Hiking the Border Route Trail

 This trail crosses the Arrowhead trail about two miles from our cabin, either direction the hike leads to beautiful overlooks. We hiked up to the overlook above John Lake, one mile, the first section was wet and slippery walking on planks and corduroy trails. At the very top the sign at the entrance to the Boundary Waters specified no hang gliding.  I did manage to fall once, bent the aluminum 3 section trekking pole, will never get it to collapse again.

went from the bottom loop to where the trail crosses the boundary line of the BWCA

Alex Falconer, he ran the 63 mile trail, not one of our crew. Notice the sign says no hang gliding.

Giant Study Identifies Exercise Sweet Spot For Lowering Risk of Death

Your doctor is responsible for getting you recovered enough to do this amount of exercise.

Giant Study Identifies Exercise Sweet Spot For Lowering Risk of Death 

DAVID NIELD

28 JULY 2022

An extensive study, involving records from more than 116,000 people over the course of 30 years, has found that moderate amounts of physical activity for between 300 and 600 minutes could be the sweet spot when it comes to reducing mortality risk.kip advert

And if you make those workouts a little more intense, you can tap out at just 150 to 300 minutes per week, while being satisfied your body will likely reap the same rewards.

We're all going to die of course – it's just a question of when. But according to the new research, that broad 150-600 minute window brings the most benefits in terms of extending lifespans and reducing the risk of dying from causes other than old age.

The research looked at problems associated with the cardiovascular system in particular, and suggests that while over-exercising isn't a problem in terms of heart health, it also doesn't do much in terms of reducing the risk of an early death.

"The potential impact of physical activity on health is great, yet it remains unclear whether engaging in high levels of prolonged, vigorous or moderate intensity physical activity above the recommended levels provides any additional benefits or harmful effects on cardiovascular health," says nutritionist Dong Hoon Lee from Harvard University.

Right now, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends either 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week (so walking or calisthenics for example), or 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week (that's activities such as swimming, running, and cycling).

Skip advert

The participants in the study who followed those guidelines had a 20-21 percent (moderate activity) or a 19 percent (vigorous activity) lower risk of mortality from all causes. However, for those who went up to 600 minutes of moderate activity per week, the risk fell further – a total drop of 26-31 percent.

Among the other findings from the study, researchers noted that both moderate and vigorous activity in line with the guidelines lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease – 22-25 percent lower for moderate activity and 31 percent lower for vigorous activity. In some cases, pushing past the guidelines reduced the risk further.

"Our findings support the current national physical activity guidelines and further suggest that the maximum benefits may be achieved by performing medium to high levels of either moderate or vigorous activity  or a combination," says Lee.

Some studies suggest there is a risk of overdoing it, with increased risks of artery hardening in old age among those who do at least three times as much exercise as recommended. 

While this study found no health risks in excess activity, the researchers also didn't see additional benefits. In other words, lots of exercise wasn't seeming to cause any damage, but it might not be doing much good either – at least based on this particular study.

It's also worth noting that 93 percent of the study participants were white, so even with a large sample size like this, we need further research in order to get a better overall picture. For now, though, it seems like that 150-600 minute exercise schedule is well worth aiming for to maintain health and fitness.

"Our study provides evidence to guide individuals to choose the right amount and intensity of physical activity over their lifetime to maintain their overall health," says Lee.

The research has been published in Circulation.

Neuroplasticity after upper extremity rehabilitation therapy with sensory stimulation in chronic stroke survivors

You'll have to ask your doctor how to implement subthreshold vibration.

 Neuroplasticity after upper extremity rehabilitation therapy with sensory stimulation in chronic stroke survivors

Christian Schranz, 1 Amanda Vatinno, 1 Viswanathan Ramakrishnan2 and Na Jin Seo 1,3,4
This study investigated the effect of using subthreshold vibration as a peripheral sensory stimulation during therapy on cortical activity. Secondary analysis of a pilot triple-blinded randomized controlled trial. Twelve chronic stroke survivors underwent 2-week upper-extremity task-practice therapy. Half received subthreshold vibratory stimulation on their paretic wrist (treatment
group) and the other half did not (control). EEG connectivity and event-related de-/resynchronization for the sensorimotor network during hand grip were examined at pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up. Statistically significant group by time interactions were observed for both connectivity and event-related spectral perturbation. For the treatment group, connectivity increased at
post-intervention and decreased at follow-up. Event-related desynchronization decreased and event-related resynchronization increased at post-intervention, which was maintained at follow-up. The control group had the opposite trend for connectivity and no change in event-related spectral perturbation. The stimulation altered cortical sensorimotor activity. The findings complement
the clinical results of the trial in which the treatment group significantly improved gross manual dexterity while the control group did not. Increased connectivity in the treatment group may indicate neuroplasticity for motor learning, while reduced event-related desynchronization and increased event-related resynchronization may indicate lessened effort for grip and improved inhibitory con
trol. EEG may improve understanding of neural processes underlying motor recovery.
1 Department of Health Sciences and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
2 Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
3 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
4 Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Correspondence to: Christian Schranz, PhD
77 President Street, Charleston
SC 29425, USA
E-mail: schranz@musc.edu
Keywords: EEG; coherence; ERSP; vibratory stimulation; upper extremity
Abbreviations: ERD = event-related desynchronization; ERS = event-related resynchronization

Targeting gliovascular connexins prevents inflammatory blood-brain barrier leakage and astrogliosis

Now we just need our stroke leadership to get human testing going on this. 

But since we have NO LEADERSHIP, nothing will occur.

Targeting gliovascular connexins prevents inflammatory blood-brain barrier leakage and astrogliosis

Marijke De Bock1§, Maarten De Smet1§, Stijn Verwaerde1, Hanane Tahiri1, Steffi Schumacher1,5
Valérie Van Haver1, Katja Witschas1, Christian Steinhäuser2, Nathalie Rouach3, Roosmarijn E.6
Vandenbroucke4 and Luc Leybaert17
§ are co-first authors8
9
1Physiology group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent,10
Belgium11
2Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn, Medical School, Bonn, Germany12
3Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS, Inserm, Université13
PSL, Paris, France14
4Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University and Inflammation Research15
Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium16
17
The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.18
19
Address correspondence to: Luc Leybaert, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences -20
Physiology group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan21
10, Block B (entrance 36) - 3rd floor, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Tel: +32.9.332.33.66, E-mail:22
luc.Leybaert@UGent.be. ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6452-6982

 Abstract

The blood-brain barrier is formed by capillary endothelial cells expressing Cx37, Cx40 and Cx43,
and is joined by closely apposed astrocytes expressing Cx43 and Cx30. We investigated whether
connexin-targeting peptides could limit barrier leakage triggered by LPS-induced systemic
inflammation in mice. Intraperitoneal LPS increased endothelial and astrocytic Cx43 expression,
elevated TNFα, IL1β, IFNγ and IL6 in plasma and IL6 in the brain, and induced barrier leakage
recorded over 24h. Barrier leakage was largely prevented by global Cx43 knockdown and
Cx43/Cx30 double-knockout in astrocytes, slightly diminished by endothelial Cx43 knockout and
not protected by global Cx30 knockout. Intravenous administration of Gap27 or Tat-Gap19 just
before LPS also prevented barrier leakage, and intravenous BAPTA-AM to chelate intracellular
calcium was equally effective. Patch-clamp experiments demonstrated LPS-induced Cx42
hemichannel opening in endothelial cells, which was suppressed by Gap27, Gap19 and BAPTA.
LPS additionally triggered astrogliosis that was prevented by intravenous Tat-Gap19 or BAPTA-
AM. Cortically applied Tat-Gap19 or BAPTA-AM to primarily target astrocytes, also strongly
diminished barrier leakage. In vivo dye uptake and in vitro patch-clamp showed Cx43
hemichannel opening in astrocytes that was induced by IL6 in a calcium-dependent manner. We
conclude that targeting endothelial and astrocytic connexins is a powerful approach to limit
barrier failure and astrogliosis.

Frequent Napping Linked To Higher Risk Of Stroke, High Blood Pressure

You'll have to ask your doctor what should be the length of your daytime naps so you can set the timer appropriately. I can't see the cause and effect here, just correlation.

 

Frequent Napping Linked To Higher Risk Of Stroke, High Blood Pressure

 

Are you a frequent napper? A new study has found that frequent napping could be a risk factor for stroke and high blood pressure.

Several studies in the past pointed out that napping helped reduce daytime sleepiness and boost learning and performance. It also improved alertness and reaction time, per some findings.

But a new study published in Hypertension, a journal produced by the American Heart Association, found a link between frequent napping and stroke and high blood pressure.

The researchers combined observational analyses with Mendelian randomization and used genetic markers to determine whether a risk factor can contribute to a particular disease. They also analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank, which recorded genetic and health data from more than 500,000 participants ages 40-69 living in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010. Those who already had a stroke or suffered hypertension when the study began were excluded from the results.

The researchers found that participants who napped in the daytime more frequently increased their hypertension risk by 12%, stroke risk by 24%, and the risk of ischemic stroke (the most common type of stroke caused by a blood clot preventing blood and oxygen from reaching an area of the brain) by 20%. Meanwhile, those who sometimes napped increased hypertension risk by 7%, stroke risk by 12%, and the risk of ischemic stroke by 9%.

Participants younger than 60 who frequently napped also had an increased chance of developing hypertension than those who didn’t take naps. Meanwhile, the percentage dropped to 10% in participants older than 60 who usually napped.

All the participants who napped in the daytime were mostly male, non-European, less educated, had a lower income, and had a higher body mass index and waist-hip ratio.

The study authors were aware of the limitations of their study since only the frequency and not the length of naps was considered. Additionally, the participants in the U.K. Biobank were a fairly homogenous group.

According to Dr. E. Wang, an author of the study and professor and chair of the department of anesthesiology at Xiangya Hospital Central South University, the participants were “predominantly middle-aged Europeans who might not be generalizable to other racial groups.”

Lastly, the researchers pointed out that daytime napping, in general, was not the problem since it also has some benefits.

popcorn hull removal failure

 Driving back from my off the grid cabin in northern Minnesota we consumed a bag of popcorn. I got one of the hull shells stuck in my upper teeth gum line on the inside. My tongue couldn't remove it and no toothpicks or dental picks were around.  My right first fingernail was at the wrong angle to get it removed. My left hand has no ability to straighten the fingers and no way to get that hand to the mouth without using my right hand to get it there. I blame my doctors and therapists for having NOTHING to recover my left hand.  My therapist, while very good, essentially told me that I wasn't going to recover the left hand since research had shown that if no movement existed at 4 weeks there was a very slim chance of recovery.  That is the kind of defeatist attitude that needs to be removed from stroke.

Regular Exercise Program May Stall Cognitive Decline

 It is YOUR DOCTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY to get you recovered enough to prevent this cognitive decline. Don't let her/him weasel out of that responsibility.  I hate the word 'may'; it signifies that protocols don't exist.

Regular Exercise Program May Stall Cognitive Decline

Trial shows promise for people with mild cognitive impairment

by Judy George, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today August 3, 2022

Sedentary older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment who engaged in regular exercise for a year maintained their cognition without decline, topline data from the EXERT trial showed.

Older adults who engaged in either moderate intensity aerobic training or stretching, balance, and range-of-motion exercises for 12 months showed no change from baseline in ADAS-Cog-Exec scores, a measure of global cognitive function, reported Laura Baker, PhD, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at the 2022 Alzheimer's Association International Conference.

A comparison group of similar older adults with mild cognitive impairment in an observational study -- the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) -- who did not have the EXERT interventions showed significant cognitive decline over 12 months, Baker noted.

"An increased amount of supported exercise of at least 120 to 150 minutes a week for 12 months may slow or stall cognitive decline in previously sedentary older adults with mild cognitive impairment," she said.

EXERT is the longest-ever phase III study of exercise in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, noted Maria Carrillo, PhD, chief science officer of the Alzheimer's Association.

These topline findings are "remarkable and encouraging," Carrillo said. "They suggest that regular physical activity, even modest or low exertion activity such as stretching, may protect brain cells against damage."

The EXERT trial aimed to test whether 12 months of exercise would improve or protect cognition in sedentary people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Participants with a mean Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 28 and a mean Clinical Dementia Rating scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) score of 1.5 were randomized to either aerobic or stretching, balance, and range-of-motion exercise.

Both the aerobic and stretching/balance groups exercised four times a week for about 30 to 40 minutes. The aerobic group exercised at a moderate intensity, achieving 70% to 85% heart rate reserve. The stretching/balance group exercised at a low intensity, maintaining heart rate reserve below 35%.

In the first 12 months of the trial, participants were supervised by a trainer at the YMCA. For the next 6 months, they continued exercising independently.

A total of 296 participants enrolled in the study. Most (57%) were women; about 87% were white and 10% were Black. Mean age was about 74, and 25% were APOE4 carriers.

More than 31,000 exercise sessions were completed in the first 12 months. Attendance remained high throughout the study, at 81% in the aerobic exercise group and 87% in the stretching/balance group.

Neither the aerobic group nor the stretching/balance group showed decline from baseline on the ADAS-Cog-Exec at 6 or 12 months. There were no significant treatment differences between the aerobic and stretching/balance groups on these outcomes (P=0.29).

In a usual-care analysis, the researchers compared EXERT participants with those from ADNI matched on demographics, baseline cognitive function, and APOE4 status. ADNI participants showed an expected 12-month decline in ADAS-Cog-Exec scores, but the EXERT aerobic group (P=0.012) and EXERT stretching/balance group (P=0.0005) did not.

All EXERT participants received weekly socialization from the program, which may have contributed to the findings, Baker noted. What's critical is that regular exercise must be supported for people with mild cognitive impairment: it must be supervised and have a social component, she added.

• Judy George covers neurology and neuroscience news for MedPage Today, writing about brain aging, Alzheimer’s, dementia, MS, rare diseases, epilepsy, autism, headache, stroke, Parkinson’s, ALS, concussion, CTE, sleep, pain, and more. Follow

Disclosures

The study was funded by the NIH/National Institute on Aging.

Baker disclosed no relationships with industry.

Primary Source

Alzheimer's Association International Conference

Source Reference: Baker L "Can exercise slow cognitive decline in MCI?" AAIC 2022.

Tree climbing

 I used to be quite good at this. This is the first tree I've been on in the past 16 years, With better landing underneath I would have walked further onto the branch, it was only two feet above the ground.

Somerset stroke survivor calls for thrombectomy access nationwide

NOT GOOD ENOUGH! This is only the first step to full recovery. With no protocols to stop the 5 causes of the neuronal cascade of death in the first days you'll still kill off billions of neurons, vastly reducing your rehab chances to succeed in recovery.

Somerset stroke survivor calls for thrombectomy access nationwide

Image source, Linda Beale

Image caption,

Linda Beale was treated at Southmead Hospital in Bristol

A woman whose life was saved by a stroke procedure is backing calls by the Stroke Association to have it made available to patients nationwide.

Linda Beale, from Chilcompton, Somerset, had a thrombectomy, where the clot in her brain was physically pulled out rather than dissolved with drugs.

The goal of the NHS is to treat 10% of all strokes with method but only 28% of that target has been reached.

NHS England said it was working to improve stroke treatment services.

Ms Beale had her stroke in April 2018 and collapsed at work.

She was rushed to the Royal United Hospital in Bath and injected with clot-dissolving drugs and was then taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

"The doctor told me it could cause a bleed on my brain, but if I didn't I would be very disabled," she said.

A wire was inserted into her brain via the groin and the clot was pulled out, immediately returning movement to Ms Beale.

"The doctor asked me if I could raise my left leg, I raised it and was so relieved to get movement back.

Image source, Linda Beale

Image caption,

Ms Beale completed the Race for Life in Bath just four months after her stroke

"It's saved the NHS money to give me the thrombectomy.

"I didn't have to have any occupational therapy, I don't need carers and I can contribute to society. We all deserve to have the same chance," she said.

Thrombectomies are not suitable for all strokes, only ones with clots in arteries big enough to fit the wire into.

The Stroke Association is calling on the government to make it available nationwide 24/7.

"It's shocking that so many patients are missing out and being saddled with unnecessary disability," said Jacqui Cuthbert from the charity.

An NHS spokesperson said: "Teams across the country have continued to improve stroke prevention and treatment services - including access to thrombectomy - in line with our long term plan ambitions to save more lives.

"We are supporting local clinicians to deliver 24/7 access to thrombectomy, clot-busting drugs and other life-saving specialist stroke services in every part of the country."