bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of motor imagery training on symmetrical use of knee extensors during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks in post-stroke hemiparesis
Authors: Oh Duck-Won , Kim Jin-Seop , Kim Suhn-Yeop , Yoo Eun-Young , Jeon Hye-Seon 
Published: December 2019

Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training (MIT) on the symmetrical use of knee extensors during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. Methods: We measured the electromyographic (EMG) data in the knee extensor on the affected side of 3 volunteers with post-stroke hemiparesis. We used a single-subject multiple-baseline research design across individuals. The EMG data were collected from knee extensors while performing the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. The EMG activation and onset time ratios for the knee extensors were calculated by dividing the EMG activation and onset time of knee extensor action on the affected side by these on the unaffected side. MIT consisted of a 10-min detailed description of 5 stages: preparation, sit-to-stand tasks, weight shifting during standing, stand-to-sit tasks, and completion. Results: During MIT, the EMG activation ratios of participants 1, 2, and 3 increased by 11.24%, 18.07%, and 26.91%, respectively, in the sit-to-stand task and by 12.11%, 14.31%, and 25.92%, respectively, in the stand-to-sit task. During MIT, the onset time of participants 1, 2, and 3 decreased by 36.09%, 24.27%, and 25.61%, respectively, in the sit-to-stand task and by 26.81%, 27.20%, and 22.83%, respectively, for the stand-to-sit task. Conclusion: These findings suggest that MIT has a positive effect on the symmetrical use of knee extensors during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks.
Endurance exercise training promotes angiogenesis in the brain of chronic/progressive mouse model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Al-Jarrah Muhammed , Jamous Mohammad , Al Zailaey Khalid , Bweir Salameh O. 
Published: December 2019

Goals and objectives: The main goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of treadmill exercise on the angiogenesis markers in the striatum (ST) of chronic/progressive parkinsonian mice. Materials and Methods: Forty 57BL/6 albino mice were randomly divided into four groups. Sedentary control (SC, n = 10), exercise control (ExC, n = 10), sedentary Parkinson’s (SPD, n = 10), and exercised Parkinson’s (ExPD, n = 10). Parkinsonism was induced by the injection with 10 doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, (25 mg/kg) and probenecid (250 mg/kg) over 5 weeks, three days and half a part. Following the induction of parkinsonism, ExPD and ExC animal groups were trained on a modified human treadmill at a speed of 18 m/min, 0° of inclination, 40 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The remaining two groups (SPD and SC) were housed in cages for the same period. At the end of the experiment, the angiogenesis markers; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and CD34 were examined in the striatum in the four animal groups. Results: PD resulted in a significant decrease in blood vessel density with the comparison between the sedentary control and PD model animals ( p < 0.005). Four weeks of treadmill exercise training significantly increased angiogenesis in the striatum in ExPD groups ( p < 0.05). Exercise also induced an increase in blood vessel density in the striatum of the control animals, but the change was not significant ( P < 0.3). Conclusion: These data suggest that 4 weeks of treadmill exercise promoted angiogenesis in the brain of chronic Parkinsonian mice, which can partially explain the beneficial role exercise in patients with PD. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism of exercise-induced angiogenesis in PD.
Parental stress and marital relationships among patients with brain injury and their spouses
Authors: Kieffer-Kristensen R. , Teasdale T.W. 
Published: December 2019

Introduction/Objectives: This study examines parental stress and marital relationship among patients with acquired brain injury and their spouses. Participants, Materials/Methods: The participants were 35 patients diagnosed with acquired brain injury and having school-aged children, together with their spouses recruited from out-patients from brain injury rehabilitation units across Denmark. The parents self-reported parental stress using the Parental Stress Index (PSI), marital adjustment using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), family functioning using the Family Environment Scale (FES). Additionally, the healthy parents completed the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) measuring psychological symptoms. A matched control group consisted of parents suffering from diabetes and their spouses, being recruited from the National Danish Diabetes Register. Results: Significantly more symptoms of parental stress were reported by the brain-injured parents when compared to the diabetic parents ( p < 0.05); the brain injured parents also reported significant more family dysfunction ( p < 0.05). The healthy parents in the brain injury group rated their marital satisfaction and current relationship happiness significantly lower ( p < 0.05) than the healthy control group. The spouses to the brain-injured patients were also significantly more depressed ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: When parents have acquired brain injury, they experience more parental stress and family dysfunction. Their spouses are less satisfied in their marital relationship and feel more depressed. These results indicate the need of a family centred supportive service to focus on the relational changes and dysfunctional family processes in families with a brain-injured parent and dependent children.
The effect of combining daily restraint with bimanual intensive therapy in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy: A self-control study
Authors: Cohen-Holzer Marilyn , Katz-Leurer Michal , Reinstein Rachel , Rotem Hemda , Meyer Shirley 
Published: December 2019

Aim: To examine the influence of combining restraint therapy with bimanual intensive therapy on the unimanual and bimanual function among children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). Included were nine children (ages 6–9 yr), with Manual Ability Classification System scores of 2–3, Gross Motor Functional Classification System 1–2; Intervention: 10 days, six hours per day including one hour of restraint followed by five hours of bimanual activities. Evaluations: One month and immediately prior to the intervention (as the control period), immediately, two months and six months post-intervention. The Assisting Hand Assessment was the primary outcome measure, along with the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function, the Jamar pinch gauge for grip and pinch, and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results: No significant change was observed during the pre-intervention control period in any of the outcome measures; a significant improvement in all outcome parameters was noted after the intervention as compared to the control period. These achievements were still significantly higher than baseline values at six months post-intervention. Conclusion: Children with hemiparetic CP at this level of impairment might benefit from a short daily intervention program of combining restraint with bimanual training in order to improve unimanual and bimanual function.
Effects of levodopa on forward and backward gait patterns in persons with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bryant M.S. , Rintala D.H. , Hou J.G. , Lai E.C. , Protas E.J. 
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Backward walking is difficult for persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is unknown how levodopa influences backward gait patterns, especially when compared to forward gait patterns. Purpose: Investigate the effects of levodopa on forward and backward gait patterns in individuals with PD. Design: A repeated measures design was used. Methods: The sample consisted of 21 individuals with PD (15 males, 6 females). Their mean age was 70.24 ± 8.69 yr. The average time since diagnosis was 11.81 ± 5.49 years. The median of the Hoehn and Yahr stage while ‘ON’ medication was 2.57. Gait patterns during forward and backward walking at a self-selected comfortable speed were recorded before and after taking levodopa on the same day. Results: Levodopa significantly increased gait speed and stride length and decreased the percent of the gait cycle (%GC) spent in double support. Gait speed and stride length were greater and the %GC spent in double support was less during forward walking compared with backward walking. Cadence was not changed by levodopa or walking direction. Conclusions: Levodopa improved gait characteristics during backward walking in a manner similar to that during forward walking in persons with PD.
Effects of forced use combined with scheduled home exercise program on upper extremity functioning in individuals with hemiparesis
Authors: Park Hae-Yean , Yoo Eun-Young , Park Soo Hyun , Park Ji-Hyuk , Kang Dae-Hyuk , Chung Bo-In , Jung Min-Ye 
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The aims of this study were to 1) investigate the effects of forced use combined with scheduled home exercise program compared to forced use only on increasing upper extremity functioning, 2) examine whether increased upper extremity functioning generalized to activities of daily living (ADL) functioning, and 3) explore participants’ psychosocial functioning. Methods: A single-subject A-B-A’-C research design was employed in this study. The intervention consisted of two conditions: forced use only (intervention period B), and forced use in addtion to scheduled home exercise program (intervention period C). Results: The results were as follows: 1) Forced use combined with scheduled home exercise program compared to forced use only allowed individuals with stroke to take part in exercise programs on their own within their home setting, ultimately improving their upper extremity functioning. 2) The program’s promotion of performance in ADL tasks have the advantage of keeping participants focused so that a number of exercises can be maintained throughout the intervention. 3) Finally, forced use combined with scheduled home exercise program showed partial effects on improving the participants’ psychosocial functioning. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that forced use combined with scheduled home exercise program compared to forced use only has the potential to be a cost- and resource-efficient method for intensifying rehabilitation.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor added to a sciatic	nerve fragment grafted in a spinal cord gap ameliorates motor impairments in	rats and increases local axonal growth
Authors: Guzen Fausto Pierdoná , de Almeida Leme Ricardo José , de Andrade Michele Schultz Ramos , de Luca and Bianca Aparecida , Chadi Gerson 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: The aversive nature of regenerative milieu is the main problem related to the failure of neuronal restoration in the injured spinal cord which however might be addressed with an adequate repair intervention. We evaluated whether glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) may increase the ability of sciatic nerve graft, placed in a gap promoted by complete transections of the spinal cord, to enhance motor recovery and local fiber growth. Methods: Rats received a 4 mm-long gap at low thoracic level and were repaired with a fragment of the sciatic nerve. GDNF was added (NERVE±GDNF) or not to the grafts (NERVE--GDNF). Motor behavior score (BBB) and sensorimotor tests-linked to the combined behavior score (CBS), which indicate the degree of the motor improvement and the percentage of functional deficit, respectively, and also the spontaneous motor behavior in an open field by means of an infrared motion sensor activity monitor were analyzed. At the end of the third month post surgery, the tissue composed by the graft and the adjacent regions of the spinal cord was removed and submitted to the immunohistochemistry of the neurofilament-200 (NF-200), growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43), microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP-2), 5-hidroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP). The immunoreactive fibers were quantified at the epicenter of the graft by means of stereological procedures. Results: Higher BBB and lower CBS levels (p < 0.001) were found in NERVE±GDNF rats. GDNF added to the graft increased the levels of individual sensorimotor tests mainly at the third month. Analysis of the spontaneous motor behavior showed decreases in the time and number of small movement events by the third month without changes in time and number of large movement events in the NERVE$+$GDNF rats. Immunoreactive fibers were encountered inside the grafts and higher amounts of NF-200, GAP-43 and MAP-2 fibers were found in the epicenter of the graft when GDNF was added. A small amount of descending 5-HT fibers was seen reentering in the adjacent caudal levels of the spinal cords which were grafted in the presence of GDNF, event that has not occurred without the neurotrophic factor. GDNF in the graft also led to a large amount of MAP-2 perikarya and fibers in the caudal levels of the cord gray matter, as determined by the microdensitometric image analysis. Conclusions: GDNF added to the nerve graft favored the motor recovery, local neuronal fiber growth and neuroplasticity in the adjacent spinal cord.
Effects of Schwann cell transplants in an experimental nerve	amputee model
Authors: Lago Natalia , Casas Caty , Muir Elizabeth M. , Rogers John , Navarro Xavier 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: By using a nerve amputee model of the rat sciatic nerve (Lago and Navarro, 2007), we have tested a strategy for the long-term maintenance of regenerated axons without distal target reinnervation, by grafting Schwann cells (SCs) into a capped silicone chamber containing the ending nerve stump. Methods: The sciatic nerve of rats was transected and repaired with a silicone tube, the distal nerve was again cut at 10 mm and inserted in a capped tube that was filled with saline or with a suspension of cultured SCs. Transplants of SCs obtained from primary cultures have been compared with those of an immortalized SC line (SCTM41) or the same line overexpressing GDNF. Results: The histological results show that nerve fibers were able to regenerate through a short distal nerve segment ending into the capped chamber, and sustain distal branches without degenerating for several months. There was abundant axonal sprouting forming an ending neuroma, and the caliber of myelinated fibers remained far thinner than normal during the 9 months investigated. With a distal transplant of primary SCs there were significantly more regenerated myelinated fibers than in the control group at 9 months, indicating that the grafted cells stimulated the axonal growth response and helped to maintain survival of axon branches. In contrast, axonal regeneration was significantly reduced with grafts of SCTM41 cells, probably due to physical competition between cell proliferation and axonal growth. SCTM41 cells overexpressing GDNF improved the regenerative response with respect to the parent SCTM41 cells, although not to the same extent as the primary SCs. Conclusion: A graft of primary SCs in the capped chamber stimulated axonal growth response and/or maintained survival of axonal branches on the long term in the nerve amputee model.
Manual stimulation, but not acute electrical stimulation prior to	reconstructive surgery, improves functional recovery after facial nerve injury	in rats
Authors: Skouras Emmanouil , Merkel Daniel , Grosheva Maria , Angelova Srebrina K. , Schiffer Gereon , Thelen Ulrich , Kaidoglou Katerina , Sinis Nektarios , Igelmund Peter , Dunlop Sarah A. , Pavlov Stoyan , Irintchev Andrey , Angelov Doychin N. 
Published: December 2019

The outcome of peripheral nerve injuries requiring surgical repair is poor. Recent work suggested that electrical stimulation (ES) of the proximal nerve stump to produce repeated discharges of the parent motoneurons for one hour could be a beneficial therapy if delivered immediately prior to reconstructive surgery of mixed peripheral nerves. Purpose: We tested whether ES has a positive influence on functional recovery after repair of a purely motor nerve, the facial nerve. Methods: Electrical stimulation (20 Hz) was delivered to the proximal nerve stump of the transected facial nerve for 1 hour prior to nerve reconstruction by end-to-end suture (facial-facial anastomosis, FFA). For manual stimulation (MS), animals received daily rhythmic stroking of the whisker pads. Restoration of vibrissal motor performance following ES or MS was evaluated using video-based motion analysis. We also assessed the degree of collateral axonal branching at the lesion site, by counting motoneuronal perikarya after triple retrograde labeling, and estimated the quality of motor end-plate reinnervation in the target musculature. Outcomes at 4 months were compared to animals receiving sham stimulation (SS) or MS. Results: Neither protocol reduced the degree of collateral sprouting. ES did not improve functional outcome and failed to reduce the proportion of polyinnervated motor end-plates. By contrast, MS restored normal whisking function and reduced polyinnervation. Conclusion: Whereas acute ES is not beneficial for facial nerve repair, MS provides long-term benefits.
Cortical activation during finger tracking vs. ankle tracking in	healthy subjects
Authors: LaPointe Kyle E. , Klein Jacob A. , Konkol Meagan L. , Kveno Sara M. , Bhatt Ela , DiFabio Richard P. , Carey James R. 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Explore in healthy subjects whether the differences in cortical activation between ankle and finger movements observed in earlier studies with no attention to accuracy also apply to accuracy-demanding tasks. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects performed right-finger and right-ankle tracking tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical activation was analyzed in the primary motor area (M1), primary somatosensory area (S1), supplementary motor area (SMA), and premotor cortex (PMC). The blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal intensity of active voxels was compared between the finger and ankle conditions. Results: The results indicated that finger tracking exhibited greater intensity in contralateral (left) M1 and S1 compared to ankle tracking, and ankle tracking exhibited greater intensity in both contralateral and ipsilateral SMA compared to finger tracking. Both M1 and S1 showed more lateralized (contralaterally) organization during finger tracking compared to ankle tracking. Activation maps derived from contrasting the two tracking conditions to each other suggested that ipsilateral areas serve an important role in accuracy-demanding tasks. Regression analysis revealed signal intensity in contralateral M1 and ipsilateral S1 as significant variables in predicting tracking accuracy, but only for finger tracking. Conclusions: Differences in lateralization between finger and ankle performance found earlier (Kapreli et al., 2006) during simple movement tasks also hold for accuracy-demanding tasks, but dissimilarity in brain organization exists in that the latter show greater ipsilateral activity for both joints. These results invite further research on controlled movements in the lower limb to promote favorable brain reorganization and recovery in people with brain injury.
Progesterone decreases cortical and sub-cortical edema in young	and aged ovariectomized rats with brain injury
Authors: Kasturi Badrinarayanan S. , Stein Donald G. 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) -induced brain edema can be reduced by acute progesterone (PROG) treatment in young adult males and females, and in aged males. To extend these findings we tested these hypotheses: 1. Acute PROG treatment post-TBI will reduce cortical edema in aged females as much as in young adults. 2. TBI will induce edema in sub-cortical structures (SCS): the thalamus (TH), hypothalamus (HT), brain stem (BS) and anterior pituitary (AP). 3. Acute, systemic PROG treatment post-TBI will reduce edema in SCS. Methods: Young adult (n=42) and aged (n=40), bilaterally ovariectomized rats were given medial frontal cortical (MFC) contusion injury, treated with PROG (16 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle at 1, 6 and 24 hours post-injury and killed at 6, 24 and 48 hours post-injury. Their brains were removed and the target areas isolated and measured for water content. Results: TBI induced cortical and delayed sub-cortical edema. Acute PROG treatment decreased this edema. At 6 hours post-TBI serum PROG levels were substantially elevated in both young and aged, PROG-treated, groups, but were higher in the latter. Conclusion: Acute PROG treatment post-TBI could prove an effective intervention to prevent or attenuate systemic, post-injury cortical and sub-cortical edema in young and aged females.
Peripheral nerve grafts in a spinal cord prosthesis result in	regeneration and motor evoked potentials following spinal cord resection
Authors: Nordblom Jonathan , Persson Jonas K.E. , Svensson Mikael , Mattsson Per 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: To evaluate whether a standardized nerve graft bridging of a spinal cord injury gap in a device with white to grey matter projections allows regeneration and electrophysiological contact from supraspinal centers to the leg, since previous studies using nerve grafts in combination with acidic fibroblast growth factor have been difficult to microsurgically reproduce. Methods: A moulded prosthesis containing twelve peripheral nerve grafts with estimated pre-set projections guiding white tracts to grey matter replaced a spinal cord resection gap at level T11 in adult rats. The animals were evaluated with electrophysiology, morphology, immunohistochemistry and functional scoring. Results: At six months postoperatively the grafts were found to be positioned at the desired locations, motor evoked potentials were detected in 80% of the animals subjected to nerve graft bridging. Morphology and immunohistochemical analysis revealed numerous de novo axons in the grafts, which possibly reached into the spinal cord on the other side. Conclusion: Replacing the resected spinal cord with oblique peripheral nerve grafts results in spinal cord regeneration and positive motor evoked potential. Transplantation of nerve grafts organized in a prosthesis is re-producible, sustains desired projections and ensures transverse ends towards the spinal cord surface and may be useful in the future.
Autologous bone marrow stem cell neurotransplantation in stroke	patients. An open study
Authors: Suárez-Monteagudo Carlos , Hernández-Ramírez Porfirio , Álvarez-González Lázaro , García-Maeso Iván , de la Cuétara-Bernal Karelys , Castillo-Díaz Lázara , Bringas-Vega María L. , Martínez-Aching Gilda , Morales-Chacón Lilia M. , Báez-Martín Margarita M. , Sánchez-Catasús Carlos , Carballo-Barreda Maylen , Rodríguez-Rojas Rafael , Gómez-Fernández Lázaro , Alberti-Amador Esteban , Macías-Abraham Consuelo , Balea Elvira Dorticós , Rosales Lázaro Cortina , del Valle Pérez Lázaro , Ferrer Berta B. Socarrás , González Raúl Macías , Bergado Jorge A. 
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) were transplanted into the perilesional area in five patients bearing sequels of stroke, to evaluate the safety of the procedure and tolerance to the transplanted cells. Methods: Cells were obtained from bone marrow samples taken from the same patient and stereotactically implanted into the targets, determined using a combination of images, and trans-operative recording of multiunit activity. The cells were implanted in several points along tracts in the perilesional region. Results: No important adverse events derived from surgery or transplant were observed during the one year follow-up period, or detected using a combination of tests and functional measurements applied pre- and post-surgically. In contrast, some improvements were observed regarding the neurological condition of the patients, but the small number of patients in the study does not allow any conclusive statement. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that BMSC can be safely transplanted into the brain of patients, with excellent tolerance and without complications, using the methods described here.