Normal Motor Research Articles

Extracting connectivity data from published papers: challenges and decisions

Abstract There is more knowledge than ever about brain connectivity, without change in the capacity of humans to individually manage that knowledge. Non-invasive methods such as MRI and EEG generate large amounts of data related to connectivity in humans that lacks specificity at many levels of analysis. Experiments that use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) generate smaller amounts of data that provide complementary information about the causal role of surface brain regions in modulating other brain areas and behaviors. While the volume and variety of all types of data regarding neuronal networks is increasing, sufficiently flexible comprehensive methodology for describing, summarizing, and modeling multimodal information about brain connectivity does not exist. For most types of brain connection data, there is no way to identify regional brain circuitry beside traditional bibliographic methods. Specifically, there is no publicly accessible knowledge base or theoretical approach for human TMS-based regional brain connectivity information. We have begun to aggregate, harmonize, and model brain connectivity information derived from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) regarding motor behavior in normal, aged, and neurologically impaired humans. We have designed and tested a graph database approach to describe the results of TMS-connectivity experiments parsed from the literature. We will present a demonstration of how our system can provide an open-source knowledge base to the community of scientists. But there are numerous decisions to be made regarding the representation of varied experimental designs and results in a graph database and how to handle conflicts and gaps in the literature. Once these issues are addressed, the ability to store and retrieve data in a format that can generate models of function will aid scientists’ ability to generate theories of normal motor function to understand and ameliorate deficits when they occur. Keywords: functional connectivity, knowledge aggregation, computational methods, transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transformasi Wavelet Daubechis dan Fuzzy Subspace Clustering untuk Klasifikasi Misalignment pada Motor Induksi

Induction motors are the most widely used motors because they are sturdy and inexpensive. However, as the induction motor operates, mechanical damage will occur, one of which is bearing damage. Bearing damage can reach 50% compared to other types of damage. The causes include misalignment when installing the motor with a load or vibration when the motor is operating. In this study, the misalignment phenomenon will be classified based on the level of damage. The damage scenario is 1mm and 1.5mm misalignment. Vibration from normal motor and motor misalignment will be taken using a vibration sensor, then the vibration signal will be transformed using Daubechis wavelet transform. The output in the form of a high frequency signal from the Daubechis wavelet transform will be extracted based on the sum, range, and energy of the signal. Then, the performance of the Fuzzy Subspace Clustering method will be known after testing the data. As a comparison whether the Fuzzy Subspace Clustering method can classify induction motor conditions well, it will be compared with the K-Mean method. The results showed that the combination of Fuzzy Subspace Clustering or K-Means and the first-level Daubechis wavelet transform resulted in the best classification with an accuracy of 95.83%.

THE EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON GROSS MOTOR SKILL IN PRE SCHOOL CHILDREN

Background and Purpose : Nutritional status is one aspect that influences children’s development. Children whose nutritional needs are not being met are at risk of experiencing developmental disorders, where one aspect of development that is affected is their gross motor skills. Indonesia has a number of malnutrition up to 17.7% with a motor disorder rate of 13-18%. This study aims to analyze the relationship between nutritional status and gross motor skill status of children aged 60-72 months in Islam Al karomah Surabaya Kindergarten. Methods : This study use obervational analytic method with cross sectional design study design. The sample in this study were children who attend Islamic Al Karomah kindergarten in Surabaya. The number of samples was 40 respondents in the Islam Al Karomah Surabaya Kindergarten. The sampling technique of this study was total sampling with nutritional status as independent variable and gross motor skill status as dependent variable. The instuments of this study are Z-Scores (Body Mass Index for age) and Developmental Pre Screening Questionnaire for collecting data and was analyzed by Fisher’s Exact test (a=0.05). Results : Almost all of the children with normal gross motor skills (78.1%) have a normal nutritional status with the results of Fisher’s Exact analysis shown p value = 0.007 (p<0.05). Conclusion : there is a relationship between the nutritional status and gross motor skill status of children aged 60-72 months in Islam Al karomah Surabaya Kindergarten.

Epineural Methylene Blue Injection May Aid Localization of Digital Nerves in Dupuytren’s Surgery

Background: In Dupuytren’s surgery, limited fasciectomy is still the gold-standard treatment. A relatively high risk of iatrogenic nerve injury has been observed especially when the spiral cords of the Dupuytren’s tissue pull digital nerves away from their normal anatomical location. Intraoperative neural marking could facilitate locating the potentially displaced nerves. Hence, surgery could be undertaken more quickly with a lower risk of iatrogenic nerve injury. Objectives: We hypothesize that digital nerves may be stained with methylene blue (MB) in vivo providing a visual aid to distinguish them from Dupuytren’s tissue. We aim to (a) test an in vivo nerve staining technique using MB in a rat sciatic nerve model and to (b) assess the safety of epineural MB injection. Methods: Three experiments were performed: first, the effects of (a) sham surgery, (b) epineural needle insertion, and (c) 40 μL epineural saline injection were tested in the rat sciatic nerve. Second, we determined the (a) histoanatomical localization of the epineurally injected 40 µL 1 m/m% MB stock solution and (b) we tested which saline dilution (i.e., 1:40, 1:80, and 1:160) of the stock solution does provide optimal blue color upon 40 µL epineural injection. Third, the functional and morphological effect of 40 µL 1:80 diluted MB injection was compared with that of saline, injected into the contralateral sciatic nerve. The functional effects were tested by assessing the pain threshold by using a dynamic plantar esthesiometer (DPA) and by examination of the animal’s gate and paw posture. Sciatic nerves were subjected to histological examination and morphometry to test structural damage. Results: Neither epineural needle insertion nor saline injection caused any functional or morphological changes. Histological examination revealed that the MB stained the epineural compartment. Epineural injection of 40 μL 1:80 diluted MB into the sciatic nerve stained an 18.18-mm segment of the nerve distal to the puncture point. DPA revealed unchanged pain threshold values on the plantar surface of the limbs. Normal gait and foot posture suggested normal motor functions in all groups. No histological changes were seen in the stained nerves, and the nerve fiber density remained unchanged. Conclusion: We demonstrated that in vivo nerve staining with MB is a suitable method to mark nerves without causing detectable negative effect to the stained nerve. Human trials are required to prove the efficacy of the technique in Dupuytren’s disease.

Functional neurological disorders in patients with brain tumours

Abstract Aims Signs and symptoms that develop in people with brain tumours are often attributed to their tumour. The prevalence and management of functional neurological symptoms in brain tumour patients have received little attention. This is surprising because functional neurological symptoms complicate management greatly and misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and iatrogenic side-effects. Therefore, we investigated the presentation, diagnosis and management of functional neurological disorders (FND) in patients who had a brain or meningeal tumour. Method A retrospective case review was performed from 2017 - 2021 to identify adult brain tumour patients who developed a functional neurological disorder that caused significant disability necessitating expedited investigations. All patients attended a regional neuro-oncology centre. We recorded type of brain tumour and diagnostic investigations. The onset of functional symptoms was divided into three time windows: before tumour diagnosis, after diagnosis and before treatment or after tumour treatment. A neuropsychological review looked for evidence of previous adverse life events. Therapeutic interventions for functional neurological disorder and their outcomes were documented. The case review was combined with a systematic review of the literature to identify the published presentations of functional neurological disorder in the adult brain tumour population. MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies published between January 1980 and February 2021. Results Six patients (5 female, 1 male) were identified from the case review with a median age of 41 (range 29 - 56) years old. Four patients had non-epileptic attack disorder, which was diagnosed with videotelemetry of habitual attacks. One patient had a functional hemiparesis with normal central motor conduction time. One patient had a functional speech disorder with normal EEG. Half of these patients had functional neurological symptoms prior to surgery/oncological treatment. Five patients (83%) were referred for further neuropsychiatric or psychological evaluation. A history of significant psychological trauma prior to the brain tumour diagnosis was elicited in four (66%) patients. Conclusion Patients with either a brain or meningeal tumour may develop functional neurological symptoms. Our findings suggest the possibility that diagnosis of a brain tumour may precipitate a debilitating functional neurological disorder. The neurobiological basis for functional neurological disorders is being actively investigated. There are suggestions in the literature that some brain diseases increase the risk of developing a functional neurological disorder. Further work is needed to determine whether this is true for patients with brain tumours. Increased awareness of functional neurological disorders will improve management. Withdrawal of unnecessary treatment, such as anticonvulsant drugs, reduces the risk of iatrogenic side effects. Initiation of multi-disciplinary care pathways, e.g. physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and psychological treatments, promotes recovery. Collectively, these interventions improve our patients’ quality of life.

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome: Clinical, electromyographic, and ultrasound features in 25 patients

BackgroundThe acute presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is rare. When symptoms start acutely with no obvious causes, ultrasound (US) imaging may provide clues to the etiology. ObjectiveThis study describes the clinical, electromyographic, and US findings in 25 patients presenting with acute CTS (ACTS). MethodsIn this analysis, of the patients referred for electrodiagnostic confirmation of CTS over the past decade, 25 had an acute onset of symptoms. All patients underwent EMG/NCV and US of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel and forearm. ResultsOf the 25 cases with ACTS, 5 (20%) had bilateral involvement leading to the total hands studied to 30. In 14 (56%) patients, an inciting event was identified as a possible cause of ACTS. In 11 (44%) patients without an antecedent event, 7 (64%) had a persistent median artery (PMA) detected by US. Electrodiagnostic studies showed prolonged distal motor latency with normal motor conduction velocity proximal to the carpal tunnel in 24 (80%) of 30 hands, 6 (20%) hands showed absent compound muscle action potentials over the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), and 22 (73%) hands had absent sensory potentials. Denervation changes were seen in the APB in 13 (43%) hands, and motor unit potentials were absent in 6 (20%) hands. Sixteen (64%) patients underwent a carpal tunnel release for severe symptoms. ConclusionCTS may present acutely without a clinically identifiable cause. US complements electrodiagnostic studies and is particularly useful when electrodiagnostic tests are non-diagnostic (due to absent compound muscle and sensory action potentials). US may also provide clues to the underlying cause.

HUBUNGAN STATUS GIZI DENGAN PERKEMBANGAN MOTORIK KASAR PADA ANAK USIA 1-3 TAHUN DI POSYANDU SYUKUR NIKMAT DESA SUNGAI DUREN

Toddler age children are children aged 12-36 months (1-3 years). In this period children are trying to find out how things work and how to control others through anger, rejection, and stubbornness. at this time it will cause irreversible damage and can have an impact on brain development. This research is an analytic study with a cross sectional design. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional status and gross motor development in children aged 1-3 years. The population in this study were children aged 1-3 years totaling 123 and the sample in this study was 123 using the total sampling technique. The study was conducted from January 2021 to September 2021. The statistical test used in this study was to use the chi-square test. The results of the study showed that 110 (89.4%) respondents had good nutritional status, as many as 111 (90.2%) respondents had normal gross motor development, there was a relationship between nutritional status and gross motor development in children aged 1-3 years with a p value = 0.000 For this reason, nutritional status is important for children's gross motor development so that children can grow and develop according to their age It is hoped that the Syukur Nikmat Posyandu can provide health education about balanced nutrition for children aged 1-3 years so that children can meet body nutrition so that children's development can be optimal.

Research on Fault Diagnosis of IPMSM for Electric Vehicles Based on Multi-Level Feature Fusion SPP Network

At this stage, the fault diagnosis of the embedded permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) mostly relies on the analysis of related signals when the motor is running. It requires designers to deeply understand the motor drive system and fault characteristic signals, which leads to a high threshold for fault diagnosis. This study proposes an IPMSM fault diagnosis method based on a multi-level feature fusion spatial pyramid pooling (SPP) network, which can directly diagnose motor faults through motor operating current data. This method uses the finite element software Altair Flux to build symmetrical normal motor and demagnetization faulty motor models, as well as an asymmetrical eccentric fault model; conduct a joint simulation with MATLAB-Simulink to obtain fault current data; convert the collected current data into grayscale images, using the data set expansion method to form training and test data sets; and improve the convolutional neural network (CNN) network structure, that is, adding jump connections after each pooling layer and adding a spatial pyramid pooling layer after the last pooling layer to form a new CNN structure. Experimental results show that the new CNN can extract different levels and different scales of motor fault features hidden in the image, and can effectively diagnose different types of IPMSM faults. Compared with the traditional CNN, the new CNN has a higher fault diagnosis accuracy, up to 98.16%, 2.3% higher.

Characteristics and In-Hospital Outcomes of Pediatric Traumatic Spinal Injuries in A Referral Trauma Center.

Objective:To evaluate the characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of traumatic spinal injuries among children admitted to a local trauma center in Iran. Methods:Patients aged 0-18 years who had been admitted to Shahid Kamyab trauma center for acute traumatic spinal injury (Mashhad, Iran) between 2011 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Various demographic, clinical, radiological, and outcome variables were recorded and analyzed.Results:A total of 127,300 trauma patients were evaluated and amongst them, 61 children had spinal trauma. The mean age was 11.1 and there was no significant sex preponderance (54% males). Most of the injuries were occurred in summer (34.4%) and the most common trauma mechanism was motor vehicle accidents (55.7%) followed by falling (36.1%). Almost all patients (95.1%) had vertebral fractures, which were in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral area in order to decrease incidence. 67.2% of patients were managed non-surgically. The mean hospital stay was 8.9 days and 82.0% of patients had been discharged with normal motor function. Conclusion:Pediatric spinal trauma is less studied entity in the field of traumatology due to the lower prevalence of these injuries in pediatric patients worldwide. But our study shows a higher prevalence of such injuries in the pediatric population. Although controversial, the leading cause of these injuries is motor vehicle accidents. Fortunately, short term in-hospital outcome seems to be good in such injuries.

Bilateral C5 Palsy Following A Circumferential Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Case Report and Review

Background and Importance: The development of C5 root palsy is a well-known potential complication of cervical spine surgeries for the correction of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. It typically occurs unilaterally, but on extremely rare occasions, bilaterally. The value of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring in detecting iatrogenic acute versus delayed onset C5 palsy, the rarity of bilateral C5 palsy, and its optimal management require further discussion. Case Presentation: A 49-year-old woman with quadriparesis due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy is presented. She underwent circumferential 360° cervical spine surgery. This operation was subsequently complicated by a delayed bilateral C5 palsy, despite normal transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs). With the utilization of conservative treatment, the complete resolution of this complication took roughly eight months. Conclusion: Bilateral C5 palsy is an infrequent consequence of multilevel cervical spine surgeries. Although intraoperative monitoring of transcranial electrical stimulation-induced MEPs has high sensitivity and specificity in foreseeing the acute-onset C5 palsy, it cannot predict delayed-onset palsy. Including the current case, only seven cases have been reported in the medical literature. Overall, conservative management in adherence to rigorous physical therapy may be an acceptable treatment.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROSS MOTOR SKILLS OF INFANTS RECEIVING BREASTMILK AND RECEIVING BREASTMILK-FORMULA MILK

Introduction: Development is the process of changing the functional capacity of the body's organs to a state that is increasingly organized and according to their respective functions. There are gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social skills, emotional abilities, language skills, and knowledge in the development domain. Gross motor movement is the ability to change various body positions using large muscles. Gross motor development begins before a child continues the developmental stage to the next domain. One of the factors in infant development is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be done as a solution to prevent delays in motor development in children. Purpose: To determine the difference between the gross motor skills of infants receiving breastmilk and receiving breastmilk-formula milk in Gotong Royong Hospital. Method: This study used an observational analytic study with a research design retro cross-sectional. The sampling technique was carried out by random sampling. The data collection procedure was carried out by collecting secondary data based on medical records from the main study, "The Impact of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding on the Health Profile of Mother and Infant in Gotong Royong Hospital". In this study, using the statistical test Chi-square then data analysis was performed using software SPSS on the computer. Results: Based on the analysis test, there was no difference in gross motor development of infants aged three months who were breastfed and those who were breastfed and received formula milk with a value of p = 1,000 (p <0,05). Babies who experienced gross motor development were suspected (42%), while those who experienced normal gross motor development were (58%). Conclusion: There is no difference in gross motor development of infants aged three months receiving breastmilk and breastmilk-formula milk in Gotong Royong Hospital.

Protective Effect of Catechin Hydrate on Spinal Cord Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background: Aortic artery stenosis leads to Ischemia-Reperfusion (I-R) injury, which can cause certain clinical expressions, such as paraplegia. Objectives: To appraise the effect of Catechin Hydrate (CH) against spinal cord I-R injury. Materials & Methods: A total of 35 male rats (250-300 g) were divided randomly into five groups: intact, sham surgery, dimethyl sulfoxide (I-R+DMSO), low-dose CH (I-R+10 mg/kg CH), and high-dose CH (I-R+20 mg/kg CH). Abdominal aorta clamping was done for 60 min. Seventy-two hours after I-R, animals were evaluated for neurologic function, biochemical analysis, and histology. The data analysis was conducted by SPSS v. 16 using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The mean Motor Deficit Index (MDI) score and white matter damage in the CH (20 mg/kg) group were lower than in the DMSO group (P=0.032). The mean plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the CH groups were lower than that of the DMSO group (P<0.05). The plasma level of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in the CH (20 mg/kg) group was higher than in the DMSO group (P=0.032). In addition, the plasma level of catalase in the CH (20 mg/kg) group was higher than in the DMSO and CH (10 mg/kg) groups (P<0.001). The average number of normal motor neurons in the experimental groups was lower than in the sham surgery group (P<0.001).

ECTRIMS 2021 – ePoster

Introduction: COVID-19 induced longitudinal extensive myelitis (LEM) is an extremely rare clinical manifestation. Aims and Methods: In this case study, we report a woman of LEM which appeared fifteen days after COVID-19 infection. Results: A 39-year-old woman, suffering from gradually increased weakness and severe pain at lower limbs and urinary retention was admitted to the emergency department. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection 15 days ago and fully recovered from respiratory symptoms. Her initial neurological examination showed loss of muscular strength in right lower limb 1/5 and left lower limb 2/5, hyperreflexia in the lower limbs and generalized allodynia. All modalities of sensation were diminished at the T10 segmental level. Her nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 was positive. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed pleocytosis (whitecell count 110/mm3 ) with mostly polymorphonuclear leukocytes (90%), elevated protein (67 mg/dl) and normal glucose (78 mg/dl;concurrent serum glucose level was 96 mg/dl). Serology for SARS-CoV2 in CSF demonstrated infection (anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG: 5.47 (negative<1). The other serum and CSF tests were negative for differential diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis. Electromyography (EMG) showed normal motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the upper and lower limbs. The somatosensory evoked potention test (SEP) determined prolonged latency of bilateral tibial nerve cortical responses with low-amplitudes. Cervical and thoracic MRI demonstrated a long segment of T2 hyperintensities within the central cord extending from C2-C3 level to T10 level. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone 1 g/d IV for five days. Because of her progressed neurological condition, the patient received five sessions of plasma exchange and additionally methylprednisolone 1 g IV was given for another ten days. The patient was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility without any clinical improvement. Conclusions: Acute transverse myelitis have been reported during respiratory diseases due to SARS-CoV-2. Otherwise, the clinical manifestation of LEM induced by COVID-19 seen during infection is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the second one of LEM induced by COVID-19 confirmed by CSF antibody. This case remarks the importance of recognition and early treatment of LEM during COVID-19 infection.

DMD – CLINICAL CARE: EP.101 Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) changes in patients with dystrophinopathies

The musculo-skeletal phenotype of patients with dystrophinopathies range from Severe DMD with loss of ambulation (LOA) before age 13 years, to Intermediate DMD with LOA between 13 to 16 years and asymptomatic patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Compared to healthy controls, we found that males with DMD have progressive decline in Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI) with age and with worsening functional mobility. The age-related trajectories of ALM/ALMI in pediatric patients with BMD and Intermediate DMD have not yet been characterized. We aimed to: (1) compare ALM/ALMI of pediatric male patients with DMD in different stages of disease with that of patients with BMD; (2) compare ALM trajectories of patients with Intermediate DMD and BMD with those of typical DMD; and (3) compare ALM trajectories by the 4 DMD genotypes – mutations in exons 1-30, 31-44, 45 – 62 and 63-79. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of 499 patients (ages 2 – 20 y) with DMD (466 typical DMD; 33 DMD Intermediate) and 46 patients with BMD and normal motor function. ALM and ALMI (kg/m2) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). ALM and ALMI from 693 healthy male controls were used as a reference to calculate age-specific Z-scores. Results: Mean ALMI Z-scores of DMD patients fell below -2 around age 12y while that of BMD patients remained within ± 2 without decline. ALMI of DMD patients declined after age 10 y while BMD patients accrued ALM but at a slower rate than healthy controls. ALMI started to decline in the milder Intermediate DMD patients around age 14 y. DMD patients with mutations in exons 63-79 appear to have greater declines in ALMI after age 10 y than DMD patients with the other 3 genotypes. Our data on ALMI trajectories in pediatric patients with dystrophinopathies can provide insight for clinical care management needs as well as inform clinical trial design for therapeutic trials in DMD and BMD.

Расстройство моторной функции верхнего отдела пищеварительного тракта у детей с вегетативной дисфункцией

Нами проведено комплексное клиническое, лабораторное и инструментальное обследование 109 детей в возрасте 6–16 лет с вегетативной дисфункцией и жалобами со стороны органов пищеварения. Изучена симптоматика заболеваний с учетом жалоб и анамнестических данных, результатов объективного обследования, общеклинического исследования крови и мочи, биохимического исследования крови, исследования кала на яйца гельминтов, данных электрокардиографии, консультаций врачей-специалистов, ультразвукового исследования органов брюшной полости. Состояние слизистой оболочки желудка и двенадцатиперстной кишки и наличие моторно-эвакуаторных нарушений в виде рефлюкса оценивалось по данным фиброэзофагогастродуоденоскопии. Исследование эвакуаторной функции желудка проводилось с помощью ультразвукового обследования методом наполнения. Всем детям проведено изучение вегетативной регуляции сердечного ритма методом кардиоритмографии. Также проведена диагностика уровней ситуативной (реактивной) и личностной тревожности с использованием теста Спилбергера. Выявлена группа детей с синдромом вегетативной дисфункции и моторными нарушениями верхнего отдела пищеварительного тракта (ВОПТ). Изучены клинические проявления, факторы риска возникновения, типы нарушений моторной функции ВОПТ при синдроме вегетативной дисфункции у детей, определена связь этих нарушений с H.pylori. Все обследованные дети были распределены на 2 группы. Основная группа — 87 детей с синдромом вегетативной дисфункции и нарушениями моторной функции ВОПТ и группа сравнения — 22 ребенка с синдромом вегетативной дисфункции без нарушений моторной функции ВОПТ. С целью проведения лечения дети основной группы были распределены на группы в зависимости от типа нарушений моторной функции ВОПТ: I группа пациентов — с ускорением моторной функции ВОПТ и II группа пациентов — с замедлением этой функции. Курс лечения пациентов обеих групп длился 30 дней. Была доказана эффективность лечения синдрома вегетативных дисфункций с учетом типа моторных расстройств ВОПТ.

Developmental toxicity induced by particulate matter (PM2.5) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) model.

Contemporary research in epidemiology has found that being exposed to air pollution at an early stage of life has associations with both acute and chronic conditions of the multi-organs. Nevertheless, the reasons for this have yet to be fully explained. Because of this there is a need for a robust investigation into the damaging toxic influence of diesel particulate matter (PM2.5) on living organisms. This study is aimed to investigate the developmental toxicity of PM2.5 by using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo/larvae as a disease model and to understand the toxicity effects of PM2.5 on ecological environment more thoroughly. This research demonstrates that being exposed to PM2.5 leads to a significant increase in mortality, effective developmental morphology, reductions in hatching rates and lower heart rates in zebrafish. Additionally, it leads to increases in the length of string heart, area of pericardium, and apoptosis, reduces the number of normal intersegmental vessels (ISVs) and motor neurons in the trunk region and liver formation defects in zebrafish embryos. Investigation employing a scanning electron microscope demonstrates that being exposed to PM2.5 leads to damage in zebrafish larvae skin cell layers. Histological analysis demonstrates that when these larvae are treated with PM2.5 then abnormalities occur in the neurons, liver, heart, gills, brain, and eyes, and remarkable increase in in the cellular/subcellular levels of organelle dissolution. These findings are useful to help us understand the pathophysiological influence of being exposed to PM2.5 on the multi-organ defects of zebrafish. More research into which particular elements that make up diesel pollution contribute to this toxicity is needed so that the dangers to development can be further analysed.

Early detection relationship of cerebral palsy markers using brain structure and general movements in infants born

AimTo detect early brain structural and clinical functional markers of brain injury and development based on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring system and a general movement assessment (GMA) for preterm infants later diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). Study designRetrospective cohort study. General movements (GMs) were scored according to a semiquantitative scoring system: the GMs optimality score (GMOS) at preterm and term ages and the Motor Optimality Score (MOS) at the corrected age of 3 months after birth. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age was scored using an MRI scoring system. We analyzed the relationship between the early degree of cerebral white matter (WM) abnormality and the GMOS and the MOS for infants born <32 weeks gestational age later diagnosed with CP in a comparison group of neurotypical controls. SubjectsSixteen preterm infants were included in this study who underwent MRI and GMs assessment. 8 out of the 16 preterm infants were later diagnosed with CP, while the other 8 infants with normal motor development (N) were placed into the control group. Their median gestational age was 30w6d and 27w6d for each group respectively. ResultsThe cerebral WM MRI scores were significantly higher in the CP group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The GMOS and MOS were significantly higher in the control group than in the CP group (p < 0.05). The MOS showed a strong correlation to the cerebral WM MRI score (r = -0.88) and the subscale of cerebral WM items (the cystic degeneration and the focal signal abnormalities) of the MRI score (r = -0.94) in the CP group. The MOS also showed a correlation with corrected biparietal diameter (cBPD) in the preterm infant group with CP (r = 0.75). Results of linear regression analyses between term MRI and GMs measures in preterm infants with CP are presented. Cerebral WM scores were associated with the MOS (β = −0.63; 95%CI = −0.97, −0.29; p < 0.01). Cerebral WM injury, including the subscale of cystic degeneration and focal signal abnormalities was closely associated with the MOS (β = −0.83; 95%CI = −1.13, −0.54; p < 0.001). ConclusionCerebral WM scores show a strong association with a decreased motor performance on the MOS in preterm infants later diagnosed with CP. Severe white matter injury and significantly decreased MOS scores may provide useful early markers and strong evidence to early predict the risk of later development of cerebral palsy in preterm infants.

Dual SMN inducing therapies can rescue survival and motor unit function in symptomatic ∆7SMA mice

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency which results in motor neuron loss and muscle atrophy. SMA is caused by a mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and retention of the nearly identical SMN2 gene. SMN2 contains a C to T change in exon 7 that results in exon 7 exclusion from 90% of transcripts. SMN protein lacking exon 7 is unstable and rapidly degraded. The remaining full-length transcripts from SMN2 are insufficient for normal motor neuron function leading to the development of SMA. Three different therapeutic approaches that increase full-length SMN (FL-SMN) protein production are approved for treatment of SMA patients. Studies in both animal models and humans have demonstrated increasing SMN levels prior to onset of symptoms provides the greatest therapeutic benefit. Treatment of SMA, after some motor neuron loss has occurred, is also effective but to a lesser degree. The SMN∆7 mouse model is a well characterized model of severe or type 1 SMA, dying at 14 days of age. Here we treated three groups of ∆7SMA mice starting before, roughly during, and after symptom onset to determine if combining two mechanistically distinct SMN inducing therapies could improve the therapeutic outcome both before and after motor neuron loss. We found, compared with individual therapies, that morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) directed against ISS-N1 combined with the small molecule compound RG7800 significantly increased FL-SMN transcript and protein production resulting in improved survival and weight of ∆7SMA mice. Moreover, when give late symptomatically, motor unit function was completely rescued with no loss in function at 100 days of age in the dual treatment group. We have therefore shown that this dual therapeutic approach successfully increases SMN protein and rescues motor function in symptomatic ∆7SMA mice.

Predictive validity of a qualitative and quantitative Prechtl's General Movements Assessment at term age: Comparison between preterm infants and term infants with HIE

AimTo determine (1) if the General Movement Optimality Score (GMOS) at term age enhances prediction of motor impairment at 12 and 24 months of age in high-risk infants, when compared to a global General Movement Assessment (GMA), and (2) compare predictive validity for two high-risk populations: infants born preterm and infants born at term with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy who have received therapeutic hypothermia. MethodsFifty-nine extremely preterm or term age infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy underwent term age GMA. A GMA score of normal or abnormal, and a comparative numerical General Movement Optimality Score (GMOS, total values 5–42) were assigned. Neurology and motor assessment were carried out at age 12 and 24 months using standardised assessments; Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development or Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Outcomes were recorded as normal, motor delayed or cerebral palsy. Motor outcome prediction at 12 and 24 months of age was calculated using the GMA and, using ROC analysis, GMOS cut-off scores were determined. ResultsAt 12 and 24 months global GMA sensitivity for preterms was 80% and 100%, and for Term HIE was 100% at both ages. Specificity values for preterm infants at 12 and 24 months were 68.8% and 60% versus 28.8% and 21.4% for term HIE. Median GMOS scores were lower in the term HIE group than the preterm group in the normal and poor repertoire categories. Optimality cut off scores enhanced specificity, but values remained low. InterpretationAt term age, specificity for identification of infants with later normal motor outcome is low. The GMOS may assist identification of infants with the highest probability of motor impairment, enabling targeted intervention during critical periods for neuroplasticity.

The Effect of Sugammadex on Time of Sciatic Block by Perineural Bupivacaine in Rats

Objectives We aimed to investigate the effect of sugammadex on the motor, sensory and deep sensory block in the sciatic nerve created by bupivacaine in rats. Materials and Methods 18 Sprague-Dawley adult male rats treated with unilateral sciatic nerve block by bupivacaine (0.2 ml) were randomly divided into three groups. Control group (Group C, n = 6, 1.5 mL saline) perineural sugammadex group (Group PNS, n = 6, 16 mg/kg) and intraperitoneal sugammadex group (Group IPS, n = 6, 16 mg/kg) Motor, sensory, and deep sensory functions were evaluated every 10 minutes by a blind researcher. 6 tissue samples each belonging to the sciatic nerve, 1.5 cm in length and 0.2 cm in diameter, were taken from paraffin blocks. Sections of 3-4 micrometers were stained with Hematoxylin + Eosin, Masson Trichrome dyes and examined under a light microscope. Results There was no statistically significant difference between 3 groups in terms of the time to return to normal motor, sensory and deep sensory function. There was also no significant difference in edema, extracellular matrix, and myelin. Inflammatory cells were seen in all groups, mainly epineurium, epineurium, and perineurium. Conclusion There are findings of no histological effects or effects on local block of sugammadex in rats undergoing sciatic nerve block.