Biomedical subjects

E Preisinger

Publications and source records attributed to E Preisinger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Reliability of pelvic floor muscle strength measurement in elderly incontinent women.

Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in maintaining urinary continence with increasing age. Therefore, their contractile properties need to be evaluated. The aim of the study was to examine the reliability and correlation of simple techniques to measure PFM strength in elderly women with urinary incontinence. An interview was used to evaluate the ability to stop the urinary stream during micturition and to calculate the incontinence index. A pad test was applied to objectively evaluate the severity of the disease. Functional testing included a digital examination to measure the force and duration of one contraction, a perineometer measurement (Peritron) to assess maximal contraction force and contraction force of 5 s, and a cone-retention test (Femcon) while walking for 1 min and during Valsalva's manoeuvre. This procedure was performed on three separate occasions within one week. The 37 participating women with a mean age of 62+/-8 (mean+/-SD) years had a severity index of 4.4+/-2.6 and a urine loss of 9.5+/-13.6 mg during the pad test. Sixteen women were able to completely stop the urinary stream during micturition. The digital examination showed no intratester variability. The perineometer measurement showed that the absolute difference in maximal contraction force and mean contraction force within 5 s was less than 5.3 mm Hg and 4.5 mm Hg, respectively, with a probability of 0.95. While walking and during Valsalva's manoeuvre, 19 and 20 women, respectively, held the same cone in place on all three occasions. The maximal contraction force and mean force during the 5-s contraction correlated well with the ability to stop the urinary stream and the digital examination but only weakly with the cone-retention tests. The reliability of PFM strength measurement is highest in the digital examination, followed by perineometer measurements, and then by vaginal cone tests. As PFM function is easy to assess, it should be routinely done in the assessment of urinary incontinence in elderly women.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

The effect of calisthenic home exercises on postmenopausal fractures--a long-term observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term effects of calisthenic home exercises on the incidence of fractures in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Controlled long-term observational study. METHODS: Postmenopausal women between 45 and 75 years of age who had been randomly assigned to an exercise or control group in the course of a previous study conducted 5-10 years ago, were invited for follow-up. The number of fractures before and during the observation time were recorded by means of a questionnaire. Vertebral deformities due to fractures were diagnosed by X-rays at entry and at follow-up. Walking speed, muscle strength, static posturography, and maximum oxygen uptake were measured in addition. RESULTS: After an average follow-up time of 7.6+/-1.1 years, 73 women of the exercise group and 64 subjects of the control group were investigated. Thirty-three per cent (n=24) of the exercise group reported to have exercised continuously at least three times a week for 20 min. No intergroup differences between the compliant and non-compliant exercisers and the control group were seen in the number of fractures. However, the incidence of fracture was lowest in women with a baseline bone mass less than one standard deviation (SD) below the mean for young adults (high BMC) and highest in those with more than 2.5 SD below the mean for young adults (low BMC) (P<0.001, odds ratio 2.9 [95% CI, 1.59-5.39]). CONCLUSION: This long-term follow-up did not produce any evidence that prescription of a calisthenic home exercise program may prevent fractures in postmenopausal women aged between 61+/-6.4 and 68+/-6.5 years.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Immune phenotype and intracellular cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from postmenopausal patients with osteoporotic fractures.

A number of factors with known effects on bone turnover are also immune regulatory factors. Disturbances of bone remodeling thus may be a consequence of altered local immune reactivity. We therefore determined surface markers and intracellular cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by four-color flow cytometry in 19 postmenopausal patients with established osteoporosis and a control group of 11 postmenopausal women without fragility fractures. No significant differences in bone mineral density as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were observed between the two groups. The following surface markers and cytokines were studied: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD29, CD45RA, CD56, CD57, HLA-DR, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor. In the fracture patients, the percentage of CD8+ cells co-expressing CD57 was increased (14+/-2 vs. 8+/-1%; p=0.03). Moreover, the proportion of CD8+ cells co-expressing TNF-alpha (47+/-5 vs. 33+/-4; p=0.05) and both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was significantly higher in the patients than the controls (41+/-6 vs. 22+/-3%; p=0.04). IL-1beta expression tended to be increased in monocytes from patients with established osteoporosis. Distinct subsets of CD8+ cells thus appear to contribute to the development of osteoporotic fractures.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Whole-body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume.

Occupationally used high-frequency vibration is supposed to have negative effects on blood flow and muscle strength. Conversely, low-frequency vibration used as a training tool appears to increase muscle strength, but nothing is known about its effects on peripheral circulation. The aim of this investigation was to quantify alterations in muscle blood volume after whole muscle vibration--after exercising on the training device Galileo 2000 (Novotec GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany). Twenty healthy adults performed a 9-min standing test. They stood with both feet on a platform, producing oscillating mechanical vibrations of 26 Hz. Alterations in muscle blood volume of the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles were assessed with power Doppler sonography and arterial blood flow of the popliteal artery with a Doppler ultrasound machine. Measurements were performed before and immediately after exercising. Power Doppler indices indicative of muscular blood circulation in the calf and thigh significantly increased after exercise. The mean blood flow velocity in the popliteal artery increased from 6.5 to 13.0 cm x s(-1) and its resistive index was significantly reduced. The results indicate that low-frequency vibration does not have the negative effects on peripheral circulation known from occupational high-frequency vibration.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A neuromuscular test battery for osteoporotic women: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a short neuromuscular test battery in elderly women suffering from osteoporosis in accordance with the World Health Organization criteria, with and without a history of fractures. Reduced bone mass and a high likelihood of falling increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures. There is a need for neuromuscular tests to identify individuals at risk for falls and fractures. DESIGN: The women were assessed twice. Forty-two women, with a mean age of 70.0 +/- 5.1 (SD) yr, completed the first assessment. The number of postmenopausal fractures and the women's history with regard to agility and falls were assessed. The women performed neuromuscular tests (one-leg stance, tandem walk, and body sway); bone mineral density of the spine and femoral neck were measured. For the follow-up assessment, 13.2 +/- 1.3 mo later, 39 women were studied. The same outcome measurements were obtained at both evaluations. RESULTS: During the observation period, five women fell once and one woman fell twice; there were only two vertebral fractures and no nonvertebral fracture. Neuromuscular performance did not change during this observation period. The median changes in bone mineral density between the two assessments were clinically not relevant. A comparison between patients suffering from established osteoporosis and osteoporotic patients without a history of postmenopausal fractures showed that both groups of patients did not differ with respect to age, neuromuscular performance, bone mineral density, and fear of falling. CONCLUSION: This neuromuscular test battery is a feasible and practical tool because it is brief and economical to perform. However, its efficacy as a predictor of fractures must be tested in additional studies with a long-term follow-up and a larger group of subjects.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2001

Markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.

We investigated the effects of hormone replacement therapy (n = 27) on biochemical markers of bone turnover in a cross-sectional study of 127 postmenopausal women (according to WHO guidelines 18 patients had normal bone mineral density and 109 suffered from bone loss). Urinary excretion of free deoxypyridinoline and C- or N-telopeptide fragments of type I collagen served as bone resorption markers, serum osteocalcin as a bone formation marker. In women with no hormone replacement therapy, only C- and N-telopeptides correlated significantly with the lumbal T-score as an index for bone mineral density. Patients with bone loss receiving hormone replacement therapy exhibited significantly lower C-telopeptide, N-telopeptide and osteocalcin levels than those with no therapy (mean -45%, -43% and -26%, respectively), while deoxypyridinoline showed no significant differences. Among the markers investigated, C- and N-telopeptides seemed to be more reliable to detect therapeutic effects on bone metabolism. We present a preliminary model to evaluate bone turnover and resorption/formation rate.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Long-term home exercise program: effect in women at high risk of fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a better outcome in terms of physical frailty could be achieved with a regular home exercise program in women at high risk of fracture. DESIGN: Prospective long-term observational study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of physical medicine and rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: Women with a history of postmenopausal fractures and an age-adjusted low bone mass, as determined 7 to 12 years earlier. INTERVENTION: Home exercise program. OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirty-three women were followed. The exercise group and control group were compared with regard to fracture rates, episodes of falling, neuromuscular performance (one-leg stance, chair rise, body sway, tandem walk, tapping test), and bone mineral density (BMD). RESULTS: Twenty-five women with a mean age of 73.8+/-5.7 yrs appeared for the investigation. An exercise program had been prescribed in 19 women, and six served as controls. Seven women of the exercise group (36.8%) regularly performed the exercises. No differences between participants of the groups in terms of fracture rates, falling episodes, neuromuscular performance, and BMD were observed. CONCLUSION: It appears that a home exercise program does not affect the outcome of postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Insoluble detergent-resistant aggregates form between pathological and nonpathological lengths of polyglutamine in mammalian cells.

Pathological degeneration of neurons in Huntington's disease and associated neurodegenerative disorders is directly correlated with the expansion of CAG repeats encoding polyglutamines of extended length. The physical properties of extended polyglutamines and the intracellular consequences of expression of polyglutamine expansion have been the object of intensive investigation. We have extended the range of lengths of polyglutamine produced by recombinant DNA methodology by constructing a library of CAG/CAA repeats coding for a range of 25-300 glutamine residues. We have investigated the subcellular localization, interaction with other polyglutamine-containing polypeptides, and the physical properties of aggregated forms of polyglutamine in the cell. Extended polyQ aggregated in the cytoplasm and was only transported to the nucleus when a strong nuclear localization signal was present. Polyglutamine below pathological lengths could be captured in aggregates and transported to ectopic cell locations. The CREB-binding protein (CBP), containing a homopolymeric stretch of 19 glutamines, was likewise found to coaggregate in a polyglutamine-dependent manner, suggesting that pathology in polyglutamine disease may result from cellular depletion of normal proteins containing polyglutamine. We have observed a striking detergent resistance in aggregates produced from polyglutamine of pathological length. This observation has led to the development of a fluorescence-based assay exploiting the detergent resistance of polyglutamine aggregates that should facilitate high-throughput screening for agents that suppress polyglutamine aggregation in cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

[Translation of the Osteoporosis Quality of Life questionnaire (OQLQ) into German].

Osteoporosis is a major health problem affecting the quality of life. The Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) is a disease-specific measure intended for use in English-speaking countries. As there is a need for measures in non English-speaking countries as well, we translated the OQLQ according to a standardised protocol into the German language. Twenty-five women suffering from osteoporosis were tested in regard of quality of life. The questionnaire appears to be especially suitable for more disabled patients.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Evidence for a recruitment and sequestration mechanism in Huntington's disease.

Polyglutamine (polyQ) extension in the coding sequence of mutant huntingtin causes neuronal degeneration associated with the formation of insoluble polyQ aggregates in Huntington's disease. We constructed an array of CAG/CAA triplet repeats, coding for a range of 25-300 glutamine residues, which was used to generate expression constructs with minimal flanking sequence. Normal-length (25 glutamine residues) polyQ did not aggregate when transfected alone. Remarkably, when co-transfected with extended (100-300 glutamine residues) polyQ tracts, normal-length polyQ-containing peptides were trapped in insoluble detergent-resistant aggregates. Aggregates formed in the cytoplasm but were visible in the nucleus only when a strong nuclear localization signal was present. Intermolecular interactions between polyQ tracts mediated the localization of heterogeneous aggregates into the nucleolus by nucleolin protein. Our results suggest that extended polyQ can interact with cellular polyQ-containing proteins, transport them to ectopic cellular locations, and form heterogeneous polyQ aggregates. We provide evidence for a recruitment mechanism for pathogenesis in the polyQ neurodegenerative disorders. In susceptible cells, extended polyQ tracts in huntingtin might interact with and sequester or deplete certain endogenous polyQ-containing cellular proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Ultrasound therapy for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Although ultrasound therapy is used to treat calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, its efficacy has not been rigorously evaluated. We conducted a randomized, double-blind comparison of ultrasonography and sham insonation in patients with symptomatic calcific tendinitis verified by radiography. Patients were assigned to receive 24 15-minute sessions of either pulsed ultrasound (frequency, 0.89 MHz; intensity, 2.5 W per square centimeter; pulsed mode, 1:4) or an indistinguishable sham treatment to the area over the calcification. The first 15 treatments were given daily (five times per week), and the remainder were given three times a week for three weeks. Randomization was conducted according to shoulders rather than patients, so a patient with bilateral tendinitis might receive either or both therapies. RESULTS: We enrolled 63 consecutive patients (70 shoulders). Fifty-four patients (61 shoulders) completed the study. There were 32 shoulders in the ultrasound-treatment group and 29 in the sham-treatment group. After six weeks of treatment, calcium deposits had resolved in six shoulders (19 percent) in the ultrasound-treatment group and decreased by at least 50 percent in nine shoulders (28 percent), as compared with respective values of zero and three (10 percent) in the sham-treatment group (P=0.003). At the nine-month follow-up visit, calcium deposits had resolved in 13 shoulders (42 percent) in the ultrasound-treatment group and improved in 7 shoulders (23 percent), as compared with respective values of 2 (8 percent) and 3 (12 percent) in the sham-treatment group (P=0.002). At the end of treatment, patients who had received ultrasound treatment had greater decreases in pain and greater improvements in the quality of life than those who had received sham treatment; at nine months, the differences between the groups were no longer significant. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, ultrasound treatment helps resolve calcifications and is associated with short-term clinical improvement.

Calcinosis↗

PubMed1997

[Value of impedance rheography as a screening method in comparison with Doppler index in peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

BACKGROUND: Determination of the ankle-arm-index (AAI) by Doppler ultrasound is the method of choice as a screening test for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). The easily performed Impedance Rheography (IR) may serve as an alternative screening method. This study investigates the correlations between parameters obtained by IR curve to the AAI. METHODS: 56 patients (62.8 +/- 13 years, m = 37, f = 19) were included in the study. IR was performed on both shanks using ring electrodes below the knee and above the ankle (bipolar leads, frequency 90 kHz, test voltage 2.5 Vpp). The AAI was obtained by a 8 Mz ultrasound probe. RESULTS: AAI < or = 0.85 showed significant correlations (p < 0.0001) to parameters of the IR curve: Crest Time (GZ, r = 0.67), Rise of the Pulse Wave (PA, r = 0.82), Relative Pulse Volume (RP, r = 0.82) and the Rheographic Quotient (RQ, r = 0.86). AAI > 0.85 showed no or only weak correlations to RI parameters. Underlying the following limits for rheographic parameters (GZ = 159 ms, PA = 3.3, RP = 0.43 vp/s and RQ = 0.4 vp), sensitivity and specify was determined: GZ: 68% and 100%, PA: 84% and 88%, RP: 68% and 92%, RQ: 77% and 88%. CONCLUSIONS: Impedance rheography correlates significantly with the AAI. Therefore this method seems to be well suited as a screening test for PAOD.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Exercise therapy for osteoporosis: results of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To define the effects of therapeutic exercise on bone density and back complaints. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial with parallel groups was conducted in an outpatient clinic, Medical School, University of Vienna. Ninety two sedentary post-menopausal women with back problems were randomly allocated to either exercise (groups 1 and 2) or control (group 3, no exercise, n = 31); the exercise group was retrospectively subdivided into compliant (group 1, n = 27) and not fully compliant patients (group 2, n = 34). Regular, initially supervised therapeutic exercise aimed at restoring biomechanical function was performed for four years. Bone density in the forearm was measured by single photon absorptiometry at entry and after four years; subjective back complaints were documented. RESULTS: A significant decrease in bone density was observed in groups 2 and 3; no change was noted in group 1; back complaints decreased in group 1 only. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary postmenopausal women may benefit from regular long term therapeutic exercise in terms of subjective back complaints and slowed loss of bone mass.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1995

Forearm bone density and grip strength in women after menopause, with and without estrogen replacement therapy.

Peaking in young adulthood, both bone mass and muscle strength decrease with ageing, but bone loss may accelerate after the menopause and can be delayed by estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). This study was designed to evaluate whether, like bone density, the muscle strength was affected by the onset of menopause and/or ERT. First grip strength (GS) of young female adults (group III; n = 18; age (+/- S.E.M.) 21.8 +/- 0.4 years) was compared to that of postmenopausal women, who were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 22; age 59.6 +/- 1.6 years) was 12.5 +/- 1.7 years after the menopause and received no ERT, and group II (n = 21; age 59.5 +/- 1.1 years) was 8.3 +/- 1.2 years after the menopause and had received ERT for 3.9 +/- 2.3 years at the time of the study. GS of the postmenopausal women was significantly (P < 0.005) lower than that of the young female adults. GS did not differ significantly between both postmenopausal groups. Further analysis revealed a weak negative correlation of years since menopause with forearm bone density (r = -0.37, P < or = 0.023 for group II and III together), but not with GS. It is concluded that the later onset of menopause and estrogen replacement therapy do not seem to have a noticeable influence on muscle strength.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Nutrition and osteoporosis: a nutritional analysis of women in postmenopause].

In a cross-sectional study the effects of several nutritional factors on the manifestations of osteoporosis were investigated in 23 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 years. Twelve women (group 1) with osteoporosis and eleven healthy control subjects (group 2) were instructed to keep a seven-day nutritional record. Body mass index (BMI) was recorded, and radiological and bone mineral density investigations were undertaken. The daily total energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, oxalic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, fluoride, zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin C, D, and K intake were analysed within the framework of a nutritional science program. No intergroup differences were observed with regard to total energy intake, nutritional components and BMI; however, age and years since the menopause differed significantly (p < 0.05). The results suggest that the manifestation of osteoporosis in women is influenced to a greater extent by age and years since the menopause than by the distribution of nutritional factors in a normal mixed diet. However, further studies are essential to evaluate the role of dietary composition on the manifestations of osteoporosis.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

[Physical therapy in osteoporosis].

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility. Fractures and their complications are the clinical manifestations of osteoporosis. Physical therapy in the prevention and the rehabilitation of osteoporosis should be aimed to promote bone mass, to improve mobility, agility and physical skill, and to relieve pain. Weight bearing exercises and improvement of posture stability and motor control seem to be an effective therapy. Other treatment modalities, i.e. electrotherapy or therapeutic heat, should be applied in addition only.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

[Thermo- and hydrotherapy].

Muscle spasm can be reduced by heat as well as by therapeutic cold. However, in upper motor neuron lesions, cold is more effective in reducing the spasticity. This effect lasts long enough to be of therapeutic value. Water immersion supports the reduction of muscle tone. Pain may be reduced by both thermal stimuli. The pain threshold seems to be elevated by the direct effect of both heat and cold on the free nerve endings and the pain-killing fibers. The tendency to bleed is increased with heat application and decreased with cold therapy. Edema resulting from trauma is increased with heat, and decreased in its development by cold application. Joint stiffness is decreased with heat application and increased with cold application. Water immersion removes weight from the joints and facilitates mobility.

Cryotherapy↗

PubMed1993

[Inactivity and immobilization].

Bed rest and immobilization of joints are amongst the most frequently prescribed therapies. However, inactivity, elimination of gravity and immobilization lead to multiple physiological changes. Well known are effects on the cardiovascular, the cardiorespiratory, the metabolic and the endocrinologic systems, the psyche, the bone and muscle tissue. Early mobilization and measures to support mobility in chronic cases are of major importance in avoiding structural damage.

Bed Rest↗