Factors associated with the effectiveness of high-flow therapy in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: An observational study.

Backward: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely tested global health systems. Non-invasive respiratory support, especially combining high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and continuous positive airway pressure, has effectively treated COVID-19 induced Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and reduced mortality. However, HFNC alone is more comfortable, better tolerated, and less costly than non-invasive ventilation.

Improvement of the gait deviation index for spinal cord injury to broaden its applicability: the reduced gait deviation index for spinal cord injury (rSCI-GDI).

Background: The SCI-GDI is an accurate and effective metric to summarize gait kinematics in adults with SCI. It is usually computed with the information registered with a photogrammetry system because it requires accurate information of pelvic and hip movement in the three anatomic planes, which is hard to record with simpler systems. Additionally, due to being developed from the GDI, the SCI-GDI is built upon nine joint movements selected for a pediatric population with cerebral palsy, for which the GDI was originally developed, but those nine movements are not necessarily as meaningful for adults with SCI.

A new modular neuroprosthesis suitable for hybrid FES-robot applications and tailored assistance.

Background: To overcome the application limitations of functional electrical stimulation (FES), such as fatigue or nonlinear muscle response, the combination of neuroprosthetic systems with robotic devices has been evaluated, resulting in hybrid systems that have promising potential. However, current technology shows a lack of flexibility to adapt to the needs of any application, context or individual. The main objective of this study is the development of a new modular neuroprosthetic system suitable for hybrid FES-robot applications to meet these needs.

Validation of inertial measurement units based on waveform similarity assessment against a photogrammetry system for gait kinematic analysis.

When assessing gait analysis outcomes for clinical use, it is indispensable to use an accurate system ensuring a minimal measurement error. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are a versatile motion capture system to evaluate gait kinematics during out-of-lab activities and technology-assisted rehabilitation therapies. However, IMUs are susceptible to distortions, offset and drifting.

Towards a validated glossary of usability attributes for the evaluation of wearable robotic devices.

Background: Despite technical advances in the field of wearable robotic devices (WRD), there is still limited user acceptance of these technologies. While usability often comes as a key factor influencing acceptance, there is a scattered landscape of definitions and scopes for the term. To advance usability evaluation, and to integrate usability features as design requirements during technology development, there is a need for benchmarks and shared terminology.

Effectiveness of Body Weight-Supported Gait Training on Gait and Balance for Motor-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This review aims to analyse the effectiveness of body weight-supported gait training for improving gait and balance in patients with motor-incomplete spinal cord injuries.

Method: Relevant articles were systematically searched in electronic databases to identify randomised controlled trials of body weight-supported gait training (either with methods of robotic, manual, and functional electrical stimulation assistance) versus conventional physical therapy or no intervention. Subjects were >16 years-old with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (AIS C or D).

Relationship between Mental Disorders, Smoking or Alcoholism and Benign Prostate Disease.

Introduction: Mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism and benign prostate disease are highly prevalent in men.

Aims: To identify the relationship between mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism and benign prostate disease.

Methodology: A prospective multicenter study that evaluated prostate health status in 558 men from the community.

First-in-human demonstration of floating EMG sensors and stimulators wirelessly powered and operated by volume conduction.

Background: Recently we reported the design and evaluation of floating semi-implantable devices that receive power from and bidirectionally communicate with an external system using coupling by volume conduction. The approach, of which the semi-implantable devices are proof-of-concept prototypes, may overcome some limitations presented by existing neuroprostheses, especially those related to implant size and deployment, as the implants avoid bulky components and can be developed as threadlike devices. Here, it is reported the first-in-human acute demonstration of these devices for electromyography (EMG) sensing and electrical stimulation.

Construct Validity of the Gait Deviation Index for People With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (GDI-SCI).

Background: The Gait Deviation Index for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI-GDI) was recently proposed as a dimensionless multivariate kinematic measure based on 21 gait features derived from 3-dimensional kinematic data which quantifies gait impairment of adult population with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) relative to the normative gait of a healthy group. Nevertheless, no validity studies of the SCI-GDI have been published to date.

Objective: To assess the construct validity of the SCI-GDI in adult population following iSCI.

A qualitative study to elicit user requirements for lower limb wearable exoskeletons for gait rehabilitation in spinal cord injury.

Objective: We aim to determine a comprehensive set of requirements, perceptions, and expectations that people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the clinicians in charge of their rehabilitation have regarding the use of wearable robots (WR) for gait rehabilitation.

Background: There are concerns due to the limited user acceptance of WR for gait rehabilitation. Developers need to emphasize understanding the needs and constraints of all stakeholders involved, including the real-life dynamics of rehabilitation centers.

The 2022 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to train physiotherapists in the management of people with spinal cord injuries: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of learners' experiences and its impact.

Study Design: Observational.

Objectives: To determine the learners' experience and the impact of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) conducted to teach physiotherapists about the management of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Methods: A SCI MOOC for physiotherapists was run in 5 different languages at the end of 2022.

Effect of the Early Combination of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and High-Flow Nasal Cannula on Mortality and Intubation Rates in Patients With COVID-19 and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The DUOCOVID Study.

Introduction: Non invasive respiratory support (NIRS) is useful for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19, mainly in mild-moderate stages. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) seems superior to other NIRS, prolonged periods of use and poor adaptation may contribute to its failure. The combination of CPAP sessions and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) breaks could improve comfort and keep respiratory mechanics stable without reducing the benefits of positive airway pressure (PAP).

Overexpression of the X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) in Neurons Improves Cell Survival and the Functional Outcome after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Mechanical trauma to the spinal cord causes extensive neuronal death, contributing to the loss of sensory-motor and autonomic functions below the injury location. Apoptosis affects neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI) and is associated with increased caspase activity. Cleavage of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) after SCI may contribute to this rise in caspase activity.

Hand Motor Fatigability Induced by a Simple Isometric Task in Spinal Cord Injury.

Unlabelled: This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the hand motor fatigability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compare it with measurements obtained form an able-bodied population; (2) to compare the hand motor fatigability in people with tetraplegia and in people with paraplegia; and (3) to analyse if motor fatigability is different in people with SCI with and without clinical significant perceived fatigability.

Materials And Methods: 96 participants with SCI (40 cervical and 56 thoracolumbar) and 63 able-bodied controls performed a simple hand isometric task to assess motor fatigability. The Fatigue Severity Scale was used for perceived fatigability evaluation.

Factors Associated With Fatigue in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the association between fatigue and clinical and demographic variables in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Data Sources: Five databases (MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health) were searched up to November 2021.

Study Selection: Observational studies that reported the association between fatigue and clinical and demographic variables in English or Spanish were eligible.

MicroRNA-138-5p Targets Pro-Apoptotic Factors and Favors Neural Cell Survival: Analysis in the Injured Spinal Cord.

The central nervous system microRNA miR-138-5p has attracted much attention in cancer research because it inhibits pro-apoptotic genes including CASP3. We hypothesize that miR-138-5p downregulation after SCI leads to overexpression of pro-apoptotic genes, sensitizing neural cells to noxious stimuli. This study aimed to identify miR-138-5p targets among pro-apoptotic genes overexpressed following SCI and to confirm that miR-138-5p modulates cell death in neural cells.

Derivation of the Gait Deviation Index for Spinal Cord Injury.

The Gait Deviation Index (GDI) is a dimensionless multivariate measure of overall gait pathology represented as a single score that indicates the gait deviation from a normal gait average. It is calculated using kinematic data recorded during a three-dimensional gait analysis and an orthonormal vectorial basis with 15 gait features that was originally obtained using singular value decomposition and feature analysis on a dataset of children with cerebral palsy. Ever since, it has been used as an outcome measure to study gait in several conditions, including spinal cord injury (SCI).

miR-182-5p Regulates Nogo-A Expression and Promotes Neurite Outgrowth of Hippocampal Neurons In Vitro.

Nogo-A protein is a key myelin-associated inhibitor of axonal growth, regeneration, and plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS). Regulation of the Nogo-A/NgR1 pathway facilitates functional recovery and neural repair after spinal cord trauma and ischemic stroke. MicroRNAs are described as effective tools for the regulation of important processes in the CNS, such as neuronal differentiation, neuritogenesis, and plasticity.

Application of the Gait Deviation Index to Study Gait Impairment in Adult Population With Spinal Cord Injury: Comparison With the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury Levels.

The Gait Deviation Index (GDI) is a multivariate measure of overall gait pathology based on 15 gait features derived from three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data. GDI aims at providing a comprehensive, easy to interpret, and clinically meaningful metric of overall gait function. It has been used as an outcome measure to study gait in several conditions: cerebral palsy (CP), post-stroke hemiparetic gait, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson's disease, among others.

Preventive treatment with alendronate of loss of bone mineral density in acute traumatic spinal cord injury. Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial of two parallel groups.

Objectives: Analyse the efficacy of primary prevention with alendronate on the loss of bone mass which occurs during the first year of traumatic SCI, measured by double-energy X-ray bone densitometry (DXA).

Setting: National Hospital for Paraplegics (HNP), Toledo, Spain.

Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with robotic therapy for upper and lower limb function after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method able to modulate neuronal activity after stroke. The aim of this systematic review was to determine if tDCS combined with robotic therapy (RT) improves limb function after stroke when compared to RT alone.

Methods: A search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published prior to July 15, 2021 was performed.

A Survey on Socially Assistive Robotics: Clinicians' and Patients' Perception of a Social Robot within Gait Rehabilitation Therapies.

A growing interest in Socially Assistive Robotics in Physical Rehabilitation is currently observed; some of the benefits highlight the capability of a social robot to support and assist rehabilitation procedures. This paper presents a perception study that aimed to evaluate clinicians' and patients' perception of a social robot that will be integrated as part of Lokomat therapy. A total of 88 participants were surveyed, employing an online questionnaire based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

In Silico and In Vitro Analyses Validate Human MicroRNAs Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 3'-UTR.

COVID-19 pandemic is caused by betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The genome of this virus is composed of a single strand of RNA with 5' and 3'-UTR flanking a region of protein-coding ORFs closely resembling cells' mRNAs. MicroRNAs are endogenous post-transcriptional regulators that target mRNA to modulate protein expression and mediate cellular functions, including antiviral defense.