Lower limb strength training in children with cerebral palsy – a randomized controlled trial protocol for functional strength training based on progressive resistance exercise principles

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Until recently, strength training in children with cerebral palsy (CP) was considered to be inappropriate, because it could lead to increased spasticity or abnormal movement patterns. However, the results of recent studies suggest that progressive strength training can lead to increased strength and improved function, but low methodological quality and incomplete reporting on the training protocols hampers adequate interpretation of the results. This paper describes the design and training protocol of a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of a school-based progressive functional strength training program for children with CP.</p> <p>Methods/Results</p> <p>Fifty-one children with Gross Motor Function Classification Systems levels I to III, aged of 6 to 13 years, were recruited. Using stratified randomization, each child was assigned to an intervention group (strength training) or a control group (usual care). The strength training was given in groups of 4–5 children, 3 times a week, for a period of 12 weeks. Each training session focussed on four exercises out of a 5-exercise circuit. The training load was gradually increased based on the child's maximum level of strength, as determined by the 8 Repetition Maximum (8 RM). To evaluate the effectiveness of the training, all children were evaluated before, during, directly after, and 6 weeks after the intervention period. Primary outcomes in this study were gross motor function (measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure and functional muscle strength tests) and walking ability (measured with the 10-meter, the 1-minute and the timed stair test). Secondary outcomes were lower limb muscle strength (measured with a 6 RM test, isometric strength tests, and a sprint capacity test), mobility (measured with a mobility questionnaire), and sport activities (measured with the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment). Spasticity and range of motion were assessed to evaluate any adverse events.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Randomized clinical trials are considered to present the highest level of evidence. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance to report on the design, the applied evaluation methods, and all elements of the intervention, to ensure adequate interpretation of the results and to facilitate implementation of the intervention in clinical practice if the results are positive.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Trial Register NTR1403</p

Preparation and properties of a novel remendable coating concept

Key properties of organic coatings, such as mechanical strength and solvent resistance, are greatly influenced by the structure of the polymeric binder. In general, a 3-dimensional polymeric network gives the best properties and therefore most performance coatings have a 3-dimensional network structure. However, 3-dimensional networks cannot easily be repaired. Through molecular design in combination with different synthetic routes, a series of new building blocks has been prepared that render conventional coating types thermally remendable. Damage can be repaired through thermally reversible cross-linking of the coating through reversible bond scission within these specially designed building blocks. At room temperature, a fully cross-linked network is present, whereas at elevated temperatures the cross-link density becomes much lower and the system becomes mouldable or low viscous. This self-healing concept was proven by various techniques. Both the thermal reversibility window and the final coating properties can be tuned by careful design of the system. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Identification of CdnL, a putative transcriptional regulator involved in repair and outgrowth of heat-damaged bacillus cereus spores

Spores are widely present in the environment and are common contaminants in the food chain, creating a challenge for food industry. Nowadays, heat treatments conventionally applied in food processing may become milder to comply with consumer desire for products with higher sensory and nutritional values. Consequently subpopulations of spores may emerge that are sublethally damaged rather than inactivated. Such spores may germinate, repair damage, and eventually grow out leading to uncontrolled spoilage and safety issues. To gain insight into both the behaviour of damaged Bacillus cereus spores, and the process of damage repair, we assessed the germination and outgrowth performance using OD595 measurements and microscopy combined with genome-wide transcription analysis of untreated and heat-Treated spores. The first two methods showed delayed germination and outgrowth of heat-damaged B. cereus ATCC14579 spores. A subset of genes uniquely expressed in heat-Treated spores was identified with putative roles in the outgrowth of damaged spores, including cdnL (BC4714) encoding the putative transcriptional regulator CdnL. Next, a B. cereus ATCC14579 cdnL (BC4714) deletion mutant was constructed and assessment of outgrowth from heat-Treated spores under food relevant conditions showed increased damage compared to wild type spores. The approach used in this study allows for identification of candidate genes involved in spore damage repair. Further identification of cellular parameters and characterisation of the molecular processes contributing to spore damage repair may provide leads for better control of spore outgrowth in foods.</p

Development of flexible LEO-resistant PI films for space applications using a self-healing mechanism by surface-directed phase separation of block copolymers

Polimide-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PI-b-PDMS) block copolymers have been synthesized from commercially available amino-terminated polysiloxanes with different molecular weights, for use as polymeric materials resistant to the low earth orbit (LEO) space environment. A structural optimization with respect to maximum environmental protection has been performed by varying the PDMS block length as well as the architecture of the block copolymers spanning from multiblock to triblock and star-shaped morphologies. The synthesized polymers and casted films show good mechanical and thermal performance. For block copolymers with a load of 2% PDMS (in the case of the multiblock copolymers), a complete surface coverage of the PDMS has been found. It has been shown that the transfer of the surface enriched PDMS layer into a thin silica layer after atomic oxygen (AO) exposure results in a drastic decrease in AO erosion rate. The silica layer protects the underlying material from oxygen initiated erosion resulting in a drastic decrease of surface roughness. This phenomena is observable for loads as small as 6 wt % PDMS

Array expression ratios (log2 values) of candidate genes displaying specific upregulation during germination and outgrowth of heat-treated <i>B</i>. <i>cereus</i> ATCC14579 spores and verified by qPCR.

<p>False Discovery Rates below 0.05 are indicated in bold.</p

Expression profiles (log2 values) of reported spore specific transcripts during germination and outgrowth of untreated (white diamonds) and heat-treated (black diamonds) <i>B</i>. <i>cereus</i> ATCC14579 spores.

<p>Expression ratio’s for untreated spores are relative to untreated germinating control spores at t10, and for heat-treated spores relative to heat-treated germinating spores at t50.</p

Surviving and mildly and severely heat damaged spore fractions in <i>B</i>. <i>cereus</i> ATCC1457 and its mutant derivative strain Δ<i>cdnL</i> (BC4714) upon exposure to wet heat, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite treatments.

<p>Averages of three independent experiments are represented.</p

A 6b 10MS/s current steering DAC manufactured with amorphous gallium-indium-zinc-oxide TFTs achieving SFDR > 30dB up to 300kHz

Amorphous Gallium-lndium-Zinc-Oxide (GIZO or IGZO) has been recently pro- posed [1] as an interesting semiconductor for manufacturing TFTs because of its mobility (µ~20cm7Vs), superior to other common materials for large-area elec- tronics like organic semiconductors and a-Si (µ~1cm7Vs). The amorphous nature of GIZO grants also a good uniformity, contrary to Low Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon (LTPS), which still offers the best mobility among large- area TFT technologies (µ~100cm2¿/s). The optical transparency and the relative- ly low fabrication temperature