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Results for “Balance ability”

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PubMed1993

Does functional reach improve with rehabilitation?

Functional reach (FR, maximal safe standing forward reach) is a precise, reliable, clinically accessible, age-sensitive measure of balance that approximates center of pressure excursion and validly estimates physical frailty. We now test its ability to detect improvement in balance over time. Twenty-eight inpatient male veterans (age 40 to 105, mean, 67.3) undergoing physical rehabilitation and 13 nonrehabilitation controls were evaluated at baseline and every 4 weeks using FR (yardstick method), 10-foot walking time (WT), the Duke hierarchical mobility skills protocol (HMS) and a portion of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Their sensitivity to change was determined using the responsiveness index (RI). FR as well as the other physical performance instruments tested were found to be sensitive to change (RI for FR = 0.97, WT = 11.26, HMS = 4.63, FIM = 4.93) and therefore, appropriate measures for use in prospective clinical trials.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2001

The regulation of body weight: lessons from the seasonal animal.

The hypothalamus is a major regulatory centre involved in the control of many important physiological axes. One of these axes is the regulation of ingestive behaviour. Recent work using a combination of genetic-mutant mouse models together with targeted gene deletions has contributed much to our understanding of how neural pathways of the hypothalamus are involved in the regulation of energy balance in animals. These pathways are also relevant to human energy homeostasis. as mutations in key genes are correlated with obesity. Many of the genes identified mediate the effects of leptin, and are therefore primarily involved in sensing and responding to peripheral signals. In seasonal animals, such as the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), there is evidence for a higher level of regulation. The systems involved regulate body weight around an apparent 'set-point' through the action of photoperiod via the neurohormone, melatonin. The ability to manipulate energy balance through photoperiod (and melatonin) in the seasonal-animal model offers novel opportunities to identify further fundamental aspects of the control mechanisms involved in the central control of energy homeostasis and body weight.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Hip stabilization and lateral balance control in toddlers during the first four months of autonomous walking.

The main purpose of the present paper was to investigate the inter-segmental coordinations between hip, shoulder and head, in toddlers, during the first four months of autonomous walking. The efficiency of locomotor balance control was examined in the frontal plane. The main result to emerge from this study is that the hip stabilization in space appears as soon as the first week of autonomous walking, while shoulder stabilization in space appears to be effective only at the second month. Finally, no preferred head stabilization, either in space or on shoulders, has appeared by the end of the fourth month. These results seem to indicate, from an early hip stabilization, an ascending progression with age of the ability to control lateral balance during locomotion.

Aging↗

PubMed1989

The destabilization of an abnormal physiological balanced situation, chronic musculoskeletal pain, utilizing magnetic biological device.

In this study two groups of subjects with indications of chronic musculoskeletal pain are examined statistically after applications of Magnetic Biological Device hereafter referred to as MBD /1, 2/. The first group is a short-term study on 14 indications showing the results after three days of treatments at one per day. The second group is a long-term study on data collected in a survey after the first year of operation in a clinic on 114 indications. The scores indicate that MBD is a desirable alternative to standard therapeutic practices, in the elimination and/or maintenance of chronic musculoskeletal pain due to its superior scoring on the Melzack-McGill Pain Questionnaire, apparent ability to increase the balance of thermal emission patterns, is non-toxic, non-invasive, plus is economically advantageous, due to the limited number of applications required to maintain these conditions.

Bone Diseases↗

PubMed1995

Population balance models of autonomous microbial oscillations.

Autonomous oscillations in continuous microbial cultures is well documented for the case of baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, for which it has been observed under a range of operating conditions. We have found that autonomous microbial oscillations can be modeled by unstructured population balance models in which a key cell cycle parameter is a function of the environmental conditions, e.g., the concentration of a substrate or product. Although these models are remarkably simple, they can display a wide range of dynamic behaviors. These behaviors include, for binary fission organisms, solutions containing a single synchronous population and, for budding yeasts, two synchronized subpopulations with a period of oscillation similar to that of the cell cycle length, a pattern that has been observed experimentally in S. cerevisiae. Numerical simulations of the model equations also show that complex periodic solutions with periods very different from the cell cycle length are possible. The ability of the population balance approach to accurately describe the available data of yeast culture dynamics will be discussed.

Cell Cycle↗

PubMed1995

Diurnal renal responses in man to water loading at sea level and 31 atm abs.

The hyperbaric environment causes a sustained diuresis accompanied by normal water intake and a decrease in insensible water loss. The maintained water intake may be necessary for the maintenance of water balance because of a reduced ability of the kidney to retain water, or may be causal in the diuresis. This problem was studied in four male subjects. Each ingested 1 liter of water (15 degrees C) at 0800 and 2000 h on different days, at 1 atm abs during a predive control, at 31 atm abs, and at 1 atm abs during the postdive control period. Urine was collected 30 min before and 3 h after the drink. Plasma vasopressin (VP) showed a circadian rhythm only at 1 atm abs, higher during the daytime. Because of this, and slightly lower VP levels at hyperbaria, a decrease in VP in response to the water load was significantly detectable only at 1 atm abs during the daytime. At 60 min after all water loads, there were no differences in plasma VP or plasma or urinary osmolality. Variability in the length of time of similarly reduced urine osmolality and increased free water excretion accounted for the increased urine flow during day compared to night (P < 0.05) at 120 and 150 min after the water load. The ability to excrete a water load both day (free water clear-ance, P < 0.05 at 60 min post-drink) and night (free water clearance, P < 0.05 at 60, 90, and 120 min post-drink) at 31 atm abs was enhanced. It is concluded that maintained water intake at hyperbaria is necessary to maintain water balance because there is a reduced ability of the body through renal mechanisms to retain a water load.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Factors causing malnutrition in patients with chronic uremia.

There is abundant evidence that patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), including those treated by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, have evidence of malnutrition with decreased body weight and subnormal values of serum proteins (suggesting a loss of visceral protein stores). Potential causes of an abnormal nutritional status that have been identified include an inadequate intake of protein or calories, an inability to activate the metabolic responses that are needed to achieve nitrogen and protein balance, or the presence of a disease that prevents activation of these metabolic responses or acts to stimulate the breakdown of body protein stores. Three critical metabolic responses to a limited protein intake have been identified: a reduction in the irreversible degradation of amino acids and the degradation of protein breakdown and an increase in protein synthesis in response to a meal. Metabolic acidosis blocks the first two responses and hence contributes to malnutrition in patients with chronic uremia. Other factors that could contribute to malnutrition include an inadequate intake because of anorexia or hormonal imbalances that impair protein turnover. In evaluating CRF patients with malnutrition, the first task is to ensure an adequate intake and to eliminate factors that impair the ability to achieve nitrogen balance.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1996

Development and preliminary validation of the cognitive behavioral dieting scale.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to empirically develop the Cognitive Behavioral Dieting Scale (CBDS), a measure of current dieting. METHOD: The first study involved item generation and a procedure to boost internal consistency while reducing scale length. Study 2 involved a factor analysis and measures of scale reliability. The third study evaluated the ability of the CBDS to predict calorie intake and negative calorie balance from a 24-hr diet recall. Study 4 evaluated construct validity by comparing the CBDS to dietary restraint, body image, and health behavior self-efficacy. RESULTS: The CBDS is a 14-item scale which measures current dieting behavior and related thoughts within the past 2 weeks. Internal consistency was alpha = .95 and 2-day test-retest reliability was r = .95. This scale provides a method for operationalizing dieting, provides a construct that is different from restraint, and assess dieting behavior on a continuum. Additionally, this scale was able to predict calorie intake and negative calorie balance above and beyond the predictive ability of physical variables (i.e., body mass index BMI] and exercise calories). An additional study of construct validity showed the CBDS was related to poor body image esteem and dietary restraint, but minimally related to healthy eating self-efficacy. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, the CBDS shows promise as a valid and reliable measure of dieting behavior. This scale should have utility in future research on how current dieting relates to eating disorders, dietary restraint, and obesity.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Suppression of allergic reactions by dehulled adlay in association with the balance of TH1/TH2 cell responses.

Dehulled adlay is known as a natural Chinese medicine having antiallergic activity, although its mechanism remains unclear. This study examined the effects of dehulled adlay on antigen-specific antibody and cytokine production. Mice were immunized three times with ovalbumin (OVA) in alum adjuvant. It was found that oral administration of dehulled adlay in mice suppressed the production of IgE against OVA antigen. Serum anti-OVA IgG(2a) antibody levels were significantly increased in mice after oral administration of dehulled adlay. Furthermore, the production of IL-2 by OVA-stimulated splenocytes was augmented in dehulled adlay-fed mice. Although dehulled adlay had no effect on the serum anti-OVA IgG(1) antibody levels, it had a great capacity to reduce IL-5 secretion by means of OVA-stimulated splenocytes. Hydrothermal processes, including steaming and extrusion cooking, did not change the capacity of dehulled adlay to suppress IgE production. Three fractions of dehulled alday, including methanolic extract, warm water extract, and residue, were obtained. The methanolic extract exhibited the greatest capacity to reduce anti-OVA IgE production. These results suggest that dehulled adlay has a modulating ability to shift the balance from Th2 to Th1 dominance in the T cell mediated immune system and may be beneficial for the treatment of allergic disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Nonviral genetic modification mediates effective transgene expression and functional RNA interference in human mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are increasingly the focus of both basic and clinical research due to their ability to strike a balance between self-renewal and commitment to mesodermal differentiation. However, the promising therapeutic utility of hMSC in regenerative medical approaches requires detailed knowledge about their molecular characteristics. Therefore, genetic modification of hMSC provides a powerful tool to understand their complex molecular regulation mechanisms. METHODS: Here we describe a proof of concept approach of separate and combined gene transfer and gene silencing by nonviral DNA transfection of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and EGFP-targeted small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in hMSC. For optimization of nonviral DNA and siRNA transfer different liposomal-based transfection strategies were validated. RESULTS: The highest fraction of EGFP-expressing hMSC was obtained using Lipofectamine 2000 (50%) which also mediated the highest transfection rates of siRNAs into hMSC (>or=92%). Stably EGFP-expressing hMSC maintained their proliferation capacity paired with the ability to differentiate into different mesodermal lineages (bone, cartilage, and fat) without loss of transgene expression. Based on our nonviral nucleic acid delivery technique we showed efficient, functional, and long-term RNA interference (RNAi) in hMSC by gene specific knock-down of transiently and stably expressed EGFP (88-98%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration of efficient nonviral transfer of both nucleic acids (DNA and siRNA) into hMSC, exhibiting the potential of targeted modification of hMSC. In particular, the combination of these techniques represents a powerful gene transfer/silencing strategy, thus facilitating detailed genetic approaches to study regulatory networks in stem cell differentiation processes.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

PubMed2002

Rac1 and RhoG promote cell survival by the activation of PI3K and Akt, independently of their ability to stimulate JNK and NF-kappaB.

Small GTPases of the Rho family play a central role in cellular processes that involve the reorganization of the actin-based cytoskeleton. Rho-related GTPases, which include Rac and Cdc42, can also regulate gene expression often through the activation of kinase cascades leading to enhanced activity of stress activated protein kinases (SAPKs), including JNK and p38 MAP kinases. As SAPKs are implicated in programmed cell death, these observations suggest that Rho GTPases may promote the initiation of the apoptotic process. However, recent reports suggest that Rho GTPases can have either a protective or a pro-apoptotic role, depending on the particular cellular context. In an effort to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these divergent biological activities, we asked whether there was indeed a correlation between the ability to induce SAPKs and apoptosis by Rho family members. We found that although constitutively activated (Q61L) mutants of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoG, a Rac1 related GTPase of unknown function, potently induce JNK in COS 7 cells, none of these GTPases could induce apoptosis, nor enhance uv-induced cell death. In contrast, Rac1 and RhoG efficiently protected cells from uv-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Rac1 and RhoG can activate both apoptotic and anti-apoptotic pathways. Whereas the former is mediated through JNK, the latter is independent on the transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB, a pro-survival pathway, but results from the direct interaction of these GTPases with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the stimulation of Akt. Together, these findings indicate that members of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins can provoke the concomitant stimulation of two counteracting signaling pathways, and that their balance ultimately determines the ability of these GTPases to promote cell survival or death.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Integrating pros and cons for mammography and Pap testing: extending the construct of decisional balance to two behaviors.

BACKGROUND: The ability to study health-related behaviors in combination rather than singly will lead to a more comprehensive approach to health promotion. This investigation focused on mammography and Pap testing. One index was created to reflect the recency of receiving both examinations. A second index integrated opinions about the two procedures into a single measure, guided by the pros, cons, and decisional balance constructs of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change. METHOD: Data were drawn from the baseline and 1-year follow-up surveys of an HMO sample of women ages 40-74 (N = 1,605). Data collection occurred by telephone. A series of analyses examined whether recency of screening was associated with opinions about screening. RESULTS: The first analysis showed that recency of Pap testing and whether or not a Pap test was obtained between the two surveys were associated with opinions about Pap testing. The next analysis examined the association between the indicator for regularity of both Pap testing and mammography, with the measure of opinions toward the two procedures. The variable measuring receipt of Pap test and mammography was associated with the combined measure of opinions. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to employ combined indicators for recency of testing and test-related opinions is promising for being able to take a more comprehensive approach to women's health. The paper discusses methodological considerations that arise when attempting to integrate two or more behaviors.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Modulatory effects of glucocorticoids and catecholamines on human interleukin-12 and interleukin-10 production: clinical implications.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key inducer of differentiation of uncommitted T helper (TH) cells toward the TH1 phenotype, which regulates cellular immunity, whereas IL-10 inhibits TH1 functions and potentiates TH2-regulated responses (i.e., humoral immunity). To examine the potential effects of stress on TH1/TH2 balance, we studied the ability of three prototype stress hormones-dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) and the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine-to alter the production of IL-12 (p70) and IL-10 induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human whole blood. Dexamethasone inhibited LPS-induced bioactive IL-12 production in a dose-dependent fashion and at physiologically relevant concentrations; it had no effect on IL-10 secretion. The glucocorticoid-induced reduction of IL-12 production was antagonized by RU 486, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist, suggesting that it was mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. Norepinephrine and epinephrine also suppressed IL-12 production in a dose-dependent fashion and at physiological concentrations; both catecholamines, however, dose-dependently increased the production of IL-10. The effects of either catecholamine on IL-12 or IL-10 secretion were blocked completely by propranolol, a beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist, indicating that they were mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor. These findings suggest that the central nervous system may regulate IL-12 and IL-10 secretion and, hence, TH1/TH2 balance via the peripheral end-effectors of the stress system. Thus, stress may cause a selective suppression of TH1 functions and a shift toward a TH2 cytokine pattern rather than generalized TH suppression. The TH1-to-TH2 shift may be responsible for the stress-induced susceptibility of the organism to certain infections. Through the same or a reciprocal mechanism, states associated with chronic hyperactivity or hypoactivity of the stress system might influence the susceptibility of an individual to certain autoimmune, allergic, infectious, or neoplastic diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Acute effects of a single oral dose of carvedilol on cardiac sympathovagal balance in man.

Modulation of autonomic activity is considered to be a prognostic marker in patients with cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modulation of sympathovagal balance after single-dose administration of carvedilol using various autonomic tests as challenges of sympathovagal balance. We conducted a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 18 male volunteers and applied a crossover design. While heart rate variability (HRV) remained unchanged in 24-hour measurements, modulatory effects on sympathovagal balance were demonstrated in controlled autonomic maneuvers at expected maximal drug levels of carvedilol: time-dependent HRV parameters indicative of vagal tone were increased during controlled breathing (15 cycles/min) in the supine body position by carvedilol. The percentage of successive normal RR intervals > 50 ms (pNN50) was increased to 39.8+/-5.1 vs. 32.7+/-4.7% in the placebo group (p < 0.05), root mean square successive differences (rMSSD) to 81.5+/-10.8 vs. 69.3+/-9.1 ms (p < 0.05 vs. placebo). In contrast, carvedilol versus placebo significantly reduced time- and frequency-domain parameters after an active standing-up procedure. This included rMSSD (26.5+/-2.8 ms vs. 34.9+/-3.8 ms), pNN50 (6.9+/-2.2% vs. 12.4+/-2.5%). total power (4329+/-592 ms2 vs. 6428+/-1158 ms2), low frequency (1472+/-179 ms2 vs. 2093+/-284 ms2) and high frequency power (251+/-42 ms2 vs. 353+/-92 ms2) of heart rate variability. Apparently, the effects of even small doses of carvedilol, too low to induce effects detectable in the 24-hour analysis of HRV testing, can be detected on controlled maneuvers of autonomic because of their ability to modulate autonomic balance. Under conditions of vagal stimulation, a potentially beneficial augmentation of HRV parameters indicative for this component is induced by carvedilol, while under conditions of sympathetic activation, carvedilol effects seem opposite. Interpretation of the latter results, in particular, requires further investigation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2002

Comparison of human papillomavirus type 16 L1 chimeric virus-like particles versus L1/L2 chimeric virus-like particles in tumor prevention.

Chimeric human papillomavirus (HPV) virus-like particles (cVLPs) with the HPV16 E7 antigen fused to either the major capsid protein, L1, or the minor capsid protein, L2, have been used independently to protect against the formation of HPV-induced tumors in animal models. However, the advantages and disadvantages of both types of particles with respect to production and vaccine efficacy have never been analyzed. Therefore, in this study, we compared cVLPs with the HPV16 E7 antigen fused to L1 versus cVLPs with E7 fused to L2 with respect to their ability to protect mice from tumor challenge. The first 57 amino acids of E7 were used to overcome the size limitation and limited VLP production imposed by inserting polypeptides into L1 cVLPs. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with the above cVLPs at various doses. Tumor challenge was then performed with HPV16 E7-positive TC-1 cells. HPV16 L1-E7((1-57)) was superior to HPV16 L1/L2-E7((1-57)) in eliciting tumor protection at equivalent doses, although both types of particles were able to protect mice. Both cVLPs induced a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to the H2-D(b)-restricted E7 peptide (E7(49-57)) as determined by an ELISPOT assay and tetramer staining; however, immunization with the L1-E7((1-57)) cVLPs resulted in twofold higher CTL precursor frequencies. Our results demonstrate that cVLPs with the antigen fused to L1 are a more efficient vaccine with respect to tumor prevention than cVLPs with the antigen fused to L2. At the same time, however, L1 cVLPs are limited by the size of the antigen that can be incorporated and in the amount of cVLP that can be obtained from cultures when compared to L1/L2 cVLPs. This balances out their superior ability to induce protective immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Structure-activity relationship in vinculin: an IR/attenuated total reflection spectroscopic and film balance study.

Surfacing and membrane-penetrating ability of vinculin and bovine serum albumin have been studied on a macroscopic level by means of a Langmuir film balance and on a molecular level by means of infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. It is suggested that the driving force of the nonspontaneous process of membrane penetration by native vinculin is the spontaneous formation of rigid vinculin monolayers in the membrane. Lateral adhesion of vinculin molecules results from the formation of intermolecular pleated-sheet structures. Vinculin surface activity was found to result from an alpha-helical segment oriented approximately perpendicular to plane of the membrane. There is a conformational equilibrium between this helix and random structure. High ionic strength (110 mM) favors helix formation that leads to the greater than 100-fold enhancement of surfacing velocity relative to the velocity observed at a lower ionic strength (10 mM). Vinculin has a second helical segment oriented parallel to the plane of the membrane that is in a conformational equilibrium with the pleated-sheet structure.

Amides↗

PubMed2001

Inhibition of central amylin signaling increases food intake and body adiposity in rats.

Amylin is a 37-amino acid peptide hormone that is co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells in response to feeding. We recently reported that amylin potently reduces food intake, body weight, and adiposity when delivered into the 3rd cerebral ventricle (i3vt) of rats. We have now infused i3vt a specific antagonist (AC187) to ascertain the physiological relevance of central amylin in the control of energy balance. After establishing the ability of i3vt AC187 to block the anorexic effect of i3vt amylin, we performed an experiment to examine the impact of acute inhibition of central amylin signaling on feeding. Separate groups (n = 7/group) of ad lib-fed male Long Evans rats were given one bolus i3vt infusion of synthetic cerebrospinal fluid vehicle (CSF) or AC187 (250 or 1000 pmol). Acute infusion of AC187 tended to increase 1-h food intake and significantly elevated 4-h intake. Both the 250 and 1000 pmol doses produced significant increases as compared to CSF. In another experiment designed to tonically inhibit central amylin signaling over an extended period, two other groups of rats (n = 6/group) received continuous i3vt infusion of CSF or 100 pmol/h AC187 over 14 days via implantable osmotic pumps. Rats receiving AC187 ate significantly more food over the 14-day infusion period relative to controls (CSF = 322 +/- 6 g, AC187 = 360 +/- 12 g). Although body weight was not significantly affected, body fat was increased by about 30% in the AC187 rats, with no difference in lean tissue between the groups. Additionally, although fasting plasma glucose did not differ between the CSF and AC187 groups after 14 days of infusion, plasma insulin was significantly elevated in the AC187 rats. In summary, the present results document significant increases of food intake and body adiposity resulting from inhibition of central amylin signaling. They are consistent with our hypothesis that CNS actions of endogenous amylin contribute to the long-term regulation of energy balance.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1995

The relationship of strength to function in the older adult.

Reduced lower extremity strength has been associated with reduction in gait speed, balance, stair-climbing ability, and getting up from a seated position. The relationship of lower extremity strength and the ability to accomplish selected functional activities was examined in 16 healthy but frail older adults ranging in age from 75 to 88 years (mean = 80.9 years). The following measures were obtained for each subject: preferred gait speed under laboratory and free walking conditions, 5 timed chair stand-ups, and time to complete an obstacle course. Strength measures of the hip extensors, hip abductors, knee extensors, planter flexors, and dorsiflexor muscle groups were obtained using a hand-held dynamometer. The relationship between the time to complete the functional activities and each of the strength variables was determined using Pearson product moment correlations. In addition, performance was examined in relation to various combinations of strength measures (e.g., hip and knee extension). Weak, nonsignificant hip, knee and ankle strength/functional activity relationships were found for all of the variables examined. When hip extension, knee extension, and ankle plantar flexion strength values were combined and normalized to body weight, a significant strength-to-functional activity relationship was found for 14" chair stand-ups (r = .636, p < .01). When values for quadriceps strength and gait speed for 35 adults ranging in age from 60-72 years were compared to those for 75-88 year olds, marked differences emerged. A more significant relationship between knee extension force and gait speed was observed for the younger adults (r = .528 vs r = .353).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗