PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Balance ability”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The kidney in blood pressure regulation and development of hypertension.

Systemic arterial pressure is a dynamic and responsive physiologic parameter that can be influenced by many different factors. In particular, short-term changes in arterial pressure are caused by a myriad of mechanisms that affect cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and cardiovascular capacitance. In the long run, however, most of these actions can be buffered or compensated by appropriate renal adjustments of sodium balance, ECFV, and blood volume. As long as the mechanisms regulating sodium excretion can maintain sodium balance by appropriately modulating the sensitivity of the pressure-natriuresis relationship, normal arterial pressure can be sustained. Derangements that compromise the ability of the kidneys to maintain sodium balance, however, can result in the kidney's need for an elevated arterial pressure to reestablish net salt and water balance.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2000

Cytopathogenesis and inhibition of host gene expression by RNA viruses.

Many viruses interfere with host cell function in ways that are harmful or pathological. This often results in changes in cell morphology referred to as cytopathic effects. However, pathogenesis of virus infections also involves inhibition of host cell gene expression. Thus the term "cytopathogenesis," or pathogenesis at the cellular level, is meant to be broader than the term "cytopathic effects" and includes other cellular changes that contribute to viral pathogenesis in addition to those changes that are visible at the microscopic level. The goal of this review is to place recent work on the inhibition of host gene expression by RNA viruses in the context of the pathogenesis of virus infections. Three different RNA virus families, picornaviruses, influenza viruses, and rhabdoviruses, are used to illustrate common principles involved in cytopathogenesis. These examples were chosen because viral gene products responsible for inhibiting host gene expression have been identified, as have some of the molecular targets of the host. The argument is made that the role of the virus-induced inhibition of host gene expression is to inhibit the host antiviral response, such as the response to double-stranded RNA. Viral cytopathogenesis is presented as a balance between the host antiviral response and the ability of viruses to inhibit that response through the overall inhibition of host gene expression. This balance is a major determinant of viral tissue tropism in infections of intact animals.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2002

Down training of the elderly soleus H reflex with the use of a spinally induced balance perturbation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of the elderly central nervous system to modulate spinal reflex output to functionally decrease a spinally induced balance perturbation. In this case, the soleus H reflex was used as the source of perturbation. Therefore, decreasing (down training) of the soleus H reflex was necessary to counteract this perturbation and to better maintain postural control. In addition to assessing the effect of this perturbation on the H reflex, static postural stability was measured to evaluate possible functional effects. Ten healthy young subjects (age: 27.0 +/- 4.6 yr) and 10 healthy elderly subjects (age: 71.4 +/- 5.1 yr) participated in this study. Subjects underwent balance perturbation on 2 consecutive days. On day 1 of perturbation, significant down training of the soleus H reflex was demonstrated in both young (-20.4%) and elderly (-18.7%) subjects. On day 2 of perturbation, significant down training of the soleus H reflex was again demonstrated in both young (-24.6%) and elderly (-21.0%) subjects. Analysis of static stability after the 2 days of balance perturbation revealed a significant 10.1% decrease in the area of sway in elderly subjects. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that healthy, elderly subjects compared with young subjects were equally capable of down training the soleus H reflex in response to a balance perturbation. Furthermore, the improvement in static stability through balance training may provide further evidence that balance can be retrained and rehabilitated in subjects with decreased reflex function.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Relationship between peripheral nerve decompression and gain of pedal sensibility and balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

This was an initial exploratory study to determine if decompression of the 4 medial ankle tunnels (neurolysis of the tibial, medial and lateral plantar, and calcaneal nerves) could lead to improved foot sensibility, increased proprioception and balance, and decreased falls in a population of patients with impaired lower extremity sensation. Fourteen patients with peripheral neuropathy were included in this study. Seventy-one percent of patients were females. Average age was 67 years. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively to assess their lower extremity sensibility, as well as their ability to stand still, maintaining their balance with their eyes open and then closed, which is defined as "sway." Lower extremity sensibility was measured with the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD), which evaluates 1- and 2-point discrimination for the pulp of the big toe and medial heel. The MatScan Measurement System measured each patient's sway. Neuropathy was the result of diabetes in 72% of patients, a combination of diabetes and hypothyroidism in 7%, chemotherapy in 7%, and idiopathic in 14%. Eight patients underwent peripheral nerve decompression on 1 lower extremity, whereas 6 patients underwent bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve decompression. Mean toe and heel sensibility improved 9% and 7%, respectively, in the unilateral group, whereas the bilateral group experienced an improvement in mean toe and heel sensibility of 42% (P = 0.02) and 32%, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative sway comparison in the unilateral group revealed a reduction in sway with eyes open and eyes closed by 5% and 31%, respectively. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative sway in the bilateral group showed a reduction with eyes open and eyes closed by 23% and 145% (P = 0.05), respectively. This initial study suggests that there may be benefit from bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve decompression in helping improve pedal sensibility and balance within the peripheral neuropathy patient population, although further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted to further evaluate these preliminary findings.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Tests of stepping as indicators of mobility, balance, and fall risk in balance-impaired older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationships between two tests of stepping ability (the maximal step length (MSL) and rapid step test (RST)) and standard tests of standing balance, gait, mobility, and functional impairment in a group of at-risk older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University-based laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-seven mildly balance-impaired older adults recruited for a balance-training and fall-reduction program (mean age 78, range 65-90). MEASUREMENTS: Measures of stepping maximally (MSL, the ability to maximally step out and return to the initial position) and rapidly (RST, the time taken to step out and return in multiple directions as fast as possible); standard measures of balance, gait, and mobility including timed tandem stance (TS), tandem walk (TW, both timing and errors), timed unipedal stance (US), timed up and go (TUG), performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA), and 6-minute walk (SMW); measures of leg strength (peak knee and ankle torque and power at slow and fast speeds); self-report measures of frequent falls (>2 per 12 months), disability (Established Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) physical function), and confidence to avoid falls (Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale). Spearman and Pearson correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, logistic regression, and linear regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: MSL consistently predicted a number of self-report and performance measures at least as well as other standard balance measures. MSL correlations with EPESE physical function, ABC, TUG, and POMA scores; SMW; and peak maximum knee and ankle torque and power were at least as high as those correlations seen with TS, TW, or US. MSL score was associated with the risk of being a frequent faller. In addition, the six MSL directions were highly correlated (up to 0.96), and any one of the leg directions yielded similar relationships with functional measures and a history of falls. Relationships between RST and these measures were relatively modest. CONCLUSION: MSL is as good a predictor of mobility performance, frequent falls, self-reported function, and balance confidence as standard stance tests such as US. MSL simplified to one direction may be a useful clinical indicator of mobility, balance, and fall risk in older adults.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2006

Effects of lower limb intensive mass practice in poststroke patients: single-subject experimental design with long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two weeks of intensive mass practice with a constraint-induced movement therapy approach for the lower extremity in five chronic poststroke patients, and the persistence of effects at three and six months. DESIGN: A single-subject experimental design (SSED) was used with an AB design and follow-ups three and six months later. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation at Torsby Hospital in Sweden. MAIN MEASURES: Motor function in lower extremity, mobility, dynamic balance, weight-bearing symmetry and walking ability were measured on six occasions during two weeks (A phase), with the Fugl-Meyer assessment for lower extremity, the Timed Up and Go, the Step Test, the Timed Walking Test and the Six-Minute Walk Test. During the intervention's B phase, six measurements were performed with the same time intervals as in the A phase. There were follow-ups three and six months later. INTERVENTION: The intervention (B phase) consisted of bicycling, training in water, strength training, standing weight-bearing, walking up and down stairs, walking indoors and outdoors and flexibility training of the lower extremity, on all weekdays, 6 h a day for two weeks. RESULTS: The results showed improvements in 23/30 variables (77%), 12 of them statistically significant (52%). At follow-up, 22/23 improvements persisted. For example, three of five subjects walked significantly further after the intervention and the follow-ups showed that they still walked further than before the intervention. CONCLUSION: Intensive mass practice with constraint-induced movement therapy for the lower extremity can improve motor function, mobility, dynamic balance, weight-bearing symmetry and walking ability in chronic poststroke patients. Long-term follow-up showed that the effects persisted for these five subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Testing the hypothesis of the relationships between laterality and ability according to Annett's right-shift theory: findings in an epidemiological sample of young adults.

In a large epidemiological sample of young adults, predictions of the right-shift (RS) theory of Annett that cognitive abilities will vary with right-left hand skill were tested. Presenting a theory of a genetic balanced polymorphism with heterozygote advantage for laterality and ability, Annett & Manning (1989, 1990a) and Annett (1993c) claimed that probands at the right end of the R-L hand skill continuum would show lower general intelligence in IQ testing and that specific verbal abilities and educational success would be lower at both extremes of the R-L distribution, taking the form of an inverted U. Most of these predictions could not be confirmed by our study. In particular, our data contrast with the important and specific prediction of the RS theory that strong dextrals will be the most disfavoured group. In our sample, probands at the left end of the R-L continuum had significantly lower scores in spelling and educational success and showed a tendency to have lower non-verbal IQ scores, while strong dextrals tended to have average or even marginally higher ability scores. The effects, however, are small and decrease when controlling for other variables. Implications of these empirical findings for the right-shift theory are discussed.

Achievement↗
PubMed1982

Visual factors and orientation-mobility performance.

The ability of the person with low vision to achieve successful orientation and mobility depends on residual vision, age of onset of visual impairment, posture and balance, intelligence, body image, auditory-tactile abilities, and personality. This study assesses the role of the residual vision and looks in particular at visual fields, spatial contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity. Correlation coefficients indicate that, for low vision patients, spatial contrast sensitivity and visual fields each have more influence on orientation-mobility than does visual acuity.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Kampo Medicines for Mite Antigen-Induced Allergic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice.

We have established an allergic dermatitis model in NC/Nga mice by repeated local exposure of mite antigen for analyzing atopic dermatitis. We examined how four Kampo medicines, Juzen-taiho-to, Hochu-ekki-to, Shofu-san and Oren-gedoku-to, on the dermatitis model to obtain basic information on their usefulness for treating atopic dermatitis. Mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae crude extract) solution at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was painted on the ear of NC/Nga mice after tape stripping. The procedure was repeated five times, at 7 day intervals. An apparent biphasic ear swelling was caused after the fourth and fifth antigen exposures with elevated serum IgE levels and accumulation of inflammatory cells. In the cervical lymph nodes and ear lobes, the five procedures of antigen exposure induced interleukin-4 mRNA expression but reduced interferon-gamma mRNA expression. Oral administration of all four Kampo medicines inhibited the formation of ear swelling and inflammatory cell accumulation. Juzen-taiho-to and Hochu-ekki-to apparently prevented the elevation of serum IgE level. Furthermore, the four Kampo medicines showed a tendency to prevent not only the increase in interleukin-4 mRNA expression but also the decrease in interferon-gamma mRNA expression. The present results indicate that Juzen-taiho-to, Hochu-ekki-to, Shofu-san and Oren-gedoku-to may correct the Th1/Th2 balance skewed to Th2, and this activity helps inhibit dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. The ability of the Kampo medicines to correct the Th1/Th2 balance seems to underlie their effectiveness in treating of atopic dermatitis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

[Evaluation of the disabilities of hemiplegic patients].

OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe the most useful functional disability scales for assessing post-stroke hemiplegic patients and those used largely in clinical trials. METHODS: A literature review of Medline about the functional parameters for balance, gait and mobility, upper extremity functional abilities, and activities of daily living. The metrologic properties of the scales were specified as were their clinical use. RESULTS: Thirty-three scales were evaluated and classified into five categories: balance (6 scales), gait and mobility (4), upper limb function (11), global motricity scales (5) and independence in activities of daily living (7). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Many functional scales are useful for assessing post-stroke hemiplegic patients. To assess balance, the Postural Assessment Stroke Scale and Berg Balance Scale are the most interesting. The Functional Ambulation Classification and the Timed Up and Go Test are the most relevant to assess gait and mobility. The Action Research Arm Test is largely used to assess upper limb functional abilities. The Functional Independence Measure and the Barthel Index are largely used to assess independence in activities of daily living.

Disability Evaluation↗
PubMed1991

[Physiological and pathological aging and electrolyte metabolism].

The extracellular and intracellular concentrations of electrolyte were maintained by various systems including kidney and endocrine system. Although concentrations of electrolyte in the extracellular fluid were maintained in normal ranges in healthy elderly subjects, the reserve ability for the maintenance of electrolyte balance decreases with physiological aging. Occurrence of abnormality in electrolyte concentrations in extracellular fluid is thought to be related to pathological aging. The frequency of subjects with abnormal circulating concentrations of electrolytes, as well as abnormal rates of severe such abnormalities increase with age. Clinical characterization and differentiation of physiological and pathological aging are not always easy. On the other hand, the kidney is the central organ for maintenance of electrolyte homeostasis. Decrease in renal ability to retain electrolytes sometimes affect the features of disorders such as hypertension and osteoporosis of elderly subjects. Intravenous infusion of physiological saline at a dose of 20 ml/kg over 2 hr evoked excessive excretion of sodium, calcium and inorganic phosphate in the urine in hypertensive elderly patients and in some patients with senile osteoporosis. These subjects showed decreased levels of plasma renin activity and increased serum levels of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. These features indicate that abnormal renal metabolization of electrolytes involving abnormality of endocrine system may be a cause of, and modulate the clinical features of, some disorders of elderly subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Neuromuscular responses of trained ballet dancers to postural perturbations.

The balance of trained ballet dancers and non-dancer controls was mechanically perturbed in order to evaluate the time of onset of muscle activation and the consistency of muscle activation. Results supported the prediction that ballet dancers have significantly faster long-latency (LL) neuromuscular responses than controls and are significantly more consistent in muscle activation. These findings indicate a superior postural control mechanism in trained dancers and may explain the ability of dancers to maintain static balances over a small base of support.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bio-impedancemetry in the evaluation of body water balance and hemodynamics at laparoscopic operations in children].

Bio-impedancemetry, based on the ability of tissues to carry electric current, was used to evaluate the water balance in the bodies of children at laparoscopic surgical interventions. The clinical cause of 67 anesthesias in children, aged 5 to 14, operated by using the laparoscopic technique was analyzed. It was established, through assessing a combination of changes in the studied indices, that the application of the pneumoperitoneum is the most significant factor in the pathogenesis of occurring changes. The stage in question was accompanied by maximal changes in the studied parameters: an increase in the body impedance, a decrease in the limb impedance, reduced cardiac discharge and stroke volume, a reduced cardiac beat rate (CBR) and a high arterial pressure (AP). The position of a patient on the surgical plate was another important factor affecting the changes in the studied parameters. After a prolonged stay in Fovler's position led to an outflow of fluid from the lower limbs in children, which was confirmed by a limb reduced impedance. After the horizontal position was recovered, the impedance went up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Vasculoprotective and cardioprotective mechanisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition: the homeostatic balance between angiotensin II and nitric oxide.

The ability of the vasculature to modify its geometry in accordance with conditions of its microenvironment--the process of vascular remodeling--is an important pathobiologic process common to vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty, and hypertension. Vascular remodeling characterizes the natural history of atherosclerosis, contributes to increased vascular resistance, and may contribute to the clinical complications of hypertension. A growing body of evidence indicates that locally generated vasoactive substances such as angiotensin II and nitric oxide are important determinants of the natural history of vascular disease. In particular, angiotensin II may promote vascular lesion formation by increasing vascular cell population via increased cell growth and decreased programmed cell death, and it may also alter extracellular matrix composition. Thus, angiotensin II is a pleiotropic local mediator capable of modulating cell growth, programmed cell death, migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and extracellular matrix modulation, all of which are biologic mechanisms of vascular remodeling and intimal formation. This is proposed to occur via a local tissue angiotensin system. Angiotensin II may also promote chronic hypertension by modulating the vascular redox state and promoting the catabolism of the endothelium-derived nitric oxide, an endogenous inhibitory vasodilator. Because angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is strategically positioned to influence the activity of at least three local vasoactive systems--angiotensin II, nitric oxide, and bradykinin--blocking ACE with ACE inhibition may have profound effects on ventricular and vascular structure and function, and have particular efficacy in preventing the morbidity and mortality of vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1981

Behaviour of digestive enzymes in the pancreatic juice and pancreas of rats fed on a low-protein diet (3 p. 100 of cereal protein) then on a balanced diet (23.5 p. 100 of mixed protein).

The aim of this study in the rat was to determine the effect of a low-protein diet (3 p. 100 cereal protein) and balanced refeeding (23.5 p. 100 mixed protein) on the activity of some pancreatic digestive enzymes and the amount of their secretion. Parallel studies were carried out on the pancreas and its exocrine secretion. 1) With a low-protein diet (21 days), there was a decrease in the amounts of bile and pancreatic juice secreted. During balanced refeeding (18 days), the amount of bile secreted returned to normal and, although that of the juice increased, it was less than the amount secreted by the reference lot. 2) Body and pancreatic weights decreased slightly with the low-protein diet. The protein content and mitotic ability of the pancreas declined. However, during balanced refeeding, the ponderal weight of the pancreas returned to normal more rapidly than that of the overall organism. Pancreatic protein content and mitotic ability also augmented. 3) The low-protein diet produced an overall decrease in enzyme activity in the pancreas and in the juice. However, in the absence of any dietary stimulation, these activities were not affected proportionally in the same way as the pancreas and its exocrine secretion. Nevertheless, no disturbance in the digestion and absorption of the ration was observed. 4) During balanced refeeding, enzyme activities increased to different levels in the juice and the pancreas but after 18 days total enzyme activity had not been entirely recovered. 5) Enzyme activity varied widely, especially during the first 48 hrs of malnutrition and the first 36 hrs of refeeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition of pulmonary surfactant by oleic acid: mechanisms and characteristics.

The inhibitory effects of oleic acid (OA) on the surface activity of pulmonary surfactant were characterized by use of the oscillating bubble surfactometer, the Wilhelmy balance, and excised rat lungs. Oscillating bubble studies showed that OA prevented lavaged calf surfactant [0.5 mM phospholipid (PL)] from lowering surface tension below 15 mN/m at or above a molar ratio of OA/PL = 0.5. In contrast to inhibition of surfactant by plasma proteins, increasing the surfactant concentration did not eliminate inhibition by oleic acid, which occurred at OA/PL greater than 0.67 on the oscillating bubble even at surfactant concentrations of 1.5 and 12 mM PL. Studies of surfactant adsorption showed that preformed films of OA had little effect on the adsorption of pulmonary surfactant. Wilhelmy balance studies showed that OA did interfere with the ability of spread films of surfactant to reach low surface tensions during dynamic compression. Further balance experiments with binary films of OA and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine showed that these compounds were miscible in surface films. Together these findings suggested that OA inhibited pulmonary surfactant activity by disrupting the rigid interfacial film responsible for the generation of very low surface tension during dynamic compression. Mechanical studies in excised rat lungs showed that instillation of OA gave altered deflation pressure-volume characteristics with decreased quasi-static compliance, indicating disruption of pulmonary surfactant function in situ. This alteration of mechanics occurred without major changes in the composition of lavaged PLs or in the tissue compliance of the lungs defined by mechanical measurements during inflation-deflation with saline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of antidepressants : a critical appraisal of methods.

In recent years, there has been much debate regarding the real cost effectiveness of new antidepressants. This review is an attempt to identify key contentious methodological issues that can impact the reliability, validity and quality of the research on this subject. There are inherent complexities between inputs and outcomes related to depression, and the choice of pharmacoeconomic methodology requires a crucial balance between the study design and its ability to capture relevant information. Knowledge of the real efficiency of antidepressants should always be ascertained with reference to the real-world setting. Studies that show a corresponding balance between internal and external validity, coupled with sound methodology and standardised reporting, have the potential to translate pharmacoeconomics research into real-world, time-relevant decision-making.

Antidepressive Agents↗