Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) are an important measure in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) when assessing neuronal excitability in clinical diagnostics related to motor function, as well as in neuroscience research. However, manual feature extraction from large datasets can be time-consuming and prone to human error, and valuable features, such as MEP polyphasia and duration, are often neglected. Several packages have been developed to simplify the process; however, they are often tailored to specific studies or are not accessible.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA novel microfluidic platform was designed to study the cellular architecture of endothelial cells (ECs) in an environment replicating the 3D organization and flow of blood vessels. In particular, the platform was constructed to investigate EC defects in slow-flow venous malformations (VMs) under varying shear stress and flow conditions. The platform featured a standard microtiter plate footprint containing 32 microfluidic units capable of replicating wall shear stress (WSS) in normal veins and enabling precise control of shear stress and flow directionality without the need for complex pumping systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
November 2024
The use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for therapeutic RNA delivery has gained significant interest, particularly highlighted by recent milestones such as the approval of Onpattro and two mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, despite substantial advancements in this field, our understanding of the structure and internal organization of RNA-LNPs -and their relationship to efficacy, both in vitro and in vivo- remains limited. In this study, we present a coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) approach that allows for the simulations of full-size LNPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe association between self-assessed cold threshold (CT) and thermal insulation of clothing (I) was analysed in 283 poultry workers in Thailand. The mean CT was 13.5 °C (range - 28-29) and the mean I was 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this study was to develop a feasible method for the detection of negative myoclonus (NM) through long-term home measurements in patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsy type 1.
Methods: The number and duration of silent periods (SP) associated with NM were detected during a 48 h home recording using wearable surface electromyography (EMG) sensors.
Results: A newly developed algorithm was able to find short (50-69 ms), intermediate (70-100 ms), and long (101- 500 ms) SPs from EMG data.
Background: The importance of work engagement has been emphasised due to the increasing demand for health- and social care and the shortage of skilled labour. Improving organisational and managerial factors is important when enhancing professionals' work engagement. The association between management and work engagement has only been established in previous studies at a general level, but the association between appreciative management and work engagement has not received equivalent research interest.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo derive the maturation of neurophysiological processes from childhood to adulthood reflected by the change of motor-evoked potential (MEP) features. 38 participants were recruited from four groups (age mean in years [SD in months], number (males)): children (7.3 [4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can induce motor evoked potentials (MEPs). In TMS applications, near-threshold stimulation intensities (SIs) are often used for characterizing corticospinal excitability using MEPs. We aimed to characterize the individual near-threshold recruitment of MEPs and to test the assumptions related to selection of the suprathreshold SI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1) is caused by biallelic alterations in the CSTB gene, most commonly dodecamer repeat expansions. Although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) was previously reported to be normal in EPM1, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) was reduced. We explored the association between these measures and the clinical and genetic features in a separate group of patients with EPM1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Currently, DBS programming outcome is based on a clinical assessment. In an optimal situation, an objectively measurable feature would assist the operator to select the appropriate settings for DBS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim was to study the differences in autonomic nervous system activation between maximal tooth clenching task and handgrip test during and after the tasks. Also, the possible activation of trigeminocardiac reflex during the clenching task was explored.
Material And Methods: We compared autonomic responses to maximal tooth clenching and handgrip in 28 participants.
Objective: To develop and test wearable monitoring of surface electromyography and motion for detection and quantification of positive and negative myoclonus in patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1).
Methods: Surface electromyography and three-dimensional acceleration were measured from 23 EPM1 patients from the biceps brachii (BB) of the dominant and the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) of the non-dominant arm for 48 hours. The patients self-reported the degree of myoclonus in a diary once an hour.
Objective: To evaluate motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) using a small-sized wearable device for surface electromyography (EMG) with accelerometry (ACC) for 24 hours.
Methods: Seven PD patients with medication were measured once, and nine patients with directional deep brain stimulation (dDBS) twice: before and after the dDBS reprogramming. EMG and ACC parameters were compared with clinical rating scores and patients' home diaries.
Objective: There is limited information on cold-related pain (CRP) in various parts of the body among workers employed in cold environments. We, therefore, determined the prevalence of CRP among Thai chicken industry workers and attempted to identify vulnerable subgroups.
Methods: Four hundred and twenty-two workers in four chicken meat factories in Thailand were asked about CRP in the face, upper limbs, and lower body.
Background: Few studies have examined cold-related symptoms among cold workplace workers in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cold-related cardiorespiratory, circulatory, and general symptoms and performance degradation among Thai chicken industry workers and identify vulnerable groups.
Methods: Overall, 422 workers aged from 18 to 57 years at four chicken meat factories in Thailand were interviewed for cold-related symptoms and complaints.
Stud Health Technol Inform
June 2020
UN have recommended the adoption of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 from W3C to guarantee that web content is more accessible to everyone. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of WCAG 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing among Thai chicken industry workers. Three hundred workers were interviewed regarding cold-related symptoms, which were regressed on worksite temperature and protective clothing. In total, 80% of workers reported respiratory symptoms; 23%, cardiac symptoms; 62%, circulation disturbances; 42%, thirst; 56%, drying of the mouth; and 82%, degradation of their performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSynaptic neurotransmission has recently been proposed to function via either a membrane-independent or a membrane-dependent mechanism, depending on the neurotransmitter type. In the membrane-dependent mechanism, amphipathic neurotransmitters first partition to the lipid headgroup region and then diffuse along the membrane plane to their membrane-buried receptors. However, to date, this mechanism has not been demonstrated for any neurotransmitter-receptor complex.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: More knowledge is needed of the effectiveness of complex interventions that aim to promote the wellbeing of older people. This study examines the effects of 'participatory group-based care management' conducted among community-dwelling older adults living alone in Central and Eastern Finland. The intervention aimed to promote wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) using a needs-based and participatory approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: It is vital to protect divers from the cold, particularly in Arctic conditions. The insulating gas layer within the drysuit is crucial for reducing heat loss. The technical diving community has long claimed the superiority of argon over air as an insulating gas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng
August 2019
Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are commonly characterized only by their onset (latency) and size (amplitude) whereas other potentially important information in the MEPs is discarded. Hence, our aim was to examine the morphological information of MEPs using principal component regression (PCR) providing additional perception of MEPs. MEPs were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle following navigated TMS focused at the primary motor cortex.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Electromyogr Kinesiol
October 2019
Introduction: Lumbar movement variability during heavy, repetitive work may be a protective mechanism to diminish the progression of lumbar disorders and maintain neuromuscular functional integrity. The effect of neuromuscular exercise (NME) on the variability of lumbar movement is still to be determined.
Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted on a population of nursing personnel with subacute LBP.
The article examines older people's perceptions of quality of life from the perspective of access and use of health and social care services. The data include focus group discussions with older people living alone. The data were analysed using thematic analysis focusing on the older people's collective views on health and social care services as supportive or restrictive factors for their quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevalence of masticatory parafunctions, such as tooth clenching and grinding, is higher among migraineurs than non-migraineurs, and masticatory dysfunctions may aggravate migraine. Migraine predisposes to cerebrovascular disturbances, possibly due to impaired autonomic vasoregulation, and sensitization of the trigeminovascular system. The relationships between clenching, migraine, and cerebral circulation are poorly understood.
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