More than half of stroke patients live with different levels of motor dysfunction after receiving routine rehabilitation treatments.Therefore,new rehabilitation technologies are urgently needed as auxiliary treatments...More than half of stroke patients live with different levels of motor dysfunction after receiving routine rehabilitation treatments.Therefore,new rehabilitation technologies are urgently needed as auxiliary treatments for motor rehabilitation.Based on routine rehabilitation treatments,a new intelligent rehabilitation platform has been developed for accurate evaluation of function and rehabilitation training.The emerging intelligent rehabilitation techniques can promote the development of motor function rehabilitation in terms of informatization,standardization,and intelligence.Traditional assessment methods are mostly subjective,depending on the experience and expertise of clinicians,and lack standardization and precision.It is therefore difficult to track functional changes during the rehabilitation process.Emerging intelligent rehabilitation techniques provide objective and accurate functional assessment for stroke patients that can promote improvement of clinical guidance for treatment.Artificial intelligence and neural networks play a critical role in intelligent rehabilitation.Multiple novel techniques,such as braincomputer interfaces,virtual reality,neural circuit-magnetic stimulation,and robot-assisted therapy,have been widely used in the clinic.This review summarizes the emerging intelligent rehabilitation techniques for the evaluation and treatment of motor dysfunction caused by nervous system diseases.展开更多
In the current landscape of endothelial cell isolation for building in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier,our work moves towards reproducing the features of the neurovascular unit to achieve glial compliance thro...In the current landscape of endothelial cell isolation for building in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier,our work moves towards reproducing the features of the neurovascular unit to achieve glial compliance through an innovative biomimetic coating technology for brain chronic implants.We hypothesized that the autologous origin of human brain mic rovascular endothelial cells(hBMECs)is the first requirement for the suitable coating to prevent the glial inflammato ry response trigge red by foreign neuroprosthetics.Therefo re,this study established a new procedure to preserve the in vitro viability of hBMECs isolated from gray and white matter specimens taken from neurosurge ry patients.Culturing adult hBMECs is generally considered a challenging task due to the difficult survival ex vivo and progressive reduction in proliferation of these cells.The addition of 10 nMβ-estradiol 17-acetate to the hBMEC culture medium was found to be an essential and discriminating factor promoting adhesion and proliferation both after isolation and thawing,suppo rting the well-known protective role played by estrogens on microvessels.In particular,β-estradiol 17-acetate was critical for both freshly isolated and thawed female-derived hBMECs,while it was not necessary for freshly isolated male-derived hBMECs;however,it did countera ct the decay in the viability of the latter after thawing.The tumo r-free hBMECs were thus cultured for up to 2 months and their growth efficiency was assessed befo re and after two periods of cryopreservation.Des pite the thermal stress,the hBMECs remained viable and suitable for re-freezing and storage for several months.This approach increasing in vitro viability of hBMECs opens new perspectives for the use of cryopreserved autologous hBMECs as biomimetic therapeutic tools,offering the potential to avoid additional surgical sampling for each patient.展开更多
Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.Ho...Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its efficacy remains unclear.In this study,a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model was produced by the suture method.Rats received modified constraint-induced movement therapy 1 hour a day for 14 consecutive days,starting from the 7^th day after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Day 1 of treatment lasted for 10 minutes at 2r/min,day 2 for 20 minutes at 2 r/min,and from day 3 onward for 20 minutes at 4 r/min.CatWalk gait analysis,adhesive removal test,and Y-maze test were used to investigate motor function,sensory function as well as cognitive function in rodent animals from the 1st day before MCAO to the 21^st day after MCAO.On the 21^st day after MCAO,the neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from both contralateral and ipsilateral hippocampi were tested by micro-array and then verified by western blot assay.The glutamate related receptor was shown by transmission electron microscopy and the glutamate content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The results of behavior tests showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy promoted motor and sensory functional recovery in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,but had no effect on cognitive function.The modified constraint-induced movement therapy upregulated the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 3(Gria3)in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene Adrb3 and arginine vasopressin receptor 1 A,Avprla in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.In the ipsilateral hippocampus,only Adra2 a was downregulated,and there was no significant change in Gria3.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a denser distribution the more distribution of postsynaptic glutamate receptor 2/3,which is an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor,within 240 nm of the postsynaptic density in the contralateral cornu ammonis 3 region.The size and distribution of the synaptic vesicles within 100 nm of the presynaptic active zone were unchanged.Western blot analysis showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy also increased the expression of glutamate receptor 2/3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion,but had no effect on Synapsin I levels.Besides,we also found modified constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduced glutamate content in the contralateral hippocampus.This study demonstrated that modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective rehabilitation therapy in middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,and suggests that these positive effects occur via the upregulation of the postsynaptic membrane a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor expression.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.展开更多
Spinal cord injury is linked to the interruption of neural pathways,which results in irreversible neural dysfunction.Neural repair and neuroregeneration are critical goals and issues for rehabilitation in spinal cord ...Spinal cord injury is linked to the interruption of neural pathways,which results in irreversible neural dysfunction.Neural repair and neuroregeneration are critical goals and issues for rehabilitation in spinal cord injury,which require neural stem cell repair and multimodal neuromodulation techniques involving personalized rehabilitation strategies.Besides the involvement of endogenous stem cells in neurogenesis and neural repair,exogenous neural stem cell transplantation is an emerging effective method for repairing and replacing damaged tissues in central nervous system diseases.However,to ensure that endogenous or exogenous neural stem cells truly participate in neural repair following spinal cord injury,appropriate interventional measures(e.g.,neuromodulation)should be adopted.Neuromodulation techniques,such as noninvasive magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation,have been safely applied in many neuropsychiatric diseases.There is increasing evidence to suggest that neuromagnetic/electrical modulation promotes neuroregeneration and neural repair by affecting signaling in the nervous system;namely,by exciting,inhibiting,or regulating neuronal and neural network activities to improve motor function and motor learning following spinal cord injury.Several studies have indicated that fine motor skill rehabilitation training makes use of residual nerve fibers for collateral growth,encourages the formation of new synaptic connections to promote neural plasticity,and improves motor function recovery in patients with spinal cord injury.With the development of biomaterial technology and biomechanical engineering,several emerging treatments have been developed,such as robots,brain-computer interfaces,and nanomaterials.These treatments have the potential to help millions of patients suffering from motor dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury.However,large-scale clinical trials need to be conducted to validate their efficacy.This review evaluated the efficacy of neural stem cells and magnetic or electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitation training and intelligent therapies for spinal cord injury according to existing evidence,to build up a multimodal treatment strategy of spinal cord injury to enhance nerve repair and regeneration.展开更多
Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological fun...Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological function remain unclear.In this study,rats were randomly divided into middle cerebral occlusion model(MCAO)and paired associated magnetic stimulation(PAMS)groups.The MCAO rat model was produced by middle cerebral artery embolization.The PAMS group received PAMS on days 3 to 20 post MCAO.The MCAO group received sham stimulation,three times every week.Within 18 days after ischemia,rats were subjected to behavioral experiments—the foot-fault test,the balance beam walking test,and the ladder walking test.Balance ability was improved on days 15 and 17,and the footfault rate was less in their affected limb on day 15 in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group.Western blot assay showed that the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor,glutamate receptor 2/3,postsynaptic density protein 95 and synapsin-1 were significantly increased in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex on day 21.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that regional brain activities in the sensorimotor cortex were increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere,but decreased in the contralateral hemisphere on day 20.By finite element simulation,the electric field distribution showed a higher intensity,of approximately 0.4 A/m^2,in the ischemic cortex compared with the contralateral cortex in the template.Together,our findings show that PAMS upregulates neuroplasticity-related proteins,increases regional brain activity,and promotes functional recovery in the affected sensorimotor cortex in the rat MCAO model.The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">In horses, thera...<strong>Background:</strong><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">In horses, therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to be beneficial for suspensory ligament injuries, and more generally to stimulate tissue repair and reduce localized pain. However, it has yet to be examined in relation to soft tissue injuries sustained during competition or in connection with rider/saddle interactions. <b>Aim: </b>The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of topical low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound on the shoulder muscles of injured horses. <b>Methods:</b></span><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">Muscle mass and cellular health was assessed for <i>M. trapezius</i> using non-invasive multi-frequency bioimpedance, and dynamic improvements in <i>M. trapezius</i> and <i>M. latissimus dorsi</i> were examined using acoustic myography (AMG). A total of 8 injured horses (painful to palpation and atrophied) were treated using an</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">EQ Pro Therapy unit, following a set protocol that comprised treatment every other day for 10 treatments. Pre-treatment values were then compared with post-treatment measurements (1 & 6 months later). </span><b><span style="font-family:;" "="">Results:</span></b><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">The mfBIA results for <i>M. trapezius</i> showed a significant improvement (P</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">0.05) of EQ Pro Therapy treatment for the membrane capacitance (Mc) and phase angle (PA) parameters when comparing the Pre <span>vs</span> Post</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">1 and Post</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">1 <span>vs</span> Post</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">2 measurements. Similar improvements were seen for the AMG measurements for <i>M. trapezius</i> and <i>M. latissimus dorsi</i> where statistically significant improvements in the muscle efficiency (E-score) and temporal summation (T-score) as well as the spatial summation (S-score) and mean of the ST-scores were noted</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">(P</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">0.05 to P</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">0.01).</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><b><span style="font-family:;" "="">Conclusion:</span></b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> The present findings suggest that </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">EQ Pro Therapy treatment is efficacious in terms of equine cases involving soft tissue shoulder muscle injuries (</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">painful to palpation and atrophied).</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">The main improvements noted were not only increased muscle mass and cellular health</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">but also </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">improved force production, better coordination</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">,</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> and lateral balance, which persisted for at least six months after treatment.</span>展开更多
Background: Fractures in the limbs of racehorses are common, resulting among other factors, as the result of repeated ground reaction forces on bones and joints, leading to catastrophic failure. Aim: To quantify groun...Background: Fractures in the limbs of racehorses are common, resulting among other factors, as the result of repeated ground reaction forces on bones and joints, leading to catastrophic failure. Aim: To quantify ground impact transmission through the limb bones of un-shod healthy horses using the non-invasive technique of acoustic myography (AMG). Methods: Four sites were selected for AMG measurements at the walk and trot, hoof wall (site 1) and sites 2 - 4, metacarpal 3, carpals and the radius of the left forelimb of two healthy horses. Measurements were on both rubber and concrete. AMG of the equine hind limb suspensory system was made and analyzed (amplitude and timing) for the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) and the SDFT/DDFT. Results: AMG signal amplitude at site 1 (1.5 ± 0.2 versus 1.1 ± 1.5) was not found to be significantly different at the trot compared to the walk;however, sites 2, 3 and 4 were all significantly different when compared between the two gaits;site 2 P = 0.008;site 3 P = 0.006;site 4 P = 0.005. AMG signals recorded on the rubber surface had smaller amplitude than the equivalent signal and site on the concrete surface. Ground Reaction Force (GRF) transmission in the equine forelimb was 22 m/sec, whilst that of the hind limb suspensory system was 25 m/sec. Conclusion: Findings indicate that GRFs are transmitted proximally along the limb at considerable speeds, that they are dampened by tissues and structures in the limb, and that the GRFs are present and detectable proximal to the fetlock joint.展开更多
基金the National Key Research and Development Project of China,No.2020YFC2004200(to ZYL)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.61761166007(to ZYL),81772453(to DSX),81974358(to DSX),31771071(to ZYL)Fundamental Research Funds for Central Public Welfare Research Institutes,No.118009001000160001(to ZYL)。
文摘More than half of stroke patients live with different levels of motor dysfunction after receiving routine rehabilitation treatments.Therefore,new rehabilitation technologies are urgently needed as auxiliary treatments for motor rehabilitation.Based on routine rehabilitation treatments,a new intelligent rehabilitation platform has been developed for accurate evaluation of function and rehabilitation training.The emerging intelligent rehabilitation techniques can promote the development of motor function rehabilitation in terms of informatization,standardization,and intelligence.Traditional assessment methods are mostly subjective,depending on the experience and expertise of clinicians,and lack standardization and precision.It is therefore difficult to track functional changes during the rehabilitation process.Emerging intelligent rehabilitation techniques provide objective and accurate functional assessment for stroke patients that can promote improvement of clinical guidance for treatment.Artificial intelligence and neural networks play a critical role in intelligent rehabilitation.Multiple novel techniques,such as braincomputer interfaces,virtual reality,neural circuit-magnetic stimulation,and robot-assisted therapy,have been widely used in the clinic.This review summarizes the emerging intelligent rehabilitation techniques for the evaluation and treatment of motor dysfunction caused by nervous system diseases.
基金supported by EnTimeMent H2020-FETPROACT-824160(to LF)。
文摘In the current landscape of endothelial cell isolation for building in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier,our work moves towards reproducing the features of the neurovascular unit to achieve glial compliance through an innovative biomimetic coating technology for brain chronic implants.We hypothesized that the autologous origin of human brain mic rovascular endothelial cells(hBMECs)is the first requirement for the suitable coating to prevent the glial inflammato ry response trigge red by foreign neuroprosthetics.Therefo re,this study established a new procedure to preserve the in vitro viability of hBMECs isolated from gray and white matter specimens taken from neurosurge ry patients.Culturing adult hBMECs is generally considered a challenging task due to the difficult survival ex vivo and progressive reduction in proliferation of these cells.The addition of 10 nMβ-estradiol 17-acetate to the hBMEC culture medium was found to be an essential and discriminating factor promoting adhesion and proliferation both after isolation and thawing,suppo rting the well-known protective role played by estrogens on microvessels.In particular,β-estradiol 17-acetate was critical for both freshly isolated and thawed female-derived hBMECs,while it was not necessary for freshly isolated male-derived hBMECs;however,it did countera ct the decay in the viability of the latter after thawing.The tumo r-free hBMECs were thus cultured for up to 2 months and their growth efficiency was assessed befo re and after two periods of cryopreservation.Des pite the thermal stress,the hBMECs remained viable and suitable for re-freezing and storage for several months.This approach increasing in vitro viability of hBMECs opens new perspectives for the use of cryopreserved autologous hBMECs as biomimetic therapeutic tools,offering the potential to avoid additional surgical sampling for each patient.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81871841(to YLB) and No.81772453(to DSX)
文摘Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its efficacy remains unclear.In this study,a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model was produced by the suture method.Rats received modified constraint-induced movement therapy 1 hour a day for 14 consecutive days,starting from the 7^th day after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Day 1 of treatment lasted for 10 minutes at 2r/min,day 2 for 20 minutes at 2 r/min,and from day 3 onward for 20 minutes at 4 r/min.CatWalk gait analysis,adhesive removal test,and Y-maze test were used to investigate motor function,sensory function as well as cognitive function in rodent animals from the 1st day before MCAO to the 21^st day after MCAO.On the 21^st day after MCAO,the neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from both contralateral and ipsilateral hippocampi were tested by micro-array and then verified by western blot assay.The glutamate related receptor was shown by transmission electron microscopy and the glutamate content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The results of behavior tests showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy promoted motor and sensory functional recovery in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,but had no effect on cognitive function.The modified constraint-induced movement therapy upregulated the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 3(Gria3)in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene Adrb3 and arginine vasopressin receptor 1 A,Avprla in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.In the ipsilateral hippocampus,only Adra2 a was downregulated,and there was no significant change in Gria3.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a denser distribution the more distribution of postsynaptic glutamate receptor 2/3,which is an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor,within 240 nm of the postsynaptic density in the contralateral cornu ammonis 3 region.The size and distribution of the synaptic vesicles within 100 nm of the presynaptic active zone were unchanged.Western blot analysis showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy also increased the expression of glutamate receptor 2/3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion,but had no effect on Synapsin I levels.Besides,we also found modified constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduced glutamate content in the contralateral hippocampus.This study demonstrated that modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective rehabilitation therapy in middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,and suggests that these positive effects occur via the upregulation of the postsynaptic membrane a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor expression.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.
基金supported by the Major International(Regional)Joint Research Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81820108013(to LMC)the General Research Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81772453(to DSX)the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2016YFA0100800(to LMC)
文摘Spinal cord injury is linked to the interruption of neural pathways,which results in irreversible neural dysfunction.Neural repair and neuroregeneration are critical goals and issues for rehabilitation in spinal cord injury,which require neural stem cell repair and multimodal neuromodulation techniques involving personalized rehabilitation strategies.Besides the involvement of endogenous stem cells in neurogenesis and neural repair,exogenous neural stem cell transplantation is an emerging effective method for repairing and replacing damaged tissues in central nervous system diseases.However,to ensure that endogenous or exogenous neural stem cells truly participate in neural repair following spinal cord injury,appropriate interventional measures(e.g.,neuromodulation)should be adopted.Neuromodulation techniques,such as noninvasive magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation,have been safely applied in many neuropsychiatric diseases.There is increasing evidence to suggest that neuromagnetic/electrical modulation promotes neuroregeneration and neural repair by affecting signaling in the nervous system;namely,by exciting,inhibiting,or regulating neuronal and neural network activities to improve motor function and motor learning following spinal cord injury.Several studies have indicated that fine motor skill rehabilitation training makes use of residual nerve fibers for collateral growth,encourages the formation of new synaptic connections to promote neural plasticity,and improves motor function recovery in patients with spinal cord injury.With the development of biomaterial technology and biomechanical engineering,several emerging treatments have been developed,such as robots,brain-computer interfaces,and nanomaterials.These treatments have the potential to help millions of patients suffering from motor dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury.However,large-scale clinical trials need to be conducted to validate their efficacy.This review evaluated the efficacy of neural stem cells and magnetic or electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitation training and intelligent therapies for spinal cord injury according to existing evidence,to build up a multimodal treatment strategy of spinal cord injury to enhance nerve repair and regeneration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81974358,81772453(to DSX)。
文摘Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological function remain unclear.In this study,rats were randomly divided into middle cerebral occlusion model(MCAO)and paired associated magnetic stimulation(PAMS)groups.The MCAO rat model was produced by middle cerebral artery embolization.The PAMS group received PAMS on days 3 to 20 post MCAO.The MCAO group received sham stimulation,three times every week.Within 18 days after ischemia,rats were subjected to behavioral experiments—the foot-fault test,the balance beam walking test,and the ladder walking test.Balance ability was improved on days 15 and 17,and the footfault rate was less in their affected limb on day 15 in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group.Western blot assay showed that the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor,glutamate receptor 2/3,postsynaptic density protein 95 and synapsin-1 were significantly increased in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex on day 21.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that regional brain activities in the sensorimotor cortex were increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere,but decreased in the contralateral hemisphere on day 20.By finite element simulation,the electric field distribution showed a higher intensity,of approximately 0.4 A/m^2,in the ischemic cortex compared with the contralateral cortex in the template.Together,our findings show that PAMS upregulates neuroplasticity-related proteins,increases regional brain activity,and promotes functional recovery in the affected sensorimotor cortex in the rat MCAO model.The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">In horses, therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to be beneficial for suspensory ligament injuries, and more generally to stimulate tissue repair and reduce localized pain. However, it has yet to be examined in relation to soft tissue injuries sustained during competition or in connection with rider/saddle interactions. <b>Aim: </b>The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of topical low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound on the shoulder muscles of injured horses. <b>Methods:</b></span><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">Muscle mass and cellular health was assessed for <i>M. trapezius</i> using non-invasive multi-frequency bioimpedance, and dynamic improvements in <i>M. trapezius</i> and <i>M. latissimus dorsi</i> were examined using acoustic myography (AMG). A total of 8 injured horses (painful to palpation and atrophied) were treated using an</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">EQ Pro Therapy unit, following a set protocol that comprised treatment every other day for 10 treatments. Pre-treatment values were then compared with post-treatment measurements (1 & 6 months later). </span><b><span style="font-family:;" "="">Results:</span></b><b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span></b><span style="font-family:;" "="">The mfBIA results for <i>M. trapezius</i> showed a significant improvement (P</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">0.05) of EQ Pro Therapy treatment for the membrane capacitance (Mc) and phase angle (PA) parameters when comparing the Pre <span>vs</span> Post</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">1 and Post</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">1 <span>vs</span> Post</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">2 measurements. Similar improvements were seen for the AMG measurements for <i>M. trapezius</i> and <i>M. latissimus dorsi</i> where statistically significant improvements in the muscle efficiency (E-score) and temporal summation (T-score) as well as the spatial summation (S-score) and mean of the ST-scores were noted</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">(P</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">0.05 to P</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">0.01).</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><b><span style="font-family:;" "="">Conclusion:</span></b><span style="font-family:;" "=""> The present findings suggest that </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">EQ Pro Therapy treatment is efficacious in terms of equine cases involving soft tissue shoulder muscle injuries (</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">painful to palpation and atrophied).</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">The main improvements noted were not only increased muscle mass and cellular health</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">but also </span><span style="font-family:;" "="">improved force production, better coordination</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">,</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> and lateral balance, which persisted for at least six months after treatment.</span>
文摘Background: Fractures in the limbs of racehorses are common, resulting among other factors, as the result of repeated ground reaction forces on bones and joints, leading to catastrophic failure. Aim: To quantify ground impact transmission through the limb bones of un-shod healthy horses using the non-invasive technique of acoustic myography (AMG). Methods: Four sites were selected for AMG measurements at the walk and trot, hoof wall (site 1) and sites 2 - 4, metacarpal 3, carpals and the radius of the left forelimb of two healthy horses. Measurements were on both rubber and concrete. AMG of the equine hind limb suspensory system was made and analyzed (amplitude and timing) for the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) and the SDFT/DDFT. Results: AMG signal amplitude at site 1 (1.5 ± 0.2 versus 1.1 ± 1.5) was not found to be significantly different at the trot compared to the walk;however, sites 2, 3 and 4 were all significantly different when compared between the two gaits;site 2 P = 0.008;site 3 P = 0.006;site 4 P = 0.005. AMG signals recorded on the rubber surface had smaller amplitude than the equivalent signal and site on the concrete surface. Ground Reaction Force (GRF) transmission in the equine forelimb was 22 m/sec, whilst that of the hind limb suspensory system was 25 m/sec. Conclusion: Findings indicate that GRFs are transmitted proximally along the limb at considerable speeds, that they are dampened by tissues and structures in the limb, and that the GRFs are present and detectable proximal to the fetlock joint.
