High-intensity interval training modulates inflammatory response in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent discoveries show that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can bring many positive effects such as decreases in fat tissue, lower blood sugar levels, improved learning and memory, and lower risk of cardiac disease. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of the dopaminergic neurons, accompanied by chronic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Previous research shows that interval training can bring a beneficial effect on the inflammation and neuroplasticity in PD. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of HIIT on the inflammation levels and antioxidant capacity in the serum of PD patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight people diagnosed with PD were enrolled in this study. Fifteen PD patients performed 12 weeks of HIIT on a cycloergometer. Thirteen non-exercised PD patients constitute the control group. Concentrations of inflammation markers and antioxidants' capacity in the serum were measured at 3 sampling points (a week before, a week after, and 3 months after the HIIT). RESULTS: Twelve weeks of HIIT decreases the level of TNF-α (p = 0.034) and increases the level of IL-10 (p = 0.024). Those changes were accompanied by a decreased level of neutrophils (p = 0.03), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.048) and neutrophil/monocyte ratio (p = 0.0049) with increases in superoxide dismutase levels (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of HIIT can decrease systemic inflammation in PD patients and improve the antioxidant capacity in their serum, which can slow down the progression of the disease.

Knowledge, behaviours and attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practice amongst physiotherapists in Poland. A nationwide cross-sectional survey and focus group study protocol.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence-Based Practice, EBP, is recognised, along with team work and patient-centred care, as a core competency in contemporary healthcare. However, dissemination and implementation of EBP remains problematic and is dependent on various external and internal factors, from personal through institutional to systemic, factors, with specific characteristics for different professions, contexts and settings. Knowledge, behaviours, attitudes, as well as facilitators and barriers towards EBP amongst physiotherapists, have been widely explored worldwide, but never in Poland. This study is part of a nationwide project, including dissemination actions addressing EBP in physiotherapists registered in Poland. Our purpose is to explore the issues of knowledge, behaviours, experiences, and attitudes of physiotherapists in Poland towards EBP. Descriptive research studies are warranted before analytical investigations and dissemination activities are conducted. METHODS: We plan to conduct a quantitative, cross-sectional study-an online survey amongst the total population of physiotherapists registered in Poland to assess knowledge, behaviours and use of EBP (Study 1), and a qualitative study to allow physiotherapists to voice their opinions and to explore their experiences and attitudes towards EBP (Study 2). The EBP2 questionnaire, Polish validated translation, will be used for Study 1, in a web-based survey. A focus group approach will be applied for Study 2, with purposive sampling to achieve a representative picture of physiotherapists with respect to setting, specialty, seniority, educational degrees, and age. We will follow an inductive approach, using topics rather than questions. RESULTS: We will present the results of the studies separately, as typically presented in relevant study types: Study 1 will be reported addressing the domains and items of the EBP2, in relation to the independent variables, and Study 2 will be discussed using the themes and illustrative quotes analyses. DISCUSSION: We are aware that significant non-response, spin and Hawthorne effect may potentially bias our findings.

Microscopy Techniques for Analysis of Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries Constituents.

With the need for improvements in the performance of rechargeable batteries has come the necessity to better characterize cell electrodes and their component materials. Electron microscopy has been shown to reveal many important features of microstructure that are becoming increasingly important for understanding the behavior of the components during the many charge/discharge cycles required in modern applications. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of how the full suite of techniques available using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy was applied to the case of materials for the positive electrode in nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery electrodes. Embedding and sectioning of battery-grade powders with an ultramicrotome was used to produce specimens that could be readily characterized by TEM. Complete electrodes were embedded after drying, and also after dehydration from the original wet state, for examination by optical microscopy and using focused ion beam techniques. Results of these studies are summarized to illustrate the significance of the microstructural information obtained.

Mechanochemical activation and synthesis of nanomaterials for hydrogen storage and conversion in electrochemical power sources.

In this study we discuss a process of mechanical activation employed in place of chemical or thermal activation to improve the mobility and reactivity of hydrogen atoms and ions in nanomaterials for energy applications: rechargeable batteries and hydrogen storage for fuel cell systems. Two materials are discussed. Both are used or intended for use in power sources. One is nickel hydroxide, Ni(OH)2, which converts to oxyhydroxide in the positive Ni electrode of rechargeable metal hydride batteries. The other is a complex hydride, Mg(AIH4)2, intended for use in reversible, solid-state hydrogen storage for fuel cells. The feature shared by these unlikely materials (hydroxide and hydride) is a sheet-like hexagonal crystal structure. The mechanical activation was conducted in high-energy ball mills. We discuss and demonstrate that the mechanical excitation of atoms and ions imparted on these powders stems from the same class of phenomena. These are (i) proliferation of structural defects, in particular stacking faults in a sheet-like structure of hexagonal crystals, and (ii) possible fragmentation of a faulted structure into a mosaic of layered nanocrystals. The hydrogen atoms bonded in such nanocrystals may be inserted and abstracted more easily from OH- hydroxyl group in Ni(OH)2 and AlH4- hydride complex in Mg(AlH4)2 during hydrogen charge and discharge reactions. However, the effects of mechanical excitation imparted on these powders are different. While the Ni(OH)2 powder is greatly activated for cycling in batteries, the Mg(AlH4)2 complex hydride phase is greatly destabilized for use in reversible hydrogen storage. Such a "synchronic" view of the structure-property relationship in respect to materials involved in hydrogen energy storage and conversion is supported in experiments employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and direct imaging of the structure with a high-resolution transmission-electron microscope (HREM), as well as in property characterization.

Principles of neuro mobilization for treating musculoskeletal disease.

Neuro mobilization is a method of conservative treatment of disorders of neural tissue. The rationale for using neuro mobilization in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is based on in vivo and in vitro studies which point to a high efficacy of neuro mobilization procedures. Appropriate use of neuro mobilization procedures depends on excellent knowledge of normal and pathological anatomy, differences between individual etiological factors, development of disease and symptom variability. The present paper familiarizes the reader with evidence-based conservative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions by neuro mobilization.