Practical use of electromyography in veterinary medicine – A review

Electromyography (EMG) is a sophisticated electrodiagnostic-neurophysiological method, which serves to diagnose neuromuscular system diseases. It is based on the measurement of the electrical potentials created by the skeletal muscle activity. For this technique, surface electrodes and needle electrodes can be used, which read the action potential of a large number of motor units and read a small number of motor units, respectively. The wide-spectrum application of this method extends our diagnostic possibilities of the clinical examination in veterinary practice. Together with a clinical neurological examination and imaging methods, EMG forms a part of the diagnosis of nervous system diseases and it is a useful diagnostic technique for differentiating neuropathies, junctionopathies, and myopathies. The results of the neurophysiological examination inform us about the functional state of the peripheral and central nervous system; it can demonstrate subclinical diseases and monitor the dynamics of changes in the functional state of individual nervous systems over time. In this article, we review the electromyographic method and its use in veterinary practice.

Overcoming a 'forbidden phenotype': The parrot's head supports, propels, and powers tripedal locomotion

No vertebrate, living or extinct, is known to have possessed an odd number of limbs. Despite this ″forbidden phenotype″, gaits that utilize odd numbers of limbs (e.g., tripedalism or pentapedalism) have evolved in both avian and mammalian lineages. Tripedal locomotion is commonly employed by parrots during climbing, who utilize their beaks as an additional support. However, it is unclear whether the beak functions simply as a stabilizing hook, or as a propulsive limb. Here, we present data on kinetics of tripedal climbing in six rosy –faced lovebirds (Agapornis rosiecollis). Our findings demonstrate that parrots utilize cyclical tripedal gaits when climbing and the beak and hindlimbs generate comparable propulsive and tangential substrate reaction forces and power. Propulsive and tangential forces generated by the beak are of equal or greater magnitudes to those forces generated by the forelimbs of humans and non –human primates during vertical climbing. We conclude that the feeding apparatus and neck musculature of parrots has been co–opted to function biomechanically as a third limb during vertical climbing. We hypothesize that this exaptation required substantive alterations to the neuromuscular system including enhanced force–generating capabilities of the neck musculature and modifications to limb central pattern generators.

Russian-language dictionary of terms used in clinical electromyography and ultrasound examination of the neuromuscular system

Modern electrodiagnostics (ED) and ultrasound examination of the neuromuscular system dictates the need to use unified terminology in order to avoid inter-expert variability in describing the results of the study and drawing up a conclusion in accordance with international criteria. The results of a survey of clinical electromyography specialists and the methodology of translation of the latest version of the English-language glossary on electrodiagnostic medicine are presented.The purpose of the publication is to popularize the use of modern nomenclature among the professional community. An anonymous survey was conducted on the use of the most common terms ED. The translation of the latest English-language version of the glossary on ED and ultrasound examination of the neuromuscular system was carried out, followed by editing and discussion by an expert group. 236 people from 68 cities of Russia and neighboring countries took part in the survey. The survey results demonstrated maximum disunity, as well as conservatism in the use of terms. The nomenclature of ED terms was first compiled in 1980 by the American Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnostics and subsequently regularly revised and supplemented in accordance with new data. The unification of terms is necessary for the standardization of conclusions, multicenter research and scientific publications.

Emerging spectrum of post-COVID-19 syndrome

‘Post-COVID-19 syndrome’ refers to symptoms in the convalescent phase following initial COVID-19 infection. This term encompasses a wide array of presentation involving lungs, heart and the neuromuscular system. Pulmonary manifestations include post-COVID-19 fibrosis, which is akin to post acute respiratory distress syndrome fibrosis and may reflect the permanent damage to the lungs following an initial bout of infection. Cardiovascular system is often involved, and the presentation can be in terms of acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis and heart failure. Clinical manifestations are often varied and non-specific, which entails a detailed workup and a multidisciplinary approach. Post-COVID-19 syndrome adds to the overall disease morbidity and leads to a prolonged hospital stay, greater healthcare utilisation and loss of productivity marring the country’s dwindling economy. Thus, it is imperative that post-COVID-19 syndrome be prevented and identified early followed by a prompt treatment.

Spinomedullary Weston Hurst Syndrome After COVID-19 and Influenza Co-Infection: A Case Report

The neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) have so far included a range of para- and post-infectious neuroinflammatory syndromes inclusive of all components of the neuraxis and peripheral neuromuscular system. In comparison to the para-infectious manifestations of anosmia, ageusia, encephalopathy, and encephalitis, cases of post-infectious ADEM have rarely been reported and have most commonly affected the supratentorial component with or without spinal cord involvement. In this report, we describe a case of isolated involvement of the cervicothoracic spinal cord and medulla, occurring in association with microhemorrhages and hemosiderin deposition in the medulla, that presented fulminantly and required aggressive immunotherapy to control the inflammatory attack. We compare and contrast this case against prior reports of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (Weston Hurst syndrome) and review the atypical features of neuroinflammation reported to occur following COVID-19 infection.

Disgusting odours affect the characteristics of the Adaptive Force in contrast to neutral and pleasant odours

The olfactomotor system is especially investigated by examining the sniffing in reaction to olfactory stimuli. The motor output of respiratory-independent muscles was seldomly considered regarding possible influences of smells. The Adaptive Force (AF) characterizes the capability of the neuromuscular system to adapt to external forces in a holding manner and was suggested to be more vulnerable to possible interfering stimuli due to the underlying complex control processes. The aim of this pilot study was to measure the effects of olfactory inputs on the AF of the hip and elbow flexors, respectively. The AF of 10 subjects was examined manually by experienced testers while smelling at sniffing sticks with neutral, pleasant or disgusting odours. The reaction force and the limb position were recorded by a handheld device. The results show, inter alia, a significantly lower maximal isometric AF and a significantly higher AF at the onset of oscillations by perceiving disgusting odours compared to pleasant or neutral odours (p < 0.001). The adaptive holding capacity seems to reflect the functionality of the neuromuscular control, which can be impaired by disgusting olfactory inputs. An undisturbed functioning neuromuscular system appears to be characterized by a proper length tension control and by an earlier onset of mutual oscillations during an external force increase. This highlights the strong connection of olfaction and motor control also regarding respiratory-independent muscles.