Sensory feedback and central neuronal interactions in mouse locomotion.

Locomotion is a complex process involving specific interactions between the central neural controller and the mechanical components of the system. The basic rhythmic activity generated by locomotor circuits in the spinal cord defines rhythmic limb movements and their central coordination. The operation of these circuits is modulated by sensory feedback from the limbs providing information about the state of the limbs and the body.

Non-canonical adrenergic neuromodulation of motoneuron intrinsic excitability through β-receptors in wild-type and ALS mice.

Altered neuronal excitability and synaptic inputs to motoneurons are part of the pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The cAMP/PKA pathway regulates both of them but therapeutic interventions at this level are limited by the lack of knowledge about suitable pharmacological entry points. Here we used transcriptomics on microdissected and motoneurons to reveal the modulation of PKA-coupled receptorome in SOD1(G93A) ALS mice, vs WT, demonstrating the dysregulation of multiple PKA-coupled GPCRs, in particular on vulnerable MNs, and the relative sparing of β-adrenergic receptors.

Sensory Feedback and Central Neuronal Interactions in Mouse Locomotion.

Locomotion is a complex process involving specific interactions between the central neural controller and the mechanical components of the system. The basic rhythmic activity generated by locomotor circuits in the spinal cord defines rhythmic limb movements and their central coordination. The operation of these circuits is modulated by sensory feedback from the limbs providing information about the state of the limbs and the body.

Investigating the roles of reflexes and central pattern generators in the control and modulation of human locomotion using a physiologically plausible neuromechanical model.

Studying the neural components regulating movement in human locomotion is obstructed by the inability to perform invasive experimental recording in the human neural circuits. Neuromechanical simulations can provide insights by modeling the locomotor circuits. Past neuromechanical models proposed control of locomotion either driven by central pattern generators (CPGs) with simple sensory commands or by a purely reflex-based network regulated by state-machine mechanisms, which activate and deactivate reflexes depending on the detected gait cycle phases.

A descriptive study of policy and system-level interventions to address cancer survivorship issues across six United States health systems.

Purpose: To describe policy and system-level interventions with potential to improve cancer care at six sites.

Methods: In 2016, six institutions received foundation support to develop unique multi-component interventions aimed at improving cancer care for underserved populations. These organizations, located across the United States, participated in a cross-site evaluation to assess the overall initiative impact and to identify potentially promising policy and system-level solutions for dissemination and broader implementation.

Distinct roles of spinal commissural interneurons in transmission of contralateral sensory information.

Crossed reflexes are mediated by commissural pathways transmitting sensory information to the contralateral side of the body, but the underlying network is not fully understood. Commissural pathways coordinating the activities of spinal locomotor circuits during locomotion have been characterized in mice, but their relationship to crossed reflexes is unknown. We show the involvement of two genetically distinct groups of commissural interneurons (CINs) described in mice, V0 and V3 CINs, in the crossed reflex pathways.

Spinal control of locomotion before and after spinal cord injury.

Thoracic spinal cord injury affects long propriospinal neurons that interconnect the cervical and lumbar enlargements. These neurons are crucial for coordinating forelimb and hindlimb locomotor movements in a speed-dependent manner. However, recovery from spinal cord injury is usually studied over a very limited range of speeds that may not fully expose circuitry dysfunction.

Distinct roles of spinal commissural interneurons in transmission of contralateral sensory information.

Crossed reflexes (CR) are mediated by commissural pathways transmitting sensory information to the contralateral side of the body, but the underlying network is not fully understood. Commissural pathways coordinating the activities of spinal locomotor circuits during locomotion have been characterized in mice, but their relationship to CR is unknown. We show the involvement of two genetically distinct groups of commissural interneurons (CINs) described in mice, V0 and V3 CINs, in the CR pathways.

A Learning Health System Approach to Cancer Survivorship Care Among LGBTQ+ Communities.

Purpose: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals who receive primary care services at community health centers are often referred to external specialty care centers after cancer diagnosis, upon which primary care services are disrupted and may be discontinued because of gaps in communication between primary and oncologic care providers. This qualitative study evaluated barriers and facilitators to effective care coordination for LGBTQ+ patients with cancer and the utility of a novel cancer care coordination tool to mitigate identified barriers.

Materials And Methods: Semistructured interviews with LGBTQ+ cancer survivors, caregivers to LGBTQ+ persons, clinical team members who provide care to LGBTQ+ patients, and members of community-based organizations that work with LGBTQ+ patients were conducted.

Implementing patient navigation programs: Considerations and lessons learned from the Alliance to Advance Patient-Centered Cancer Care.

Background: Six multidisciplinary cancer centers were selected and funded by the Merck Foundation (2017-2021) to collaborate in the Alliance to Advance Patient-Centered Cancer Care ("Alliance"), an initiative to improve patient access, minimize health disparities, and enhance the quality of patient-centered cancer care. These sites share their insights on implementation and expansion of their patient navigation efforts.

Methods: Patient navigation represents an evidence-based health care intervention designed to enhance patient-centered care and care coordination.

The role of V3 neurons in speed-dependent interlimb coordination during locomotion in mice.

Speed-dependent interlimb coordination allows animals to maintain stable locomotion under different circumstances. The V3 neurons are known to be involved in interlimb coordination. We previously modeled the locomotor spinal circuitry controlling interlimb coordination (Danner et al.

Contribution of Afferent Feedback to Adaptive Hindlimb Walking in Cats: A Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Study.

Mammalian locomotion is generated by central pattern generators (CPGs) in the spinal cord, which produce alternating flexor and extensor activities controlling the locomotor movements of each limb. Afferent feedback signals from the limbs are integrated by the CPGs to provide adaptive control of locomotion. Responses of CPG-generated neural activity to afferent feedback stimulation have been previously studied during fictive locomotion in immobilized cats.

A Whole-Body Musculoskeletal Model of the Mouse.

Neural control of movement cannot be fully understood without careful consideration of interactions between the neural and biomechanical components. Recent advancements in mouse molecular genetics allow for the identification and manipulation of constituent elements underlying the neural control of movement. To complement experimental studies and investigate the mechanisms by which the neural circuitry interacts with the body and the environment, computational studies modeling motor behaviors in mice need to incorporate a model of the mouse musculoskeletal system.

Racial and Ethnic Minority Pregnant Patients with Low-Income Experiences of Perinatal Care: A Scoping Review.

The maternal mortality ratio for the United States (US) has consistently risen over recent decades. This mortality is especially pronounced within minority populations who experience a maternal mortality and morbidity rate that are much higher than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Qualitative data are critical in gaining true insight from minority pregnant and postpartum persons.

Influence of Spine Curvature on the Efficacy of Transcutaneous Lumbar Spinal Cord Stimulation.

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation is a non-invasive method for neuromodulation of sensorimotor function. Its main mechanism of action results from the activation of afferent fibers in the posterior roots-the same structures as targeted by epidural stimulation. Here, we investigated the influence of sagittal spine alignment on the capacity of the surface-electrode-based stimulation to activate these neural structures.

APOS-antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications in orthognathic surgery: study protocol for a phase III, multicentre, randomised, controlled, double blinded, clinical trial with two parallel study arms.

Background: It is a constant debate among surgeons whether the use of prolonged postoperative antibiotics may reduce surgical site infection rates. As specific treatment guidelines are still lacking, many surgeons continue to use broad-spectrum antibiotics, causing not only increased costs but also contributing to the potential for antibiotic resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need for an appropriately designed prospective clinical trial, to investigate whether a prophylactic use of antibiotics after surgery actually decreases surgical site infections to a clinically relevant degree.

Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics.

Neuronal circuits in the spinal cord are essential for the control of locomotion. They integrate supraspinal commands and afferent feedback signals to produce coordinated rhythmic muscle activations necessary for stable locomotion. For several decades, computational modeling has complemented experimental studies by providing a mechanistic rationale for experimental observations and by deriving experimentally testable predictions.

Ipsi- and Contralateral Oligo- and Polysynaptic Reflexes in Humans Revealed by Low-Frequency Epidural Electrical Stimulation of the Lumbar Spinal Cord.

Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) applied over the human lumbosacral spinal cord provides access to afferent fibers from virtually all lower-extremity nerves. These afferents connect to spinal networks that play a pivotal role in the control of locomotion. Studying EES-evoked responses mediated through these networks can identify some of their functional components.

The Complex Interplay of Communication and Trust in Healthcare Delivery.

Effective communication in clinician-patient relationships is an essential part of improving health outcomes. Ineffective communication in clinical settings leaves patients feeling undervalued and unheard. Breakdowns in communication can have particularly profound effects on minority or underserved populations, where health disparities already exist.

On the Organization of the Locomotor CPG: Insights From Split-Belt Locomotion and Mathematical Modeling.

Rhythmic limb movements during locomotion are controlled by central pattern generator (CPG) circuits located in the spinal cord. It is considered that these circuits are composed of individual rhythm generators (RGs) for each limb interacting with each other through multiple commissural and long propriospinal circuits. The organization and operation of each RG are not fully understood, and different competing theories exist about interactions between its flexor and extensor components, as well as about left-right commissural interactions between the RGs.

Parasitic Chytrids Upgrade and Convey Primary Produced Carbon During Inedible Algae Proliferation.

Microbial parasites have only recently been included in planktonic food web studies, but their functional role in conveying dietary energy still remains to be elucidated. Parasitic fungi (chytrids) infecting phytoplankton may constitute an alternative trophic link and promote organic matter transfer through the production of dissemination zoospores. Particularly, during proliferation of inedible or toxic algal species, such as large Cyanobacteria fostered by global warming, parasites can constitute an alternative trophic link providing essential dietary nutrients that support somatic growth and reproduction of consumers.

Outcomes and health care utilization of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: The incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older patients is increasing, but practice guidelines balancing quality-of-life, time outside of hospital and overall survival (OS) are not established.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing time outside hospital, OS and end-of-life care in AML patients ≥60 years treated with intensive chemotherapy (IC), hypomethylating agents (HMA) and best supportive care (BSC) in a tertiary hospital.

Results: Of 201 patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2015, 54% received IC while 14% and 32% were treated with HMA and BSC respectively.

"Operator syndrome": A unique constellation of medical and behavioral health-care needs of military special operation forces.

Objective: U.S. military special operation forces represent the most elite units of the U.