Best practice for motor imagery: a systematic literature review on motor imagery training elements in five different disciplines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature suggests a beneficial effect of motor imagery (MI) if combined with physical practice, but detailed descriptions of MI training session (MITS) elements and temporal parameters are lacking. The aim of this review was to identify the characteristics of a successful MITS and compare these for different disciplines, MI session types, task focus, age, gender and MI modification during intervention.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An extended systematic literature search using 24 databases was performed for five disciplines: Education, Medicine, Music, Psychology and Sports. References that described an MI intervention that focused on motor skills, performance or strength improvement were included. Information describing 17 MITS elements was extracted based on the PETTLEP (physical, environment, timing, task, learning, emotion, perspective) approach. Seven elements describing the MITS temporal parameters were calculated: study duration, intervention duration, MITS duration, total MITS count, MITS per week, MI trials per MITS and total MI training time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both independent reviewers found 96% congruity, which was tested on a random sample of 20% of all references. After selection, 133 studies reporting 141 MI interventions were included. The locations of the MITS and position of the participants during MI were task-specific. Participants received acoustic detailed MI instructions, which were mostly standardised and live. During MI practice, participants kept their eyes closed. MI training was performed from an internal perspective with a kinaesthetic mode. Changes in MI content, duration and dosage were reported in 31 MI interventions. Familiarisation sessions before the start of the MI intervention were mentioned in 17 reports. MI interventions focused with decreasing relevance on motor-, cognitive- and strength-focused tasks. Average study intervention lasted 34 days, with participants practicing MI on average three times per week for 17 minutes, with 34 MI trials. Average total MI time was 178 minutes including 13 MITS. Reporting rate varied between 25.5% and 95.5%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MITS elements of successful interventions were individual, supervised and non-directed sessions, added after physical practice. Successful design characteristics were dominant in the Psychology literature, in interventions focusing on motor and strength-related tasks, in interventions with participants aged 20 to 29 years old, and in MI interventions including participants of both genders. Systematic searching of the MI literature was constrained by the lack of a defined MeSH term.</p

Plant effect on Si concentration in soil solution and phytoavailable Si from various Si sources - Evidence from pot experiments

International audienc

Plant effect on Si concentration in soil solution and phytoavailable Si from various Si sources - Evidence from pot experiments

International audienc

INVESTIGATION OF LOCALIZED SKIN TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE TRANSTIBIAL RESIDUAL LIMB

BACKGROUND: Interventions to resolve thermal discomfort as a common complaint in amputees are usually chosen based on the residual limb skin temperature while wearing prosthesis; whereas, less attention has been paid to residual limb skin temperature while outside of the prosthesis. The objective of this study was to explore the localized and regional skin temperature over the transtibial residual limb (TRL) while outside of the prosthesis. METHODOLOGY: Eight unilateral transtibial adults with traumatic amputation were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants sat to remove their prostheses and rested for 30 minutes. Twelve sites were marked circumferentially in four columns (anterolateral, anteromedial, posteromedial, and posterolateral) and longitudinally in three rows (proximal, middle, and distal) over the residual limb and used for attachment of analog thermistors. Skin temperature was recorded and compared for 11 minutes. Furthermore, the relationship of skin temperature with participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics was explored. FINDINGS: The whole temperature of the TRL was 27.73 (SD=0.83)°C. There was a significant difference in skin temperature between anterior and posterior columns. Likewise, the distal row was significantly different from the proximal and middle rows. The mean temperature at the middle and distal zones of the anteromedial column had the highest and lowest skin temperatures (29.8 and 26.3°C, p&lt;0.05), respectively. The mean temperature of the whole TRL had no significant relationships (p&gt;0.05) with participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: An unequal distribution of temperature over the TRL was found with significantly higher and lower temperatures at its anterior column and distal row, respectively. This temperature pattern should be considered for thermoregulation strategies. Further investigation of the residual limb temperature with and without prosthesis, while considering muscles thickness and blood perfusion rate is warranted. Layman's Abstract The socket is a plastic hard-shell interface between the residual limb, the remaining part of the amputated limb, and a prosthesis. Heat buildup inside the prosthetic socket and perspiration of the residual limb are major discomforts in amputees when wearing a prosthesis. The majority of prior research measured residual limb skin temperature while the prosthesis was worn. However, less attention has been paid to skin temperature without prostheses. Skin temperature of eight adults with one-sided traumatic below-knee amputation was measured. Participants sat and removed their prostheses. Twelve anatomical sites were marked circumferentially in four columns and longitudinally in three rows over the residual limb and used for temperature recording using temperature sensors. The whole temperature of the residual limb was 27.73 (SD=0.83)°C. Skin temperature was higher at anterior columns compared to posterior columns. Similarly, the distal row of the residual limb had the lowest temperature compared to its middle and proximal rows. From a localized standpoint, the middle part at the anterior medial surface of the residual limb had the highest temperature, whereas the distal part at the anterior-medial surface had the lowest skin temperature. There was no noticeable relationship between the average of the residual limb skin temperature and participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. Some strategies need to be developed to regulate and control heat dissipation over the residual limb's surface when amputees do not wear prostheses. Further temperature recording research by considering muscle thickness and arterial blood flow rate of the residual limb with and without prosthesis is suggested. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/35070/27313 How To Cite: Ghoseiri K, Allami M, Murphy J.R, Page P, Button D.C. Investigation of localized skin temperature distribution across the transtibial residual limb. Canadian Prosthetics &amp; Orthotics Journal. 2021;Volume 4, Issue 1, No.2. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i1.35070 Corresponding Author: Duane C Button, PhDSchool of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.E-mail: [email protected]: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6402-8545&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp

Effects of Dicationic Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Coatings on Oral Osseointegration of Titanium Implants: A Biocompatibility Study in Multiple Rat Demographics

Dicationic imidazolium-based ionic liquids with amino acid anions, such as IonL-phenylalanine (IonL-Phe), have been proposed as a multifunctional coating for titanium (Ti) dental implants. However, there has been no evaluation of the biocompatibility of these Ti coatings in the oral environment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of IonL-Phe on early healing and osseointegration of Ti in multiple rat demographics. IonL-Phe-coated and uncoated Ti screws were implanted into four demographic groups of rats to represent biological variations that could affect healing: young males (YMs) and females (YFs), ovariectomized (OVXFs) females, and old males (OMs). Samples underwent histopathological and histomorphometric analysis to evaluate healing at 7 and 30 days around IonL-coated and uncoated Ti. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was also conducted at the 2- and 7-day YM groups to evaluate molecular dynamics of healing while the IonL-Phe was present on the surface. IonL-coated and uncoated implants demonstrated similar histological signs of healing, while coated samples’ differential gene expression of immunological and bone markers was compared with uncoated implants at 2 and 7 days in YMs. While YMs presented suitable osseointegration for both uncoated and IonL-Phe-coated groups, decreased success rate in other demographics resulted from lack of supporting bone in YFs and poor bone quality in OVXFs and OMs. Overall, it was found that IonL-coated samples had increased bone-to-implant contact across all demographic groups. IonL-Phe coating led to successful osseointegration across all animal demographics and presented the potential to prevent failures in scenarios known to be challenged by bacteria

Cellular and molecular dynamics during early oral osseointegration: A comprehensive characterization in the Lewis rat

Objective: There is a need to improve the predictability of osseointegration in implant dentistry. Current literature uses a variety of in vivo titanium (Ti) implantation models to investigate failure modes, and test new materials and surfaces. However, these models produces a variety of results, making comparison across studies difficult. The purpose of this study is to validate an oral osseointegration in the Lewis rat to provide a reproducible baseline to track inflammatory response and healing of Ti implants. Methods: Ti screws (0.76 mm Ø x 2 mm length) were implanted into the maxillary diastema of 52 adult male Lewis rats. Peri-implant tissues were evaluated 2, 7, 14, and 30 days after implantation (n = 13). Seven of the thirteen samples underwent microtomographic analysis, histology, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry to track healing parameters. The remaining 6 samples underwent qPCR to evaluate gene expression of inflammation and bone remodeling markers over time. Results: This model achieved a 78.5 % success rate. Successful implants had 68.86% ± 3.15 BIC % at 30 days on average. Histologically, healing was similar to other rodent models: hematoma and acute inflammation at 2 days, initial bone formation at 7, advanced bone formation and remodeling at 14, and bone maturation at 30. qPCR indicated the highest expression of bone remodeling and inflammatory markers 2-7 days, before slowly declining to non-surgery control levels at 14-30 days. Conclusion: This model combines cost-effectiveness and simplicity of a rodent model, while maximizing BIC, making it an excellent candidate for evaluation of new surfaces

Identification of glycosyltransferases involved in cell wall synthesis of wheat endosperm.

International audiencePlant cell walls are complex structures critical for plant fitness and valuable for human nutrition as dietary fiber and for industrial uses such as biofuel production. The cell wall polysaccharides in wheat endosperm consist of two major polymers, arabinoxylans and beta-glucans, as well as other minor components. Most of these polysaccharides are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus but the mechanisms underlying their synthesis have yet to be fully elucidated and only a few of the enzymes involved have been characterized. To identify actors involved in the wheat endosperm cell wall formation, we used a subcellular fractionation strategy to isolate Golgi-enriched fractions from endosperm harvested during active cell wall deposition. The proteins extracted from these Golgi-enriched fractions were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. We report the identification of 1135 proteins among which 64 glycosyltransferases distributed in 17 families. Their potential function in cell wall synthesis is discussed. In addition, we identified 63 glycosylhydrolases, some of which may be involved in cell wall remodeling. Several glycosyltransferases were validated by showing that when expressed as fusion proteins with a fluorescent reporter, they indeed accumulate in the Golgi apparatus. Our results provide new candidates potentially involved in cell wall biogenesis in wheat endosperm