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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been associated with sex-dependent liver disease outcomes. Current mechanisms only partially explain these sex differences and alternative mechanisms including gut-liver toxicity warrant investigation. This study aims to identify PCB-induced changes in the hepatic proteome and gut microbiome and determine their contributions to sex-specific PCB toxicity. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to Aroclor1260 (20 mg/kg) and PCB126 (20 μg/kg) via oral gavage. After two weeks, hepatic and intestinal tissues were collected for peptide measurements (LC/MS) and 16S sequencing respectively. Proteomic analysis revealed that biological sex largely drove differences seen in the hepatic proteome and dictated PCB liver responses. PCB-exposed females manifested higher abundance of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) targets including CD36 vs. PCB-exposed males. Computational analysis also demonstrated enhanced AHR and liver-X-receptor (LXR) activation (higher z-scores) in PCB-exposed females vs. males. With regards to gut microbiome, both exposure and sex impacted the composition of microbial communities. Intriguingly, only PCB-exposed males exhibited increased Dehalobacterium abundance, and decreased mRNA levels for genes encoding gut barrier and antimicrobial proteins (Ocln, Reg3g). Overall, PCB-exposed females exhibited an altered proteome relevant to AHR and LXR responses, while PCB-exposed males exhibited more distinct changes in gut microbiota coupled with altered ileal gene expression. The findings suggest that, in addition to biological sex, organ-organ interactions should be considered when predicting toxicity outcomes, particularly for persistent compounds such as PCBs that can impact multiple organs simultaneously yet have tissue-specific toxic effects.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-23603-w.

Introduction. Kinesiophobia can negatively influence perceived knee function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Less is known about its influence on perceived sports capability, and gait kinematics. Methods. At 3 months after ACLR, 34 male patients completed the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Raw and grouped scores (group 1 = high kinesiophobia; group 2 = low kinesiophobia) were compared with perceived sports capability and gait kinematics over the initial 9 months after ACLR. The Tegner Activity Level Scale (TALS) was completed pre-injury, before ACLR, and at 6 and 9 months after ACLR. The Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale was completed pre-surgery, and at 6 and 9 months after ACLR. Walking and running gait analysis was performed at 3 and 6 months; and 6 months after ACLR, respectively (P 0.05). Results. Group TALS scores were similar pre-injury, however, Group 1 had lower TALS scores pre-surgery, and at 6 and 9 months after ACLR. Inverse relationships were observed for the 3 month TSK score and TALS scores before ACLR, and at 6 and 9 months afterwards. By 9 months following ACLR, kinesiophobia remained related to sports capability. Kinesiophobia had a stronger influence on side-to-side gait asymmetries than surgical side for hip adduction and mid-stance knee flexion when walking at 3 months after ACLR, for mid-stance knee flexion and terminal stance knee extension when walking at 6 months after ACLR, and for terminal stance knee extension when running at 6 months after ACLR. Conclusions. High kinesiophobia following ACLR was related to walking and running gait kinematic characteristics and sports capability perceptions.

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This project brings to our attention OT's important role in meeting the ever-changing service needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition into adulthood. Comparative analysis of pretest, posttest, and maintenance assessment scores offers insight into changes and begins an important discussion of how we can improve and sustain adaptive life skills in adolescents with ASD for the long-term goal of changing their trajectory for greater independence. Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Grant Additional Authors and Speakers: Shirley O'Brien, Geela Spira Contributing Authors: Scott Tomchek

The delivery of cells into damaged myocardium induces limited cardiac regeneration due to extensive cell death. In an effort to limit cell death, our lab formulates three-dimensional matrices as a delivery system for cell therapy. Our primary work has been focused on the formation of engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs) from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived engineered cardiac cells. However, ECT immaturity hinders ability to fully recover damaged myocardium. Various conditioning regimens such as mechanical stretch and/or electric pacing have been used to activate maturation pathways. To improve ECT maturity, we use non-contacting chronic light stimulation using heterologously expressed light-sensitive channelrhodopsin ion channels. We transduce ECTs with an AAV packaged channelrhodopsin and chronically optically pace (C-OP) ECTs for 1week above the intrinsic beat rate, resulting in increased ECT electrophysiological properties.

Background. Protective and supportive trunk, limb and joint garment or brace use to enhance performance and prevent injury among extreme sport athletes is evolving. Methods. This review discusses protective and supportive trunk, limb and joint garment or brace use from the perspective of the essential mental and physical demands of extreme sports with special consideration for improving capsuloligamentous, musculotendinous, and myofascial system function. Results. Bracing to protect or support, preserve and promote natural joint function is evolving from the use of heavier, rigid, over-constraining and poorly fitting devices to lighter, more flexible, lower profile, function-enhancing garments or braces. Therapeutic exercises that combine task-specific self-efficacy and problem-solving skill development may best optimize innovative protective and supportive trunk, limb and joint garment or brace use. Conclusions. Through greater surface contact area and enhanced cutaneous, capsuloligamentous, musculotendinous and myofascial system mechanoreceptor function, a new evolution of protective and supportive trunk, limb and joint garments or braces may be better able to effectively facilitate more natural joint protection, proprioception/kinesthesia and dynamic stability.

Introduction: Characterization of residual neuromotor capacity after spinal cord injury (SCI) is challenging. The current gold standard for measurement of sensorimotor function after SCI, the International Society for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam, seeks to determine isolated intentional muscle activation, however many individuals with SCI exhibit intentional movements and muscle activation patterns which are not confined to specific joint or muscle. Further, isolated muscle activation is a feature of the neuromuscular system that emerges during development, and thus may not be an appropriate measurement standard for children younger than 6.Methods: We utilized neurophysiological assessment methodology, long studied in adult SCI populations, to evaluate residual neuromotor capacity in 24 children with SCI, as well as 19 typically developing (TD) children. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from 11 muscles bilaterally, representing spinal motor output from all regions (i.e., cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral), during standardized movement attempts. EMG records were subjectively analyzed based on spatiotemporal muscle activation characteristics, while the voluntary response index (VRI) was utilized for objective analysis of unilateral leg movement tasks.Results: Evidence of intentional leg muscle activation below the level of lesion was found in 11/24 children with SCI, and was classified based on activation pattern. Trace activation, bilateral (generalized) activation, and unilateral or isolated activation occurred in 32, 49, and 8% of movement tasks, respectively. Similarly, VRI analyses objectively identified significant differences between TD and SCI children in both magnitude (p < 0.01) and similarity index (p < 0.05) for all unilateral leg movement tasks. Activation of the erector spinae muscles, recorded at the T10–T12 vertebral level, was observed in all children with SCI, regardless of injury level or severity.Conclusions: Residual descending influence on spinal motor circuits may be present after SCI in children. Assessment of multi-muscle activation patterns during intentional movement attempts can provide objective evidence of the presence and extent of such residual muscle activation, and may provide an indicator of motor recovery potential following injury. The presence of residual intentional muscle activation has important implications for rehabilitation following pediatric-onset SCI.

Background: In synergy with the mounting scientific evidence for the capacity of recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) and training, new evidence-based therapies advancing neuromuscular recovery are emerging. There is a parallel need for outcome instruments that specifically address recovery. The Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (Pediatric NRS) is one example with established content validity to assess neuromuscular capacity within task performance. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine interrater reliability of the Pediatric NRS to classify motor capacity in children after SCI. Methods: Pediatric physicians (3), occupational therapists (5), and physical therapists (6) received standardized training in scoring the scale, then rated video assessments of 32 children post SCI, 2-12 years of age, 78% non-ambulatory. Interrater reliability was analyzed using Kendall coefficient of concordance for individual Pediatric NRS items and overall score. Results: The interrater reliability coefficient was determined to be near 1 for the overall Pediatric NRS score (ICC = 0.966; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98). Twelve of 16 individual items exhibited high concordance coefficients (Kendall's W ≥ 0.8) and four items demonstrated concordance coefficients, < 0.8 and > 0.69. Interrater reliability was equivalent among groups defined by age and neurological level, but lower among non-ambulatory individuals. Conclusion: Strong interrater reliability was demonstrated by pediatric clinicians who scored children with SCI using the Pediatric NRS.

To rehabilitate someone what does that mean? Does it mean eventual complete recovery in the sense that all is returned to the pre-morbid condition? Occasionally, this may indeed be the case. However, this expectation may more likely be achieved only when natural tissue healing or primary anatomic surgical repair occurs and when the final healing stages closely mirror that of the native tissues.