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Results for “Balance ability”

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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

The acute effects of gabapentin in combination with alcohol in heavy drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol effects in humans involve gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. It has been proposed that GABAergic medications may be effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence. This study evaluated the acute effects of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that increases extracellular GABA, on the subjective, physiological, and performance effects of alcohol in heavy (mean 34 drinks per week) alcohol drinkers. METHODS: Seventeen volunteers without alcohol dependence were tested using a double-blind design with three 3-day long inpatient phases, each separated by at least a 1-week wash-out period. Each phase, gabapentin (0, 1000, or 2000mg) was administered 4h before alcohol (0.75g/kg), which was given in four divided doses every 20min. RESULTS: Gabapentin impaired the ability to balance without producing changes in subjective, physiological or other performance measures. Pretreatment with gabapentin did not significantly alter subjective and performance effects of alcohol and did not alter alcohol craving. Gabapentin, dose-dependently enhanced alcohol-induced tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Acute gabapentin administration was well tolerated in combination with alcohol, but did not alter the effects of alcohol.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Resveratrol reduces renal and lung injury caused by sepsis in rats.

UNLABELLED: Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trans-trihydroxystilbene), a natural phytoalexin, has various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory properties via inhibition of oxidation, leukocyte priming, and expression of inflammatory mediators. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible beneficial activities of resveratrol on lung and kidney damage in a rat model of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sepsis was induced to Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes (200-250 g) by cecal ligation and perforation. The rats were treated with resveratrol (30 mg/kg; i.p.) or saline after induction of sepsis and at 16 h. Twenty-four hours after the sepsis-induction, all rats were decapitated. Blood was collected for the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha level and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Lung and kidney samples were taken for histological assessment and for the measurement of malondialdehyde, glutathione level, myeloperoxidase activity, and collagen content. RESULTS: Sepsis caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity, and collagen content of the lung and kidney tissues with a concomitant reduction in glutathione levels. Microscopic examination revealed severe destruction of regular morphology in both lung and kidney tissues. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lactate dehydrogenase levels also were higher in rats with sepsis compared to those of the sham group. Resveratrol treatment reversed these biochemical parameters and preserved tissue morphology as evidenced by histological evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol, a phenolic compound, reduces sepsis-induced remote organ injury, at least in part, through its ability to balance oxidant-antioxidant status, to inhibit neutrophil infiltration and to regulate the release of inflammatory mediators.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Neuropsychological investigation of decision-making in anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) could be considered a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder in which an impairment of the cognitive domain related to decision-making was found. We explored this function in AN patients, as well as possible differences between restricting type and binge/purge type, with the aim of examining the hypothesis that AN is part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. Decision-making was assessed in 59 inpatients with AN and 82 control subjects using the Gambling task, which simulates real-life decision-making by assessing the ability to balance immediate rewards against long-term negative consequences. We confirmed the supposed deficit of decision-making in AN. However, restricting and binge eating/purge subtypes showed different patterns of decision-making impairment. Poor performance on the Gambling task is not a mere consequence of starvation and does not appear to be related to illness severity. The decision-making deficiency that some AN patients show is linked to those individual features that contribute to the phenomenological expression of the disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Developmental sequence of postural control in prone position in children with spastic diplegia.

The aim of this study was to assess the development of postural control in the prone position in children with spastic diplegia and triplegia, and determine the influence of clinical characteristics, visual acuity and cognitive performance on that development. We also analysed the relation between these early motor achievements in the prone position and the subsequent acquisition of motor competence in the sitting position. We followed 24 diplegic and triplegic children from before age 2 years (mean age 12 months) to mean age 41 months, videorecording motor behaviour every six months and abstracting acquisitions in alignment and balance using a standardised procedure. We confirm a developmental sequence of all the acquired movements in the prone position. 83.3% of the children completed the uprighting sequence in the sagittal plane, acquired good balance, and ability to rotate the head and trunk. 70.8% of the children (all but one of the diplegic children and none among triplegic children) acquired symmetric posture in the frontal plane and 83.3% reduced leg hyperextension. Development was not uniform, and at 12-18 months two groups began to emerge: diplegic children who rapidly achieved all or most of the steps in the sequence and had a favourable prognosis for subsequent motor development; and triplegic children who achieved these steps at a much slower rate or in some cases not at all and had a less favourable prognosis for future development. Diplegic children with normal visual acuity, and general quotient GQ>70 did better than triplegic children with compromised visual acuity and GQ<70. Acquisition of the full uprighting sequence in the prone position before the age of two related to the later acquisition of autonomous sitting.

Cerebral Palsy↗

PubMed2006

Enhanced survival of the LINCL mouse following CLN2 gene transfer using the rh.10 rhesus macaque-derived adeno-associated virus vector.

Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the CLN2 gene and a deficiency of tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP-I). Prior studies with adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2 or 5 mediated transfer of the CLN2 complementary DNA to the central nervous system (CNS) of CLN2(-/-) mice cleared CNS storage granules, but provided no improvement in the phenotype or survival of this model of LINCL. In this study, AAV serotypes (AAV2, AAV5, AAV8, and AAVrh.10) were compared for the delivery of the same CLN2 expression cassette. AAVrh.10, derived from rhesus macaque, provided the highest TPP-I level and maximum spread beyond the site of injection. The AAVrh.10-based vector functioned equally well in naive rats and in rats previously immunized against human serotypes of AAV. When administered to the CNS of CLN2(-/-) mice, the AAVrh.10CLN2 vector provided widespread TPP-I activity comparable to that in the wild-type mice. Importantly, the AAVrh.10CLN2-treated CLN2(-/-) mice had significant reduction in CNS storage granules and demonstrated improvement in gait, nest-making abilities, seizures, balance beam function, and grip strength, as well as having a survival advantage.

Aminopeptidases↗

PubMed2001

Antenatal glucocorticoids and growth: single versus multiple doses in animal and human studies.

In recent years, many clinicians have prescribed repeated courses of glucocorticoids to pregnant women at risk of early preterm birth. The published literature has provided reassurance from randomized controlled trials that single-course treatment improves postnatal lung function without deleterious consequences, but we do not yet have data from randomized trials designed specifically to investigate the effects of repeated courses. Data from animal studies have, for many years, provided evidence that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids restricts fetal growth and, more recently, has suggested a role in programming the individual to adult disease. Multivariate analyses from non-randomized cohorts have also suggested associations between repeated treatments and reduced birth weight, but we await results from randomized controlled trials currently in progress to provide more definitive answers. Regardless of any effect on growth, the possibility that adult health and disease may be programmed by fetal exposure to glucocorticoids will ensure our need to balance the ability of these agents to improve newborn survival with the potential consequences in later life.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of intraocular irrigating solutions on the viability of cultured retinal vascular endothelial cells.

PURPOSE: To compare the abilities of balanced salt solution, BSS Plus and Hartmann's lactated Ringer's (HLR) solution to maintain the viability of retinal vascular endothelial cells (RVEC) in vitro. METHODS: Cultured retinal vascular endothelial cells were suspended in each irrigating solution for four hours. Viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion at 30 minute intervals. Regression analysis was used to determine the rate of viability loss. Additional studies were performed to determine the effectiveness of lactate in maintaining cell viability. RESULTS: Retinal vascular endothelial cells lost viability at a greater rate (p < 0.001) in BSS (8.7%/hr) compared with BSS Plus (3.3%/hr). Cells in Hartmann's lactated Ringer's lost viability at a significantly lower rate (4.4%/hr) than retinal vascular endothelial cells in lactate-free Hartmann's lactated Ringer's solution (8.4%/hr). Lactate was as effective as glucose in preserving RVEC viability. By comparison, the viability of corneal endothelial cells was not effectively maintained by lactate. For these cells, BSS Plus was clearly superior to Hartmann's lactated Ringer's solution in maintaining viability. CONCLUSIONS: BSS Plus and Hartmann's lactated Ringer's solution are both superior to balanced salt solution in maintaining retinal vascular endothelial cell viability. For retinal vascular endothelial cells, Hartmann's lactated Ringer's solution preserves cell viability as well as BSS Plus, since the retinal vascular endothelial cells, unlike corneal endothelial cells, can apparently utilize lactate as an energy source.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Do selected kinanthropometric and performance variables predict injuries in female netball players?

The aim of this study was to determine which kinanthropometric and performance variables predict injuries in female netball players. In a prospective study, 72 volunteer grade A netball players (mean age 20.6 +/- 3.6 years, range 15-36 years) were measured for hypermobility, somatotype, static balance, jumping abilities and anaerobic fitness at the University of Western Australia Human Movement Performance Laboratory prior to the start of their 14-week season. Injuries were classified by site, diagnosis and severity, and were monitored throughout the entire season by the same physiotherapist at the Western Australia (WA) Matthews Netball Centre, Perth, Australia. A total of 22 injuries in 22 players were recorded, affecting the ankle joint lateral ligament complex (59%), knee ligaments (18%), back (18%) and Achilles tendon (5%). Injuries were more common among grade A1 players than other grades (54 vs 19%, P < 0.001). Within grade A1 players, the proportion of injuries decreased with age (P < 0.05). Players were more likely to have had an injury if they had better jumping ability, better anaerobic fitness and if they were low on the endomorphy somatotype scale (P < 0.05). After allowing for both jumping ability and endomorphy, there was no longer a significant difference between A1 and non-A1 players in their risk for injury. Young elite players are at a substantially increased risk of injury. This higher risk appears to be associated with--if not a direct consequence of--their being thinner, fitter and having more powerful jumping capabilities. This suggests that injury-prevention programmes should be targeted at elite players, especially the younger ones.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Investigation of a 2D two-point maximum entropy regularization method for signal-to-noise ratio enhancement: application to CT polymer gel dosimetry.

This study presents a new method of image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement by utilizing a newly developed 2D two-point maximum entropy regularization method (TPMEM). When utilized as an image filter, it is shown that 2D TPMEM offers unsurpassed flexibility in its ability to balance the complementary requirements of image smoothness and fidelity. The technique is evaluated for use in the enhancement of x-ray computed tomography (CT) images of irradiated polymer gels used in radiation dosimetry. We utilize a range of statistical parameters (e.g. root-mean square error, correlation coefficient, error histograms, Fourier data) to characterize the performance of TPMEM applied to a series of synthetic images of varying initial SNR. These images are designed to mimic a range of dose intensity patterns that would occur in x-ray CT polymer gel radiation dosimetry. Analysis is extended to a CT image of a polymer gel dosimeter irradiated with a stereotactic radiation therapy dose distribution. Results indicate that TPMEM performs strikingly well on radiation dosimetry data, significantly enhancing the SNR of noise-corrupted images (SNR enhancement factors >15 are possible) while minimally distorting the original image detail (as shown by the error histograms and Fourier data). It is also noted that application of this new TPMEM filter is not restricted exclusively to x-ray CT polymer gel dosimetry image data but can in future be extended to a wide range of radiation dosimetry data.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Influence of professional dance training on peak torque and proprioception at the ankle.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of professional dance training on the peak torque ratio of plantar flexion to dorsiflexion (PF/DF), angle replication ability, and balance in comparison to age-matched and gender-matched controls. The effects of injuries sustained before and during the study time period were also assessed. DESIGN: Prospective age-matched and gender-matched nonrandomized intervention study. SETTING: Premises of the Orthopedic University Hospital, Heidelberg, where measuring apparatus belonging to the hospital was used for the tests. PARTICIPANTS: One group of 42 dancers (31 female, 11 male) in professional training (State Academy) and 40 age-matched and gender-matched controls with no prior dance or specific sport training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Isokinetic tests for peak torque at 30 degrees /s and 120 degrees /s, a passive angle-replication test (Biodex system 3), and a test of 1-legged standing were each carried out on 2 measurement dates (M1, M2): at the beginning of a season of professional dance training (M1) and after 5 months of such training (M2). Symptoms and/or injuries sustained during this period were ascertained continuously by means of questionnaires and interviews. RESULTS: A significant increase in peak torque in PF was observed in both dancer groups and male controls between M1 and M2. A significant increase in PF/DF peak torque ratio at 30 degrees /s was observed in both male groups between M1 and M2. At M2, no significant differences in PF/DF peak torque ratio could be found between male dancers and controls, but at 30 degrees /s between the female groups. However, in both female groups, the PF/DF ratio was not found to increase significantly between M1 and M2. In the angle-replication and 1-legged standing test, no consistent improvement was observed between M1 and M2 in either dancers or controls. In the angle-replication test, there were no significant differences between dancers and controls at M2. In the 1-legged standing test, the dancers did significantly better than controls. A total of 7 ankle injuries were recorded, but no difference was found between injured and uninjured subjects in the proprioceptive tests either at M1, as the predicator, or at M2 as the residual. CONCLUSIONS: Dance training did not increase the peak torque ratio of PF/DF within 5 months, but a group difference was found between the women groups. Ballet training alone without concurrent additional coordinative training does not lead to improvements in ankle joint position sense or improved measures of balance within this period of observation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Reading and a balanced polymorphism for laterality and ability.

The idea that reading ability might vary with right-left hand skill, such that children with mild biases to the right hand have advantages for learning, while children at both left and right extremes have disadvantages, was supported by findings for a large sample of primary schoolchildren. Poor readers tended to have weak left hand skills, giving strong right hand preferences in many cases. Those with additionally poor right hand skills tended to be of low intelligence. Good left hand skills and raised incidences of mixed and left hand preference were found only in a small subgroup, "bright dyslexics".

Aptitude↗

PubMed2002

RopGAP4-dependent Rop GTPase rheostat control of Arabidopsis oxygen deprivation tolerance.

Transient soil flooding limits cellular oxygen to roots and reduces crop yield. Plant response to oxygen deprivation involves increased expression of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene (ADH) and ethanolic fermentation. Disruption of the Arabidopsis gene that encodes Rop (RHO-like small G protein of plants) guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activating protein 4 (ROPGAP4), a Rop deactivator, elevates ADH expression in response to oxygen deprivation but decreases tolerance to stress. Rop-dependent production of hydrogen peroxide via a diphenylene iodonium chloride-sensitive calcium-dependent reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is necessary for induction of both ADH and RopGAP4 expression. Tolerance to oxygen deprivation requires Rop activation and RopGAP4-dependent negative feedback regulation. This Rop signal transduction rheostat balances the ability to increase ethanolic fermentation with survival.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1999

Incidence and causes of tenosynovitis of the wrist extensors in long distance paddle canoeists.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence and causes of acute tenosynovitis of the forearm of long distance canoeists. METHOD: A systematic sample of canoeists competing in four canoe marathons were interviewed. The interview included questions about the presence and severity of pain in the forearm and average training distances. Features of the paddles and canoes were determined. RESULTS: An average of 23% of the competitors in each race developed this condition. The incidence was significantly higher in the dominant than the nondominant hand but was unrelated to the type of canoe and the angle of the paddle blades. Canoeists who covered more than 100 km a week for eight weeks preceding the race had a significantly lower incidence of tenosynovitis than those who trained less. Environmental conditions during racing, including fast flowing water, high winds, and choppy waters, and the paddling techniques, especially hyperextension of the wrist during the pushing phase of the stroke, were both related to the incidence of tenosynovitis. CONCLUSION: Tenosynovitis is a common injury in long distance canoeists. The study suggests that development of tenosynovitis is not related to the equipment used, but is probably caused by difficult paddling conditions, in particular uneven surface conditions, which may cause an altered paddling style. However, a number of factors can affect canoeing style. Level of fitness and the ability to balance even a less stable canoe, thereby maintaining optimum paddling style without repeated eccentric loading of the forearm tendons to limit hyperextension of the wrist, would seem to be important.

Athletic Injuries↗

PubMed1987

Functional abilities after stroke: measurement, natural history and prognosis.

Actual functional performance of 976 acute stroke patients was assessed using the Barthel index: the data were analysed to determine the frequency of disability after stroke, the validity of the Barthel index, and the recovery seen. At 6 months, over 45% of survivors were functionally independent. Validity of the Barthel index was confirmed: it related as expected with motor loss and factor analysis showed a single major factor. The items of the Barthel index form an hierarchical scale. There was some recovery between 3 weeks and 6 months in almost all patients: the major prognostic factors were urinary incontinence, functional ability, sitting balance and age.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Administration of fat emulsions with nutritional mixtures from the 3-liter delivery system in total parenteral nutrition.

A series of studies was performed to test the efficacy and safety of a parenteral lipid emulsion, Lipofundin S, when given as part of a complete nutritive mixture from the three-liter bag total parenteral nutrition (TPN) delivery system. In vitro stability studies with mixtures corresponding to high and low nutritional intakes showed the fat emulsion to be stable during refrigerated storage for at least 6 days. The clinical use of Lipofundin S in 3-liter TPN bags was studied in 39 consecutive patients requiring TPN, and there were no untoward side-effects. Nitrogen balance was maintained in patients with pancreatitis, those recovering postoperatively, and those with miscellaneous conditions. However, patients with multiple trauma remained in negative balance. The ability of sera, from patients on TPN to agglutinate Lipofundin S was compared to that from healthy controls, and acutely ill patients not on TPN. Patients on TPN showed a higher degree of in vitro creaming than acutely ill controls, and this may have been related to the severity of the underlying illness. These studies suggest that this parenteral lipid emulsion can be safely administered to patients requiring TPN when given from the 3-liter bag delivery system.

Agglutination↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of ankle instability using the Biodex Stability System.

Ten patients with chronic unilateral functional lateral instability of the ankle were evaluated using the Biodex Stability System. This system uses a multiaxial testing platform which can be set at variable degrees of instability. Patients are then tested for their ability to "balance" the platform during single-limb stance, and a stability index is electronically generated. This stability index is believed to be an objective measurement that correlates with proprioceptive status of the ankle. Instability of the ankle was confirmed in all 10 patients, using stress radiographs. Two levels of platform stability were tested. With the platform in its most stable configuration, there was minimal difference between the previously injured and the uninjured ankle. With the platform set to permit up to 20 degrees of tilt in any plane, 6 of 10 patients had more difficulty balancing the platform with their injured ankle (higher stability index). This preliminary study suggests that the Biodex Stability System may be a useful tool in trying to objectively measure proprioceptive function.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Manufacturers' approaches in the development of intelligent multilevel safety systems to assist perfusionists during cardiopulmonary bypass.

How safe is safe? The design intent of perfusion safety systems is to offer maximum flexibility, low-cost and failsafe features. While easily said, these requirements are difficult to deliver in a perfusion world where standardization is uncommon. This paper reviews the challenges all manufacturers face as they strive to offer the ultimate in safety, keeping the price affordable for the technology deployed and the usability common sense for the perfusionist using the equipment. As microprocessors are able to assist designers in providing intelligent, multilevel safety systems, care must be taken during the design process to balance technological ability with intuitive use. In the final analysis, however, it is the perfusionist who is the primary safety system, and the technology is his or her backup.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

PubMed2003

Correction of sagittal plane spinal deformities with unit rod instrumentation in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there have been no previous studies addressing the indications for and the results of treatment of patients with cerebral palsy and concomitant kyphosis or lordosis without scoliosis. The purpose of the present study was to identify the indications for and the results of treatment of patients with cerebral palsy who have a spinal curve deformity solely in the sagittal plane. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the data on all patients with cerebral palsy who had a sagittal plane spinal deformity but no coronal plane deformity, had undergone posterior spinal fusion with unit rod instrumentation at our institution, and had been followed for at least two years. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed for symptoms, type and magnitude of deformity, age at surgery, duration of surgery, nutritional status, complications, and concomitant medical problems. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients-ten boys and fourteen girls-were identified. Eight patients had a hyperlordotic deformity, fourteen had a hyperkyphotic deformity, and two exhibited both. Surgical indications included severe seating problems that could not be rectified with wheelchair modifications (eighteen patients), severe back pain (four patients), superior mesenteric artery syndrome that was refractory to conservative treatment (two patients), and a hyperlordotic deformity with a loss of bowel and bladder control (one patient). It was found that specific technical concerns had to be addressed when the unit rod instrumentation was used. The mean preoperative hyperkyphotic curve of 93.8 degrees was corrected to a mean of 35.8 degrees postoperatively and was a mean of 34.8 degrees at the last visit. The mean preoperative hyperlordotic curve of 91.8 degrees was corrected to a mean of 43.6 degrees postoperatively and was a mean of 48.6 degrees at the last visit. All patients with seating problems and back pain had improvement or resolution of the problem after the surgery. The superior mesenteric artery syndromes, losses of bowel and bladder function, and malnutrition all resolved completely after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cerebral palsy and a severe sagittal plane deformity (> or =70 degrees ) can be treated successfully with posterior spinal fusion with use of unit rod instrumentation. Indications for treatment include loss of sitting ability or balance, back pain, loss of bowel or bladder function, and superior mesenteric artery syndrome that is unresponsive to medical management.

Adolescent↗