Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kristina Daunoraviciene, Jurgita Ziziene, Jolanta Pauk, Giedre Juskeniene, Juozas Raistenskis
Summary: The study found significant differences in knee flexors between sides at different phases in children's gait, with little sign of side asymmetry in the swing phase.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, Laura E. Diamond, Chris P. Carty, David G. Lloyd, Giorgio Davico, Claudio Pizzolato
Summary: This study aims to develop a method to estimate activation patterns of lower limb muscles from electromyograms (EMG) measured from a small set of muscles in children with cerebral palsy. The results show that our muscle synergy extrapolation method can estimate the activation patterns of unmeasured muscles in children with cerebral palsy using only three to four experimental EMG.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Sridevi Sriram, Karthikeyan Rajagopal, Ondrej Krejcar, Robert Frischer, Hamidreza Namazi
Summary: In this study, we examined the impact of changes in walking speed on the complexity of electromyogram (EMG) signals from both legs. Using fractal theory and approximate entropy, we analyzed the EMG signals from 13 subjects as they walked at different speeds. The results demonstrated that as walking speed increased, the complexity of the EMG signals decreased. Statistical analysis also confirmed the significant influence of walking speed on EMG signal complexity. This analytical approach could be applied to investigate the effects of walking speed on other physiological signals and organ activations.
FRACTALS-COMPLEX GEOMETRY PATTERNS AND SCALING IN NATURE AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Joyce B. Weersink, Bauke M. de Jong, David M. Halliday, Natasha M. Maurits
Summary: The swinging of the arms during human gait supports efficient lower limb muscle activation, suggesting a neural coupling between the upper and lower limbs. Intermuscular coherence analysis revealed significant coherence between upper and lower limbs, indicating common subcortical and cortical drivers coordinating the rhythmic four-limb gait pattern. Findings suggest that arm swing may serve as an effective rehabilitation therapy for impaired gait in neurological diseases.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Valentin A. Catacora, Federico N. Guerrero, Enrique M. Spinelli
Summary: This work presents a novel double-differential (DD) amplifier for electromyogram (EMG) measurements that is focused on wearable devices of reduced size and requires only three electrodes and a reduced number of components. The proposed topology is dual-mode and can also be used as a conventional single-differential (SD) EMG amplifier. The amplifier measures DD sEMG signals with only three electrodes, has a simple design, and is suitable for portable and wearable systems.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Shiqi Yang, Min Li, Jiale Wang
Summary: This article proposes a multimodal fusion strategy of EEG and sEMG based on graph theory to improve the accuracy and robustness of hand motion recognition. By considering the temporal signals of EEG and sEMG as the features of nodes and the functional connectivity as the weights of edges, the proposed approach achieves significantly higher accuracy than parallel fusion and single-modality models under abnormal states such as muscular fatigue and weakness.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
He Wang, Kiriaki J. Rajotte, Haopeng Wang, Chenyun Dai, Ziling Zhu, Xinming Huang, Edward A. Clancy
Summary: The study found that noise correction via the root difference of squares method can significantly reduce EMG recording noise, and sampling at 4096 Hz provides slight but statistically significant improvements compared to sampling at 2048 Hz and 1024 Hz. Whitening filters calibrated to the EMG spectrum of each subject performed best at a sampling rate of 4096 Hz.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Linjing Zhang, Tuo Ji, Chujun Wu, Shuo Zhang, Lu Tang, Nan Zhang, Xiangyi Liu, Dongsheng Fan
Summary: This study found a positive correlation between serum NfL levels and the severity of axonal degeneration of lower motor neurons (LMNs) in the early symptomatic phase of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), especially in patients with signs of predominant LMN involvement. These results have important implications for patient selection and monitoring treatment efficacy in future disease-modifying clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Binish Fatimah, Amit Singhal, Pushpendra Singh
Summary: Healthy sleep is crucial for the body's rejuvenation and overall health. Automated assessment of sleep disorders using EEG and other signals can improve classification accuracy. The proposed method allows for real-time and cost-effective continuous patient monitoring and feedback.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chao-Yen Chen, You-De Yeh, Ying-Cheng Chen, Pin-Hung Chuang, Hwai-Ting Lin
Summary: This study investigated the effect of rocker-soled shoes on lower extremity biomechanics during different exercises. The results showed that wearing rocker-soled shoes changes the kinematics and muscle contractions of the lower extremity. These findings provide valuable information for choosing appropriate shoes for different exercises or training purposes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jianan Li, Ziling Zhu, William J. Boyd, Carlos Martinez-Luna, Chenyun Dai, Haopeng Wang, He Wang, Xinming Huang, Todd R. Farrell, Edward A. Clancy
Summary: Most transradial prosthesis users have limited function with conventional Sequential myoelectric control, as they can only control one degree of freedom at a time. However, our regression-based EMG control method allows simultaneous and proportional control of two degrees of freedom in a virtual task. Using a short calibration period and automated electrode site selection, we achieved better target matching performance than Sequential control.
BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Enrico M. Staderini, Stefano Mugnaini, Harish Kambampati, Andrea Magrini, Sandro Gentili
Summary: This research aims to improve the combination of the common ECG/EMG Olimex board and Arduino microprocessor board to provide a low-cost multichannel EMG acquisition system with better performance. By improving the bandpass characteristics of the ECG/EMG Olimex board and increasing the sampling frequency of the signal, the bandwidth requirements of EMG can be met. Additionally, the system has the capability of automatically detecting multiple ECG/EMG Olimex boards.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Akira Furui, Takuya Igaue, Toshio Tsuji
Summary: This study proposes an EMG pattern classification method that incorporates a scale mixture-based generative model and trains the model using variational Bayesian learning. An information-based method is introduced to optimize the hyperparameters of the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method on public datasets and validate its effectiveness.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Edward A. Clancy, Evelyn L. Morin, Gelareh Hajian, Roberto Merletti
Summary: This tutorial provides guidance and best practices for novice clinicians, engineers, and non-engineers in extracting electromyogram (EMG) amplitude from the bipolar surface EMG (sEMG) signal of voluntary contractions. It also covers sEMG amplitude extraction from high density sEMG (HDsEMG) arrays and feature extraction from electrically elicited contractions. The tutorial aims to present its main concepts in a straightforward manner for novices in the field, with or without a technical background.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lele Liao, Guoliang Cheng, Haoxin Ruan, Kai Chen, Jing Lu
Summary: The paper presents an improved multichannel variational autoencoder (MVAE) approach to address the global permutation ambiguity problem in speech separation. Experimental results demonstrate the reliable sorting accuracy and good separation performance of the proposed method in various gender combinations and reverberant conditions.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Jani Hartikainen, Eero A. Haapala, Anna-Maija Poikkeus, Arja Saakslahti, Arto Laukkanen, Ying Gao, Taija Finni
Summary: Due to educational reforms in many countries, including Finland, new or renovated comprehensive schools have increasingly incorporated open and flexible designs. Open learning spaces provide children with more opportunities to engage in physical activity, which has been associated with better academic performance and behavior.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Eero Ahtola, Susanna Leikos, Anna Tuiskula, Leena Haataja, Eero Smeds, Harri Piitulainen, Veikko Jousmaki, Anton Tokariev, Sampsa Vanhatalo
Summary: Researchers developed an automated method using pneumatic stimulation for naturalistic movements of an infant's hand and designed an analysis pipeline for assessing the related EEG responses and cortical networks. Corticokinematic coherence (CKC) was observed between hand movements and EEG in all infants, with the peak near the contralateral sensorimotor cortex. The CKC paradigm holds great promise as a noninvasive and easily performed tool for controlled assessment of functional cortical networks.
Article
Rehabilitation
Neil J. Cronin, Maedeh Mansoubi, Erin Hannink, Benjamin Waller, Helen Dawes
Summary: Advances in computer vision enable biomechanical measures of body function and rehabilitation programs to be performed anywhere. This study evaluated the accuracy and concurrent validity of a computer vision system for estimating clinically relevant biomechanical measures. The results showed a significant correlation between computer vision estimates and clinician measures.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Koen van Dijk, Raad M. Khair, Maria Sukanen, Neil J. Cronin, Taija Finni
Summary: This study examined the length of medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles during a heel-rise at 6 and 12 months after non-operative Achilles tendon rupture treatment. The findings showed that fascicle shortening was smaller on the injured side, and increased from 6 to 12 months in both bi-and unilateral heel-rise. The length of the tendon was longer in the injured limb and decreased over time, correlating with fascicle shortening.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Ra'ad M. Khair, Lauri Stenroth, Neil J. Cronin, Ville Ponkilainen, Aleksi Reito, Taija Finni
Summary: This study aims to explore the interconnections between structural, mechanical, and neuromuscular parameters and their associations with factors that could explain good recovery in patients with non-surgically treated Achilles tendon rupture. The results suggest that the differences in subtendon lengths are associated with stiffness differences, and the differences in subtendon lengths of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles explain the variability in EMG amplitude. These findings are important for the design of rehabilitation programs.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Review
Biophysics
Taija Finni, Benedicte Vanwanseele
Summary: This paper reviews the history of research on the Achilles tendon, focusing on its mechanical properties in humans. It addresses important questions such as the most significant mechanical properties, research methods, significance to human movement, and adaptation. The authors anticipate that advancements in experimental methods and modeling will enhance understanding of the complex structure and properties of the Achilles tendon, allowing for monitoring of loading and recovery for optimal individual adaptations.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Taija Finni, Heiliane de Brito Fontana, Huub Maas
Summary: The traditional belief that muscles function as independent motors has been challenged. The new view suggests that muscles are interconnected by a connective tissue network, allowing force transmission. Animal studies have provided evidence of this force transmission pathway. The review focuses on the mechanics of muscle interactions and the effect of surrounding structures, providing valuable insights for both animal and human studies.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Antti Lopponen, Christophe Delecluse, Kristin Suorsa, Laura Karavirta, Tuija Leskinen, Lien Meulemans, Erja Portegijs, Taija Finni, Taina Rantanen, Sari Stenholm, Timo Rantalainen, Evelien Van Roie
Summary: The study investigated the association between laboratory-based sit-to-stand (STS) capacity and free-living STS performance. The results showed a moderate association between the two, but they are not interchangeable and provide complementary information. Older and low-functioning individuals seemed to perform free-living STS movements closer to their maximal capacity compared to younger and high-functioning individuals. This suggests that low capacity may limit free-living performance.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Timo Nurmi, Maria Hakonen, Mathieu Bourguignon, Harri Piitulainen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of finger movement range on the brain's perception and localization of movement. With EEG measurements from 16 healthy volunteers, the study found that the cortical responses to passive finger movements were similar regardless of the movement range. Additionally, the use of CKC reduced inter-individual variability and increased statistical power.
Article
Neurosciences
Julia Jaatela, Dogu Baran Aydogan, Timo Nurmi, Jaakko Vallinoja, Helena Maenpaa, Harri Piitulainen
Summary: Thalamocortical pathways play a crucial role in the sensorimotor functioning of children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study compared limb-specific thalamocortical tracts between children with hemiplegic (HP) or diplegic (DP) CP and typically developed peers. The results revealed distinct impairment of functionally relevant thalamocortical pathways in HP and DP subtypes.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Julia Jaatela, Timo Nurmi, Jaakko Vallinoja, Helena Maenpaa, Viljami Sairanen, Harri Piitulainen
Summary: Cerebral palsy (CP), the most common motor disorder in childhood, is associated with impairments in the corpus callosum (CC), a major white-matter structure in the brain. This study found that adolescents with CP had compromised CC structure and lower limb motor stability performance. The extent of white-matter alterations varied between different subtypes of CP, and the diffusion properties of the CC were associated with static and dynamic stability.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jaakko Vallinoja, Timo Nurmi, Julia Jaatela, Vincent Wens, Mathieu Bourguignon, Helena Maenpaa, Harri Piitulainen
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of lesions related to spastic diplegic cerebral palsy on functional connectivity. Using multiple imaging modalities, the researchers found enhanced functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network of individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which was not correlated with hand coordination performance.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Rehabilitation
Carla S. Pereira, Jasenko Klauznicer, Dustin Maree, Sean McAuliffe, Abdulaziz Farooq, Rod Whiteley, Taija Finni
Summary: ACL injuries can lead to knee instability, pain, and weakened quadriceps. However, there is no significant difference in patellar tendon quality. Better tendon quality is associated with longer time since ACL injury.
FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yang He, Jun Tang, Meng Zhang, Junjie Ying, Dezhi Mu
Summary: This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of human placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) transplantation in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The results showed that hPMSCs transplantation reduced apoptosis and improved long-term neurological prognosis. Furthermore, the downregulation of Sema 3A/NRP-1 expression and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway played a key role in the protective effects of hPMSCs.
Article
Neurosciences
Emily L. Isenstein, Edward G. Freedman, Jiayi Xu, Ian A. DeAndrea-Lazarus, John J. Foxe
Summary: This study evaluated electrophysiological discrimination of parametric somatosensory stimuli in healthy young adults to understand how the brain processes the duration of tactile information. The results showed that participants did not electrophysiologically discriminate between 100 and 115 ms, but they exhibited distinct electrophysiological responses when the deviant stimuli were 130, 145, and 160 ms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tactile sensitivity in different clinical conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Juliana R. Souza, Ludmila Lima-Silveira, Daniela Accorsi-Mendonca, Benedito H. Machado
Summary: This study demonstrates that A2A receptors play a crucial role in modulating synaptic transmission in the NTS neurons and are required for the enhancement of glutamatergic transmission observed under short-term sustained hypoxia conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Miki Hashizume, Rina Ito, Rie Suge, Yasushi Hojo, Gen Murakami, Takayuki Murakoshi
Summary: The basolateral amygdaloid complex (BLA) is closely involved in the formation of emotional memories, including both aversive memory and contextual fear memory. Acute sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts the acquisition of tone-associated fear memory in juvenile rats, but has no significant effect on contextual fear memory. Slow network oscillation in the amygdala contributes to the formation of amygdala-dependent fear memory in relation to sleep.
Article
Neurosciences
Qunxian Wang, Shipeng Guo, Dongjie Hu, Xiangjun Dong, Zijun Meng, Yanshuang Jiang, Zijuan Feng, Weihui Zhou, Weihong Song
Summary: GSDME plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the switch from apoptosis to pyroptosis and participating in neuroinflammatory response. Knockdown of GSDME has been shown to improve cognitive impairments, indicating that GSDME could be a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.
