Motor Nervous System Research Articles

Gamification Assisted Language Learning for Japanese Language Using Expert Point Cloud Recognizer

Starting from people limitations to understand Japanese, education and social life of those people in Japan can be hindered. Therefore, a game is needed that allows one to understand Japanese using Gamification Assisted Language Learning (GALL) method, involving the introduction of Japanese language implementation using expert point cloud ($EP) recognizer. This method is used to stimulate the sensory and motor nervous system and motivate students (players) to study harder. This can be evidenced by increase in players ability from 20% to 100%.

The sympathetic nervous system regulates skeletal muscle motor innervation and acetylcholine receptor stability.

Symptoms of autonomic failure are frequently the presentation of advanced age and neurodegenerative diseases that impair adaptation to common physiologic stressors. The aim of this work was to examine the interaction between the sympathetic and motor nervous system, the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) presynaptic motor function, the stability of postsynaptic molecular organization, and the skeletal muscle composition and function. Since muscle weakness is a symptom of diseases characterized by autonomic dysfunction, we studied the impact of regional sympathetic ablation on muscle motor innervation by using transcriptome analysis, retrograde tracing of the sympathetic outflow to the skeletal muscle, confocal and electron microscopy, NMJ transmission by electrophysiological methods, protein analysis, and state of the art microsurgical techniques, in C57BL6, MuRF1KO and Thy-1 mice. We found that the SNS regulates motor nerve synaptic vesicle release, skeletal muscle transcriptome, muscle force generated by motor nerve activity, axonal neurofilament phosphorylation, myelin thickness, and myofibre subtype composition and CSA. The SNS also modulates the levels of postsynaptic membrane acetylcholine receptor by regulating the Gαi2 -Hdac4-Myogenin-MuRF1pathway, which is prevented by the overexpression of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gαi2 (Q205L), a constitutively active mutant G protein subunit. The SNS regulates NMJ transmission, maintains optimal Gαi2 expression, and prevents any increase in Hdac4, myogenin, MuRF1, and miR-206. SNS ablation leads to upregulation of MuRF1, muscle atrophy, and downregulation of postsynaptic AChR. Our findings are relevant to clinical conditions characterized by progressive decline of sympathetic innervation, such as neurodegenerative diseases and aging.

Tensometric tremorography in high-precision medical diagnostic systems.

BackgroundThe objective of the study was to develop a system for the precision diagnostics of pathologies of motor brain regions based on tensometric measurement and to explore its diagnostic capabilities.Materials and methodsTremor is a syndrome that indicates the abnormal state of the central nervous system, primarily in the motor brain regions. Analysis of tremor parameters provides significant information about the changes in the body motion control and can be used as an objective index of the central nervous system state. Existing methods are aimed at the analysis of visible tremor based on the use of different sensors. We suggest an alternative approach based on the use of a tensometric system performing tremor measurements when the tremor appears on the background of voluntary isometric efforts. The key advantage of our approach is that it allows to determine the tremor before its visible manifestation. In the article, we describe hardware implementation of our tremor analysis system.ResultsIn the article, we represent the new methodology and the original equipment based on the control of isometric effort. Isometric effort formed by a patient is controlled with the use of a feedback system on the patient’s monitor. We evaluated the performance of our equipment with more than 400 healthy volunteers and patients with various pathologies of the central nervous system motor regions, and the results of the investigations, allowing to identify tremor parameters typical for parkinsonism, are represented in our article.ConclusionTesting of the system confirmed its high diagnostic validity and reliability, high sensitivity, simplicity and high speed of information processing. The approach based on tensometric measurements is very promising for the diagnostics of Parkinson disease and dysfunctions of a central nervous system.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with and without jejunal extension in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal degenerative disease of the motor nervous system, which is associated with severe loss of weight. Enteral nutrition through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG-J) is generally recommended upon disease progression. There is no standard endoscopic method that should preferentially be performed. The aim of this study was to compare the number of adverse events, complication-free survival (CFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients who received PEG or PEG-J. All patients with ALS presenting for PEG or PEG-J placement to the Endoscopic Unit of Hannover Medical School, Germany, between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics were similar for patients receiving PEG (n=43) and PEG-J (n=39). The median intervention time and the absolute dose of propofol were significantly longer and, respectively, higher for patients with PEG-J (P=0.001 and 0.013). Intervention-related complications leading to hospitalization were significantly more frequent in patients who received PEG-J (36 vs. 4, P=0.001). The median CFS was significantly shorter in patients who received PEG-J compared with PEG (5 vs. 14 months, P=0.007). There was no difference in OS. Intervention-related complications were more frequent and the median CFS was shorter in patients who received PEG-J, whereas there was no difference in OS. Given the poor prognosis of patients with ALS, our data provide first evidence that PEG might be the better tolerable option, with fewer complications. The decision on which nutritional system is implanted should be evaluated individually.

Effect of a combination of flip and zooming stimuli on the performance of a visual brain-computer interface for spelling.

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems can allow their users to communicate with the external world by recognizing intention directly from their brain activity without the assistance of the peripheral motor nervous system. The P300-speller is one of the most widely used visual BCI applications. In previous studies, a flip stimulus (rotating the background area of the character) that was based on apparent motion, suffered from less refractory effects. However, its performance was not improved significantly. In addition, a presentation paradigm that used a "zooming" action (changing the size of the symbol) has been shown to evoke relatively higher P300 amplitudes and obtain a better BCI performance. To extend this method of stimuli presentation within a BCI and, consequently, to improve BCI performance, we present a new paradigm combining both the flip stimulus with a zooming action. This new presentation modality allowed BCI users to focus their attention more easily. We investigated whether such an action could combine the advantages of both types of stimuli presentation to bring a significant improvement in performance compared to the conventional flip stimulus. The experimental results showed that the proposed paradigm could obtain significantly higher classification accuracies and bit rates than the conventional flip paradigm (p<0.01).

Chronic exposure to graphene-based nanomaterials induces behavioral deficits and neural damage in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nanomaterials of graphene and its derivatives have been widely applied in recent years, but whose impacts on the environment and health are still not well understood. In the present study, the potential adverse effects of graphite (G), graphite oxide nanoplatelets (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on the motor nervous system were investigated using nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as the assay system. After being characterized using TEM, SEM, XPS and PLE, three nanomaterials were chronically exposed to C. elegans for 6 days. In total, 50-100 mg l-1 GO caused a significant reduction in the survival rate, but G and GDDs showed low lethality on nematodes. After chronic exposure of sub-lethal dosages, three nanomaterials were observed to distribute primarily in the pharynx and intestine; but GQDs were widespread in nematode body. Three graphene-based nanomaterials resulted in significant declines in locomotor frequency of body bending, head thrashing and pharynx pumping. In addition, mean speed, bending angle-frequency and wavelength of the crawling movement were significantly reduced after exposure. Using transgenic nematodes, we found high concentrations of graphene-based nanomaterials induced down-expression of dat-1::GFP and eat-4::GFP, but no significant changes in unc-47::GFP. This indicates that graphene-based nanomaterials can lead to damages in the dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurons. The present data suggest that chronic exposure of graphene-based nanomaterials may cause neurotoxicity risks of inducing behavioral deficits and neural damage. These findings provide useful information to understand the toxicity and safe application of graphene-based nanomaterials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The ICM research agenda on intensive care unit-acquired weakness.

We present areas of uncertainty concerning intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) and identify areas for future research. Age, pre-ICU functional and cognitive state, concurrent illness, frailty, and health trajectories impact outcomes and should be assessed to stratify patients. In the ICU, early assessment of limb and diaphragm muscle strength and function using nonvolitional tests may be useful, but comparison with established methods of global and specific muscle strength and physical function and determination of their reliability and normal values would be important to advance these techniques. Serial measurements of limb and respiratory muscle strength, and systematic screening for dysphagia, would be helpful to clarify if and how weakness of these muscle groups is independently associated with outcome. ICUAW, delirium, and sedatives and analgesics may interact with each other, amplifying the effects of each individual factor. Reduced mobility in patients with hypoactive delirium needs investigations into dysfunction of central and peripheral nervous system motor pathways. Interventional nutritional studies should include muscle mass, strength, and physical function as outcomes, and prioritize elucidation of mechanisms. At follow-up, ICU survivors may suffer from prolonged muscle weakness and wasting and other physical impairments, as well as fatigue without demonstrable weakness on examination. Further studies should evaluate the prevalence and severity of fatigue in ICU survivors and define its association with psychiatric disorders, pain, cognitive impairment, and axonal loss. Finally, methodological issues, including accounting for baseline status, handling of missing data, and inclusion of patient-centered outcome measures should be addressed in future studies.

Embryogenesis in the parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines is independent of host-derived hatching stimulation

BackgroundMany parasites regulate their development to synchronize their life cycle with a compatible host. The parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines displays incomplete host-mediated hatching behavior wherein some H. glycines individuals hatch only in the presence of a host-derived cue while others hatch in water alone. Furthermore, H. glycines shows variable hatching behavior based on oviposition location. The mechanisms regulating this hatching variability are unknown. In this study, we established a detailed timeline of the H. glycines pre-hatch development from early embryogenesis to the pre-hatched J2. These descriptive data were then used to test hypotheses regarding the effect of host stimulus and oviposition location on pre-hatch development.ResultsWe found that H. glycines develops from a single-cell egg to a fully formed J2 in approximately 172 hours. The stylet-based mouthpart, which is used to pierce the eggshell during hatching, is not completely formed until late in pre-hatch J2 development and is preceded by the formation of stylet protractor muscles. We also found that the primary motor nervous system of H. glycines did not complete development until late in pre-hatch J2 development. These data suggest possible structural requirements for H. glycines hatching. As expected, exposure of H. glycines eggs to host-derived cues increased the percentage of nematodes that hatched. However, exposure to hatching cues did not affect pre-hatch development. Similarly, we found no obvious differences in the pre-hatch developmental timeline between eggs laid in an egg sac or retained within the mother.ConclusionsThe pattern of early embryonic development in H. glycines was very similar to that recently described in the related parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. However, the speed of H. glycines pre-hatch development was approximately three times faster than reported for M. incognita. Our results suggest that hatching stimulants do not affect embryogenesis itself but only influence the hatching decision once J2 development is complete. Similarly, the oviposition location does not alter the rate of embryogenesis. These results provide insight into the primary survival mechanism for this important parasite.

Neuroinflammation and ALS: Transcriptomic Insights into Molecular Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the motor nervous system. Despite the mechanism underlying motor neuron death is not yet clarified, multiple pathogenic processes have been proposed to account for ALS. Among these, inflammatory/immune responses have recently gained particular interest, although there are conflicting reports on the role of these processes in ALS pathogenesis and treatment. This apparent discrepancy may be due to the absence of an effective stratification of ALS patients into subgroups with markedly different clinical, biological, and molecular features. Our research group recently described genome-wide characterization of motor cortex samples from sporadic ALS (SALS) patients, revealing the existence of molecular and functional heterogeneity in SALS. Here, we reexamine data coming from our previous work, focusing on transcriptomic changes of inflammatory-related genes, in order to investigate their potential contribution in ALS. A total of 1573 inflammatory genes were identified as differentially expressed between SALS patients and controls, characterizing distinct topological pathways and networks, suggestive of specific inflammatory molecular signatures for different patient subgroups. Besides providing promising insights into the intricate relationship between inflammation and ALS, this paper represents a starting point for the rationale design and development of novel and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Botulinum toxin type A in motor nervous system: unexplained observations and new challenges.

In the motor system, botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) actions were classically attributed to its well-known peripheral anticholinergic actions in neuromuscular junctions. However, the enzymatic activity of BoNT/A, assessed by the detection of cleaved synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25), was recently detected in motor and sensory regions of the brainstem and spinal cord after toxin peripheral injection in rodents. In sensory regions, the function of BoNT/A activity is associated with its antinociceptive effects, while in motor regions we only know that BoNT/A activity is present. Is it possible that BoNT/A presence in central motor nuclei is without any function? In this brief review, we analyze this question. Limited data available in the literature warrant further investigations of BoNT/A actions in motor nervous system.

BERMAIN DALAM RANGKA MENGEMBANGKAN MOTORIK PADA ANAK USIA DINI

Outdoor playing emphasis on the development of gross motor coordination, namely the leg muscles, hands and body flexibility, while developing fine motor skills are usually carried out by playing in the room. By playingchildren can learn to explore, develop potential, and develop a curiosity and increase his confidence. The first five years of a child’s life is important to develop motor skill include gross and fine motor skill. What is interesting about this motor development can be separated whith a dynamic posture that will achieve movement and can be separated from environmental influences and the maturation of motor nerve system

Complex regional pain syndrome

IntroductionComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that can occur after a minor trauma or surgery. It is a multifactorial condition with a complex cause and even more complex pathophysiology. There are disturbances and changes in the sympathetic, somatosensory and motor nervous system, resulting in severe pain and disability. Patients with CRPS can have their quality of life and functional ability greatly affected and they need appropriate and interdisciplinary interventions. PurposeThis article contributes towards an up-to-date knowledge and an overall view of CRPS, which can contribute to a structured and systematic rehabilitation process for patients. ImplicationsThis Masterclass describes a functional restoration algorithm to assist therapists in the development of a treatment plan based on the available evidence and international guidelines. Early diagnosis and treatment is of great importance as patients (adults and children), can be severely affected in their functional capacity and quality of life.

Prion-like propagation of mutant SOD1 misfolding and motor neuron disease spread along neuroanatomical pathways.

A hallmark feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is that symptoms appear to spread along neuroanatomical pathways to engulf the motor nervous system, suggesting a propagative toxic entity could be involved in disease pathogenesis. Evidence for such a propagative entity emerged recently in studies using mice that express G85R-SOD1 mutant protein fused to YFP (G85R-SOD1:YFP). Heterozygous G85R-SOD1:YFP transgenic mice do not develop ALS symptoms out to 20 months of age. However, when newborns are injected with spinal homogenates from paralyzed mutant SOD1 mice, the G85R-SOD1:YFP mice develop paralysis as early as 6 months of age. We now demonstrate that injecting spinal homogenates from paralyzed mutant SOD1 mice into the sciatic nerves of adult G85R-SOD1:YFP mice produces a spreading motor neuron disease within 3.0 ± 0.2 months of injection. The formation of G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusion pathology spreads slowly in this model system; first appearing in the ipsilateral DRG, then lumbar spinal cord, before spreading rostrally up to the cervical cord by the time mice develop paralysis. Reactive astrogliosis mirrors the spread of inclusion pathology and motor neuron loss is most severe in lumbar cord. G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusion pathology quickly spreads to discrete neurons in the brainstem and midbrain that are synaptically connected to spinal neurons, suggesting a trans-synaptic propagation of misfolded protein. Taken together, the data presented here describe the first animal model that recapitulates the spreading phenotype observed in patients with ALS, and implicates the propagation of misfolded protein as a potential mechanism for the spreading of motor neuron disease.

Diagnosis of Biogenic Amines Synthesis Defects

Defects of biogenic amines synthesis encompass a group of rare genetic disorders that have been described during the last few decades. They include tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, and pterin defects such as 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency, dihydropteridine reductase deficiency, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase-I deficiency, and sepiapterin reductase deficiency. These diseases cause low brain concentrations of catecholamines (dopamine and norepinephrine) and serotonin, which may affect motor, cognitive, and autonomic nervous system. Although most patients have recognizable phenotypes, and share a collection of overlapping symptoms, presentations vary widely and may appear to be nonclassic for the specific disorder. In general, the spectrum of clinical manifestations range from benign forms such as L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine responsive movement disorders to severe encephalopathies that are difficult to treat. These conditions require the specialized analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid because every defect has a very suggestive profile in regard to monoamine and pterin metabolites. However, secondary deficiencies of these metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid can also be found in a wide variety of neurological disorders. Owing to the still existing challenges of the diagnostic approach, it is important to highlight some of the most relevant clinical and biochemical signatures, as well as to propose practical algorithms that may help clinicians to detect and treat these patients.

The compliance of robotic hands – from functionality to mechanism

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the physical structure and the control mechanism of human motor nervous system to the robotic system in a tentative manner to improve the compliance/flexibility/versatility of the robot. Design/methodology/approach – A brief review is focused on the concept of compliance, the compliance-based methods and the application of some compliance-based devices. Combined with the research on the physical structure and the control mechanism of human motor nervous system, a new drive structure and control method is proposed. Findings – Introducing the physical structure and the control mechanism of human motor nervous system can improve the compliance/flexibility/versatility of the robot, without bringing in more complexity or inefficiency to the system, which helps in the assembly automation tasks. Originality/value – The proposed drive structure and control method are useful to build up a novel, low-cost robotic assembly automation system, which is easy to interact and cooperate with humans.

Wearable sensor network to study laterality of brain functions.

In the last decade researches on laterality of brain functions have been reinvigorated. New models of lateralization of brain functions were proposed and new methods for understanding mechanisms of asymmetry between right and left brain functions were described. We design a system to study laterality of motor and autonomic nervous system based on wearable sensors network. A mobile application was developed for analysis of upper and lower limbs movements, cardiac and respiratory function. The functionalities and experience gained with deployment of the system are described.

Neurotoxicity associated with exposure to 1-bromopropane in golf-club cleansing workers

Background. 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is an alternative to ozone-depleting solvent that is used in degreasing, dry cleaning, spray adhesives, and aerosol solvents. Occupational exposure to 1-BP is associated with adverse peripheral sensory, motor, and central nervous system (CNS) effects. We report our Health Hazard and Medical Evaluation of 6 patients with neurotoxicity associated with occupational exposure to 1-BP. Case series and environmental evaluation. Six workers, 1 male and 5 female, were exposed to high ambient 1-BP concentrations while employed in a golf club cleaning factory. 1-BP was identified in the bulk solvent sample used by the workers and confirmed the workers’ daily occupational exposure to 1-BP for 3–10 months. The major presenting symptoms were tingling pain, soreness in lower extremities, and paresthesia. N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine (AcPrCys), a 1-BP metabolite, was identified by LC/MS/MS in the urine (0.171–1.74 mg/g-Cr) of these workers 5–26 days following 1-BP exposure. Discussion and conclusion. An occupational outbreak of 1-BP poisoning occurred as a result of recurrent power outages, condenser, and exhaust fans malfunction, and inadequate personal protection. Occupational exposure to 1-BP may result in peripheral neuropathy as well as adverse CNS effects. Urine AcPrCys may be a specific biomarker for 1-BP exposure.

Age-related gene expression changes in substantia nigra dopamine neurons of the rat

Ageing affects most, if not all, functional systems in the body. For example, the somatic motor nervous system, responsible for initiating and regulating motor output to skeletal musculature, is vulnerable to ageing. The nigrostriatal dopamine pathway is one component of this system, with deficits in dopamine signalling contributing to major motor dysfunction, as exemplified in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, while the dopamine deficit in PD is due to degeneration of substantia nigra (SN) dopamine (DA) neurons, it is unclear whether there is sufficient loss of SN DA neurons with ageing to explain observed motor impairments. Instead, evidence suggests that age-related loss of DA neuron function may be more important than frank cell loss. To further elucidate the mechanisms of functional decline, we have investigated age-related changes in gene expression specifically in laser microdissected SN DA neurons. There were significant age-related changes in the expression of genes associated with neurotrophic factor signalling and the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Furthermore, reduced expression of the DA neuron-associated transcription factor, Nurr1, may contribute to these changes. Together, these results suggest that altered neurotrophic signalling and tyrosine hydroxylase activity may contribute to altered DA neuron signalling and motor nervous system regulation in ageing.

An experimental evaluation of a new designed apparatus (NDA) for the rapid measurement of impaired motor function in rats

BackgroundAssessment of the ability of rat to balance by rotarod apparatus (ROTA) is frequently used as a measure of impaired motor system function. Most of these methods have some disadvantages, such as failing to sense motor coordination rather than endurance and as the sensitivity of the method is low, more animals are needed to obtain statistically significant results. New methodWe have designed and tested a new designed apparatus (NDA) to measure motor system function in rats. Our system consists of a glass box containing 4 beams which placed with 1cm distance between them, two electrical motors for rotating the beams, and a camera to record the movements of the rats. The RPM of the beams is adjustable digitally between 0 and 50 rounds per minute. ResultsWe evaluated experimentally the capability of the NDA for the rapid measurement of impaired motor function in rats. Also we demonstrated that the sensitivity of the NDA increases by faster rotation speeds and may be more sensitive than ROTA for evaluating of impaired motor system function. Comparison with existing methodsCompared to a previous version of this task, our NDA provides a more efficient method to test rodents for studies of motor system function after impaired motor nervous system. ConclusionsIn summary, our NDA will allow high efficient monitoring of rat motor system function and may be more sensitive than ROTA for evaluating of impaired motor system function in rats.

Protocolo diagnóstico del paciente con debilidad muscular de predominio distal

In the diagnostic approach of patients with distal muscle weakness we must consider conditions at different levels of motor nervous system, the most characteristics those affecting the peripheral nerves and motor neuron (the latter in its earliest phases). Less commonly find that some diseases of the muscle itself may present with this presentation, being the most characteristic of this group predominantly proximal weakness. A detailed medical history and a neurological allow accurate assessment locate the level of injury and thus direct the additional studies needed to confirm the diagnosis.