Surface crafting and entrapment of CsPbBr3 perovskite QDs in ZIF-8 for ammonia recognition.

The substantial optical features of perovskite quantum dots (PQD) lead to rapid growth in the investigation of their surface and lattice doping for optoelectronic and biochemical sensor advancements. Herein, we have used the surface ligand crafting model of PQD by ammonia and its optimum response to recognise ammonia in the sensing cellulose paper. The PQD with acetyl amine and octanoic acid capped were synthesized and entrapped in zeolites imidazole framework to delay the instant quenching and envisaged response to ammonia with high sensitivity. The hybrid perovskite quantum dots and Zeolite imidazolate framework-8 (PQD@ZIF-8) materials were further immersed in cellulose paper for solid-state sensor fabrication for the detection of ammonia by naked-eye and a Xiaomi Note-5 mobile camera. The ammonia was measured with high sensitivity at ambient conditions, with a detection limit of 16 ppm and a linear detection range of 1 to 500 ppm. This research provides a new platform for designing sensor selectivity and sensitivity, which could be used to further develop fluorescent nanomaterials-based sensors for small molecule detection.

Recent Progress in the Development of Organic Chemosensors for Formaldehyde Detection.

Formaldehyde has become a prominent topic of interest because of its simple molecular structure, release from various compounds in the near vicinity of humans, and associated hazards. Thus, several researchers designed sophisticated instrumentations for formaldehyde detection that exhibit real-time sensing properties and are cost-effective and portable with high detection limits. On these grounds, this review is centered on an analysis of optical chemosensors for formaldehyde that specifically fall under the broad spectrum of organic probes. In this case, this review discusses different organic functionalities, including amines, imines, aromatic pillar arenes, ß-ketoesters, and ß-diketones, taking part in various reaction mechanisms ranging from aza-Cope rearrangement and Schiff base and Hanztch reactions to aldimine condensation. In addition, this review distinguishes reaction mechanisms according to photophysical phenomena, that is, aggregation-induced emission, photoinduced electron transfer, and intramolecular charge transfer. Furthermore, it addresses the instrumentation involved in gas-based and liquid formaldehyde detection. Finally, it discusses the gaps in existing technologies followed by a succinct set of recommendations for future research.

Investigation of Structural, Mechanical, Optoelectronic, and Thermoelectric Properties of BaXF3 (X = Co, Ir) Fluoro-Perovskites: Promising Materials for Optoelectronic and Thermoelectric Applications.

Coded within Wien2K, we carry out DFT-based calculations for investigations of the structural, elastic, optoelectronic, and thermoelectric properties of BaXF3 (X = Co, Ir) fluoro-perovskites. The Birch-Murnaghan fit to the energy-vs-volume data and formation energy shows that these fluoro-perovskites are structurally stable. The phonon calculation confirms the thermodynamic stability, while the relation between elastic constants such as C 11 - C 12 > 0, C 11 > 0, C 11 + 2C 12 > 0, and B > 0 validates the mechanical stability of the compounds. BaIrF3 exhibits a strong ability to endure compressive and shear stresses. BaCoF3 shows a weaker capacity of withstanding changes in volume, attributed to a lower bulk modulus. Demonstrating a higher G-modulus of rigidity than the BaIrF3, BaCoF3 demonstrates stronger resistance to change the shape and both compounds are found to be anisotropic and brittle. The determined band structure profiles reveal that both BaCoF3 and BaIrF3 demonstrate a metallic nature. In addition, the metallic nature of BaCoF3 and BaIrF3 is reinforced by the density-of-states (DOS) study, where Co and F atoms contribute significantly to the total DOS in the valence band in the case of BaCoF3, while that of BaIrF3 is predominated by the Ba and F atoms. The computed values of ε1(0) for BaCoF3 and BaIrF3 are approximately 30 and 19, respectively, which are in line with Penn's model. The researched materials are confirmed to be strong contenders for optoelectronics by the lack of absorption in the visible range. For their potential use in thermoelectric device applications, thermoelectric parameters such as temperature-dependent Seebeck coefficient, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, power factor, and figure of merit are also investigated, which show that these materials are thermally stable and promising for applications in thermoelectric devices.

BV6 enhances apoptosis in Lung cancer cells by ameliorating caspase expressions through attenuation of XIAP, cIAP-1, and cIAP-2 proteins.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory role of second mitochondria determined activator of caspases mimetic on inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and regulation of caspases in nonsmall cell lung cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Dimethyl sulfoxide and 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thizol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was done to determine the IC50 of BV6 using NCI-H23 cell line. The levels of mRNA of X-linked IAP (XIAP), cellular IAP (cIAP-1), cIAP-2, caspase-6, and caspase-7 in H23 cell line were evaluated by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while their protein expressions were tested using western blotting. Results: Two doses of BV6 dependently downregulated the expression of mRNA of XIAP (P = 0.002, P= 0.0003 vs. untreated), cIAP-1 (P = 0.05, P = 0.005 vs. untreated), and cIAP-2 (P = 0.001, P = 0.0002 vs. untreated), respectively, while the compound upregulated the mRNA expression of caspase-6 (P = 0.001, P < 0.0001 vs. untreated) and caspase-7 (P = 0.001, P = 0.0004 vs. untreated), respectively. Dose dependent of BV6 treatment significantly decreased the protein level of XIAP (P = 0.003, P = 0.007 vs. untreated), cIAP-1 (P = 0.02, P = 0.01 vs. untreated), and cIAP-2 (P = 0.008,P = 0.008 vs. untreated), respectively. However, the compound increased the protein level of caspase-6 and caspase-7 when compared to untreated control (P = 0.006,P = 0.001) and (P = 0.01, P = 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: The result showed that BV6 treatment reduced the level of mRNA of XIAP, cIAP-1, and cIAP-2 and increased the gene expression of caspase-6 and caspase-7 in NCI-H23 cell line. Therefore, the study revealed that BV6 could be used in future as additional therapeutics in lung cancer.

Biomass valorization of Eichhornia crassipes root using thermogravimetric analysis.

Present study focused on the thermo-chemical potential of waste biomass of Eichhornia crassipes or water hyacinth root (WHR). The pyrolysis-kinetic parameters are investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis at the various heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min). Three model-free techniques, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), and Starink, were used for the thermal kinetic analysis of biomass. The average activation energy for WHR biomass was determined using KAS, FWO, and Starink, with the values of 57.87, 64.69, and 58.27 kJ/mol, respectively. From the study it is observed that the roots of water hyacinth have rich in carbon, oxygen and hydrogen composition around 24%, 70% and 4% respectively. The higher heating value of water hyacinth root was observed around 15 MJ/kg.

The Impact of Post-traumatic Stress of SARS-CoV-2 Affliction on Psychological and Mental Health of Student Survivors: Cross Sectional Study.

Background: COVID-19 survivor's population is often associated with a long term impact on mental and psychological health. Recent included studies have also stated affliction of mental health due to fear of virus and preventive policies among the college students. Objectives: The research was conducted to find the psychological and mental impacts of SARS-CoV-2 affliction among the students' survivors in the university. Methods: The study design of the experiment was cross-sectional, sampling technique was non probability and sampling method being applied was convenience sampling. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20 was used for analyses. Descriptive data was examined and results were showed as mean and standard deviations, percentages, frequencies for continuous variables of IES-R scale (Intrusion, Avoidance, and Hyperarousal) using the total sample of n = 34. Results: Out of 34 only 24 student survivors responded to the online survey post COVID-19 recovery, with an overall participation level of 71%. Grading was given for the total IES-R score which was subdivided into a predefined range. Out of 24 participants, 9 (38%) participants showed the symptoms of mild (n = 2)-severe (n = 7) psychological impacts. On correlation of factors total IES-R score and taste and sense of smell were moderately correlated. The ordinal regression for complete loss of sense of taste and smell was also significant. Conclusion: The results from IES-R evaluation clearly outlines the presence of psychological sequels post recovery of COVID-19 episodes among the young college survivors. Complete loss of sense of smell and taste may be an indicator of psychological sequelae as compared to reduce sense of smell.

Assessment of IL-12, mRNA expression, vitamin-D level, and their correlation among the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) presents serious health related complications caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogen. Interleukin 12 (IL-12), plays a central role in T helper 1 (Th1) cells development that are implicated in chronic inflammatory pathogenesis as well as level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can impact on IL-12 mRNA expression at the transcriptional level. METHODS: The present study included clinically confirmed 100 Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases (TB) for assessment of IL-12 mRNA expression and vitamin-D level as well as equal number of healthy controls were also included. RESULTS: In TB cases, overall 13.01-fold higher IL-12 mRNA expression and 30.69 ng/ml vitamin-D level were observed. It was observed that higher expression of IL-12 mRNA expression was linked with TB cases had fever (p < 0.0001), night sweat (p = 0.003), sputum with blood (p = 0.03) as well as decreased vitamin-D level was linked with weight loss (p = 0.01), fever (p < 0.0001), night sweat (p = 0.008), sputum with blood (p = 0.005). TB cases with smoking (p < 0.0001) and alcoholism (p = 0.01, p = 0.0001) had significantly higher IL-12 mRNA expression and lower vitamin-D levels compared to its counterpart. It was observed that TB cases with vitamin-D deficiency, insufficiency, sufficiency had 19.51-fold, 14.64-fold, and 10.54-fold IL-12 mRNA expression respectively (deficiency vs insufficiency; p = 0.0003, deficiency vs sufficiency; p < 0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between IL-12 mRNA expression and vitamin-D level among the TB cases (r = -0.68, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher IL-12 mRNA expression and lower vitamin-D expression among the TB cases may be responsible for the severity and pathogenesis of TB and alterations in IL-12 mRNA expression and vitamin-D may be influenced by the smoking and alcoholism habit of TB cases.

Identification of key regulators in Sarcoidosis through multidimensional systems biological approach.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ disorder where immunology, genetic and environmental factors play a key role in causing Sarcoidosis, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Identification of its genetics profiling that regulates the Sarcoidosis network will be one of the main challenges to understand its aetiology. We have identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by analyzing the gene expression profiling of Sarcoidosis and compared it with healthy control. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in the inflammatory response, immune system, and pathways in cancer. Sarcoidosis protein interaction network was constructed by a total of 877 DEGs (up-down) and calculated its network topological properties, which follow hierarchical scale-free fractal nature up to six levels of the organization. We identified a large number of leading hubs that contain six key regulators (KRs) including ICOS, CTLA4, FLT3LG, CD33, GPR29 and ITGA4 are deeply rooted in the network from top to bottom, considering a backbone of the network. We identified the transcriptional factors (TFs) which are closely interacted with KRs. These genes and their TFs regulating the Sarcoidosis network are expected to be the main target for the therapeutic approaches and potential biomarkers. However, experimental validations of KRs needed to confirm their efficacy.

The Impact of Body Resistance Training Exercise on Biomedical Profile at High Altitude: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity causes different diseases, eventually. In our study, the results of resistance exercises were examined on selected biochemical markers in Abha City, Saudi Arabia, which is at the height of 2,270 meters above sea level. METHODS: A randomized controlled research was conducted with 60 participants equally divided into three groups, 20 subjects in each group: group 1 was composed of obese people who received resistance training exercise, group 2 was composed of the obese control group who did not receive resistance training exercise, and group 3 was composed of normal individuals who received resistance exercise training. The resistance exercises were done in the 6th and 12th weeks. Biochemical blood tests were done. RESULTS: Comparing to the control group, glucose decreased very little with insulin also showing little difference. It has been seen that TC, TG, and LDL reduced to a reasonable extent after resistance exercise, while HDL was increased (p ≤ 0.01). Plasma urea and creatinine showed no differences. Interleukin-6 and leptin decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01), while there was a significant elevation in adiponectin and testosterone (p ≤ 0.01) once comparing group 1 with group 2 and group 3. CONCLUSION: We have seen that resistance exercise helps in reducing lipid profile which will result in a decrease of the cardiac and related risk factors when conducted in obese patients in high-altitude regions. Also, alterations of the levels of interleukin-6, leptin, adiponectin, and testosterone showed that resistance exercise is of benefit and favourable in obese persons in high-altitude regions, which can also pave the way for added development of drugs related to the above parameters.

Is PF-00835231 a Pan-SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitor? A Comparative Study.

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread worldwide at a rapid rate. Currently, the absence of any effective antiviral treatment is the major concern for the global population. The reports of the occurrence of various point mutations within the important therapeutic target protein of SARS-CoV-2 has elevated the problem. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a major therapeutic target for new antiviral designs. In this study, the efficacy of PF-00835231 was investigated (a Mpro inhibitor under clinical trials) against the Mpro and their reported mutants. Various in silico approaches were used to investigate and compare the efficacy of PF-00835231 and five drugs previously documented to inhibit the Mpro. Our study shows that PF-00835231 is not only effective against the wild type but demonstrates a high affinity against the studied mutants as well.

Efficacy of single versus multiple exposure by electromagnetic modalities on gram-negative and positive bacterial strains in an in-vitro model.

OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of the recent experiment was to scrutinize the dissimilarity between single and multiple exposures by electrotherapeutic modalities to determine the development of Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria spectrum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bacterial strains employed in this study were Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonae and Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Fluence for Low level laser therapy (LLLT) (810 nm) was 40 J/cm2 for 80 s, for microwave (MWD) a dosage of 100-Watt with duration of 5 min and for magnetic field therapy (MT) duration of 30 min with 100% intensity was used. RESULTS: Repeated Measures of analysis of variances (RANOVA) for within-subject effects was used to detect a global significant change within the means at dissimilar time points. The experiments of within-subjects revealed a significant difference within groups, df of (3, 40), F value of 39.38 and a p value less than 0.001, representing a significant variation between the three groups between pre and post exposures. There was a significant variation between single exposure and multiple exposures in the experimental sample's pre-post between the four groups with df (1, 40) f value of 2943.69 and p value less than 0.001. Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy images were also taken into account to determine the extent of damage caused to the bacterial cells surface topography in Gram negative and Gram positive spectrums. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that single high exposure with the LLLT appears to have the most emphatic effect followed by exposure by MWD and MT.

Screening of drug databank against WT and mutant main protease of SARS-CoV-2: Towards finding potential compound for repurposing against COVID-19.

Although several pharmacological agents are under investigation to be repurposed as therapeutic against COVID-19, not much success has been achieved yet. So, the search for an effective and active option for the treatment of COVID-19 is still a big challenge. The Spike protein (S), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and Main protease (Mpro) are considered to be the primary therapeutic drug target for COVID-19. In this study we have screened the drugbank compound library against the Main Protease. But our search was not limited to just Mpro. Like other viruses, SARS-CoV-2, have also acquired unique mutations. These mutations within the active site of these target proteins may be an important factor hindering effective drug candidate development. In the present study we identified important active site mutations within the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (Y54C, N142S, T190I and A191V). Further the drugbank database was computationally screened against Mpro and the selected mutants. Finally, we came up with the common molecules effective against the wild type (WT) and all the selected Mpro. The study found Imiglitazar, was found to be the most active compound against the wild type of Mpro. While PF-03715455 (Y54C), Salvianolic acid A (N142S and T190I), and Montelukast (A191V) were found to be most active against the other selected mutants. It was also found that some other compounds such as Acteoside, 4-Amino-N- {4-[2-(2,6-Dimethyl-Phenoxy)-Acetylamino]-3-Hydroxy-1-Isobutyl-5-Phenyl-Pentyl}-Benzamide, PF-00610355, 4-Amino-N-4-[2-(2,6-Dimethyl-Phenoxy)-Acetylamino]-3-Hydroxy-1-Isobutyl-5-Phenyl-Pentyl}-Benzamide and Atorvastatin were showing high efficacy against the WT as well as other selected mutants. We believe that these molecules will provide a better and effective option for the treatment of COVID-19 clinical manifestations.

Inhibitory Effect of Nepeta deflersiana on Climax Bacterial Community Isolated from the Oral Plaque of Patients with Periodontal Disease.

BACKGROUND: The red-complex bacteria are one of the most significant complexes found simultaneously in subgingival plaque next to the periodontal pocket. The current antibacterial treatment is not adequate, and multidrug resistance to it is developing. Henceforth, the antibacterial effect of the ethanolic extract of Nepeta deflersiana was put to test against red-complex bacteria in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Well diffusion and micro broth dilution procedure by Alamar blue were applied to assess the zone of inhibition (ZOI), the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Anti-virulence efficacies of the plant extract that comprise of adherence and formation of biofilms were examined by the process of adherence and biofilm production assay. RESULTS: The crude extract of Nepeta deflersiana exhibited significant inhibitory outcome against periodontopathic bacteria with noteworthy MIC (0.78-3.12 mg/mL), inhibitory zone (12-20 mm), as well as MBC (3.12-12.50 mg/mL). The N. deflersiana extract inhibited bacterial adhesion ranging from 41% to 52%, 53% to 66%, and 60% to 79% at the given MIC × 0.5, MIC × 1, and MIC × 2 in succession. Substantial suppression was also developed in the biofilm production of the investigated periodontopathic strains following exposure to numerous concentrations of N. deflersianan extract for a period of 24 and 48 h. CONCLUSION: These outcomes divulge a new concept that N. deflersiana extract can be utilized to manufacture valuable antibacterial compounds to treat chronic and acute periodontitis. This identifies N. deflersiana as an essential natural source for future drug development.

FCX-146, a potent allosteric inhibitor of Akt kinase in cancer cells: Lead optimization of the second-generation arylidene indanone scaffold.

Akt, a serine-threonine protein kinase, is regulated by class-I PI3K signaling. Akt regulates a wide variety of cell processes including cell proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis through serine/threonine phosphorylation of downstream targets including mTOR and glycogen-synthase-kinase-3-beta (GSK3ß). Targeting cancer-specific overexpression of Akt protein could be an efficient way to control cancer-cell proliferation. However, the ATP-competitive inhibitors are challenged by the highly conserved ATP binding site, and by competition with high cellular concentrations of ATP. We previously developed an allosteric inhibitor, 2-arylidene-4, 7-dimethyl indan-1-one (FXY-1) that showed promising activity against several lung cancer models. In this work, we designed a congeneric series of molecules based on FXY-1 and optimized lead based on computational, in vitro assays. Computational screening followed by enzyme-inhibition and cell-proliferation assays identified a derivative (FCX-146) as a new lead molecule with threefold greater potency than the parent compound. FCX-146 increased apoptosis in HL-60 cells, mediated in part through decreased expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein and increased levels of Bax-2 and Caspase-3. Molecular-dynamic simulations showed stable binding of FCX-146 to an allosteric (i.e., noncatalytic) pocket in Akt. Together, we propose FCX-146 as a potent second-generation arylidene indanone compound that binds to the allosteric pocket of Akt and potently inhibits its activation.

Phytochemical Screening and In-Vitro Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity of Crude Extract of Matricaria aurea.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases constantly represent the source of sickness as well as mortality in human beings. Herbal applications in human life through using plants for antibacterial and anticancer activity have shown the potential medicinal outcome. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antibacterial and anticancer activities of the crude extract of Matricaria aurea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial activity of the crude flowers of M. aurea extract was examined against reference and clinical bacterial strains by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations were determined by micro broth dilution assays using MH broth. Herbal extract was employed over human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG-2) and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT-116) to optimize cancer cells proliferation by SRB assay. RESULTS: The data has shown that the extract from M. aurea had significant antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. The plant extract showed higher antibacterial activity against the reference strain of Streptococcus pyogenes. The MIC and MBC varied between 0.38-12.5 mg/ml and 3.1-200 mg/ml respectively. Synergy study elucidated the significant bacteriostatic effect of M. aurea extract on S. aureus and S. saprophyticus. The data of SRB assay deliver the potential anticancer activity through cell death. CONCLUSION: This study delivers innovative information that M. aurea possessed excellent bio-activities against pathogenic microbes and cancer cells, which drive attention for further research to explore the active components responsible for biological efficacies.

Cervical proprioception and its relationship with neck pain intensity in subjects with cervical spondylosis.

BACKGROUND: Cervical proprioception is critical in the maintenance of posture and movements, so its assessment in different cervical conditions has gained importance in recent clinical practice. Studies reporting this assessment in subjects with cervical spondylosis (CS) have not previously been investigated. The goals of the study are (1) comparison of joint position error (JPE) in subjects with CS to healthy control group. (2) Correlation of neck pain intensity to cervical proprioception in patients with CS. METHODS: In a Cross-sectional study, 132 subjects with CS and 132 healthy age-matched control subjects were evaluated for cervical JPE with the cervical range of motion device. The subjects were blindfolded and repositioned their heads to a target position, which was determined by the examiner previously and their repositioning accuracy (absolute error in degrees) was measured in the frontal (flexion and extension) and transverse planes (left rotation and right rotation). The CS subjects resting neck pain intensity was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: CS subjects showed statistically significantly larger JPEs compared to healthy control subjects in all the directions tested (flexion - 95% CI = 2.38-3.55, p < 0.001, extension - 95% CI =3.26-4.33, p < 0.001, left rotation - 95% CI = 2.64 - 3.83, p < 0.001, right rotation - 95% CI = 3.77-4.76, p < 0.001). The mean JPE errors in the CS group ranged from 6.27° to 8.28° and in the control group ranged from 2.36° to 4.48°. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a significant and positive relationship between neck pain intensity and cervical proprioception (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Proprioception is impaired in subjects with CS when compared to healthy control group. Higher pain intensity was associated with greater cervical JPE in patients with CS.

Comparison of Anti-Microbial Effects of Low-Level Laser Irradiation and Microwave Diathermy on Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria in an In Vitro Model.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and continuous microwave diathermy on the growth of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and to establish their efficacy as an alternative therapeutic modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laser fluence of 13 Joules (J)/cm2, 18 J/cm2 and 30 J/cm2 were used against several bacterial strains. Microwave dosages of 25, 50 and 100 watts (W) were used, respectively. RESULTS: A significant difference between the three groups was observed using repeated analysis of variance (RANOVA) (F value: 0.74, and p value: 0.001). The Greenhouse-Geisser correction (GG) revealed significant results for laser irradiation alone. However, effect size calculation showed effects with microwave diathermy as well as laser fluence. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level laser therapy appears to be an effective modality of treatment when compared with continuous microwave diathermy on the Gram-negative and the Gram-positive bacterial strains tested. Microwave diathermy revealed large and medium effects on the bacterial cell counts with dominant effects on Gram-negative strains.

Robotic-Assisted Gait Training Effect on Function and Gait Speed in Subacute and Chronic Stroke Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The review is intended to provide the effectiveness of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) for functional gait recovery in poststroke survivors through a systematic review and to provide evidence for gait speed improvements through the meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SUMMARY: In this systematic review, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Science Direct, Science Robotics, Scopus, UpToDate, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, -CINHAL, EMBASE, and EBSCO were reviewed to identify relevant RCTs. Articles included in the study were thoroughly examined by 2 independent reviewers. The included RCTs were having a PEDro score between 6 and 8 points. The initial database review yielded 1,371 studies and, following further screening; 9 studies finally were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis. Out of the 9 studies, 4 were on chronic stroke and 5 were on subacute stroke. The meta-analysis of gait speed showed an effect size value ranging between -0.91 and 0.64, with the total effect size of all the studies being -0.12. During subgroup analysis, the subacute stroke total effect size was identified as -0.48, and the chronic stroke total effect size was noted as 0.04. Meta-analysis revealed no significant differences between RAGT and conventional gait training (CGT). Key Messages: Our systematic review revealed that the RAGT application demonstrated a better or similar effect to that of CGT in a poststroke population. A meta-analysis of gait speed involving all the studies identified here indicated no significant differences between RAGT and CGT. However, the subanalysis of chronic stroke survivors showed a slight positive effect of RAGT on gait speed.