EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON EARLY REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute cerebral infarction refers to the deficiency of the blood supply to the brain and the damage of tissue function. Objective: To study the effect of exercise training in early rehabilitation of patients with hemiplegia treated in the neurology department. Methods: Ninety-six patients with acute cerebral infarction hemiplegia were studied. According to the order of admission, 96 patients were divided into a control group and an early recovery group, with 48 patients in each group. Results: Before early rehabilitation, there was no statistical significance in NIHSS and FUGL-Meyer scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). After early rehabilitation,the NIHSS score of early rehabilitation group was lower than both its pre-early-rehab score and the control group score, while the FUGL-Meyer score was higher than both its pre-early-rehab and the control group score (P<0.05). Before early rehabilitation, there was no significant difference in the GQOLI-74 score between the two groups (P > 0.05). After early rehabilitation, the GQOLI-74 score was higher in the early rehabilitation group than both its pre-early-rehab score and the control group score (P<0.05). Conclusions: The clinical effect of early rehabilitation training in acute cerebral infarction patients with hemiplegia is significant and can further improve the clinical treatment of patients and their quality of life. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

Tocilizumab use during Covid-19 should alert an orthopaedic surgeon for the surgical management of arthroplasty patients: A narrative review

The crisis of Covid-19 has shaken the world healthcare systems. The intensive care resources to manage the medical conditions associated with Covid-19 are consistently found to be inadequate with exploration and implementation of newer treatment avenues for an early recovery. Presently, the use of Tocilizumab (TCZ) in severe to critical affection of Covid-19 is being practiced as an off-label therapy. A narrative review of present knowledge regarding TCZ pharmacology, indications of its use, and potential side effects with clinical implications for an orthopedic surgeon is presented. The article discusses the clinicopathological factors required to be monitored during the perioperative management of an orthopedic patient who may have received TCZ for Covid-19 related illness. The implications of its usage should alert the orthopaedic surgeons for future management of their arthritic surgical patients. The commonly associated side effects and complications in the post-operative phase following an arthroplasty or any orthopaedic surgery are an area of concern and considerable uncertainty. In the post-Covid-19 recovery phase, when surgeons need to plan a surgical intervention then a thorough evaluation of their Covid-19 medical management history may be warranted. Practical guidelines for the management of arthritic surgical patients have been postulated. With an unregulated increased usage of TCZ during Covid-19 management, an orthopaedic surgeon should worry and needs to be aware of the possible consequences in the perioperative period for the post-surgery management. Future research to gain more insights will confirm the implied concerns.

The Strategy to Use Sugammadex to Reduce Postoperative Pulmonary Complications after da Vinci Surgery: A Retrospective Study

In 2000, the da Vinci Surgery System was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for general laparoscopic surgery and it became the first commercially available robotic surgery system. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing da Vinci surgery and to observe whether the incidence of PPCs was affected by the usage of Sugammadex. Sugammadex is a gamma-cyclodextrin that encapsulates and subsequently inactivates steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. A retrospective study was conducted on patients who had undergone da Vinci surgery in a single medical center in southern Taiwan during the period from January 2018 to December 2018. We extracted data on patient characteristics, usage of Sugammadex and PPCs for analysis. Three hundred and thirty-three patients were enrolled in the final analysis. While the overall incidence of PPCs was 30.3% (101/333 patients), the incidence of PCC in patients who received Sugammadex (24.2%) was significantly lower than those without (37.3%) (p = 0.001). Risk factors that appeared to be closely associated with PCC included age, malignancy, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, blood loss amount and anemia. The use of Sugammadex decreased the risk of PPC. In order to enhance early recovery after da Vinci surgery, the use of Sugammadex to rapidly reverse muscle relaxants may be an appropriate choice.

Diversity of herpetofauna at restored cranberry bogs: A comparative survey of herpetofaunal diversity at a restored wetland in comparison to a retired cranberry bog to assess the restoration success

Wetlands perform critical ecological functions and provide wildlife habitats. Yet, wetland degradation continues at a global scale. In Massachusetts, USA, wetland restoration has reached remarkable heights, partly promoted by the retirement of cranberry bogs. In this study, to assess the effectiveness of cranberry-farm restoration for conservation of native herpetofauna, we surveyed both retired and restored cranberry bogs in south-eastern Massachusetts. Using both visual encounter surveys and baited aquatic traps, we documented herpetofaunal species and their relative abundance. Both survey methods combined, the cumulative herpetofaunal species richness at the restored bogs (16) exceeded that of the retired bogs (11). Our trap surveys indicated that the amphibian species richness at the retired bog was significantly greater than that of the restored bog. In contrast, reptilian species richness as well as the relative abundance of both amphibians and reptiles were significantly greater at the restored bog compared to the retired bog. Subsequent analyses we performed identified that greater habitat heterogeneity emerging from active restoration intervention was the underlying driver of elevated richness and abundance. Most frequently encountered herpetofauna at the restored versus retired bogs were habitat generalists with broader geographic ranges and are not of conservation concern. Our findings suggest that the restored bog we monitored is still in the early-recovery phase after active intervention. We urge the need for long-term herpetofaunal inventories via systematic, standard surveys to assess restoration success.

The Effect of Femoral Nerve Block Versus Adductor Canal Block on the Quality of early Recovery after Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty, a retrospective Study

Background Multimodal pain analgesia strategies are common in perioperative management of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), although the role of adductor canal blocks (ACB) versus femoral nerve block on early postoperative recovery for revision knee surgery is not investigated. Aim The purpose of this study is to independently evaluate the effect of ACB on short-term postoperative outcomes including (1) length of stay (LOS), (2) postoperative narcotic utilization, and (3) function with physical therapy in revision TKA. Methods We retrospectively identified a cohort study of consecutive 40 patients from January 2021 to July 2021 who had undergone unilateral revision TKA using a single-shot ACB (19 patients) vs femoral nerve block (21 patients) under spinal anesthesia ( hyperbaric 0.5% Marcaine 2.5 ml and 20 microgram fentanyl) in addition to a standardized multimodal pain analgesia protocol. These 2 groups were compared using independent sample t-tests with primary end points of interest being distance ambulated after surgery, and inpatient narcotic use. Results Quadriceps strength was better preserved in adductor group than in femoral group. Walking meters and going upstairs were better results in adductor group. IV morphine consumption within the first 48 hours period were less in adductor group comparing to femoral group. Conclusion Adductor nerve block showed better early recovery in revision TKA when comparing to femoral nerve block (FNB).

Cystine and Theanine as Stress-Reducing Amino Acids—Perioperative Use for Early Recovery after Surgical Stress

Perioperative nutritional therapy requires the consideration of metabolic changes, and it is desirable to reduce stress aiming at early metabolic normalization. Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide composed of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. It is one of the strongest antioxidants in the body and important for adjusting immune function. Cystine and theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) provide substrates of GSH, cysteine and glutamic acid, promoting the synthesis of GSH. It has been reported that the ingestion of cystine (700 mg) and theanine (280 mg) exhibits inhibitory effects against excess inflammation after strong exercise loads in athletes, based on which its application for invasive surgery has been tried. In patients undergoing gastrectomy, ingestion of cystine (700 mg) and theanine (280 mg) for 10 days from 5 days before surgery inhibited a postoperative increase in resting energy expenditure, promoted recovery from changes in interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, lymphocyte ratio, and granulocyte ratio and inhibited an increase in body temperature. In a mouse small intestine manipulation model, preoperative 5-day administration of cystine/theanine inhibited a postoperative decrease in GSH in the small intestine and promoted recovery from a decrease in behavior quantity. Based on the above, cystine/theanine reduces surgical stress, being useful for perioperative management as stress-reducing amino acids.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocol versus conventional care in emergency abdominal trauma surgery: a prospective, randomised, controlled study

Background: Since 1990s there has been a defined role of ERAS in elective surgeries, to optimize the peri-operative care, reducing post-operative complications and length of stay and hence, the overall costs. However, there is paucity of literature in its effectiveness in emergency trauma surgeries. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of ERAS protocol in emergency abdominal surgery in the setting of trauma.Methods: Institutional IEC approved study. A prospective randomized of 52 patients with abdominal trauma undergoing emergency laprotomy were included in the study and divided into two groups: ERP and conventional group. The ERP included early feeding, early urinary catheter removal, early mobilization/physiotherapy, early intravenous line removal and early optimal oral analgesia. The primary end-points were the length of hospital stay and secondary end-points included complication rate and re-admission rate.Results: The two groups were comparable with regards to age, gender, mechanism of injury and ISS score. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERAS group: 4.67 days verses 13.36 days (p<0.001). There were 15 and 11 complications in the control and study group respectively. When graded as per the Clavien-Dindo classification there was no significant difference in the 2 groups (p=0.306).Conclusions: This study shows that early recovery programs can be successfully implemented with significant shorter hospital stays without any increase in postoperative complications in trauma patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for abdominal trauma.

An integrative approach to clinical recovery for COVID-19 patients using an Ayurvedic formulation: A multicentric double-blind randomized control trial.

BackgroundTraditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda contain a vast repository of naturally occurring herbs with strong antimicrobial potency. A multitude of complementary therapies have been explored for their therapeutic role to treat COVID-19 during the pandemic. There have been promising results reported from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies that need to be further explored in humans.ObjectiveThe present randomized placebo control trial evaluates the clinical efficacy of an integrated approach including Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, NOQ19 in the improvement of mild to moderate category of COVID-19 infected patients.Patients and methodsA multicentric, randomized, placebo control design was adopted for the study. A total of 76 patients with positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test were enrolled in the study; 39 in the NOQ19 arm and 37 in the placebo arm. Patients were randomized and blinded to their respective intervention, which was provided along with the standard of care treatment. Rate of recovery assessment was done on Day 3, 5 and 7 via RT-PCR test to measure the rate of recovery. Blood markers were analysed on Day 0 and Day 7.OutcomesThe patients were assessed for rate of recovery via RT-PCR and improvement in blood biomarkers. They were also monitored for any adverse events or side effects of the drug.ResultsThe present study demonstrated a significant early recovery in the patients who took the NOQ19 formulation. Patients who received NOQ19 with the standard care of treatment showed clinical improvement in terms of oxygen requirement, breathlessness and SpO2, though the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, no side effects were observed with the use of NOQ19.ConclusionAn overall integrated approach of standard of care treatment with Ayurvedic formulation (NOQ19) results in early clinical outcome in the management of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

Ayurveda and Management of COVID-19 in Rural Indian Population: A pilot, double blind, randomized control trial

Background The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is a highly contagious and rapidly mutating virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions globally over the last 18 months and continues to overwhelm the healthcare system in several countries to date. The healthcare and scientific community has been vigorously searching for ways to manage the disease. Several solutions based on traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda are also being explored for their effectiveness in managing COVID-19. The study explored the efficacy of a 19 ingredient Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation called NOQ19, on the recovery of mild, RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients. Methods This was a prospective, double blind, randomized control trial that included 92 patients with a RT-PCR positive mild case of COVID-19. The patients were enrolled from rural areas of Karnataka, a state in India. The patients were randomized between the NF2 and placebo arms, in a 1:1 ratio, and were provided their respective intervention, along with the standard of care treatment (SOC). The trial took place at the Community Care Center, Konnanuru, Hassan, Karnataka. The study duration was around 2 months and the follow-up period for an individual patient was 14 days. RT-PCR analysis was done at baseline, Day 3, 7 and 10. Blood markers to track inflammation were assessed at baseline, Day 3 and 7. Result A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups with regards to the percentage of population who turned RT-PCR negative on Day 3 and Day 10. On all three assessment time points (Day 3, 7 and 10), the NF2+SOC arm showed a greater percentage of population who were RT-PCR negative compared to the placebo+SOC arm: Day 3 (NF2 -19%, Placebo - 0%) ; Day 7 (NF2- 41%, Placebo - 19%) ; Day 10 (NF2-73%, Placebo 44%). No significant changes were observed in blood markers for both the groups. Conclusion NF2 administered along with standard of care treatment aided early recovery from COVID-19 as demonstrated by a higher percentage of population who were RT-PCR negative on Day 3, 7 and 10. No side effects were observed during the entire study duration. Early recovery of patients is essential for rational usage of limited healthcare resources in a pandemic.