scholarly journals Sensory Feedback Training for Improvement of Finger Perception in Cerebral Palsy

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Blumenstein ◽  
Ana Alves-Pinto ◽  
Varvara Turova ◽  
Simon Aschmann ◽  
Ines Lützow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Training System ◽  
Tactile Perception ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Small Vibration ◽  
Feedback Training ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Before And After

Purpose. To develop and to test a feedback training system for improvement of tactile perception and coordination of fingers in children and youth with cerebral palsy.Methods. The fingers of 7 probands with cerebral palsy of different types and severity were stimulated using small vibration motors integrated in the fingers of a hand glove. The vibration motors were connected through a microcontroller to a computer and to a response 5-button keyboard. By pressing an appropriate keyboard button, the proband must indicate in which finger the vibration was felt. The number of incorrect responses and the reaction time were measured for every finger. The perception and coordination of fingers were estimated before and after two-week training using both clinical tests and the measurements.Results. Proper functioning of the developed system in persons with cerebral palsy was confirmed. The tactile sensation of fingers was improved in five of seven subjects after two weeks of training. There was no clear tendency towards improvement of selective use of fingers.Conclusion. The designed feedback system could be used to train tactile perception of fingers in children and youth with cerebral palsy. An extensive study is required to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Efficiency of the Halliwick concept in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-180
Author(s):  
Dragan Gajić ◽  
Slađana Jokić ◽  
Bogdana Mraković
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Swim Test ◽  
Gross Motor Function Measure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Banja Luka ◽  
Function Measure

Background/Aim: Since 2010, the Halliwick Concept has been applied in the rehabilitation of children with neurological disorders at the Department of Habilitation and Rehabilitation of Children and Youth at the Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR) "Dr Miroslav Zotović" in Banja Luka, the Republic of Srpska, Bosna and Herzegovina. Aim of this study was to analyse results of the implementation of the full Halliwick Concept programme over the period from 1 January 2016 to 1 January 2017 and points to the effectiveness of this type of hydrokinesitherapy. Methods: After analysing 40 patients with different diagnoses of neurological disorders: cerebral palsy (CP), arthrogryposis (AG), Down syndrome (DS), and central nervous system (CNS) injury, only patients with CP were represented due to the homogeneity of the diagnosis and were included in analysis (N = 30). Rehabilitation treatment of patients according to the Halliwick concept was performed, over a period of one year, for 60 minutes once a week. Patients were tested by Swimming with Independent Measurement (SWIM) test, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Barthel Index before and after treatment. Results: Considering all patients, before and after the application of the concept of individual Halliwick swimming skills/movement in water, a statistically significant difference was detected by assessing the SWIM test and a highly significant difference was detected by evaluating the Gross motor function measure test of GMFM66, as well as in evaluating the Barthel Index test. Assessment of swimming abilities through the SWIM test showed the least progression was in the ability in Getting out of the water, with the greatest progression in the ability in Breathing control. Conslusion: The Halliwick Concept programme at the Department for the Habilitation and Rehabilitation of Children and Youth, IPMR "Dr Miroslav Zotović" in Banja Luka is effective and the results indicate the need for its application in the rehabilitation of children with CP.

scholarly journals Quality assessment of gas produced from different types of biomass pellets in gasification process

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 406-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Mikeska ◽  
Jan Najser ◽  
Václav Peer ◽  
Jaroslav Frantík ◽  
Jan Kielar
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Combustion Gas ◽  
Gas Cleaning ◽  
Gasification Process ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cleaning Technology

Gas from the gasification of pellets made from renewable sources of energy or from lower-quality fuels often contains a number of pollutants. This may cause technical difficulties during the gas use in internal combustion gas engines used for energy and heat cogeneration. Therefore, an adequate system of gas cleaning must be selected. In line with such requirements, this paper focuses on the characterization and comparison of gases produced from different types of biomass during gasification. The biomass tested was wood, straw, and hay pellets. The paper gives a detailed description and evaluation of the measurements from a fix-bed gasifier for the properties of the produced gases, raw fuels, tar composition, and its particle content before and after the cleaning process. The results of elemental composition, net calorific value, moisture, and ash content show that the cleaned gases are suitable for internal combustion engine-based cogeneration systems, but unsuitable for gas turbines, where a different cleaning technology would be needed.

scholarly journals AB0042 CYTOKINE NETWORK ELUCIDATED BY THE QUANTIFICATION OF MULTIPLE CYTOKINES IN THE SERUM SEQUENTIALLY SAMPLED FROM RA PATIENTS WHO WERE TREATED WITH BIOLOGIC DMARDS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1323.2-1324
Author(s):  
K. Sato ◽  
S. Mamada ◽  
C. Hayashi ◽  
T. Nagashima ◽  
S. Minota
Keyword(s):  
Bone Erosion ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Type I Interferons ◽  
Type I ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cytokine Network ◽  
Biologic Dmards ◽  
Type I Ifns ◽  
Before And After

Background:Biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have demonstrated that proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL-) 6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Other cytokines, such as type I interferons (IFNs), are also implicated in its pathogenesis (ref 1). However, the complete picture of the cytokine network involved in RA remains to be elucidated.Objectives:By quantifying sets of cytokines in the serum of RA patients before and after treatment with various biologic DMARDs, we sought to determine the effects of drugs on (A) type I IFNs, (B) soluble IL-6 receptors, and (C) other cytokines.Methods:52 patients with RA were treated with various biologic DMARDs (tocilizumab (TOC): 16, abatacept (ABT): 15, and TNF inhibitors (TNFi): 21). Serum samples were obtained (1) before, (2) approximately 4 weeks after (3) and approximately 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. A suspension bead-array system was used for analysis; Bio-Plex Human Cytokine 17-plex Assay kits and Express Custom Panels (Bio-Rad), including IFN-β, IFN-α2, soluble IL-6 receptor α (sIL6Rα) and gp130 were used.Results:(1) As expected, the disease activity score 28-joiny count (DAS28) using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) significantly decreased in all three groups (TOC, ABT and TNFi) by 12 weeks.(2) IFN-α2 was barely detected in the serum samples. IFN-β seemed to increase slightly in the ABT group, but the increase was not statistically significant.(3) The levels of sIL6Rα did not change substantially. Those of gp130 decreased slightly but significantly in the TOC group by 12 weeks.(4) The levels of IL-6 decreased significantly in the ABT group by 12 weeks. Those in the TNFi group decreased significantly at 4 weeks but not 12 weeks (Fig. 1A).(5) The levels of IL-7 decreased significantly only in the TOC group (Fig. 1B).Conclusion:(1) The biologic DMARDs tested in this study did not significantly affect the serum levels of type I IFNs in this study.(2) The decrease in gp130 in the TOC group may imply that gp130 is induced by IL-6, although whether this level of decrease has physiological significance is open to question.(3) Serum IL-6 was significantly decreased in the TNFi group at 4 weeks but not 12 weeks. TNF has been reported to induce IL-6 (ref 2), but negative feedback loop(s) may be present. Such a feedback system might make the discontinuation of TNFi difficult, even if patients are in remission.(4) IL-7 may be a target of IL-6. A higher level of IL-7 has been reported to be present in the joints of RA patients compared with osteoarthrosis and it is a cytokine implicated in the differentiation of osteoclasts (ref 3). This may partly explain the effect of TOC on preventing bone erosion in RA.References:[1]Ann Rheum Dis. 2007; 66: 1008–14[2]Rheumatology 2007; 46: 920-6[3]Rheumatology 2008; 47: 753-9Acknowledgments:We thank all the members of the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University. We are also grateful to the patients involved in this study.Disclosure of Interests:Kojiro Sato Grant/research support from: Abbie, Pfizer, Chugai, Astellas, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Ono, Takeda, Sachiko Mamada: None declared, Chiyomi Hayashi: None declared, Takao Nagashima: None declared, Seiji Minota: None declared

scholarly journals Human perceptual learning is delayed by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor partial agonist D-cycloserine

2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112098634
Author(s):  
Harriet Dempsey-Jones ◽  
Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen ◽  
Michael Browning ◽  
Tamar R Makin ◽  
Marcella L Woud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Tactile Perception ◽  
Simple Explanation ◽  
Tactile Learning ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Learning And Cognition ◽  
To Receive

Background: The optimisation of learning has long been a focus of scientific research, particularly in relation to improving psychological treatment and recovery of brain function. Previously, partial N-methyl-D-aspartate agonists have been shown to augment reward learning, procedural learning and psychological therapy, but many studies also report no impact of these compounds on the same processes. Aims: Here we investigate whether administration of an N-methyl-D-aspartate partial agonist (D-cycloserine) modulates a previously unexplored process – tactile perceptual learning. Further, we use a longitudinal design to investigate whether N-methyl-D-aspartate-related learning effects vary with time, thereby providing a potentially simple explanation for apparent mixed effects in previous research. Methods: Thirty-four volunteers were randomised to receive one dose of 250 mg D-cycloserine or placebo 2 h before tactile sensitivity training. Tactile perception was measured using psychophysical methods before and after training, and 24/48 h later. Results: The placebo group showed immediate within-day tactile perception gains, but no further improvements between-days. In contrast, tactile perception remained at baseline on day one in the D-cycloserine group (no within-day learning), but showed significant overnight gains on day two. Both groups were equivalent in tactile perception by the final testing – indicating N-methyl-D-aspartate effects changed the timing, but not the overall amount of tactile learning. Conclusions: In sum, we provide first evidence for modulation of perceptual learning by administration of a partial N-methyl-D-aspartate agonist. Resolving how the effects of such compounds become apparent over time will assist the optimisation of testing schedules, and may help resolve discrepancies across the learning and cognition domains.

scholarly journals Are the Acute Effects of THC Different in Aging Adults?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 590
Author(s):  
Raeghan L. Mueller ◽  
Jarrod M. Ellingson ◽  
L. Cinnamon Bidwell ◽  
Angela D. Bryan ◽  
Kent E. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Young Group ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Behavioral Measures ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Aging Adults

In recent years of expanding legalization, older adults have reported the largest increase in cannabis use of any age group. While its use has been studied extensively in young adults, little is known about the effects of THC in older adults and whether the risks of cannabis might be different, particularly concerning intoxication and cognition. The current study investigated whether age is associated with the deleterious effects of THC on cognitive performance and other behavioral measures before and after ad libitum self-administration of three different types of cannabis flower (THC dominant, THC + CBD, and CBD dominant). Age groups consisted of young adults (ages 21–25) and older adults (ages 55–70). Controlling for pre-use scores on all measures, the THC dominant chemovar produced a greater deleterious effect in younger adults compared with older adults in tests of learning and processing speed, whereas there were no differences between old and young in the effects of the other chemovars. In addition, the young group reported greater cannabis craving than the older group after using the THC chemovar. Consistent with some reports in the preclinical literature, the findings suggest that older adults may be less sensitive to the effects of THC on cognitive and affective measures.

scholarly journals Akwenda intervention programme for children and youth with cerebral palsy in a low-resource setting in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a quasi-randomised controlled study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e047634
Author(s):  
Gillian Saloojee ◽  
Francis Ekwan ◽  
Carin Andrews ◽  
Diane L Damiano ◽  
Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Motor Disorder ◽  
National Council ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionCerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood-onset motor disorder accompanied by associated impairments, placing a heavy burden on families and health systems. Most children with CP live in low/middle-income countries with little access to rehabilitation services. This study will evaluate the Akwenda CP programme, a multidimensional intervention designed for low-resource settings and aiming at improving: (1) participation, motor function and daily activities for children with CP; (2) quality of life, stress and knowledge for caregivers; and (3) knowledge and attitudes towards children with CP in the communities.MethodsThis quasi-randomised controlled clinical study will recruit children and youth with CP aged 2–23 years in a rural area of Uganda. Children will be allocated to one of two groups with at least 44 children in each group. Groups will be matched for age, sex and motor impairment. The intervention arm will receive a comprehensive, multidimensional programme over a period of 11 months comprising (1) caregiver-led training workshops, (2) therapist-led practical group sessions, (3) provision of technical assistive devices, (4) goal-directed training and (5) community communication and advocacy. The other group will receive usual care. The outcome of the intervention will be assessed before and after the intervention and will be measured at three levels: (1) child, (2) caregiver and (3) community. Standard analysis methods for randomised controlled trial will be used to compare groups. Retention of effects will be examined at 12-month follow-up.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (SS 5173) and registered in accordance with WHO and ICMJE standards. Written informed consent will be obtained from caregivers. Results will be disseminated among participants and stakeholders through public engagement events, scientific reports and conference presentations.Trial registration numberPan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR202011738099314) Pre-results.

Human mobility models reveal the underlying mechanism of seasonal movements across China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Song ◽  
Xiao-Yong Yan ◽  
Suoyi Tan ◽  
Bin Sai ◽  
Shengjie Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Engineering ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Gravity Models ◽  
Mobility Models ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽  
Population Movements ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Time Periods

Understanding the spatial interactions of human mobility is crucial for urban planning, traffic engineering, as well as for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Although many models have been developed to model human mobility, it is not clear whether such models could also capture the traveling mechanisms across different time periods (e.g. workdays, weekends or holidays). With one-year long nationwide location-based service (LBS) data in China, we investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of population movements during different time periods, and make thorough comparisons for the applicability of five state-of-the-art human mobility models. We find that population flows show significant periodicity and strong inequality across temporal and spatial distribution. A strong “backflow” effect is found for cross-city movements before and after holidays. Parameter fitting of gravity models reveals that travels in different type of days consider the attractiveness of destinations and cost of distance differently. Surprisingly, the comparison indicates that the parameter-free opportunity priority selection (OPS) model outperforms other models and is the best to characterize human mobility in China across all six different types of days. However, there is still an urgent need for development of more dedicated models for human mobility on weekends and different types of holidays.

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