Biomedical subjects

L Takayama

Publications and source records attributed to L Takayama.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Balance training program is highly effective in improving functional status and reducing the risk of falls in elderly women with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-month Balance Training Program on balance, mobility and falling frequency in women with osteoporosis. METHODS: Sixty-six consecutive elderly women were selected from the Osteometabolic Disease Outpatient Clinic and randomized into 2 groups: the 'Intervention', submitted for balance training; and the 'Control', without intervention. Balance, mobility and falling frequency were evaluated before and at the end of the trial, using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Clinical Test Sensory Interaction Balance (CTSIB) and the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUGT). Intervention used techniques to improve balance consisting of a 1-hour session each week and a home-based exercise program. RESULTS: Sixty women completed the study and were analyzed. The BBS difference was significant higher in the Intervention group compared to Control (5.5 +/- 5.67 vs -0.5 +/- 4.88 score, p<0.001). Similarly, the number of patients in the Intervention group presented improvement in two conditions of CTSIB compared to Control (eyes closed and unstable surface condition: 13 vs one patient, p < 0.001 and eyes open, visual conflict and unstable surface condition: 12 vs one patient, p<0.001). Additionally, the differences between the TUGT were reduced in the Intervention group compared to Control (-3.65 +/- 3.61 vs 2.27 +/- 7.18 seconds, p< 0.001). Notably, this improvement was paralleled by a reduction in the number of falls/patient in the Intervention group compared to Control (-0.77 +/- 1.76 vs 0.33 +/- 0.96, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: This longitudinal prospective study demonstrated that an intervention using balance training is effective in improving functional and static balance, mobility and falling frequency in elderly women with osteoporosis.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2006

Comparative study of axial and femoral bone mineral density and parameters of mandibular bone quality in patients receiving dental implants.

INTRODUCTION: In view of the increase in the life expectancy of humans and in edentulism of the population above 50 years of age, in which the prevalence of osteoporosis is also higher, it is fundamental to better understand the effects of systemic bone mass loss on the healing process of dental implants and to determine the quality of the bone that surrounds them. The objective of the present study was to compare systemic osteoporosis (axial and femoral) and parameters of mandibular bone quality, and to evaluate osseointegration in postmenopausal women receiving dental implants. METHODS: The sample consisted of 39 women aged 48-70 years, 19 with a densitometric diagnosis of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine and femoral neck and 20 controls with a normal densitometric diagnosis. Bone mineral density was measured in the patients and controls by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Eighty-two osseointegrated dental implants were placed in the mandible, 39 of them in the osteoporosis group and 43 in the control group. Mandibular bone quality was evaluated by classifying mandibular inferior cortical and trabecular bone on panoramic radiographs and by histomorphometric analysis of a mandibular bone biopsy. Osseointegration was analyzed after 9 months. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between patients with osteoporosis and controls when comparing individuals with a normal cortex and those with a severely or moderately eroded cortex determined on panoramic radiographs. Histomorphometric analysis also revealed no difference in the parameters of bone formation or resorption between the two groups. Implant failure was observed in only one case. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is no association between systemic osteoporosis (axial and femur) and parameters of poor mandibular bone quality. The loss of one implant (1.2%) is compatible with the literature and cannot be attributed to systemic osteoporosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Sensitization to the fungus Hemileia vastatrix (coffee leaf rust).

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the existence of sensitization to the fungus Hemileia vastatrix (coffee leaf rust) in a sample of the Brazilian population. This fungus attacks coffee plantations, and in some regions of Brazil the concentration of its spores in the air can be very high. METHODS: A total of 378 individuals underwent skin tests (prick and intradermal tests) with H. vastatrix extract. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the occurrence of atopy and the region where they lived (coffee-growing or non-coffee-growing regions), and another group (V) consisted of 50 rural workers employed on coffee plantations. The presence of specific IgE against the fungus H. vastatrix in sensitized individuals was demonstrated in vitro by immunoblotting. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in comparing the results with intradermal or prick tests. The incidence of positive tests was significantly higher among atopic individuals residing in coffee-growing regions (14.7%). Among rural workers, 10% showed positive tests. Immunoblotting revealed specific IgE against 20 protein bands of H. vastatrix. CONCLUSION: The fungus H. vastatrix may be an important allergen in coffee-producing countries. The sensitization is more frequent among atopic individuals residing in coffee-growing regions.

Antibody Specificity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Systemic sclerosis and bone loss: the role of the disease and body composition.

OBJECTIVES: Studies on body composition are not available in systemic sclerosis (SSc). As this variable may play an important role in bone loss we have analysed bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in SSc patients and healthy controls. METHODS: Forty-three postmenopausal SSc patients and 47 healthy postmenopausal women were studied. Patients with intestinal malabsorption, renal failure, current or past history of smoking or using osteopenic drugs were excluded. BMD and body composition was evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: A higher frequency of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine (32.5%) and femoral neck (51.1%) was observed in SSc patients when compared to controls (14.8% vs. 19.1%; p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an association between the presence of SSc and low BMD. Body composition showed a reduced lean mass (33.15 vs. 39.99 g; p<0.01) and fat mass (21.05 vs. 26.82 g; p<0.01) in SSc when compared to controls. Lean mass was an important factor related to BMD in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. CONCLUSION: SSc may be an independent factor for low BMD. The low lean mass in these patients emphasizes the need for appropriate additional therapeutic measures to reduce bone loss in SSc patients.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗