Electrophysiological Dynamics of Visual Speech Processing and the Role of Orofacial Effectors for Cross-Modal Predictions.

The human brain generates predictions about future events. During face-to-face conversations, visemic information is used to predict upcoming auditory input. Recent studies suggest that the speech motor system plays a role in these cross-modal predictions, however, usually only audio-visual paradigms are employed. Here we tested whether speech sounds can be predicted on the basis of visemic information only, and to what extent interfering with orofacial articulatory effectors can affect these predictions. We registered EEG and employed N400 as an index of such predictions. Our results show that N400's amplitude was strongly modulated by visemic salience, coherent with cross-modal speech predictions. Additionally, N400 ceased to be evoked when syllables' visemes were presented backwards, suggesting that predictions occur only when the observed viseme matched an existing articuleme in the observer's speech motor system (i.e., the articulatory neural sequence required to produce a particular phoneme/viseme). Importantly, we found that interfering with the motor articulatory system strongly disrupted cross-modal predictions. We also observed a late P1000 that was evoked only for syllable-related visual stimuli, but whose amplitude was not modulated by interfering with the motor system. The present study provides further evidence of the importance of the speech production system for speech sounds predictions based on visemic information at the pre-lexical level. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of a hypothesized trimodal repertoire for speech, in which speech perception is conceived as a highly interactive process that involves not only your ears but also your eyes, lips and tongue.

Candidate Interneurons Mediating the Resetting of the Locomotor Rhythm by Extensor Group I Afferents in the Cat.

Sensory information arising from limb movements controls the spinal locomotor circuitry to adapt the motor pattern to demands of the environment. Stimulation of extensor group (gr) I afferents during fictive locomotion in decerebrate cats prolongs the ongoing extension, and terminates ongoing flexion with an initiation of the subsequent extension, i. e. "resetting to extension". Moreover, instead of the classical Ib non-reciprocal inhibition, stimulation of extensor gr I afferents produces a polysynaptic excitation in extensor motoneurons with latencies (∼3.5-4.0 ms) compatible with 3 interposed interneurons. We assume that some interneurons in this pathway actually belong to the rhythm-generating layer of the locomotor Central Pattern Generator (CPG), since their activity was correlated to a resetting of the rhythm. In the present work fictive locomotion was (mostly) induced by i.v. injection of nialamide followed by l-DOPA in paralyzed cats following decerebration and spinalization at C1 level. In some experiments, we extended previous observations during fictive locomotion on the emergence and locomotor state-dependence of polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials from extensor gr I afferents to ankle extensor motoneurons. However, the main focus was to record location and properties of interneurons (n = 62) that (i) were active during the extensor phase of fictive locomotion and (ii) received short-latency excitation (mono-, di- or polysynaptic) from extensor gr I afferents. We conclude that the interneurons recorded fulfill the characteristics to belong to the neuronal pathway activated by extensor gr I afferents during locomotion, and may contribute to the 'resetting to extension' as part of the locomotor CPG.

A twelve-week, four-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 prospective clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an anthroposophic multimodal treatment on chronic pain in outpatients with postpolio syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain and fatigue are the main symptoms of postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an anthroposophic multimodal treatment for chronic pain in PPS outpatients. METHODS: A twelve-week, four-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 prospective clinical trial was designed to compare four groups (n = 48): groups A and B received daily active experimental transdermal gel (ETG) or placebo gel (PTG), respectively; groups C and D received weekly external therapies, art therapies, and neurofunctional reorganization, plus either daily ETG or PTG, respectively. The pain symptoms were evaluated through a visual analogue scale (VAS), the McGill questionnaire, and thermography. Quality of life and resilience were evaluated by the WHOQOL-BREF and Antonovsky sense of coherence questionnaires applied at baseline and after the interventions. RESULTS: No related adverse events occurred, and 10% of the patients reports dysphagia improvement. In the groups C and D, pain reduction was statistically significant in both the placebo group (p = .02, d = 1.315) and in the ETG (p = .005, d = 2.035). However, following the week-to-week evolution of pain with the concomitant use of the ETG, this significant pain reduction occurred earlier from the 4th week and continued to decrease (p = .016, d = 1.369). In the group that received the complete multimodal treatment, the greatest significant benefit in increasing quality of life occurred in the physical domain and elevation in resilience with an emphasis on meaning and comprehension domains. CONCLUSIONS: The anthroposophic multimodal treatment group presented both safety and efficacy as an analgesic in the groups that received the nonpharmacological therapies, much earlier when associated with the ETG. The multimodal approach corresponded to the pattern of better efficacy for both pain reduction and improvement in quality of life and resilience.

Origin and evolution of human speech: Emergence from a trimodal auditory, visual and vocal network.

In recent years, there have been important additions to the classical model of speech processing as originally depicted by the Broca-Wernicke model consisting of an anterior, productive region and a posterior, perceptive region, both connected via the arcuate fasciculus. The modern view implies a separation into a dorsal and a ventral pathway conveying different kinds of linguistic information, which parallels the organization of the visual system. Furthermore, this organization is highly conserved in evolution and can be seen as the neural scaffolding from which the speech networks originated. In this chapter we emphasize that the speech networks are embedded in a multimodal system encompassing audio-vocal and visuo-vocal connections, which can be referred to an ancestral audio-visuo-motor pathway present in nonhuman primates. Likewise, we propose a trimodal repertoire for speech processing and acquisition involving auditory, visual and motor representations of the basic elements of speech: phoneme, observation of mouth movements, and articulatory processes. Finally, we discuss this proposal in the context of a scenario for early speech acquisition in infants and in human evolution.

Cylinder Test to Assess Sensory-motor Function in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder that happens due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The deficiency of dopamine in the basal nuclei drives cardinal motor symptoms such as bradykinesia and hypokinesia. The current protocol describes the cylinder test, which is a relatively simple behavioral assessment that evaluates the motor deficits upon unilateral degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway in experimental models of Parkinson's disease. Since dopamine-depleted mice exhibit the preferential use of the forelimb ipsilateral to the lesion, here researchers perform the cylinder test to investigate the therapeutic effects of antiparkinsonian treatments on the performance of the contralateral (injured) limb.

Awareness and current knowledge of Parkinson's disease: a neurodegenerative disorder.

CONTEXT: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second common progressive neurodegenerative disease, distressing older men and is prevalent Worldwide. OBJECTIVES: This article is aimed to review the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and management of PD. METHODS: A google search was performed to recognise studies that review the characteristics of PD. Search terms included 'Parkinson's disease', 'epidemiology', 'etiology', 'pathogenesis', 'clinical manifestations', 'diagnosis' and 'management of Parkinson disease'. RESULTS: PD is linked to factors such as environmental chemicals, aging, family history and pesticide exposure such as the use of synthetic heroin. PD is characterised clinically by tremors at rest, postural instability, expressionless countenance, lead pipe rigidity and less commonly cognitive impairment. After 60 years of age, PD is commonly prevalent in 1-% of the population, no racial differences are apparent, but the prevalence of PD is more common in men than women. There has also been a better understanding that the disorder may be linked with major non-motor trouble in addition to the additional generally recognised motor complications. There are various management options for the timely management of PD. As the ailment advances, further management strategies are existing; however, the management of non-motor manifestations and late stage motor complications remains mainly testing and will advantage from additional clinical studies. CONCLUSIONS: In this article, we have discussed current progress in the understanding of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis and management strategies of the disease.

Desenvolvimento neuromotor em crianças de 3 a 12 meses institucionalizadas e não institucionalizadas / Motor development of 3-12-month-old institutionalized and non-institutionalized children

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desenvolvimento das principais aquisições do primeiro ano de vida em crianças institucionalizadas e não institucionalizadas. Foram avaliadas 30 crianças institucionalizadas e 42 não institucionalizadas de ambos os sexos, sem histórico de alterações na vida pré, peri e pós-natal, matriculadas em creches ou frequentando instituições carentes e projetos sociais nas zonas sul e norte da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Após agrupar as crianças de acordo com a idade de 3 a 12 meses, foram avaliadas as principais aquisições posturais com a escala de desenvolvimento de Milani e Comparetti. Os resultados obtidos nas duas instituições foram comparados. A homogenidade da amostra foi analisada (Prova do Qui-quadrado). Os grupos mostraram-se homogêneos, exceto no quinto mês, quando os itens da escala relacionados com equilíbrio se mostraram alterados no grupo de crianças institucionalizadas. Conclui-se que existem diferenças no desenvolvimento entre os dois grupos, porém não significativas para as crianças institucionalizadas do estudo.

The aim of this study was to compare the development of the main postural acquisitions in the first year of life of institutionalized and non-institutionalized children. Thirthy institutionalized and 42 non-institutionalized children of both sexes with no alterations in pre, peri and postnatal life were analyzed. The children attended daycares on a part-time or full-time basis, or belonged to social institutions (orphanages) or were receiving governmental assistance through social programs in the South or North region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They were grouped according to the age (3 to 12 months), and evaluated as to their main postural acquisitions with the development scale proposed by Milani and Comparetti. Results obtained in both groups were compared. The homogeneity of the sample was analyzed (Quisquare Test). Both of the groups revealed homogeneous, except in the fifth month when the items of the scale related to body balance were modified in the group of institutionalized children. There were differences between the two groups, but they were not significant for the development of the institutionalized children.

Desenvolvimento neuromotor em crianças de 3 a 12 meses institucionalizadas e não institucionalizadas / Motor development of 3-12-month-old institutionalized and non-institutionalized children

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desenvolvimento das principais aquisições do primeiro ano de vida em crianças institucionalizadas e não institucionalizadas. Foram avaliadas 30 crianças institucionalizadas e 42 não institucionalizadas de ambos os sexos, sem histórico de alterações na vida pré, peri e pós-natal, matriculadas em creches ou frequentando instituições carentes e projetos sociais nas zonas sul e norte da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Após agrupar as crianças de acordo com a idade de 3 a 12 meses, foram avaliadas as principais aquisições posturais com a escala de desenvolvimento de Milani e Comparetti. Os resultados obtidos nas duas instituições foram comparados. A homogenidade da amostra foi analisada (Prova do Qui-quadrado). Os grupos mostraram-se homogêneos, exceto no quinto mês, quando os itens da escala relacionados com equilíbrio se mostraram alterados no grupo de crianças institucionalizadas. Conclui-se que existem diferenças no desenvolvimento entre os dois grupos, porém não significativas para as crianças institucionalizadas do estudo.(AU)

The aim of this study was to compare the development of the main postural acquisitions in the first year of life of institutionalized and non-institutionalized children. Thirthy institutionalized and 42 non-institutionalized children of both sexes with no alterations in pre, peri and postnatal life were analyzed. The children attended daycares on a part-time or full-time basis, or belonged to social institutions (orphanages) or were receiving governmental assistance through social programs in the South or North region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They were grouped according to the age (3 to 12 months), and evaluated as to their main postural acquisitions with the development scale proposed by Milani and Comparetti. Results obtained in both groups were compared. The homogeneity of the sample was analyzed (Quisquare Test). Both of the groups revealed homogeneous, except in the fifth month when the items of the scale related to body balance were modified in the group of institutionalized children. There were differences between the two groups, but they were not significant for the development of the institutionalized children.(AU)

Circunscript solar pododermatitis, Husterholzs ulcer or ulcer of the sole / Pododermatite solar circunscrita, úlcera de Husterholz ou úlcera da sola

This pain, in English, Husterholzs ulcer, appears from an inflammation of the podal derm of the sole, in the area near the interdigital space, that soon comes to be a purulent and necrotic pododermatitis. In the advanced condition the defect is no longer covered by the cornea capsule. This condition occurs throughout the world, in milk animal production or in beef cattle, old, very heavy animals, principally when cowshed. It is common in the lateral posterior claws of the bull, rarely in the anterior, at times bilateral and symmetrical. In the other claws, that receive less corporal weight, it is exceptional. The principal objective of the treatment of the circunscript pododermatitis or ulcer of the sole is to alleviate the weight over the sick claw, through the collocation of a wooden shoe under the healthy claw. In this work the treatment is described in a cow with approximately 600 kg/g.w., in lactation, from Viçosa county, State of Alagoas,  Brazil.

Este padecimento, em inglês Husterholzulcer, surge de uma inflamação asséptica da derme podal da sola, na área próxima ao espaço interdigital, que logo passa a ser pododermatite purulenta necrotisante. No estado avançado o defeito não está mais coberto pela cápsula córnea. Ocorre no mundo inteiro, em animais de leite ou de engorda, animais velhos, pesados, principalmente quando estabulados, sendo comum nas unhas laterais posteriores de touros, raras vezes nas anteriores, às vezes bilateral e simétrica. Nas outras unhas, que recebem menos peso corporal, é excepcional. O principal objetivo do tratamento da pododermatite circunscrita ou úlcera da sola é aliviar o peso sobre a unha doente, através da colocação de um tamanco de madeira sob a unha sadia. Neste trabalho relata-se o tratamento da úlcera da sola com a aplicação do tamanco de madeira, em uma vaca, com aproxi-madamente 600 kg/p.v, em plena lactação, no Município de Viçosa, Alagoas, Brasil.

Circunscript solar pododermatitis, Husterholzs ulcer or ulcer of the sole / Pododermatite solar circunscrita, úlcera de Husterholz ou úlcera da sola

This pain, in English, Husterholzs ulcer, appears from an inflammation of the podal derm of the sole, in the area near the interdigital space, that soon comes to be a purulent and necrotic pododermatitis. In the advanced condition the defect is no longer covered by the cornea capsule. This condition occurs throughout the world, in milk animal production or in beef cattle, old, very heavy animals, principally when cowshed. It is common in the lateral posterior claws of the bull, rarely in the anterior, at times bilateral and symmetrical. In the other claws, that receive less corporal weight, it is exceptional. The principal objective of the treatment of the circunscript pododermatitis or ulcer of the sole is to alleviate the weight over the sick claw, through the collocation of a wooden shoe under the healthy claw. In this work the treatment is described in a cow with approximately 600 kg/g.w., in lactation, from Viçosa county, State of Alagoas,  Brazil.

Este padecimento, em inglês Husterholzulcer, surge de uma inflamação asséptica da derme podal da sola, na área próxima ao espaço interdigital, que logo passa a ser pododermatite purulenta necrotisante. No estado avançado o defeito não está mais coberto pela cápsula córnea. Ocorre no mundo inteiro, em animais de leite ou de engorda, animais velhos, pesados, principalmente quando estabulados, sendo comum nas unhas laterais posteriores de touros, raras vezes nas anteriores, às vezes bilateral e simétrica. Nas outras unhas, que recebem menos peso corporal, é excepcional. O principal objetivo do tratamento da pododermatite circunscrita ou úlcera da sola é aliviar o peso sobre a unha doente, através da colocação de um tamanco de madeira sob a unha sadia. Neste trabalho relata-se o tratamento da úlcera da sola com a aplicação do tamanco de madeira, em uma vaca, com aproxi-madamente 600 kg/p.v, em plena lactação, no Município de Viçosa, Alagoas, Brasil.