Evaluating Racial Disparities in Food Access and Their Impact on Body Mass Index Among Individuals with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To investigate racial disparity in food access and its effect on obesity (measured by body mass index, BMI) among individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI).

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from the U.S.

The Effect of a Low-Glycemic Index Diet on Postprandial Hypotension in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Results From a Pilot Study.

Background: One in two individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experiences postprandial hypotension (PPH), a decline (>20 mm Hg) in systolic blood pressure (SBP) within 2 hours after eating. Consuming meals with a low glycemic index (GI) could prevent or lessen PPH.

Objectives: To determine the effect of a low-GI diet on PPH and postprandial glucose and insulin in individuals with chronic SCI (>1 year postinjury).

Impact of Combined Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (Comb-NMES) on Glucose Signaling and Muscle Myofiber Distribution in a Patient with Acute Spinal Cord Injury and Lower Motor Neuron Lesion.

This case report examines the impact of a novel combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Comb-NMES) regimen on muscle glucose signaling, fiber type distribution, and metabolic function in a patient with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and lower motor neuron lesions (LMNLs). A 32-year-old male with complete T9 SCI underwent a ten-session Comb-NMES intervention targeting the quadriceps. Muscle biopsies and blood samples were analyzed pre- and post-intervention to evaluate changes in muscle fiber types, key metabolic proteins, fasting insulin, glucose, and lipid profiles.

The Effect of Lower Limb Combined Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Skeletal Muscle Cross-Sectional Area and Inflammatory Signaling.

In individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI), rapid skeletal muscle atrophy and metabolic dysfunction pose profound rehabilitation challenges, often resulting in substantial loss of muscle mass and function. This study evaluates the effect of combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Comb-NMES) on skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and inflammatory signaling within the acute phase of SCI. We applied a novel Comb-NMES regimen, integrating both high-frequency resistance and low-frequency aerobic protocols on the vastus lateralis muscle, to participants early post-SCI.

Racial differences in serological markers across the first year of injury in spinal cord injury: a retrospective analysis of a multi-center interventional study.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled study(Sygen®).

Objectives: To evaluate racial differences in serological markers in individuals with spinal cord injury(SCI) across the first year of injury.

Setting: Hospitals in North America.

Unveiling the connection between gut microbiome and metabolic health in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.

Accumulating evidence has revealed that alterations in the gut microbiome following spinal cord injury (SCI) exhibit similarities to those observed in metabolic syndrome. Considering the causal role of gut dysbiosis in metabolic syndrome development, SCI-induced gut dysbiosis may be a previously unidentified contributor to the increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, which has garnered attention. With a cross-sectional design, we evaluated the correlation between gut microbiome composition and functional potential with indicators of metabolic health among 46 individuals with chronic SCI.

The Effect of Lower Limb Combined Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Skeletal Muscle Signaling for Glucose Utilization, Myofiber Distribution, and Metabolic Function after Spinal Cord Injury.

Maintaining healthy myofiber type and metabolic function early after spinal cord injury (SCI) may prevent chronic metabolic disorders. This study compares the effects of a 2-5 week combined (aerobic + resistance) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Comb-NMES) regimen versus a sham control treatment on muscle protein signaling for glucose uptake, myofiber type distribution, and metabolic function. Twenty participants (31 ± 9 years of age) with an SCI (C4-L1, AIS level A-C) within 14 days of the SCI were randomly assigned to control ( = 8) or Comb-NMES ( = 12).

Effects of a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet on metabolic health in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury: An exploratory analysis of results from a randomized controlled trial.

We explored the impact of a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet (LC/HP, ~30% energy from protein, 40% energy from carbohydrate) on indices of metabolic function and body composition in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Adults with SCI (≥3 years post-injury, C4-L2, AIS A-D) and insulin resistance or pre-diabetes were randomly assigned to an 8-week iso-caloric LC/HP diet group (n = 11) or control group (n = 14). All LC/HP meals were delivered weekly to participants' homes, and participants in the control group consumed their habitual diet.

Telehealth high-intensity interval exercise and cardiometabolic health in spinal cord injury.

Background: The number of exercise trials examining cardiometabolic outcomes in spinal cord injury (SCI) is low, and prescribed exercise is often inconvenient for individuals with SCI to perform within their community. Individuals with SCI experience a myriad of barriers to exercise participation, which can include a lack of time, accessible or usable equipment and facilities, and transportation. Thus, it is imperative to identify effective modes of exercise that provide the greatest overall health benefits but do not require a significant time commitment.

Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein Diet on Gut Microbiome Composition in Insulin-Resistant Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Preliminary Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein (LC/HP) diet that includes healthy dietary components (eg, lean meat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fiber, etc) on the gut microbiome composition in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: A single-center randomized parallel controlled trial.

Setting: Research University.

Sex and race contribute to variation in mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity.

Objective: Insulin sensitivity is lower in African American (AA) versus Caucasian American (CA). We tested the hypothesis that lower insulin sensitivity in AA could be explained by mitochondrial respiratory rates, coupling efficiency, myofiber composition, or H O emission. A secondary aim was to determine whether sex affected the results.

Gut Microbiome Composition and Serum Metabolome Profile Among Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury and Normal Glucose Tolerance or Prediabetes/Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective: To compare the gut microbiome composition and serum metabolome profile among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or prediabetes/type 2 diabetes (preDM/T2D).

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Setting: Research university.

Limited Association between the Total Healthy Eating Index-2015 Score and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Long-Standing Spinal Cord Injury: An Exploratory Study: An Exploratory Study.

Background: The healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) reflects diet quality in reference to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Little is known regarding its application in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective: To explore the relationship between diet quality as assessed by the HEI-2015 and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with chronic SCI.

Ketogenic regimens for acute neurotraumatic events.

Dietary modification would be the most translatable, cost-efficient, and, likely, the safest approach available that can reduce the reliance on pharmaceutical treatments for treating acute or chronic neurological disorders. A wide variety of evidence suggests that the ketogenic diet (KD) could have beneficial effects in acute traumatic events, such as spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Review of existing human and animal studies revealed that KD can improve motor neuro-recovery, gray matter sparing, pain thresholds, and neuroinflammation and decrease depression.

Comparison of the gut microbiome composition among individuals with acute or long-standing spinal cord injury vs. able-bodied controls.

: Compare the gut microbiome composition among individuals with acute spinal cord injury (A-SCI), long-standing SCI (L-SCI), vs. able-bodied (AB) controls.: Cross-sectional study.

Spinal Mobilization Prevents NGF-Induced Trunk Mechanical Hyperalgesia and Attenuates Expression of CGRP.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a complex and growing global health problem in need of more effective pain management strategies. Spinal mobilization (SM) is a non-pharmacological approach recommended by most clinical guidelines for LBP, but greater utilization and treatment optimization are hampered by a lack of mechanistic knowledge underlying its hypoalgesic clinical effects.

Methods: Groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats received unilateral trunk (L5 vertebral level) injections (50 μl) of either vehicle (phosphate-buffer solution, PBS; VEH) or nerve growth factor (NGF; 0.

Evaluation of a ketogenic diet for improvement of neurological recovery in individuals with acute spinal cord injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Therapies that significantly improve the neurological and functional recovery of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are still urgently needed. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been shown to improve forelimb motor function in an SCI rat model, likely by reducing inflammation and cell death in the spinal cord. Furthermore, our recent pilot study in patients with SCI showed that, compared with a standard hospital diet (SD), 5 weeks of KD started during acute care improved upper extremity motor function and reduced serum levels of a neuroinflammatory blood protein.

Turning Chutes into Ladders for Women Faculty: A Review and Roadmap for Equity in Academia.

Despite significant progress in recent decades, the recruitment, advancement, and promotion of women in academia remain low. Women represent a large portion of the talent pool in academia, and receive >50% of all PhDs, but this has not yet translated into sustained representation in faculty and leadership positions. Research indicates that women encounter numerous "chutes" that remove them from academia or provide setbacks to promotion at all stages of their careers.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Training on Cardiometabolic Health Markers in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

Recent studies in nondisabled individuals have demonstrated that low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve cardiometabolic health similar to moderate-intensity training (MIT) despite requiring 20% of the overall time commitment. To date, there have been no studies assessing the effects of HIIT for improving cardiometabolic health in individuals with SCI. The primary purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effects of 6 weeks of low-volume HIIT vs MIT using arm crank ergometer exercise to improve body composition, cardiovascular fitness, glucose tolerance, blood lipids, and blood pressure in a cohort of individuals with longstanding SCI.

Utilizing a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet to improve metabolic health in individuals with spinal cord injury (DISH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Metabolic disorders (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes) are more prevalent in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) than able-bodied individuals.

Differences in Glucose Metabolism Among Women With Spinal Cord Injury May Not Be Fully Explained by Variations in Body Composition.

Objective: To investigate the differences in glucose metabolism among women with paraplegic, and tetraplegic spinal cord injury (SCI) in comparison to their able-bodied (AB) counterparts after adjusting for differences in body composition.

Design: Cross-sectional study. After an overnight fast, each participant consumed a 75-g glucose solution for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Evaluation of a ketogenic diet for improvement of neurological recovery in individuals with acute spinal cord injury: a pilot, randomized safety and feasibility trial.

Study Design: Longitudinal, randomized study.

Objectives: (1) Test the safety and feasibility of a ketogenic diet (KD) intervention in the acute stages of spinal cord injury (SCI), (2) assess the effects of a KD on neurological recovery, and (3) identify potential serum biomarkers associated with KD-induced changes in neurological recovery.

Setting: Acute care and rehabilitation facility.

A high-protein diet or combination exercise training to improve metabolic health in individuals with long-standing spinal cord injury: a pilot randomized study.

We compared the effects of an 8-week iso-caloric high-protein (HP) diet versus a combined exercise regimen (Comb-Ex) in individuals with long-standing spinal cord injury (SCI). Effects on metabolic profiles, markers of inflammation, and signaling proteins associated with glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) translocation in muscles were evaluated. Eleven participants with SCI completed the study (HP diet: n = 5; Comb-Ex: n = 6; 46 ± 8 years; C5-T12 levels; American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A or B).

Paralytic and nonparalytic muscle adaptations to exercise training versus high-protein diet in individuals with long-standing spinal cord injury.

This study compares the effects of an 8-wk isocaloric high-protein (HP) diet versus a combination exercise (Comb-Ex) regimen on paralytic vastus lateralis (VL) and nonparalytic deltoid muscle in individuals with long-standing spinal cord injury (SCI). Fiber-type distribution, cross-sectional area (CSA), levels of translation initiation signaling proteins (Erk-1/2, Akt, p70S6K1, 4EBP1, RPS6, and FAK), and lean thigh mass were analyzed at baseline and after the 8-wk interventions. A total of 11 participants (C5-T12 levels, 21.