Objectives: To review the measurement properties of outcome measures of function or mobility currently used in the context of spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: A keyword search of multiple databases to identify original papers. Papers were reviewed where they had included an evaluation, of people with SCI, of the psychometric properties of an outcome measure, which included functional or mobility domains. Information was extracted concerning item generation, ease and intended method of use and scale properties, in particular: reliability, validity and responsiveness. Conclusions were reached concerning the psychometric properties of each instrument. Results: Eight outcome measures were identified (plus adapted versions). Five had originally been developed specifically for evaluating patients with SCI (chiefly reflecting clinicians' perspectives), the remaining three had not. The psychometric properties of the instruments varied, with some mixed/ contradictory evidence likely relating to differing study sample sizes, characteristics and variable quality. Instruments also varied in stated purpose or emphasis. Conclusion: In addition to weighing evidence concerning measurement properties, users need to consider the stated purpose and item content of instruments in relation to their specific aims. With regard to the former, while reviewed instruments had some flaws, the Spinal cord Independence Measure (revised version III), Quadriplegia Index of Function (Short-form), Needs Assessment Checklist and SIP68 appeared the best, despite limited evidence of their responsiveness.

Following stroke, patients who received CIMT every day for 4 weeks in conjunction with traditional rehabilitation therapy showed significant changes in the BI upon discharge and this positive outcome was preserved after 6 months follow-up. This improvement indicates an overall significant improvement in ADL status for patients who received CIMT and has implications for future use in stroke rehabilitation as home-based therapy for stroke rehabilitation.

Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a widespread public health problem that may lead to disability and loss of productivity. Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue and has been shown to be involved in cartilage homeostasis. In the present study, the association between the rs266729 (−11377C/G) and rs2241766 (45T/G) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and LDD was investigated. In addition, the correlation between the plasma adiponectin level and LDD was examined. A total of 289 subjects, 168 patients with LDD and 122 healthy individuals, were recruited in the study. All subjects were genotyped for rs266729 and rs2241766 SNPs using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Circulating levels of adiponectin protein were measured using the ELISA technique. A strong association was found between adiponectin level and LDD (P<0.01), where high levels of adiponectin were found in patients compared with healthy controls. The increase in adiponectin level was not affected by gender. However, no significant differences were found in the genotype distribution or allelic frequency of the two examined polymorphisms between patients with LDD and healthy controls (P>0.05). In conclusion, adiponectin appears to be elevated in patients with LDD. The rs266729 and rs2241766 SNPs in the ADIPOQ gene are not associated with LDD.

Goals and Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in elderly. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), calcium-binding protein (S100B), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are brain damage markers. The main goal of this study is to investigate the expression of these markers in the striatum (ST) of chronic/progressive mouse model of PD, and to study the effect of endurance exercise training on the expression of those markers. Materials and Methods: In this study, forty C57BL/6 albino mice were randomly divided into four groups. Sedentary control (SC, n = 10), exercise control (ExC, n = 10), sedentary Parkinson's (SPD, n = 10), and exercised Parkinson's (ExPD, n = 10). Chronic Parkinsonism was induced by injecting the animals with 10 doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (25 mg/kg) and probenecid (250 mg/kg) over 5 weeks. Modified human treadmill was used to train the mice at a speed of 18 m/min, 0 degrees of inclination, 40 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. At the end of exercise training, we examined the expression of these markers on the striatum of the four animal groups using immunohistochemistry. Results and Discussion: Parkinsonism increases the expression of NSE, S100B, and GFAP in the ST, p value P < 0.001, < 0.05, and < 0.7 respectively compared with control group. Exercise training decreases the expression of NSE, S100B, and GFAP in the exercised PD mice compared with sedentary PD mice p value < 0.005, < 0.02, and < 0.40 respectively. Conclusion: Treadmill exercise training decreased the expression of brain damage markers in the striatum of chronic Parkinsonian mice, which can partially explain the beneficial neuroprotective role of exercise in patients with PD.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem-progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by dopaminergic neurons, however, the role of the non-dopaminergic system (such as melatonin hormone) in the pathogenesis of PD is now emerging. OBJECTIVE: To identify any potential correlation between the dopamine and melatonin serum levels, and motor, cognitive, and sleep dysfunctions in patients with PD. METHOD: Cross-sectional piloting study conducted with a sample of 34 patients with PD (aged 50-72 yrs old). Correlation tests performed to identify any potential correlations between the biomarkers' serum levels and motor, cognitive, and sleep dysfunctional levels in "on-medication" status. RESULTS: Spearman's test showed significant correlations between the melatonin serum level and sleep dysfunctions including overall sleep quality (P = 0.010) and subjective sleep quality sub-score (P = 0.001). On the other hand, spearman's test showed significant correlations between the dopamine serum level and motor dysfunctions including Berg Balance Scale (P = 0.026), 10-Meter Walk Test (P = 0.016), and Fear of Falling Index (P = 0.007), as well as comparisons between the dopamine serum level and cognitive dysfunction (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin serum level would serve as a potential biomarker in understanding the PD pathogenesis, and the melatonin serum level should be considered in future studies related to PD besides the dopamine serum level.