is one of the causes of LS, for which lumbar surgery is considered to improve the CDL stage. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar surgery and independent factors for improving the CDL stage in patients with LSS.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at our University Hospital. A total of 157 patients aged ≥ 65 years with LSS underwent lumbar surgery. The 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function scale (GLFS-25) was used to test for LS, and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was used to evaluate functional ability. Lower limb pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Patients with at least one improvement in the CDL stage following lumbar surgery were included in the improvement group. Differences in lower limb pain intensity between the groups were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to determine correlations between Δ lower limb pain and Δ GLFS-25. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with improvement in LS.ResultsThe proportion of patients with improved CDL stage was 45.1% (improvement/non-improvement: 32/39). Δ Lower limb pain was significantly reduced in the improvement group compared with that in the non-improvement group (51.0 [36.3–71.0] vs 40.0 [4.0–53.5]; p = 0.0107). Δ GLFS-25 was significantly correlated with Δ lower limb pain (r = 0.3774, p = 0.0031). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that TUG and age were significantly associated with improvement in LS (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.47).ConclusionsLumbar surgery effectively improved the CDL stage in patients with LSS. In addition, TUG was an independent factor associated with improvement in the CDL.

The Comparative Effects of Schwann Cells and Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the AIM2 Inflammasome Activity in an Experimental Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Inflammasome activation and the consequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines play a crucial role in the development of sensory/motor deficits following spinal cord injury (SCI). Immunomodulatory activities are exhibited by Schwann cells (SCs) and Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs). In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two cell sources in modulating the absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome complex in rats with SCI. The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) test, Nissl staining, and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were performed to evaluate locomotor function, neuronal survival, and myelination, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to analyze the gene and protein expressions of inflammasome components, including AIM2, ASC, caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18. Both gene and protein expressions of all evaluated factors were decreased after SC or WJ-MSC treatment, with a more pronounced effect observed in the SCs group (P < 0.05). Additionally, SCs promoted neuronal survival and myelination. Moreover, the administration of 3 × 105 cells resulted in motor recovery improvement in both treatment groups (P < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, these effects were more prominent in the SC-treated animals. In conclusion, SC therapy demonstrated greater efficacy in targeting AIM2 inflammasome activation and the associated inflammatory pathway in SCI experiments compared to WJ-MSCs.

Effect of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B2) on senescence of nucleus pulposus cells of degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc in rabbits.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji"(EX-B2) on body mass, motor function, expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in nucleus pulposus cells and annulus fibrosus tissue, telomerase activi-ty, relative telomere length and different cell cycle ratio of nucleus pulposus cells in rabbits with intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD), so as to investigate its mechanism underlying delaying senescence of the degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells. Twenty-five male New Zealand rabbits with mature bones were divided into control, sham operation, model, EA, and acupuncture groups, with 5 rabbits in each group. The IVDD model was established by inserting kirschner wires to the vertebral bone surface between the lumbar (L)4 and L5 vertebrae, followed by applying continuous axial pressure for 28 d. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1-2 mA) or acupuncture (only insertion of acupuncture needles into bilateral EX-B2, but without electrical stimulation) was applied to bilateral EX-B2 for 20 min, once daily, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. The hindlimb locomotor function (locomotor score) was assessed by using Faden's and colleagues' methods. The general conditions of rabbits in each group were observed, and their body weight changes were measured every week. Nucleus pulposus cells were isolated using enzyme digestion method. After the treatment, the Cav-1 positive cell counts in nucleus pulposus cells and annulus fibrosus tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the telomerase activity of nucleus pulposus cells was detected by PCR-ELISA. The relative telomere length of nucleus pulposus cells was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR), and the cell cycle of nucleus pulposus was detected by flow cytometry. Compared with the sham operation group, the body mass from 4 to 11 week, locomotor score at 4, 7 and 11 week, telomerase activity, relative telomere length and the proportion of cells in G2/M phase of nucleus pulposus cells were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while Cav-1 positive cell counts of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus tissue, and the proportion of nucleus pulposus cells in the G0/G1 phase considerably increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Relevant to the model group, the EA group rather than the acupuncture group had an increase in the body mass from 8 to 11 week, locomotor score at 11 week, telomerase activity, relative telomere length of nucleus pulposus cells, and the proportion of nucleus pulposus cells in G2/M phase (P<0.01), and a decrease in the Cav-1 positive cell counts of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus tissue and the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between the model and acupuncture groups in all the indexes mentioned above. EA at EX-B2 has a bene-ficial effect in improving motor function in rabbits with IVDD, which may be related to its functions in reducing the expression of Cav-1 in nucleus pulposus cells and annulus fibrosus, improving cycle arrest, enhancing the telomerase activity and the relative telomere length of nucleus pulposus cells, delaying the senescence of nucleus pulposus cells of the degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs.

Drosophila tweety facilitates autophagy to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergetics in Glia.

Mitochondria support the energetic demands of the cells. Autophagic turnover of mitochondria serves as a critical pathway for mitochondrial homeostasis. It is unclear how bioenergetics and autophagy are functionally connected. Here, we identify an endolysosomal membrane protein that facilitates autophagy to regulate ATP production in glia. We determined that Drosophila tweety (tty) is highly expressed in glia and localized to endolysosomes. Diminished fusion between autophagosomes and endolysosomes in tty-deficient glia was rescued by expressing the human Tweety Homolog 1 (TTYH1). Loss of tty in glia attenuated mitochondrial turnover, elevated mitochondrial oxidative stress, and impaired locomotor functions. The cellular and organismal defects were partially reversed by antioxidant treatment. We performed live-cell imaging of genetically encoded metabolite sensors to determine the impact of tty and autophagy deficiencies on glial bioenergetics. We found that tty-deficient glia exhibited reduced mitochondrial pyruvate consumption accompanied by a shift toward glycolysis for ATP production. Likewise, genetic inhibition of autophagy in glia resulted in a similar glycolytic shift in bioenergetics. Furthermore, the survival of mutant flies became more sensitive to starvation, underlining the significance of tty in the crosstalk between autophagy and bioenergetics. Together, our findings uncover the role for tty in mitochondrial homeostasis via facilitating autophagy, which determines bioenergetic balance in glia.

DADLE promotes motor function recovery by inhibiting cytosolic phospholipase A2 mediated lysosomal membrane permeabilization after spinal cord injury.

Autophagy is a protective factor for controlling neuronal damage, while necroptosis promotes neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury (SCI). DADLE (D-Ala2 , D-Leu5 ]-enkephalin) is a selective agonist for delta (δ) opioid receptor and has been identified as a promising drug for neuroprotection. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism/s by which DADLE causes locomotor recovery following SCI. Spinal cord contusion model was used and DADLE was given by i.p. (16 mg·kg-1 ) in mice for following experiments. Motor function was assessed by footprint and Basso mouse scale (BMS) score analysis. Western blotting used to evaluate related protein expression. Immunofluorescence showed the protein expression in each cell and its distribution. Network pharmacology analysis was used to find the related signalling pathways. DADLE promoted functional recovery after SCI. In SCI model of mice, DADLE significantly increased autophagic flux and inhibited necroptosis. Concurrently, DADLE restored autophagic flux by decreasing lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP). Additionally, chloroquine administration reversed the protective effect of DADLE to inhibit necroptosis. Further analysis showed that DADLE decreased phosphorylated cPLA2 , overexpression of cPLA2 partially reversed DADLE inhibitory effect on LMP and necroptosis, as well as the promotion autophagy. Finally, AMPK/SIRT1/p38 pathway regulating cPLA2 is involved in the action DADLE on SCI and naltrindole inhibited DADLE action on δ receptor and on AMPK signalling pathway. DADLE causes its neuroprotective effects on SCI by promoting autophagic flux and inhibiting necroptosis by decreasing LMP via activating δ receptor/AMPK/SIRT1/p38/cPLA2 pathway.

The relationship between locomotive syndrome anddepression inyoung Chinese college students.

This study investigates the relationship between locomotive syndrome (LS) and mental disorder (depression) in young Chinese college students. Our study population (n = 165; mean age of 19.82 ±1.90 years) comprises college student residents at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Three screening methods were used to evaluate LS: 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), a two-step test, and a stand-up test. Depression was screened by the Chinese version of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). The prevalence of LS and depression was 20.1% and 30.9%, respectively. The LS group had lower grip strength and higher ZSDS scores than the non-LS group. Young Chinese college students have a relatively high prevalence of LS, and LS and GLFS-25 scores were significantly related to depression. The present results suggest that management strategies for LS should consider depressive symptoms among young adults.

Comorbidity of cardiorespiratory and locomotor dysfunction following cervical spinal cord injury in the rat.

Cervical spinal cord injury interrupts supraspinal pathways innervating thoracic sympathetic preganglionic neurons and results in cardiovascular dysfunction. Both respiratory and locomotor functions were also impaired due to damages of motoneuron pools controlling respiratory and forelimb muscles, respectively. However, no study has investigated autonomic and somatic motor functions in the same animal model. The present study aimed to establish a cervical spinal cord injury model to evaluate cardiorespiratory response and locomotor activity in unanesthetized rats. Cardiovascular response and respiratory behavior following laminectomy or cervical spinal contusion were measured using noninvasive blood pressure analyzer and plethysmography systems, respectively. Locomotor activity was evaluated by an open-field test and a locomotor rating scale. The results demonstrated that mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced in contused rats compared with uninjured rats at the acute injured stage. Tidal volume was also significantly reduced during the acute and subchronic stages. Moreover, locomotor function was severely impaired, evidenced by decreasing moving ability and locomotor rating scores from the acute to chronic injured stages. Retrograde neurotracer results revealed that cervical spinal cord injury caused a reduction in number of phrenic and triceps motoneurons. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a significant attenuation of serotonergic, noradrenergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic fibers innervating the thoracic sympathetic preganglionic neurons in chronically contused rats. These results revealed the pathological mechanism underlying the comorbidity of cardiorespiratory and locomotor dysfunction following cervical spinal cord injury. We proposed that this animal model can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of potential strategies to improve different physiological functions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study establishes a preclinical rodent model to comprehensively investigate physiological functions under unanesthetized condition following cervical spinal cord contusion. The results demonstrated that cervical spinal cord contusion is associated with impairments in cardiovascular, respiratory, and locomotor function. Respiratory and forelimb motoneurons and neurochemical innervations of sympathetic preganglionic neurons were damaged following injury. This animal model can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of potential strategies to improve different physiological functions.

Tibolone Improves Locomotor Function in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury by Modulating Apoptosis and Autophagy.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) harms patients' health and social and economic well-being. Unfortunately, fully effective therapeutic strategies have yet to be developed to treat this disease, affecting millions worldwide. Apoptosis and autophagy are critical cell death signaling pathways after SCI that should be targeted for early therapeutic interventions to mitigate their adverse effects and promote functional recovery. Tibolone (TIB) is a selective tissue estrogen activity regulator (STEAR) with neuroprotective properties demonstrated in some experimental models. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TIB on apoptotic cell death and autophagy after SCI and verify whether TIB promotes motor function recovery. A moderate contusion SCI was produced at thoracic level 9 (T9) in male Sprague Dawley rats. Subsequently, animals received a daily dose of TIB orally and were sacrificed at 1, 3, 14 or 30 days post-injury. Tissue samples were collected for morphometric and immunofluorescence analysis to identify tissue damage and the percentage of neurons at the injury site. Autophagic (Beclin-1, LC3-I/LC3-II, p62) and apoptotic (Caspase 3) markers were also analyzed via Western blot. Finally, motor function was assessed using the BBB scale. TIB administration significantly increased the amount of preserved tissue (p < 0.05), improved the recovery of motor function (p < 0.001) and modulated the expression of autophagy markers in a time-dependent manner while consistently inhibiting apoptosis (p < 0.05). Therefore, TIB could be a therapeutic alternative for the recovery of motor function after SCI.

«Locomotive syndrome» in patients in the geriatric hospital

The study aim was to analyze the prevalence and course of locomotive syndrome in patients in the geriatric hospital.Materials and methods. This work was a cross-sectional study performed on the basis of the Moscow War Veterans Hospital N3. The study enrolled 58 patients – 43 women (74.1%) and 15 men (25.9%) hospitalized in the geriatric department of the hospital. The mean age of study patients was 82.7+5.9 years, varying from 75 to 96 years. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed, including the Age Is Not a Barrier Questionnaire, the Basic Daily Activity Scale (Bartel Index), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale, and the Morse Falls Scale. Questionnaires were filled out to assess the locomotive syndrome – GLFS‑5 and GLFS‑25. A 2 step test was carried out.Results. In 48 out of 58 patients (82.8%), locomotive syndrome was found: in 88.4% of women and in 66.7% of men (p=0.05). Locomotive syndrome was diagnosed in all centenarians, in 82.7% of patients aged 80 to 89 years and in 75% of patients aged 75–79 years. The main cause of the locomotive syndrome was degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine and joints observed in all patients. Only 1 patient had stage I locomotive syndrome, all the rest had stage II. Patients with locomotive syndrome had lower levels of activity in everyday life – 84.3±11.2 and 93.0±6.3 points according to the Barthel index, respectively (p=0.01), greater severity of pain syndrome according to VAS – 4.2±1.8 and 1.7±1.6 points, respectively (p=0.003) and a shorter distance of 2 steps (123.3±30.9 and 148.1±20.7 cm, respectively (p=0.003). Direct correlations were established between the values of the GLFS‑5 locomotive function scale and the age of patients (r=0.33; p=0.01), as well as the severity of chronic pain syndrome according to VAS (r=0.55; p=0.00007). Inverse relationships were registered between the indicators of the GLFS‑5 scale and the Barthel index (r= –0.44; p=0.0005), the IADL scale (r= –0.41; p=0.001) and the distance traveled in the «2 steps» test (r= –0.52; p=0.0007). Inverse correlations were observed between the values of the GLFS‑25 scale and the Barthel index (r= –0.41; p=0.008), the IADL scale (r= –0.59; p=0.00008), the Mini-COG test (r= –0.37; p=0.02), as well as indicators of bone mineral density in the proximal femur (r= –0.39; p=0.04 – r= –0.54; p=0.002). Conclusions. The study results indicate that patients in the geriatric hospital very often have locomotive syndrome associated with the pathology of the musculoskeletal system. The severity of the locomotive syndrome correlates with the indicators of the functional activity of patients, the intensity of the pain syndrome and the bone mineral density.

Lithium ameliorates spinal cord injury through endoplasmic reticulum stress-regulated autophagy and alleviated apoptosis through IRE1 and PERK/eIF2α signaling pathways

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the role of apoptosis and autophagy under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a lithium-treated SCI model. MethodsWe established a rat thoracic 10 (T10) spinal cord contusion model and observed its therapeutic effect by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of lithium. Histological and behavioral recovery with or without lithium injection were evaluated after rat spinal cord injury. In addition, we employed an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-PC12 cell model to study the effects of lithium on OGD-PC12 cell apoptosis, autophagy and ER stress. ResultsWe found that lithium administration to SCI rats reduced neuronal apoptosis and autophagy, restored rat locomotor function by reducing ER stress via IRE1 and PERK/eIF2α pathways. In vitro experiments confirmed that upon lithium treatment, OGD-PC12 cells resisted ER stress caused by thapsigargin (TG) via the IRE1 and PERK/eIF2α signaling pathways. ConclusionLithium attenuated neuronal apoptosis and autophagy, and facilitates the recovery after spinal cord injury through ameliorating ER stress, providing a new therapeutic mechanism for lithium to treat SCI.

Effects of prenatal bisphenol S and bisphenol F exposure on behavior of offspring mice

ABSTRACT Bisphenol A (BPA) is a representative endocrine-disrupting chemical that exhibits hormonal disturbance reactions. Various alternatives, such as Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF), are being developed. BPS and BPF (which are representative alternatives to BPA) are used in consumer products such as polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. They have structures similar to those of BPA and have also been proven to be exogenous endocrine disruptors. However, although there are many studies on BPA, there are few studies on the neurodevelopmental effects of BPS and BPF. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed neurobehavioral changes in offspring mice exposed to BPS and BPF during brain development by administering BPS and BPF to pregnant mice. We found that prenatal exposure to BPS and BPF did not affect anxiety-and depression-like behaviors, locomotion, sociability, memory, or cognition functions in offspring mice. However, exposure to BPS and BPF decreased the preference for social novelty in the offspring mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that perinatal exposure to BPS and BPF affects changes in social behaviors, but not other behavioral changes such as emotion, memory, or cognition in the offspring mice.

Spinal cord injury significantly alters the properties of reticulospinal neurons: delayed repolarization mediated by potassium channels.

After rostral spinal cord injury (SCI) of lampreys, the descending axons of injured (axotomized) reticulospinal (RS) neurons regenerate and locomotor function gradually recovers. Our previous studies indicated that relative to uninjured lamprey RS neurons, injured RS neurons display several dramatic changes in their biophysical properties, called the "injury phenotype." In the present study, at the onset of applied depolarizing current pulses for membrane potentials below as well as above threshold for action potentials (APs), injured RS neurons displayed a transient depolarization consisting of an initial depolarizing component followed by a delayed repolarizing component. In contrast, for uninjured neurons the transient depolarization was mostly only evident at suprathreshold voltages when APs were blocked. For injured RS neurons, the delayed repolarizing component resisted depolarization to threshold and made these neurons less excitable than uninjured RS neurons. After block of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels for injured RS neurons, the transient depolarization was still present. After a further block of voltage-gated potassium channels, the delayed repolarizing component was abolished or significantly reduced, with little or no effect on the initial depolarizing component. Voltage-clamp experiments indicated that the delayed repolarizing component was due to a noninactivating outward-rectifying potassium channel whose conductance (gK) was significantly larger for injured RS neurons compared to that for uninjured neurons. Thus, SCI results in an increase in gK and other changes in the biophysical properties of injured lamprey RS neurons that lead to a reduction in excitability, which is proposed to create an intracellular environment that supports axonal regeneration.NEW & NOTEWORTHY After spinal cord injury (SCI), lamprey reticulospinal (RS) neurons responded to subthreshold depolarizing current pulses with a transient depolarization, which included an initial depolarization that was due to passive channels followed by a delayed repolarization that was mediated by voltage-gated potassium channels. The conductance of these channels (gK) was significantly increased for RS neurons after SCI and contributed to a reduction in excitability, which is expected to provide supportive conditions for subsequent axonal regeneration.

Locomotive syndrome anddepressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study inmiddle-aged women.

Evidence for an association between locomotive syndrome (LS) and depression is lacking in middle-aged women. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between LS severity and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged women. This cross-sectional study included 1520 middle-aged women (mean age 52 ± 6 years). LS severity was evaluated using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale questionnaire and motor function test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung self-rating depression scale. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between depressive symptoms and LS severity, adjusting for potential confounding factors. LS severity, as evaluated through both questionnaires and motor function tests, was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (self-rating depression scale ≥ 40 points) in middle-aged women. The relationship between LS and depressive symptoms was only significant when assessed through the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale questionnaire rather than the motor function tests. Additionally, a stepwise association was observed between pain severity, as assessed by the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms. LS severity is significantly associated with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged women, suggesting the need for additional mental status assessment in participants with LS and concurrent pain.

Ornebius exserolimbus Wang & Ma, sp. nov., a new species of Ornebius (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae; Mogoplistinae) from China.

The Mogoplistidae genus Ornebius contains eight species groups and 124 species worldwide, with 14 species recorded from China. Here, we find a new species belonging to the species group alii Bhowmik, 1970 from Yunnan Province, China. The new species, Ornebius exserolimbus sp. nov., is distinct by bearing a protrusion on the anterior margin of the pronotum. This feature was first discovered in scale crickets and it might be related to some special locomotion function of crickets. Besides describing and illustrating the new species, we provide keys for Chinese Ornebius species in this article.

Building-Block Size Mediates Microporous Annealed Particle Hydrogel Tube Microenvironment Following Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event, which often results in loss of sensory and motor function below the level of trauma. Biomaterial therapies have been widely investigated in SCI to promote directional regeneration but are often limited by their pre-constructed size and shape. Herein, the design parameters of microporous annealed particles (MAPs) are investigated with tubular geometries that conform to the injury and direct axons across the defect to support functional recovery. MAP tubes prepared from 20-, 40-, and 60-micron polyethylene glycol (PEG) beads are generated and implanted in a T9-10 murine hemisection model of SCI. Tubes attenuate glial and fibrotic scarring, increase innate immune cell density, and reduce inflammatory phenotypes in a bead size-dependent manner. Tubes composed of 60-micron beads increase the cell density of the chronic macrophage response, while neutrophil infiltration and phenotypes do not deviate from those seen in controls. At 8 weeks postinjury, implantation of tubes composed of 60-micron beads results in enhanced locomotor function, robust axonal ingrowth, and remyelination through both lumens and the inter-tube space. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the importance of bead size in MAP construction and highlight PEG tubes as a biomaterial therapy to promote regeneration and functional recovery in SCI.

Comparing palm oil-derived tocotrienol-rich fraction with alpha-tocopherol in changes in locomotion and histological appearance in a cuprizone-induced animal model of multiple sclerosis

Aims: Alpha-tocopherol (AT) and tocotrienol (TT) are both naturally occurring forms of vitamin E found in palm oil. Previous studies found beneficial effects of AT in multiple sclerosis (MS) animal models. In the present study, the effects of palm oil-derived TT-rich fraction (TRF) and AT on the locomotor function, lipid peroxidation, and histological study of demyelination were compared in cuprizone (CPZ)-induced rat model of MS. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks received pellets mixed with CPZ for a duration of 6 weeks, followed by 100 mg/kg AT (group AT, n = 10) daily and 60 mg/kg TRF (group TT, n = 10) daily and vehicle (group V, n = 10) through oral gavage for 2 weeks. Open field test (OFT) and beam walking test (BWT) were carried out every 10th day. The status of myelination in the corpus callosum was evaluated by Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining and immunohistochemical staining of myelin basic protein (MBP). Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was estimated using brain homogenate. Results: Compared with group V, total distance moved and movement speed increased by 42.6 and 52.9%, respectively in group TT (P &lt; 0.05). Line crossing frequency increased by 39% (P &lt; 0.05) and 36% (P &lt; 0.05), respectively in groups TT and AT. Corpus callosum showed a maximum reduction of demyelinated areas and higher expression of MBP in group TT. MDA level in the cortex was significantly reduced in group AT. Conclusion: TRF improved locomotion and provided histological evidence of myelination in CPZ-withdrawn rats. AT reduced MDA levels in the cortex.

Application of vibration to the soles increases long-range correlations in the stride parameters during walking

Temporal fluctuations in the stride parameters during human walking exhibit long-range correlations, but these long-range correlations in the stride parameters decrease due to aging or neuromuscular diseases. These observations suggest that any quantified index of the long-range correlation can be regarded as an indicator of gait functionality. Considering the effect of task-relevant sensory feedback on augmenting human motor performance, we devised shoes with active insoles that could deliver noisy vibration to the soles of feet and assessed their efficacy in enhancing the long-range correlations in the stride parameters for healthy young adults. The vibration could be wirelessly controlled using a smartphone. The actuators, control unit, and battery in the devised shoes were light and embedded in the shoes. By virtue of this compactness, the shoes could be easily used for daily walking outside a laboratory. We performed walking experiments with 20 healthy adults and evaluated the effects of sub- and supra-threshold vibration on long-range correlations in stride interval and length. We performed detrended fluctuation analysis to quantify the long-range correlation of temporal changes in stride interval and length. We found that supra-threshold vibration, applied to the soles with the amplitude of 130 % of the sensory threshold, significantly increased the long-range correlations in stride interval and length by 10.3 % (p = 0.009) and 10.1 % (p = 0.021), respectively. On the other hand, sub-threshold vibration with the amplitude of 90 % of the sensory threshold had no significant effect. These results demonstrate that additional somatosensory feedback through barely detectable vibrations, which are supplied by compact shoes with active insoles, can enhance the indices of “healthy” complexity of locomotor function.

Actuality of the use of the "OSNOVA" device in remote rehabilitation

The purpose of the study: is to investigate the efficiency of the developed physical rehabilitation program in the late rehabilitation period after ischemic stroke with a personalized approach with the priority use of the "OSNOVA" device for the restoration of locomotor functions. Material &amp; Methods: to implement a physical rehabilitation program in the late rehabilitation period after ischemic stroke with a personalized approach with the priority use of the "OSNOVA" device for the restoration of locomotor functions, 10 patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke in the late rehabilitation period after undergoing sanatorium treatment were involved. Because the patients differed in pathogenesis (flaccid and spastic paralysis, left or right-sided), a personalized physical rehabilitation program was applied to each patient, but with elements of correction depending on the patient’s dynamics. All participants signed an informed consent form to participate in the study. The study used general and clinical methods of examination (medical history, patient examination), the NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) scale, which allows an objective approach to the patient's condition after a stroke and assesses neurological status, and the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) scale, which assesses mental state and cognitive function. Also, to implement the developed program, a device for restoring locomotor functions – "Osnova" – was developed. Results: a program of physical rehabilitation in the late rehabilitation period after ischemic stroke with a personalized approach with the priority use of the device "OSNOVA" was developed, which was conducted for three weeks and included three stages and the volume of training hours – 90. A "success diary" was introduced to motivate and monitor the workload during training. The data obtained showed that the average Barthel scale score is 77.1 against the initial value of 64. It should be noted that the scores increased by 17%. The NIHSS scale is 13.9 against the initial value of 10.1. We note that the scores have increased by 27%. Conclusions: the results obtained showed positive dynamics, but the development of a standard rehabilitation protocol is an open question, as there is currently insufficient data to determine the optimal duration of procedures and their intensity.

THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY ON INDICATORS OF LOCOMOTIVE SYNDROME IN ELDERLY PERSONS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE AND OBESITY

Aim: to assess the effectiveness of the developed physical therapy program on locomotive syndrome parameters in elderly people with osteoarthritis of the knee and obesity.&#x0D; Material and methods. 93 elderly people were examined. The control group consisted of 31 people without osteoarthritis of the joints, with no obesity. The main group 1 consisted of 33 people who received rehabilitation according to the general principles of osteoarthritis correction. Representatives of the main group 2 (31 people) were engaged in a physical therapy program using functional training on the «Prosedos» platform, therapeutic exercises, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation; massage, kinesiological taping, nutritional correction, patient education. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated according to the dynamics of the Short Physical Performance Battery, Functional Gait Assessment, Tinetti-test (Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment), 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale.&#x0D; Results. Elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and obesity were found to have impaired balance (Short Physical Performance Battery), altered gait stereotype (Functional Gait Assessment), risk of falling when performing activities of daily living (Tinetti-test) at the level of locomotive syndrome II degree (25- question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale). The developed program of physical therapy in persons of the main group 2 revealed a statistically significantly better effect on the components of the locomotive syndrome compared to the initial examination in all studied parameters (p&lt;0.05). Elderly patients who underwent rehabilitation according to the standard program for the correction of osteoarthritis achieved a statistically significant improvement compared to the initial state according to the studied parameters (p&lt;0.05), but less pronounced compared to the tested program.&#x0D; Conclusions. Elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joints and obesity need to develop physical therapy programs taking into account and correcting the specifics of each condition, the presence of static and dynamic balance disorders and the risk of falling, which will increase the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation measures.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Rett syndrome motor evaluation scale (RESMES): Spanish version

ObjectiveTo develop a Spanish version of the Rett Syndrome Motor Evaluation Scale (RESMES) for the locomotor function of Rett Syndrome (RTT) using a transcultural methodology. MethodsThe RESMES was cross-culturally adaptated and validated in the Spanish language (RESMES-sp). This study was divided into two well-differentiated phases: 1) a cross-cultural translation and adaptation; 2) psychometric characteristics analysis of the RESMES-sp (reliability, test-retest, construct validity, criteria validity, error measurements). For criteria validity, PAINAD questionnaire, the scoliosis values and PedsQL™, were used. ResultsA total of 63 girls and women diagnosed with RTT participated in this validation study. The total value of the RESMES-sp correlates significantly with all its dimensions, with the correlation value oscillating between 0.645 and 0.939. The correlation value with PAINAD ranges between 0.439 and 0.805; the scoliosis values ranges between 0.245 and 0.564; with PedsQOL™ questionnaire, the correlation values range between 0.273 and 0.663 for the PedsQL™ dimensions, and between 0.447 and 0.648 for the total value of PedsQOL™ questionnaire. The reliability values of Crombach's alpha ranged between 0.897 and 0.998 for the intra-observer analyses and between 0.904 and 0.998 for the inter-observer reliability. The SEM showed a value of 2,829, while the MDC90 showed a value of 6601. The Exploratory Factor Analysis showed 6 factors and values of variance of 86.163%. ConclusionsThe Spanish version of the RESMES is a reliable and valid tool for the functional assessment and follow-up of patients with RTT.