Authors: Maeda, Noriaki | Urabe, Yukio | Sasadai, Junpei | Numano, Shuhei | Fujishita, Hironori | Morikawa, Masanori | Gao, Fan | Kobayashi, Toshiki
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ankle braces are commonly used to protect ankle joints from a sprain by restricting inversion. However, the difference between a soft brace (SB) and a semi-rigid brace (SRB) regarding kinematic and kinetic changes of the lower limb joints after forward and lateral drop landing is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SB and SRB, on kinematic and kinetic changes after each drop landing in healthy young women. METHODS: Ten female adults were assessed for one leg while wearing SB, SRB or non-brace (NB). For assessing kinematic and kinetic changes after drop landing, …the participant jumped and landed forward and laterally with one leg on a force platform. Knee and ankle joint angle and moment, peak ground reaction force (pGRF), time to peak GRF (TpGRF), the rate of force development (RFD) and GRF impulse (impulse) were measured. RESULTS: The results indicated that knee flexion angle, TpGRF, RFD, and impulse were significantly different between SRB and NB after forward drop landing. SRB demonstrated significant increases in RFD and decreases in impulse. CONCLUSIONS: Semi rigid brace may be beneficial in providing more restriction to the ankle joint for preventing ankle sprains during landing. Show more
Keywords: Ankle brace, forward and lateral landing, kinematic and kinetic change
DOI: 10.3233/IES-192150
Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 219-225, 2019
Authors: Dong, Yingda | He, Chunguang | Qin, Yanping | Yuan, Yunmei | Gao, Fan | Duo, Huaqiong | Wang, Ximing
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: A novel enhancement method to improve resolution and contrast has been proposed to address the issues of blurring and distortion commonly encountered in traditional patterns. Initially, a discrete wavelet transform, a stationary wavelet transform, and an interpolation algorithm are used to obtain high-resolution images of traditional patterns. Subsequently, improved singular value matrix coefficients and reconstructed gamma function are used to enhance the image contrast to obtain high-resolution and contrast-enhanced patterns. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of this method, as evidenced by improved evaluation indexes, such as mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and structural similarity, in comparison to other existing …methods. The proposed method effectively improves the quality of traditional patterns and offers significant contributions to research on the restoration and protection of traditional patterns. Show more
Keywords: Traditional pattern enhancement, stationary wavelet transform, discrete wavelet transform, singular value matrix, gamma function
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-232169
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 9555-9569, 2023
Authors: Almutairi, Sattam | Swank, Chad | Wang-Price, Sharon | Gao, Fan | Medley, Ann
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robotic exoskeleton (RE) enables individuals with lower extremity weakness or paralysis to stand and walk in a stereotypical pattern. OBJECTIVE: Examine whether people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) demonstrate a more typical gait pattern when walking overground in a RE than when walking without. METHODS: Motion analysis system synchronized with a surface electromyographic (EMG) was used to obtain temporospatial gait parameters, lower extremity kinematics, and muscle activity in ambulatory individuals with SCI and healthy adults. RESULTS: Temporospatial parameters and kinematics for participants with SCI (n = 12; age 41.4±12.5 years) with and without RE were significantly different than …a typical gait (healthy adults: n = 15; age 26.2±8.3 years). EMG amplitudes during the stance phase of a typical gait were similar to those with SCI with and without RE, except the right rectus femoris (p = 0.005) and left gluteus medius (p = 0.014) when participants with SCI walked with RE. EMG amplitudes of participants with SCI during the swing phase were significantly greater compared to those of a typical gait, except for left medial hamstring with (p = 0.025) and without (p = 0.196) RE. CONCLUSIONS: First-time walking in a RE does not appear to produce a typical gait pattern in people with incomplete SCI. Show more
Keywords: Bionics, rehabilitation, walking, spinal cord disorder, kinematics, muscle activity
DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210187
Citation: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 585-596, 2021
Authors: Wei, Shan | Dang, Liangjun | Gao, Fan | Wang, Jingyi | Wang, Jin | Qu, Qiumin
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Abnormal blood lipids are associated with cognitive impairment and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain. However, the effects of statins on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have not been determined. Objective: Considering that plasma Aβ are related to Aβ deposition in the brain, we investigated the effects of simvastatin on plasma Aβ transport. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. One hundred and twenty patients with hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg of simvastatin per day or matching placebo for 12 weeks (sixty patients per group). Plasma Aβ, sLRP1, sRAGE, and lipid levels were measured at baseline and at …the 6-week and 12-week visits. Results: The ITT database ultimately included 108 participants (placebo group: n = 53; simvastatin group: n = 55) and 64 (59.3%) were women, ranging in age from 45 to 75 years (mean 57.2±6.9 years). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, after 12 weeks of follow-up, compared with the placebo group, Δ Aβ42 levels (the change of Aβ42 levels from baseline at week 12) increased more and Δ sRAGE levels decreased more in the simvastatin group (Aβ42 : β= 5.823, p = 0.040; sRAGE: β= –72.012, p = 0.031), and a significant negative association was found between Δ Aβ42 and Δ sRAGE levels (β= –0.115, p = 0.045). In addition, generalized estimation equation analysis showed that triglycerides levels were negatively correlated with Aβ40 (β= –16.79, p = 0.023), Aβ42 (β= –6.10, p = 0.001), and sRAGE (β= –51.16, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Daily oral simvastatin (40 mg/day) in patients with hyperlipidemia for 12 weeks can significantly increase plasma Aβ42 levels compared with placebo, which was associated with reduced triglycerides and sRAGE levels, indicating that statins may affect plasma Aβ transport. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, hyperlipidemia, plasma amyloid-β, simvastatin, soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1, soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220240
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 90, no. 1, pp. 349-362, 2022
Authors: Gao, Fan | Zhang, Peng-Fei | Gao, Jing | Song, Jinghui | Chi, Song
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), the key immunomodulatory chemokine for microglial activation, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Whether the association of CCL2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of AD is still controversial. Objective: We aimed to investigate whether CCL2 rs4586 SNP is associated with the pathological changes and cognitive decline of AD. Methods: A total of 486 participants with longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β (Aβ) and phospho-tau (P-tau) biomarkers, 18 F-Florbetapir and 18 F-flortaucipir-positron emission tomography (PET), and cognitive assessments from the Alzheimer’s disease Neuroimaging Initiative were included in the study. The effects …of CCL2 rs4586 SNP on the pathological changes and cognitive decline of AD were assessed with linear mixed-effects models and evaluated according to the Aβ-status so as to identify whether the effects were independent of Aβ status. Results: CCL2 rs4586-CC carriers exhibited a slower global Aβ-PET accumulation, particularly within stage I and stage II. However, they exhibited a faster accumulation of CSF P-tau and global tau-PET standard uptake value ratios, especially in Braak I and Braak III/IV and the inferior temporal gyrus. The congruent effects of CCL2 rs4586 on tau accumulation existed only in the Aβ–group, as is shown in global tau-PET and Braak I. However, CCL2 rs4586 was not associated with the cognitive decline. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the CCL2 rs4586-CC (versus TT/TC) genotype was associated with slower Aβ deposition and faster tau accumulation, and the latter of which was independent of Aβ status. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, amyloid-β, CCL2, tau
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220716
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 90, no. 4, pp. 1647-1657, 2022
Authors: Wang, Jin | Guo, Xiaojuan | Lu, Wenhui | Liu, Jie | Zhang, Hong | Quan, Qingyun | Su, Hang | Ma, Li | Gao, Fan | Qu, Qiumin
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Vascular factors and mitochondria dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) has an effect in protecting mitochondria and improving microcirculation. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effect of donepezil combined NBP therapy in patients with mild-moderate AD. Methods: It was a prospective cohort study. 92 mild-moderate AD patients were classified into the donepezil alone group (n = 43) or the donepezil combined NBP group (n = 49) for 48 weeks. All patients were evaluated with Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change plus caregiver input (CIBIC-plus), Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily …Living (ADCS-ADL), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) every 12 weeks. All patients were monitored for adverse events (AEs). The efficacy was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the changes of ADAS-cog score (OR = 2.778, 95% CI: [1.087, 7. 100], p = 0.033) and ADCS-ADL score (OR = 2.733, 95% CI: [1.002, 7.459], p = 0.049) had significant difference between donepezil alone group and donepezil combined NBP group, while the changes of NPI (OR = 1.145, 95% CI: [0.463, 2.829], p = 0.769), MMSE (OR = 1.563, 95% CI: [0.615, 3.971], p = 0.348) and CIBIC-plus (OR = 2.593, 95% CI: [0.696, 9.685], p = 0.156) had no significant difference. The occurrence of AEs was similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Over the 48-week treatment period, donepezil combined NBP group had slower cognitive decline and better activities of daily living in patients with mild to moderate AD. These indicated that the multi-target therapeutic effect of NBP may be a new choice for AD treatment. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, clinical trial, DL–3-n-butylphthalide, drug treatment, prospective cohort study
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-201381
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 80, no. 2, pp. 673-681, 2021
Authors: Wei, Shan | Shang, Suhang | Dang, Liangjun | Gao, Fan | Gao, Yao | Gao, Ling | Chen, Chen | Huo, Kang | Wang, Jingyi | Wang, Jin | Qu, Qiumin
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Studies have found that blood lipids are associated with plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) levels, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Two Aβ transporters, soluble form of low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-1 (sLRP1) and soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), are crucial in peripheral Aβ transport. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effects of lipids on the relationships between plasma Aβ and transporter levels. Methods: This study included 1,436 adults aged 40 to 88 years old. Blood Aβ, sLRP1, sRAGE, and lipid levels were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the relationships between lipids …and plasma Aβ, sLRP1, and sRAGE. Results: After adjusting for all possible covariates, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was positively associated with plasma Aβ42 and sRAGE (β= 6.158, p = 0.049; β= 121.156, p < 0.001, respectively), while triglyceride (TG) was negatively associated with plasma Aβ40 , Aβ42 , and sRAGE (β= –48.389, p = 0.017; β= –11.142, p = 0.020; β= –147.937, p = 0.003, respectively). Additionally, positive correlations were found between plasma Aβ and sRAGE in the normal TG (Aβ40 : β= 0.034, p = 0.005; Aβ42 : β= 0.010, p = 0.001) and HDL-c groups (Aβ40 : β= 0.023, p = 0.033; Aβ42 : β= 0.008, p = 0.002) but not in the high TG and low HDL-c groups. Conclusion: Abnormal levels of TG and HDL-c are associated with decreased Aβ and sRAGE levels. Positive correlations between plasma Aβ and sRAGE were only found in the normal TG and HDL-c groups but not in the high TG and low HDL-c groups. These results indicated that dyslipidemia contributing to plasma Aβ levels might also be involved in peripheral Aβ clearance. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid-β, high-density lipoprotein, soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1, soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products, triglyceride
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210405
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 84, no. 1, pp. 303-314, 2021
Authors: Gao, Ling | Dang, Liangjun | Wei, Shan | Hu, Ningwei | Gao, Fan | Peng, Wei | Shang, Suhang | Zhao, Yi | Chen, Chen | Guo, Xiaojuan | Huo, Kang | Wang, Jingyi | Wang, Jin | Qu, Qiumin
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (sLRP1) and soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) play major roles in peripheral clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ). Objective: To determine the relationship between baseline sLRP1/sRAGE and early cognitive decline in a longitudinal study and explore the possible effect of apolipoprotein E (APOE ) on their association. Methods: Cognitively normal subjects were followed-up for 4 years. The baseline plasma levels of sLRP1 and sRAGE were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Global cognition was evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and cognitive decline was defined as a ≥2-point decrease of MMSE after 4 years. …The association between baseline sLRP1/sRAGE and 4-year cognitive decline were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Interaction analysis was performed to discover the potential effect of APOE genotype on the relationship. Results: 769 participants were included in the final analysis, with 122 subjects (15.86%) were cognitive decline. Baseline sLRP1/sRAGE levels were not associated with 4-year cognitive decline after multivariable adjustments in the total cohort. However, there was significant interaction effect between sRAGE and APOE genotype on cognitive decline (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–3.86, p = 0.019). Lower levels of sRAGE were associated with increased risk of cognitive decline among APOE ɛ4 non-carriers (adjusted OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.04–2.48, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Individuals with lower levels of sRAGE had an increased risk of 4-year cognitive decline in APOE ɛ4 non-carriers, indicating that the association between sRAGE and cognitive decline might depend on the APOE genotype. However, the specific mechanisms need to be further elucidated. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, apolipoprotein E, cognitive impairment, longitudinal study, plasma amyloid-β transporters
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-215228
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 86, no. 2, pp. 801-812, 2022
Authors: Wei, Meng | Zhao, Beiyu | Huo, Kang | Deng, Yongning | Shang, Suhang | Liu, Jie | Li, Yanbo | Ma, Louyan | Jiang, Yu | Dang, Liangjun | Chen, Chen | Wei, Shan | Zhang, Juanli | Yang, Hailei | Gao, Fan | Qu, Qiumin
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Sleep is an important physiological process and beneficial in the removal of brain metabolites and functional recovery. Prior studies have shown that sleep disorders are significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: The present study was designed to characterize the effect of short-term total sleep deprivation (TSD) on plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) concentrations. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted between March 1, 2016, and April 1, 2016. Twenty volunteers (age 27.3±3.4 years) with normal cognitive function and sleeping habits were recruited from the local population. Participants underwent 24 h of TSD. Periprocedural blood samples were collected to compare the changes …of plasma Aβ42 , Aβ40 , low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (sLRP-1), soluble receptors for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA). Results: TSD increased morning plasma Aβ40 levels by 32.6% (p < 0.001) and decreased the Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio by 19.3% (p < 0.001). A positive relationship was found between TSD duration and plasma Aβ40 level (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) and Aβ40 /Aβ42 ratio (r = 0.25, p = 0.003). Plasma concentrations of sLRP1 (p = 0.018) and sRAGE (p = 0.001) decreased significantly after TSD. Aβ40 and Aβ42 plasma concentrations correlated with plasma levels of sLRP1 and sRAGE. Serum SOD decreased after TSD (p = 0.005), whereas serum MDA was increased (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Sleep deprivation can lead to an elevation of plasma Aβ40 and decrease of the Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio. The underlying mechanisms may be related to increased oxidative stress and impaired peripheral Aβ clearance as pathomechanisms of AD. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid-β, sleep, sleep deprivation
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-161213
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 899-906, 2017