Sub-chronic toxicity of broflanilide on the nervous system of zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio)</i>

The new insecticide broflanilide, which possesses high insecticidal activity against agricultural pests, acts on the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor in the insect nervous system. At present, few studies assessed its effect on the nervous system of zebrafish, especially its sub-chronic toxicity on the zebrafish brain. In this study, the sub-chronic toxicity of broflanilide on the zebrafish brain was assessed. After 21 days of exposure at 36.3 μg/L, broflanilide caused oxidative damage to the zebrafish brain, increased the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and inhibited the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Overall, these changes result in brain cell apoptosis, and inhibited growth and development. Moreover, broflanilide affects the release of acetylcholinesterase, γ-aminobutyric acid, 5-hydroxy tryptamine, and dopamine as well as the expression of related genes in the brain, leading to abnormal zebrafish behaviour. These results corroborate the sub-chronic toxicity of broflanilide on zebrafish brain, which helps the further understanding of the potential environmental risk of broflanilide.</p

Muscle Recruitment and Coordination following Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy with Electrical Stimulation on Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To investigate changes of muscle recruitment and coordination following constraint-induced movement therapy, constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation, and traditional occupational therapy in treating hand dysfunction.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to receive constraint-induced movement therapy (n = 22), constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation (n = 23), or traditional occupational therapy (n = 23). Three groups received a 2-week hospital-based intervention and a 6-month home-based exercise program following hospital-based intervention. Constraint-induced movement therapy involved intensive functional training of the involved hand during which the uninvolved hand was constrained. Electrical stimulation was applied on wrist extensors of the involved hand. Traditional occupational therapy involved functional unimanual and bimanual training. All children underwent clinical assessments and surface electromyography (EMG) at baseline, 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months after treatment. Surface myoelectric signals were integrated EMG, root mean square and cocontraction ratio. Clinical measures were grip strength and upper extremity functional test.</p><p>Results</p><p>Constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation group showed both a greater rate of improvement in integrated EMG of the involved wrist extensors and cocontraction ratio compared to the other two groups at 3 and 6 months, as well as improving in root mean square of the involved wrist extensors than traditional occupational therapy group (<i>p</i><0.05). Positive correlations were found between both upper extremity functional test scores and integrated EMG of the involved wrist as well as grip strength and integrated EMG of the involved wrist extensors (<i>p</i><0.05).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation is likely to produce the best outcome in improving muscle recruitment and coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy compared to constraint-induced movement therapy alone or traditional occupational therapy.</p><p>Trial registration</p><p>chictr.org <a href="http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=5526" target="_blank">ChiCTR-TRC-13004041</a></p></div

Demographic and baseline data: mean (SD) or n (%).

<p>MIVC, maximum isometric voluntary contraction; RMS, root mean square; iEMG, integrated electromyography.</p

Changes in cocontraction ratio measured in the subjects' wrist on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the involved hand and uninvolved hand (mean ± SD).

<p>CIMT-ES group, constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation group; CIMT group, constraint-induced movement therapy group; OT group, occupational therapy group.</p

Change of root mean square (RMS, μV), integrated electromyography (iEMG, μV·s) and cocontraction ratio on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of uninvolved hand at two weeks, three and six months: mean (SD).

<p>Change of root mean square (RMS, μV), integrated electromyography (iEMG, μV·s) and cocontraction ratio on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of uninvolved hand at two weeks, three and six months: mean (SD).</p

Test of surface electromyography.

<p>Test of surface electromyography.</p

Changes in root mean square measured in the subjects' wrist extensors (a) and flexors (b) on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the involved hand (mean ± SD).

<p>CIMT-ES group, constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation group; CIMT group, constraint-induced movement therapy group; OT group, occupational therapy group.</p

Changes in integrated electromyography measured in the subjects' wrist flexors (a) and extensors (b) on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the involved hand (mean ± SD).

<p>CIMT-ES group, constraint-induced movement therapy plus electrical stimulation group; CIMT group, constraint-induced movement therapy group; OT group, occupational therapy group.</p

Simple scatter of changes between upper extremity functional scale scores and integrated electromyography (μV·s) of involved wrist extensors (a) and flexors (b) at six month on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the involved hand.

<p>Simple scatter of changes between upper extremity functional scale scores and integrated electromyography (μV·s) of involved wrist extensors (a) and flexors (b) at six month on maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the involved hand.</p

Intention-to-treat flowchart.

<p>Intention-to-treat flowchart.</p