Locomotor adaptability in persons with unilateral transtibial amputation

Background Locomotor adaptation enables walkers to modify strategies when faced with challenging walking conditions. While a variety of neurological injuries can impair locomotor adaptability, the effect of a lower extremity amputation on adaptability is poorly understood. Objective Determine if locomotor adaptability is impaired in persons with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). Methods The locomotor adaptability of 10 persons with a TTA and 8 persons without an amputation was tested while walking on a split-belt treadmill with the parallel belts running at the same (tied) or different (split) speeds. In the split condition, participants walked for 15 minutes with the respective belts moving at 0.5 m/s and 1.5 m/s. Temporal spatial symmetry measures were used to evaluate reactive accommodations to the perturbation, and the adaptive/de-adaptive response. Results Persons with TTA and the reference group of persons without amputation both demonstrated highly symmetric walking at baseline. During the split adaptation and tied post-adaptation walking both groups responded with the expected reactive accommodations. Likewise, adaptive and de-adaptive responses were observed. The magnitude and rate of change in the adaptive and de-adaptive responses were similar for persons with TTA and those without an amputation. Furthermore, adaptability was no different based on belt assignment for the prosthetic limb during split adaptation walking. Conclusions Reactive changes and locomotor adaptation in response to a challenging and novel walking condition were similar in persons with TTA to those without an amputation. Results suggest persons with TTA have the capacity to modify locomotor strategies to meet the demands of most walking conditions despite challenges imposed by an amputation and use of a prosthetic limb

Antiplasmodial and larvicidal flavonoids from Derris trifoliata

From the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract of the seed pods of Derris trifoliata, a new flavanone derivative (S)-lupinifolin 4´-methyl ether was isolated. In addition, the known flavonoids lupinifolin and rotenone were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Lupinfolin showed moderate in vitro antiplasmodial activity against the D6 (chloroquine-sensitive) and W2 (chloroquineresistant)strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The different parts of this plant showed larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti and rotenoids were identified as the active principles

Search for quark-lepton compositeness and a heavy W boson using the ev channel in pp(overbar) collisions at (square root)s = 1.8 TeV

We present searches for quark-lepton compositeness and a heavy W′ boson at high electron-neutrino transverse mass. We use ∼110pb-1 of data collected in pp̅ collisions at √s = 1.8TeV by the CDF Collaboration during 1992–1995. The data are consistent with standard model expectations. Limits are set on the quark-lepton compositeness scale Λ, the ratio of partial cross sections σ(W′→eν)/σ(W→eν), and the mass of a W′ boson with standard model couplings. We exclude Λ<2.81TeV and a W′ boson with mass below 754GeV/c2 at the 95% confidence level. Combining with our previously published limit obtained using the muon channel, we exclude a W′ boson with mass below 786GeV/c2 at the 95% confidence level

Production of Xc1 and Xc2 in pp(overbar) collisions at (square root)s = 1.8 TeV

We have measured the ratio of prompt production rates of the charmonium states χc1 and χc2 in 110pb-1 of pp̅ collisions at √s = 1.8TeV. The photon from their decay into J/ψγ is reconstructed through conversion into e+e- pairs. The energy resolution this technique provides makes the resolution of the two states possible. We find the ratio of production cross sections σχc2/σχc1 = 0.96±0.27(stat)±0.11(syst) for events with pT(J/ψ)>4.0GeV/c, |η(J/ψ)|1.0GeV/c

Search for neutral supersymmetric Higgs bosons in pp(overbar) collisions at (square root)s = 1.8 TeV

We present the results of a search for neutral Higgs bosons produced in association with b quarks in pp̅ →bb̅ ϕ→bb̅ bb̅ final states with 91±7pb-1 of pp̅ collisions at √s = 1.8TeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We find no evidence of such a signal and the data are interpreted in the context of the neutral Higgs sector of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model. With basic parameter choices for the supersymmetric scale and the stop-quark mixing, we derive 95% C.L. lower mass limits for neutral Higgs bosons for tanβ values in excess of 35

Absence of neuronal autoantibodies in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus

International audienceThis study aimed to characterise both neuronal autoantibodies and levels of interferon α, two proposed causative agents in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma from 35 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 15 with NPSLE) showed no antibodies against natively expressed N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), or the surface of live hippocampal neurons. By comparison to controls (n = 104), patients with SLE had antibodies that bound to a peptide representing the extracellular domain of NMDARs (p < 0.0001), however, binding was retained against both rearranged peptides and no peptide (r = 0.85 and r = 0.79, respectively, p < 0.0001). In summary, neuronal-surface reactive antibodies were not detected in NPSLE. Further, while interferon α levels were higher in SLE (p < 0.0001), they lacked specificity for NPSLE. Our findings mandate a search for novel biomarkers in this condition. ANN NEUROL 2020