Revealing the Structure Formation on Polyglycerol Citrate Polymers-An Environmentally Friendly Polyester as a Seed-Coating Material.

A detailed structural investigation of a promising bio-based polymer, polyglycerol citrate polyester, obtained by the bulk polycondensation of glycerol (Gly) against citric acid (Cit) under mild reaction was performed. The reaction in conditions with and without catalyst use (sulfuric acid, H2SO4) was investigated, showing evidence that it is possible to modify the polymer solubility according to the ratio and catalyst utilization. 13C and 1H NMR indicated that synthesis catalyzed with Cit excess leads to higher esterification degrees of citrate groups. In contrast, the Gly moieties are more prominent in catalyzed polymers regardless of the excess monomers. Overall, a successful conversion of Gly and Cit into polyesters was attained even without catalysis, enabling a simple route for the large-scale production of this green material to be used as a coating material. This polymer has been shown to be well-suited for coating seeds and might be a promising material for similar agricultural applications. Tests on soybean seed coating with a PGCit solution of 75% indicated that the seed quality and germination rate were not affected by the PGCit coating, concluding that this polymer is suitable for this application.

Telerehabilitation-based trunk exercise training for motor symptoms of individuals with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Poor gait and static balance performance may be associated with trunk muscles in individuals with Parkinson's disease. AIM: The study aims at evaluating the effects of a home-based trunk exercise program on gait and balance performance in Parkinson's disease. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 28 individuals with Parkinson's disease with Hoehn & Yahr stage II-IV. The control group (n = 14) performed upper and lower limb exercises, while the experimental group (n = 14) engaged in a trunk exercise program. Both groups performed home-based exercises three times daily for 3 weeks. At the end of interventions (post-training) and 4 weeks after post-training (follow-up), static balance (force plate) and gait (motion capture system) were evaluated. Mixed analysis of variance compared time × group interaction (α = 5%). RESULTS: No time × group interaction was observed in the center of pressure displacement, center of pressure mean velocity, and anteroposterior and mediolateral center of pressure range during bipedal support with eyes opened and closed; and gait speed, hip, knee, and ankle range of motion during gait analysis. No intragroup differences were found. CONCLUSION: Trunk strengthening exercises did not improve gait and balance compared with upper and lower limb exercises. The non-adherence rate (33%) to the remote intervention may have also hindered our results.

Action observation and motor imagery have no effect on balance and freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Combining action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) training may induce greater brain activity in areas usually involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) and lead to greater behavioral and neurophysiological effects than when used separately. AIM: To determine the effects of combining AO, MI, and gait training on balance and freezing of gait in individuals with PD. DESIGN: This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Laboratory of Intervention and Analysis of Movement (LIAM) from the Department of Physical Therapy of a Brazilian University. POPULATION: Study sample consisted of individuals diagnosed with idiopathic PD by a neurologist specialized in movement disorders. METHODS: 39 individuals with PD were divided into experimental (EG=21) and control groups (CG=18). EG performed 12 sessions of AO, MI, and gait training, whereas CG watched PD-related educational videos and performed 12 sessions of gait training. Balance (measured using the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test [MiniBESTest]) and freezing of gait (measured using the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire) were reassessed one day after the end of the intervention. RESULTS: We did not observe significant intra- and intergroup differences in freezing of gait. For the EG, we observed a significant intragroup difference in the total score of MiniBESTest (F=5.2; P=0.02), and sensory orientation (F=4.5; P=0.04) and dynamic gait (F=3.6; P=0.03) domains. MiniBESTest domains were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Combining AO, MI, and gait training was not more effective than isolated gait training for balance and freezing of gait in individuals with PD. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: MI training can moderate AO effects and enhance motor learning when both therapies are combined. Therefore, this approach may still have the potential to be included in the treatment of PD. New studies should investigate whether the factors that influence these results are related to the protocol's sensitivity in changing the evaluated parameters or to the time and intensity of AO and MI training.

Are biomechanical strategies to perform functional activities different between individuals with subacute and chronic stroke?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the capacity to perform functional mobility activities change within the first year post-stroke using the Timed "Up and Go" Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies (TUG-ABS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with thirty-eight stroke individuals. A motion analysis system was used during the Timed "Up and Go" (TUG) test to evaluate the following activities: sit-to-stand, gait, turn, and stand-to-sit. Kinematic variables related to each activity were obtained in addition to TUG-ABS scores. The ability to perform the activities was compared between subacute (up to 3 months post-stroke, n = 21) and chronic participants (4 to 12 months post-stroke, n = 17) using Mann-Whitney U tests (α= 5%). RESULTS: Results were expressed as median difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). TUG-ABS scores: Sit-to-stand (MD = 0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 1), gait (MD = 0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 1), stand-to-sit (MD = 0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 1), and total score (MD = 2.0, 95% CI = 0.0 to 6) were not different between groups. Subacute participants presented significant better scores during turn activity (MD = 2.0, 95% CI 0.0 to 2.0). All kinematic variables were not different between participants. CONCLUSIONS: Capacity to perform functional activities was not different within the first year post-stroke, suggesting that biomechanical strategies are developed within the first three months following stroke.

Effects of treadmill training with load addition on non-paretic lower limb on gait parameters after stroke: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

The addition of load on the non-paretic lower limb for the purpose of restraining this limb and stimulating the use of the paretic limb has been suggested to improve hemiparetic gait. However, the results are conflicting and only short-term effects have been observed. This study aims to investigate the effects of adding load on non-paretic lower limb during treadmill gait training as a multisession intervention on kinematic gait parameters after stroke. With this aim, 38 subacute stroke patients (mean time since stroke: 4.5 months) were randomly divided into two groups: treadmill training with load (equivalent to 5% of body weight) on the non-paretic ankle (experimental group) and treadmill training without load (control group). Both groups performed treadmill training during 30min per day, for two consecutive weeks (nine sessions). Spatiotemporal and angular gait parameters were assessed by a motion system analysis at baseline, post-training (at the end of 9days of interventions) and follow-up (40days after the end of interventions). Several post-training effects were demonstrated: patients walked faster and with longer paretic and non-paretic steps compared to baseline, and maintained these gains at follow-up. In addition, patients exhibited greater hip and knee joint excursion in both limbs at post-training, while maintaining most of these benefits at follow-up. All these improvements were observed in both groups. Although the proposal gait training program has provided better gait parameters for these subacute stroke patients, our data indicate that load addition used as a restraint may not provide additional benefits to gait training.

Preparation and Characterization of Amylose Inclusion Complexes for Drug Delivery Applications.

Amylose complexes with nimesulide (NMS) and praziquantel (PZQ) were prepared by a simple and low cost method, so that high yield (>57%) and drug content (up to 68.16%) were achieved. The influence of drug:polymer ratio, temperature, and presence of palmitic acid on the complexes properties was evaluated. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance data evidenced the drug-polymer interaction and the formation of inclusion complexes with semi-crystalline structures related to type II complexes. The drug release rates from complexes were lowered in acid media (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.9). The presence of pancreatin promoted a significant acceleration of the release rates of both drugs, evidencing the enzymatic degradability of these complexes. The highest enzymatic resistance of PZQ1:30PA60°C complex makes the release time longer and the full release of PZQ in phosphate buffer with pancreatin occurred at 240 min, whereas the complexes with NMS and PZQ1:5PA90°C did it in 60 min. According to the Weibull model, the drug release process in media without enzyme occurred by complex mechanisms involving diffusion, swelling, and erosion. In media containing pancreatin, generally, the better correlation was with the first order, evidencing the acceleration of the release rates of drugs in the early stages of the test, due to enzymatic degradation.

Effects of treadmill inclination on the gait of children with Down syndrome.

The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of upward treadmill inclination on the gait of children with Down syndrome (DS). Sixteen children with a mean age 8.43 ± 2.25 years, classified at level I of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and able to walk without personal assistance and/or assistive devices/orthosis were evaluated. Spatial-temporal variables were observed as well as the angular variation of hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal plane, while children walked on the treadmill carried out on 0% and 10% upward inclination. The results showed that children with DS presented changes in spatio-temporal variables (reduced cadence and increased cycle time and swing time) and in angular variables (increased hip, knee and ankle angles at initial contact; increased maximum hip flexion and maximum stance dorsiflexion; and reduced plantarflexion at pre-swing). Treadmill inclination seemed to act positively on the angular and spatio-temporal characteristics of gait in children with DS, demonstrating a possible benefit from the use of this type of surface in the gait rehabilitation of this population.

Comparison of instruments for sleep, cognition and function evaluation in stroke patients according to the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF).

BACKGROUND: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) should be widely used in research and clinical practice, but there are few studies that do so with the evaluation instruments used in physical therapy. OBJECTIVE: To compare instruments that evaluate sleep, cognition and function in stroke patients according to the ICF. METHODS: Twelve patients (6 women) with a mean age of 55.4 (± 6.2) years and a recovery time from 7 to 36 months took part in the study. Patients were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Barthel Index (BI). A frequency comparison of ICF categories and those of the above-mentioned instruments was performed using Fisher's exact test and chi-square. Agreement regarding the categories was recorded by two evaluators and assessed with the Kappa index. RESULTS: Mean scores of 5.0 (± 3.0), 22.5 (± 3.4) and 74.6 (± 17.2) were found for the PSQI, MMSE and BI, respectively. The changes identified in the other instruments were recorded in 46 ICF categories, with the most frequent component being "Body Functions", followed by "Activities and Participation". We found an inter-rater agreement of 0.87 for the PSQI (substantial), 0.44 for the MMSE (moderate) and 0.39 for BI (fair). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the instruments' concordance differed greatly, which suggests a more thorough use of these instruments in physical therapy to optimize the formulation and standardization of diagnoses.

Comparação dos instrumentos de avaliação do sono, cognição e função no acidente vascular encefálico com a classificação internacional de funcionalidade, incapacidade e saúde (CIF) / Comparison of instruments for sleep, cognition and function evaluation in stroke patients according to the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF)

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF) precisa ser empregada amplamente na pesquisa e prática clínica, mas há escassez de trabalhos que vinculem sua utilização a instrumentos de avaliação utilizados na fisioterapia. OBJETIVO: Comparar os instrumentos de avaliação do sono, cognição e função com a CIF em pacientes com AVE. MÉTODOS: Participaram 12 pacientes (seis mulheres), com idade média de 55,4 (±6,2) anos e tempo de recuperação de sete a 36 meses. Os pacientes foram avaliados pelo Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP), Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e Índice de Barthel (IB). A comparação da frequência das categorias registradas da CIF com os itens dos instrumentos foi realizada por meio do teste de Fisher e teste do qui-quadrado. A concordância das categorias registradas por dois avaliadores foi analisada pelo Índice de Kappa. RESULTADOS: Na análise do IQSP, encontrou-se um escore médio de 5,0 (±3,0); para o MEEM, de 22,5 (±3,4) e para o IB, de 74,6 (±17,2). Na CIF, as alterações identificadas nos instrumentos anteriores foram registradas em 46 categorias, sendo a maior parte no componente "Funções do Corpo", seguido de "Atividades e Participação". Encontrou-se uma concordância interavaliador de 0,87 para o IQSP (substancial), de 0,44 para o MEEM (moderada) e de 0,39 para o IB (justa). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados indicam que as concordâncias de cada instrumento foram muito diferentes, sugerindo a necessidade de maior utilização desses instrumentos na prática fisioterapêutica, a fim de otimizar a formulação e padronização do diagnóstico fisioterapêutico.

BACKGROUND: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) should be widely used in research and clinical practice, but there are few studies that do so with the evaluation instruments used in physical therapy. OBJECTIVE: To compare instruments that evaluate sleep, cognition and function in stroke patients according to the ICF. METHODS: Twelve patients (6 women) with a mean age of 55.4 (±6.2) years and a recovery time from 7 to 36 months took part in the study. Patients were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Barthel Index (BI). A frequency comparison of ICF categories and those of the above-mentioned instruments was performed using Fisher's exact test and chi-square. Agreement regarding the categories was recorded by two evaluators and assessed with the Kappa index. RESULTS: Mean scores of 5.0 (±3.0), 22.5 (±3.4) and 74.6 (±17.2) were found for the PSQI, MMSE and BI, respectively. The changes identified in the other instruments were recorded in 46 ICF categories, with the most frequent component being "Body Functions", followed by "Activities and Participation". We found an inter-rater agreement of 0.87 for the PSQI (substantial), 0.44 for the MMSE (moderate) and 0.39 for BI (fair). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the instruments' concordance differed greatly, which suggests a more thorough use of these instruments in physical therapy to optimize the formulation and standardization of diagnoses.