scholarly journals Studying the impact of different body positioning, squatting, and unipodal flexion on perfusion in the lower limb – an exploratory approach complemented with optical spectroscopy (TiVi)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sergio Nuno ◽  
Margarida Florindo ◽  
Henrique Silva ◽  
Luis Monteiro Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Contralateral Limb ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Functional Dynamics ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Lower Limb Movement ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Healthy Participants

Body posture and movement seem to be responsible for multiple variations of microcirculation in the foot, although difficulties associated with measurement during movement have limited their characterization. This pilot study sought to explore a new non-invasive instrument based on polarized light spectroscopy – the TiVi system, under orthostatic and dynamic conditions. Five healthy participants (duly informed, 26.0 ± 6.5 years of age) of both genders were selected. The protocol involved sequential posture changes (orthostatic variation) and dynamic movements (squatting and unipodal flexion). Perfusion variations were evaluated in both feet by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and polarized spectroscopy (TiVi). Both systems revealed the same type of modification of these flow-related variables. The most pronounced changes were obtained with exercise, especially with squatting, which caused a marked increase in foot perfusion. Less dramatic but in the same direction, the increased perfusion with unipodal flexion was also observed in the contralateral limb. This study confirmed the interest in using the TiVi system in these domains, as well as the appropriateness of this experimental design to look deeper into the impact of lower limb movement on the functional dynamics of the foot.

Investigations into the Clinical Utility of Latex D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (01) ◽  
pp. 008-011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cedric J Carter ◽  
D Lynn Doyle ◽  
Nigel Dawson ◽  
Shauna Fowler ◽  
Dana V Devine
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Fibrin Degradation Product ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
D Dimer

SummaryThe serial use of non-invasive tests has been shown to be a safe method of managing outpatients who are suspected of having lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Objective testing has shown that the majority of these outpatients do not have venous thrombosis. A rapid test to exclude DVT in these patients, without the need for expensive and inconvenient serial non-invasive vascular testing, would have practical and economic advantages.Studies measuring the fibrin degradation product D-dimer using enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA) in patients with veno-graphically proven DVT suggest that it should be possible to exclude this condition by the use of one of the rapid latex bead D-dimer tests.We have examined 190 patients with suspected DVT using both a latex and an EIA D-dimer assay. The latex D-dimer test used in this study was negative in 7 of the 36 proven cases of DVT. This sensitivity of only 80% is not sufficient to allow this type of assay, in its current form, to be used as an exclusion test for DVT. The same plasma samples were tested with an EIA assay. This information was used to mathematically model the effects of selecting a range of D-dimer discriminant cut off points for the diagnosis of DVT. These results indicate that 62% of suspected clinically significant DVT could have this diagnosis excluded, with a 98% sensitivity, if the rapid latex or equivalent D-dimer test could be reformulated to measure less than 185 ng/ml of D-dimer.

Use of human fetal liver cells for treatment of patients with lower limb peripheral artery disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
R. Salyutin ◽  
D. Dombrowski ◽  
M. Komarov ◽  
N. Sokolov ◽  
S. Palyanitsya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Liver Cells ◽  
Surgical Reconstruction ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Human Fetal Liver ◽  
Fetal Liver Cells

In the group of patients (n = 21, mean age 54 ± 5.8 years) with chronic lower limb ischemia stage IIB who were non-liable for reconstructiverestoration surgery, we have established positive clinical effects of local transplantation of human fetal liver progenitor cells. Complex examination following 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation included duplex scanning of limb arteries, x-ray contrast arteriography and laser Doppler flowmetry as well as measuring pain-free walking and evaluating life quality based on individual questionnaire data.Owing to the transplant “Cryopreserved human fetal liver progenitor cells” the patients demonstrated stable increase of life quality index and pain-free walking as well as improvement of general health allowing assign them to the group of patients with lower ischemia stage,  quicker social rehabilitation and lesser risk of disabling surgery (р < 0.05). Also, there were observations of improved microcirculation in the ischemic extremities owing to activation of endothelium-independent mechanisms of vasodilatation, reduced myotonus and neurotonus of the pre-capillaries and improved endothelium-dependent influence on the microhaemodynamic and, hence, an increased reserve capillary blood flow (p < 0.05).Analysis of the obtained results indicates prospects and effectiveness of using fetal liver cells transplantation in the patients who are not liable for surgical reconstruction of the vascular bed.

scholarly journals The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and its Lockdown Measures on the Mental and Functional Health of Older Individuals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chiara Fastame ◽  
Ilaria Mulas ◽  
Valeria Putzu ◽  
Gesuina Asoni ◽  
Daniela Viale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Cognitive Deterioration ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Healthy Participants

AbstractThe effect of the COVID-19 on the physical and mental health of Italian older individuals displaying signs of cognitive deterioration has not been deeply investigated. This longitudinal study examined the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on the psychological well-being and motor efficiency of a sample of Italian community-dwellers with and without cognitive decline. Forty-seven participants underwent instrumental gait analysis performed in ecological setting using wearable sensors, and completed a battery of tasks assessing cognitive functioning and psychological well-being, before and after the full lockdown due to the COVID-19 spreading. A series of Multivariate Analyses of Variance (MANOVAs) documented that the superior gait performance of the cognitively healthy participants exhibited before the COVID-19 spread, vanished when they were tested at the end of the lockdown period. Moreover, before the outbreak of the COVID-19, cognitively healthy participants and those with signs of cognitive decline reported similar levels of psychological well-being, whereas, after the lockdown, the former group reported better coping, emotional competencies, and general well-being than the participants displaying signs of cognitive decline. In conclusion, the full COVID-19 outbreak had a significant impact on the mental and motor functioning of older individuals with and without signs of cognitive deterioration living in Italy.

Non-invasive brain stimulation to assess neurophysiologic underpinnings of lower limb motor impairment in multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 356 ◽  
pp. 109143
Author(s):  
Clayton W. Swanson ◽  
Felix Proessl ◽  
Jaclyn A. Stephens ◽  
Augusto A. Miravalle ◽  
Brett W. Fling
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Non Invasive

Making Up 3D Bodies

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kiona Hagen Niehaus ◽  
Rebecca Fiebrink
Keyword(s):  
Software Tool ◽  
The Body ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Artistic Practice ◽  
Human Form ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

This paper describes the process of developing a software tool for digital artistic exploration of 3D human figures. Previously available software for modeling mesh-based 3D human figures restricts user output based on normative assumptions about the form that a body might take, particularly in terms of gender, race, and disability status, which are reinforced by ubiquitous use of range-limited sliders mapped to singular high-level design parameters. CreatorCustom, the software prototype created during this research, is designed to foreground an exploratory approach to modeling 3D human bodies, treating the digital body as a sculptural landscape rather than a presupposed form for rote technical representation. Building on prior research into serendipity in Human-Computer Interaction and 3D modeling systems for users at various levels of proficiency, among other areas, this research comprises two qualitative studies and investigation of the impact on the first author's artistic practice. Study 1 uses interviews and practice sessions to explore the practices of six queer artists working with the body and the language, materials, and actions they use in their practice; these then informed the design of the software tool. Study 2 investigates the usability, creativity support, and bodily implications of the software when used by thirteen artists in a workshop. These studies reveal the importance of exploration and unexpectedness in artistic practice, and a desire for experimental digital approaches to the human form.

scholarly journals Flexible Potentiometric Sensor System for Non-Invasive Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Human Skin: Application for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Phytocosmetic Products

Chemosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Aleksey V. Tarasov ◽  
Ekaterina I. Khamzina ◽  
Maria A. Bukharinova ◽  
Natalia Yu. Stozhko
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Human Skin ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Silver Chloride ◽  
Potentiometric Sensor ◽  
Sensor System ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Pet Film ◽  
The Impact

In contemporary bioanalysis, monitoring the antioxidant activity (AOA) of the human skin is used to assess stresses, nutrition, cosmetics, and certain skin diseases. Non-invasive methods for skin AOA monitoring have certain advantages over invasive methods, namely cost-effectiveness, lower labor intensity, reduced risk of infection, and obtaining results in the real-time mode. This study presents a new flexible potentiometric sensor system (FPSS) for non-invasive determination of the human skin AOA, which is based on flexible film electrodes (FFEs) and membrane containing a mediator ([Fe(CN)6]3–/4–). Low-cost available materials and scalable technologies were used for FFEs manufacturing. The indicator FFE was fabricated based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and carbon veil (CV) by single-sided hot lamination. The reference FFE was fabricated based on PET film and silver paint by using screen printing, which was followed by the electrodeposition of precipitate containing a mixture of silver chloride and silver ferricyanide (SCSF). The three-electrode configuration of the FPSS, including two indicator FFEs (CV/PET) and one reference FFE (SCSF/Ag/PET), has been successfully used for measuring the skin AOA and evaluating the impact of phytocosmetic products. FPSS provides reproducible (RSD ≤ 7%) and accurate (recovery of antioxidants is almost 100%) results, which allows forecasting its broad applicability in human skin AOA monitoring as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of topically and orally applied antioxidants.

scholarly journals Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Tool to Investigate Motor Cortex Excitability in Sport

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Fiorenzo Moscatelli ◽  
Antonietta Messina ◽  
Anna Valenzano ◽  
Vincenzo Monda ◽  
Monica Salerno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Motor Cortex Excitability ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, since its introduction in 1985, has brought important innovations to the study of cortical excitability as it is a non-invasive method and, therefore, can be used both in healthy and sick subjects. Since the introduction of this cortical stimulation technique, it has been possible to deepen the neurophysiological aspects of motor activation and control. In this narrative review, we want to provide a brief overview regarding TMS as a tool to investigate changes in cortex excitability in athletes and highlight how this tool can be used to investigate the acute and chronic responses of the motor cortex in sport science. The parameters that could be used for the evaluation of cortical excitability and the relative relationship with motor coordination and muscle fatigue, will be also analyzed. Repetitive physical training is generally considered as a principal strategy for acquiring a motor skill, and this process can elicit cortical motor representational changes referred to as use-dependent plasticity. In training settings, physical practice combined with the observation of target movements can enhance cortical excitability and facilitate the process of learning. The data to date suggest that TMS is a valid technique to investigate the changes in motor cortex excitability in trained and untrained subjects. Recently, interest in the possible ergogenic effect of non-invasive brain stimulation in sport is growing and therefore in the future it could be useful to conduct new experiments to evaluate the impact on learning and motor performance of these techniques.

Using reactive hyperemia to investigate the effect of cupping sizes of cupping therapy on skin blood flow responses

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Xiangfeng He ◽  
Xueyan Zhang ◽  
Fuyuan Liao ◽  
Li He ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Laser Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Skin Blood Flow ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Recovery Time ◽  
Reactive Hyperemia ◽  
Cupping Therapy ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Healthy Participants ◽  
Hyperemic Response

BACKGROUND: Various cupping sizes of cupping therapy have been used in managing musculoskeletal conditions; however, the effect of cupping sizes on skin blood flow (SBF) responses is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of three cupping sizes of cupping therapy on SBF responses. METHODS: Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to measure SBF on the triceps in 12 healthy participants in this repeated measures study. Three cup sizes (35, 40 and 45 mm in diameter) were blinded to the participants and were tested at -300 mmHg for 5 minutes. Reactive hyperemic response to cupping therapy was expressed as a ratio of baseline SBF. RESULTS: All three sizes of cupping cups resulted in a significant increase in peak SBF (p< 0.001). Peak SBF of the 45 mm cup (9.41 ± 1.32 times) was significantly higher than the 35 mm cup (5.62 ± 1.42 times, p< 0.05). Total SBF of the 45 mm cup ((24.33 ± 8.72) × 103 times) was significantly higher than the 35 mm cup ((8.05 ± 1.63) × 103 times, p< 0.05). Recovery time of the 45 mm cup (287.46 ± 39.54 seconds) was significantly longer than the 35 mm cup (180.12 ± 1.42 seconds, p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that all three cup sizes can significantly increase SBF. The 45 mm cup is more effective in increasing SBF compared to the 35 mm cup.

scholarly journals Ipsilateral Motor Pathways and Transcallosal Inhibition During Lower Limb Movement After Stroke

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832199904
Author(s):  
Brice T. Cleland ◽  
Sangeetha Madhavan
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Motor Pathways ◽  
Movement Accuracy ◽  
Transcallosal Inhibition ◽  
Paretic Limb ◽  
Bilateral Lower Limb ◽  
Ankle Movement ◽  
Lower Limb Movement ◽  
Clinical Measures

Background Stroke rehabilitation may be improved with a better understanding of the contribution of ipsilateral motor pathways to the paretic limb and alterations in transcallosal inhibition. Few studies have evaluated these factors during dynamic, bilateral lower limb movements, and it is unclear whether they relate to functional outcomes. Objective Determine if lower limb ipsilateral excitability and transcallosal inhibition after stroke depend on target limb, task, or number of limbs involved, and whether these factors are related to clinical measures. Methods In 29 individuals with stroke, ipsilateral and contralateral responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation were measured in the paretic and nonparetic tibialis anterior during dynamic (unilateral or bilateral ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion) and isometric (unilateral dorsiflexion) conditions. Relative ipsilateral excitability and transcallosal inhibition were assessed. Fugl-Meyer, ankle movement accuracy, and walking characteristics were assessed. Results Relative ipsilateral excitability was greater during dynamic than isometric conditions in the paretic limb ( P ≤ .02) and greater in the paretic than the nonparetic limb during dynamic conditions ( P ≤ .004). Transcallosal inhibition was greater in the ipsilesional than contralesional hemisphere ( P = .002) and during dynamic than isometric conditions ( P = .03). Greater ipsilesional transcallosal inhibition was correlated with better ankle movement accuracy ( R2 = 0.18, P = .04). Greater contralateral excitability to the nonparetic limb was correlated with improved walking symmetry ( R2 = 0.19, P = .03). Conclusions Ipsilateral pathways have increased excitability to the paretic limb, particularly during dynamic tasks. Transcallosal inhibition is greater in the ipsilesional than contralesional hemisphere and during dynamic than isometric tasks. Ipsilateral pathways and transcallosal inhibition may influence walking asymmetry and ankle movement accuracy.

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