Evolution of ischemic damage and behavioural deficit over 6 months after MCAo in the rat: Selecting the optimal outcomes and statistical power for multi-centre preclinical trials

Key disparities between the timing and methods of assessment in animal stroke studies and clinical trial may be part of the reason for the failure to translate promising findings. This study investigates the development of ischemic damage after thread occlusion MCAo in the rat, using histological and behavioural outcomes. Using the adhesive removal test we investigate the longevity of behavioural deficit after ischemic stroke in rats, and examine the practicality of using such measures as the primary outcome for future studies. Ischemic stroke was induced in 132 Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats which were assessed for behavioural and histological deficits at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days, 12 and 24 weeks (n>11 per timepoint). The basic behavioural score confirmed induction of stroke, with deficits specific to stroke animals. Within 7 days, these deficits resolved in 50% of animals. The adhesive removal test revealed contralateral neglect for up to 6 months following stroke. Sample size calculations to facilitate the use of this test as the primary experimental outcome resulted in cohort sizes much larger than are the norm for experimental studies. Histological damage progressed from a necrotic infarct to a hypercellular area that cleared to leave a fluid filled cavity. Whilst absolute volume of damage changed over time, when corrected for changes in hemispheric volume, an equivalent area of damage was lost at all timepoints. Using behavioural measures at chronic timepoints presents significant challenges to the basic science community in terms of the large number of animals required and the practicalities associated with this. Multicentre preclinical randomised controlled trials as advocated by the MultiPART consortium may be the only practical way to deal with this issue

Pengaruh Latihan Kegel Terhadap Frekuensi Inkontinensia Urine Pada Lansia Di Unit Rehabilitasi Sosial Margo Mukti Rembang

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the Kegel exercise on frequency of urinary incontinence in the elderly. This study used a quasi -experimental with one group pre and post test study design, conducted on 27 respondents selected by purposive sampling technique. Respondents were divided into three groups which were the first group with frequency of exercise 2 times, the second group with 3 times and the third group 4 times a day for six weeks. Data on the frequency of urinary incontinence were collected in pre and post intervention Kegel exercise. Data were analyzed using t-test (paired t-test).The results of the study revealed that group I , II & III in sequence value of t-count 21.92, t=11,418 and t=15.307 with P values p=0, 00. Further comparisons between the three groups showed group III showed the mean frequency of urinary incontinence at least. It can be concluded that Kegel exercises affect the decrease in the frequency of urinary incontinence in the elderly, and it is suggested that Kegel exercises should be done regularly

Fish oil diet associated with acute reperfusion related hemorrhage, and with reduced stroke-related sickness behaviors and motor impairment

Ischemic stroke is associated with motor impairment and increased incidence of affective disorders such as anxiety/clinical depression. In non-stroke populations, successful management of such disorders and symptoms has been reported following diet supplementation with long chain omega-3-polyunsaturated-fatty-acids (PUFAs). However, the potential protective effects of PUFA supplementation on affective behaviors after experimentally induced stroke and sham surgery have not been examined previously. This study investigated the behavioral effects of PUFA supplementation over a 6-week period following either middle cerebral artery occlusion or sham surgery in the hooded-Wistar rat. The PUFA diet supplied during the acclimation period prior to surgery was found to be associated with an increased risk of acute hemorrhage following the reperfusion component of the surgery. In surviving animals, PUFA supplementation did not influence infarct size as determined 6 weeks after surgery, but did decrease omega-6-fatty-acid levels, moderate sickness behaviors, acute motor impairment, and longer-term locomotor hyperactivity and depression/anxiety-like behavior

Can Animal Models of Disease Reliably Inform Human Studies?

H. Bart van der Worp and colleagues discuss the controversies and possibilities of translating the results of animal experiments into human clinical trials

Different strokes for different folks: the rich diversity of animal models of focal cerebral ischemia

No single animal model is able to encompass all of the variables known to affect human ischemic stroke. This review highlights the major strengths and weaknesses of the most commonly used animal models of acute ischemic stroke in the context of matching model and experimental aim. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationships between outcome and underlying vascular variability, physiologic control, and use of models of comorbidity. The aim is to provide, for novice and expert alike, an overview of the key controllable determinants of experimental stroke outcome to help ensure the most effective application of animal models to translational research

Rewell - Raw data - PLOS One

This Excel file tabulates the raw infarct and behavioural data described in our manuscript

Randomisation, blinded outcome assessment, and sample size calculation in systematic reviews of animal studies.

a<p>Summarises the data of six systematic reviews of treatment strategies for acute ischemic stroke. There is an overlap of 18 publications between references <a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000245#pmed.1000245-Sena1" target="_blank">[16]</a> and <a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000245#pmed.1000245-VanderWorp2" target="_blank">[19]</a>.</p><p>ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; N/A, data not available; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome.</p

Four types of bias threatening internal validity.

<p>Adapted from <a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000245#pmed.1000245-Juni1" target="_blank">[12]</a>,<a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000245#pmed.1000245-Altman1" target="_blank">[13]</a>.</p