A new method and instrumentation for analyzing spasticity

The assessment of spasticity is an important indicator of the course of the recovery in humans with central nervous system lesion. This recovery may be augmented by optimal ergonomic design of wheelchairs, beds, transferring devices and other devices used in activities of daily life. To quantify the influence of different aids and methods in reduction or increase of spasticity, an objective measure is required. The pendulum test was introduced to induce the stretch of the muscle, thereby, trigger spastic response, and the amplitudes of first sinusoidal movements are used as the measure of spasticity. We present a new model of the lower leg during the pendulum test which includes the nonlinear characteristics of the muscles, and a model of the shank and foot that are customized to the patient. The spastic torque component is calculated based on acquired values of angular acceleration, angular velocity, and angle. We developed a new analysis methodology and tool to describe the level and course of reflexive behavior. We describe the instrumentation for data acquisition. The kinematics is captured by two accelerometers, one gyroscope, and a Hall-effect joint angle encoder. Muscle activities of prime knee flexors and extensors are synchronously recorded. The simulation uses user's particular inertial parameters and data from repeated pendulum movements of the lower leg and outputs the reflexive torque. We developed the user-friendly software in MatLab for the analysis of data recorded with the new instrument. We present the application of the method in representative healthy subject and two spastic SCI patients. The main finding is that this method allows distinction between the flexion and extensions types of spasticity and the level of reflexive behavior

Assessment of Spasticity by a Pendulum Test in SCI Patients Who Exercise FES Cycling or Receive only Conventional Therapy

Increased muscle tone and exaggerated tendon reflexes characterize most of the individuals after a spinal cord injury (SCI). We estimated seven parameters from the pendulum test and used them to compare with the Ashworth modified scale of spasticity grades in three populations (retrospective study) to assess their spasticity. Three ASIA B SCI patients who exercised on a stationary FES bicycle formed group F, six ASIA B SCI patients who received only conventional therapy were in the group C, and six healthy individuals constituted the group H. The parameters from the pendulum test were used to form a single measure, termed the PT score, for each subject. The pendulum test parameters show differences between the F and C groups, but not between the F and H groups, however, statistical significance was limited due to the small study size. Results show a small deviation from the mean for all parameters in the F group and substantial deviations from the mean for the parameters in the C group. PT scores show significant differences between the F and C groups and the C and H groups and no differences between the F and C groups. The correlation between the PT score and Ashworth score was 0.88. © 2017 IEEE.This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Popovic-Maneski, L., Aleksic, A., Metani, A., Bergeron, V., Cobeljic, R., Popovic, D.B., 2018. Assessment of Spasticity by a Pendulum Test in SCI Patients Who Exercise FES Cycling or Receive only Conventional Therapy. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 26, 181–187. [https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2017.2771466

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of Pt(II) complexes with steroidal thiosemicarbazones

In this work, Pt(II) complexes of previously synthesized steroidal thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and characterized. The ligands and their metal complexes were studied by analytical and spectroscopic data (elemental analysis, IR, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, COSY), the analysis of which enabled complete 1H and 13C assignments of each compound including E and Z isomers. All the synthesized ligands and complexes were screened for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity. The results demonstrate that the new steroidal thiosemicarbazone complexes were significantly less cytotoxic than the corresponding steroidal thiosemicarbazones. In addition, complexes showed lower antimicrobial activity than the standard drugs, similar to the activity of the starting thiosemicarbazones

FDI in Serbia

After the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) in the early 1990s, the Republic of Serbia found itself in an unprecedented social, political, and economic situation. Facing a significant delay in the transition process in comparison with other Central and Eastern European (CEE) states, Serbian governments since 2001 have opted for a model of economic development based on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). This strategic commitment has led to complex and controversial effects on Serbia’s economy. On the one hand, FDI inflows benefited the local economy by increasing its international market competitiveness, contributing to a decrease in unemployment, and enhancing technology transfer. On the other hand, FDI is related to some negative economic trends such as expansion of labor-intensive jobs and an increasing dependency on unpredictable inflows of foreign capital. The aim of this chapter is to offer insights into the empirical literature on FDI to Serbia in the context of Serbia’s historical development and to explore the spatiality and influences of contemporary inflows with a special focus on prospects and suggestions for Serbia’s economic trajectory over the next 25 years. Conceptually, this text is based on Dunning’s eclectic approach to FDI by focusing upon the origins, location, and internalization of foreign capital in the country