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At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Experience with perceptual and motor skills in rhythmic gymnastics.

Based on the notion of measuring motor performance, an experiment with three groups of 20 elite rhythmic gymnasts (N = 60), 9 to 10 yr., 11 to 12 yr., and 13 to 15 years of age (national level), with children of the same size and age was conducted, to identify the important abilities for the achievement of excellence in this sport. Motor abilities (whole-body coordination, dynamic balance, static balance, sense of kinesthesis, whole-body movement time, and eye-hand coordination) as well as perceptual abilities (whole-body reaction time, anticipation of coincidence, and depth perception) were compared. Analysis showed that scores on measures of whole-body coordination, dynamic balance, and static balance were higher for elite groups of athletes than for corresponding control groups. Moreover, elite athletes in the oldest group scored higher than those in the youngest group on anticipation of coincidence, on eye-hand coordination, and on static balance. These findings indicate the presence of systematic differences between elite athletes and nonathletes on motor abilities related to experience in this sport.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The use of diltiazem hydrochloride in cardiovascular disorders.

Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocking agent, has potent cardiovascular effects that are directly related to its influence on vascular smooth muscle, ventricular myocardium, and specialized conducting tissue. It causes coronary and peripheral vasodilation, has a negative chronotropic and dromotropic effect, and little to no negative inotropic effect in patients with normal ventricular function. Diltiazem has potential use in a wide variety of cardiovascular disorders. It has been shown extremely effective in relieving the coronary artery spasm associated with variant angina. When compared with nitrates in patients with exertional angina, diltiazem has similar efficacy. Preliminary work indicates it will have a therapeutic role in the treatment of unstable angina. Because of its ability to improve the balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand and reduce cellular injury secondary to ischemia, it is likely that diltiazem will be of benefit in the treatment of acutely ischemic myocardium during cardiopulmonary bypass and possibly acute myocardial infarction. It has proven efficacy in treating re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia. Adverse effects are seen in less than 5% of patients, indicating that it is well tolerated.

Angina Pectoris↗

PubMed1996

Regeneration of a transplanted liver after right hepatic lobectomy.

Liver regeneration has been described after heterotopic liver transplantation, small-for-size orthotopic liver transplantation and reduced-size liver transplantation. In this report, we document the regenerative response of a whole liver transplant to major resection for the first time. A right hepatic lobectomy for liver ischemia was performed in a 30-year-old female after transplantation for autoimmune disease of the liver. Volumetric analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a preoperative liver volume of 1,961 mL, whereas analysis of the 6-week posthepatectomy CT scan showed a volume of 1,820 mL. Factors influencing regeneration in the setting of a liver transplant include rejection, ischemia/thrombosis, infection, or cyclosporine hepatotrophic/hepatotoxic effects. These factors, balanced with the intrinsic ability of hepatocytes to achieve a standard liver volume, determine the extent of regeneration.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Neuromuscular responses of elderly women to tasks of increasing complexity imposed during walking.

The purpose of this electromyographic study was to examine the effects of age on lower limb muscle response characteristics during reaction tasks of varying complexity when standing and walking. Ten young (mean age 22 years) and ten elderly (mean age 68 years) women participated in the investigation. No differences between groups were recorded in muscle activation times (MAT) in response to a visual light directional stimulus (LDS) during all standing reaction tasks. All the women required a longer period of time to respond to LDS when walking than standing. Completion of complex walking reaction tasks produced significantly longer (P < 0.001) MAT in all subjects than the more simple walking reaction tasks. Delays in neuromuscular response were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the older women as the complexity of the walking reaction task increased. Movement behaviour of subjects during the walking reaction trials suggested that relatively greater demands were placed on the neuromuscular systems of the elderly during those tasks of greatest complexity. It was postulated that these movements were directed more at compensating for a reduced neuromuscular ability to control efficiently balance homeostasis. The results of this study provide further support for the hypothesis that delays in the central processing of information during reaction tasks may occur with ageing.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Predictors of falls in the elderly by location.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the elderly, balance and walking impairments are assumed to play an important role in causing falls. We have assessed prospectively the predictive ability of health, function and balance variables regarding falls and their location. METHODS: Falls which occurred during one year in a random sample of 307 women aged 75 years and over (mean 80.8 years, response rate 74.5%) living in the community were recorded and related to baseline registrations of health, medication and tests of walking and balance. RESULTS: In all, 155 women (50.5%) reported 308 falls. Outdoor falls were significantly more frequent than indoor falls (57.5 vs 42.5%). The variables having had a fall before the start of the study, osteoporosis, hypertension, feeling depressed, unable to climb 40 cm high steps and walking slowly, all independently predicted a higher number of falls overall. Regarding fall location, having experienced a fall before study start was associated with more falls indoors as well as outdoors. Vision impairment, symptoms of depression, a faster comfortable walking speed, and being able to cope with higher steps were all independent predictors of more outdoor falls also after adjustment for outdoor exposure. A slower comfortable walking speed, a higher amplitude of the center of pressure movements in the frontal plane, a poorer score on the Timed Up & Go test, multimorbidity, poor cognition and hypertension were independent risk factors for indoor falls. Neither number of drugs used nor any specific medication appeared as independent risk factors for falls in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that risk factors for indoor and outdoor falls are different. Location of fall may be an important confounder in studies of predictors of falls in the elderly which should encompass this type of information.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1997

Prepuberal obesity (the adiposogenital syndrome): a transitional object pathology.

The adiposogenital syndrome develops during the puberal period starting from a particular family constellation, that is described. The origins of the pathological alteration are found at the first object relationships, where feeding is felt as self-feeding. Food normally plays the role of transitional object in child. In these cases, this role fails and ends by helping separation denial. Fat is laid on the intermediate space as a fetish object, a witness of the omnipotent fantasy of antistic feeding. The child develops a great ability to maintain this balance, making eating a highly pleasant activity. Difficulties encountered during treatment are commented.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

Serum leptin and longevity.

There are changes in the ability to regulate energy balance and caloric intake with aging. Consequently, we investigated whether human aging modifies the levels of serum leptin, a novel hormone implicated in the regulation of energy balance. We studied 268 Caucasian men and women aged 22-85 years, and divided them into groups with mean ages of 30, 40, 50, 65, 75, 80 and 85 years. Fasting serum leptin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Subjects aged 65 or older were followed for five years after the blood sampling. There were no statistically significant differences in fasting serum leptin concentrations across different age groups in females (p = 0.090). Fasting serum leptin concentrations were also similar in different age groups in males, except that males in the 30-year age group had lower serum leptin levels than males in the 75-year age group (p = 0.042). Leptin levels were 2-3 fold higher in females than in males in each age group (p < 0.005 except p = 0.063 in the 75-year age group). Elderly women, who lived longer, had 47% higher (p < 0.05) serum leptin concentrations, and 17% higher (p < 0.001) BMI than the women who died within five years of blood sampling. Leptin levels were not statistically different in these women after adjusting for BMI. Thus, aging has no apparent effect on serum leptin levels in women or men, and the gender differences in leptin is present also in the older age groups. Higher leptin concentrations in the females who live longer may reflect a better nutritional status, and a greater adipose tissue mass rather than a primary factor for survival.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

A role for N-acetylglucosamine as a nutrient sensor and mediator of insulin resistance.

The ability to regulate energy balance at both the cellular and whole body level is an essential process of life. As western society has shifted to a higher caloric diet and more sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) has increased to epidemic proportions. Thus, type 2 diabetes has been described as a disease of 'chronic overnutrition'. There are abundant data to support the relationship between nutrient availability and insulin action. However, there have been multiple hypotheses and debates as to the mechanism by which nutrient availability modulates insulin signaling and how excess nutrients lead to insulin resistance. One well-established pathway for nutrient sensing is the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HSP), which produces the acetylated aminosugar nucleotide uridine 5'-diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-Glc-NAc) as its end product. Since UDP-GlcNAc is the donor substrate for modification of nucleocytoplasmic proteins at serine and threonine residues with N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), the possibility of this posttranslational modification serving as the nutrient sensor has been proposed. We have recently directly tested this model in adipocytes by examining the effect of elevated levels of O-GlcNAc on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. In this review, we summarize the existing work that implicates the HSP and O-GlcNAc modification as nutrient sensors and regulators of insulin signaling.

Acetylglucosamine↗

PubMed1997

Astrocytic and neuronal factors affecting axon regeneration in the damaged central nervous system.

Whether an axon will regenerate after it is cut depends on the balance between the intrinisic ability of the axon to regrow and the permissiveness of the environment surrounding it. The permissiveness of the environment is determined by the glial cells at the site of injury, and in the CNS both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes produce inhibitory molecules. Neurones differ greatly in the ability of their axons to regrow following axotomy. This intrinsic growth ability is greater in embryonic than adult neurones, varies from one neuronal type to another, depends on whether the axon is cut close to or far from the cell body, and can be increased by appropriate neurotrophic molecules.

Astrocytes↗

PubMed2006

A new index of the autonomic nervous balance and its clinical usefulness; a power law 1/f like scale of a spectral analysis of the heart rate variability.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to develop a new autonomic scoring scale distinct from the conventional sympathetic or parasympathetic parameters cardiac autonomic response. METHODS: The parameters were obtained from a log-log scale of frequency (f ) vs. power spectral (P) amplitude of heart rate variability (HRV). A gradient value in which the graph decreases towards a high frequencies on the X-axis, while showing an absolute value beta itself based on the formula 'P = f (-beta)' was newly named the 'Balance index' by implying a balanced state in the living body. The index was categorized into four bands based on the appearance of the whole frequency ranges (T-Balance Index). Therefore, we compared the responses of the following groups: the patient test group (Group PT), the normal test group (Group NT), and the normal non-test group (group NN). RESULTS: Significant differences in parameters were observed among the three groups. In addition, the difference between the 'High-side Balance Index' and the 'Low-side Balance Index' was 0.75 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.07 +/- 0.04 (p < 0.005) for groups NT vs. PT. This novel analyzing method was useful for evaluating the subtle changes in a living body to regulate the living-power (strength of vitality). Moreover, the difference between the 'T-Balance Index' and 'SV-Balance Index' was 0.18 +/- 0.12 vs. -0.21 +/- 0.15 (p < 0.01) for groups NT vs. PT. CONCLUSIONS: One application of new parameters 'Balance Index' is its ability to evaluate the vital or emotional functions of unconscious patients in a critical condition undergoing a sense challenge test. This method assists in improving our ability to measure the early stage of conscious recovery with greater accuracy by using our novel analysis method for performing senses challenge test, with the aid of media such as music.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Selective alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists: therapeutically relevant antihypertensive agents.

Alpha-adrenergic antagonists were the first substances to receive serious consideration as antihypertensive agents. However, their therapeutic potential in the management of essential hypertension was not realized until prazosin, a highly selective alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, became available. A number of analogs of prazosin have now been synthesized, as have several structurally distinct alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists. Preliminary investigations suggest that these agents may also be clinically useful antihypertensive drugs. The alpha 1 receptor of arteriolar smooth muscle is the predominant adrenergic subtype determining sympathetically mediated vascular tone. Therefore, its selective blockade by an agent such as prazosin is a relevant approach to the major pathophysiologic defect in hypertension: an elevation of peripheral vascular resistance. Because prazosin has little selectivity for the alpha 2 receptor, the negative feedback control of norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve terminals remains intact. This unique action of prazosin may explain why it effectively lowers arterial pressure without markedly increasing cardiac output, heart rate and plasma renin activity. An additional factor in the favorable therapeutic effects of this agent is its ability to induce a balanced reduction in both arteriolar and venous tone, with little change or even improvement in renal hemodynamics. The antihypertensive effects of prazosin, when used as a single agent, may be modest. However, it may be useful as initial as well as adjunctive therapy for the management of hypertension because of its high toxic to therapeutic ratio, coupled with a sustained reduction in arterial blood pressure, a low incidence of side effects, and a potentially favorable metabolic profile.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed1994

Footwear and falls: a case involving new cowboy boots.

We present a case in which footwear contributed to a fall that resulted in a severe closed head injury. The woman in this case was wearing new cowboy-style boots with 1.5-inch heels that placed her ankles at a position of 25 degrees plantar flexion. Each boot heel tapered at a 50 degrees angle at its posterior edge. A steel shank protruded 2.5 in posterior to the metatarsal head, serving as the anterior contact surface in lieu of normal metatarsal contact. The design of the boot plus the fact that she was carrying groceries, reduced her ability to regain her balance after she slipped, and she fell backward, hitting the floor with full force on the occiput. Initial computed tomography scan showed large subdural and epidural hematomas and hemorrhagic contracoup contusions. The patient developed clinical signs and symptoms of secondary brainstem injury, which was later substantiated by magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1993

Ceruloplasmin levels in the human superior temporal gyrus in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

In the present study we observed a loss in excess of 1/3 of the copper transport and anti-oxidant protein ceruloplasmin in both the gray and white matter from superior temporal gyrus in Alzheimer's diseased brains compared to age-matched controls. A decrease in ceruloplasmin could be reflected in decreased cellular metabolic processes such as the electron transport system and a decrease in the ability of the brain to protect itself from oxidative damage. Both decreased metabolic activity and an increase in oxidative insults are known to be associated with the neurological events in Alzheimer's disease, but the mechanism by which these phenomena occur are unknown. These results coupled with previous reports from this laboratory on iron regulatory proteins in the brain suggests one way in which cellular dysfunction and oxidative stress occurs in AD may be through a loss of ability to maintain a balance of essential metals.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Design of a burn dressing.

One of the more important properties of a burn dressing is its ability to control fluid balance. This can be achieved by absorption and/or water vapour transmission. Unfortunately, the rate of fluid loss from a burn wound has not been thoroughly investigated, therefore 'ideal' quantitative values for dressing absorption and water vapour transmission have not been defined. However, when the data that is available regarding fluid loss from burn wounds is analysed, valuable information about dressings can be obtained which should benefit dressing design.

Absorption↗

PubMed1987

Brain cortex tissue Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, and K following resuscitation from cardiac arrest in dogs.

Recent evidence suggests that ultimate neurologic injury following cardiac arrest and resuscitation may be largely determined by biochemical events occurring during reperfusion. To test this hypothesis and further characterize the time course of some of these events, we examined tissue samples from the parietal cortex for their total content of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) after 10 minutes, two hours, four hours, and eight hours of reperfusion following a 15-minute cardiac arrest in dogs. After 10 minutes of reperfusion, there were relatively small, but significant, increases in the total tissue content of Ca and Na, as compared to nonischemic controls. All values had returned to normal at two hours and remained normal at four hours of reperfusion. However, at eight hours of reperfusion, Ca and Na content approximately doubled and K content was reduced by half. There were no significant changes at any time in the tissue content of Fe or Mg. We conclude that with between four and eight hours of reperfusion following a 15-minute cardiac arrest, a major defect occurs in many cells of the cortex with respect to their ability to control ionic balances of Ca, Na, and K. This might be explained either by failure of the energy-dependent ionic pumps or by more generalized damage to the membrane permeability barrier by a process such as lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alterations in sensorimotor development: relationship to postnatal alcohol exposure.

The sensory, motor, and physical development of rats reared by dams, artificially reared on milk formula alone, or on milk formula combined with alcohol was examined. The rats given alcohol received 6.6 g/kg/day, which was administered either as 12 fractions distributed uniformly over 24 hours and resulted in stable blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 85 mg/dl, or condensed into 4 fractions over 8 hours and resulted in maximum and minimum BACs of 411 mg/dl and 45 mg/dl, respectively. Pups were reared artificially from postnatal days 4 to 12 with alcohol exposure occurring on days 4 to 10. A sensorimotor test battery was then administered from postnatal day 12 to postnatal day 30. The condensed alcohol exposure resulted in age-dependent hyperactivity, a delay in tooth eruption, disruption of balance and of the ability to use the hindlimbs in a coordinated fashion, and a delay in the acquisition of the midair righting reflex. The midair righting reflex also was disrupted by uniform alcohol exposure. Thus, postnatal alcohol exposure that produces high BACs causes more severe developmental aberrations than the same daily dose administered in a pattern producing low BACs.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta.

OBJECTIVES: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-9, facilitate T-cell migration into the central nervous system. They play a key role in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and thus in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Interferon beta's (IFNbeta) ability to alter the balance between MMP-9 and MMP-9s natural inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), may play a role in stabilizing the BBB. The aim of this study, was to evaluate serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TIMP-1 levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with IFNbeta-1a. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood and CSF samples from 14 patients with RRMS before and 6 months after IFNbeta therapy and 14 age and sex-matched controls were obtained. Levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Before treatment, patients with MS had higher levels of serum MMP-9 and a higher MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio than the controls. Although serum levels of TIMP-1 were lower in RRMS patients than in the controls, the differences did not reach statistical significance. CSF levels of TIMP-1 were significantly lower in RRMS patients. In the sixth month of IFNbeta therapy serum MMP-9 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly decreased, whereas the changes in serum TIMP-1 were not statistically significant. There was a significant increase in CSF TIMP-1 levels in the sixth month of IFNbeta therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our result shows that RRMS patients have an impaired MMP-9 and TIMP-1 balance, and that 6 months of IFNbeta therapy is beneficial in restoring this balance.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2006

Stable neuropsychological deficits in adult polyglucosan body disease.

We describe a 61-year-old woman who gradually developed deficits of balance, gait, and the ability to negotiate movement in space, together with an unusual pattern of cognitive deficits. A series of non-invasive investigations over three years including EEG, CT, MRI, PET and serial neuropsychological review had not provided a diagnosis. Significantly, the four neuropsychological assessments had revealed no progressive decline in cognition. Brain biopsy revealed an abundance of corpora amylacea, and a diagnosis of adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD) was made. This case contributes to the body of knowledge about the cognitive manifestations of this rare disease, and the stability of its functional impact over time.

Brain Diseases, Metabolic↗