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PubMed1987

References for motor tasks--gender differences across age in motor performance: a meta-analysis.

In 1985 we published a meta-analysis of gender differences across age in motor performance in Psychological Bulletin, but it did not include an indexing of each motor task to the references from which it was obtained. This paper provides a table listing the 20 motor tasks and the references from which data for each task were taken. The range of tasks was from fundamental movements (e.g., catching, jumping, running, throwing) to motor fitness (e.g., agility, arm hang, balance, grip strength) to perceptual-motor abilities (e.g., anticipation timing, fine eye-motor coordination, pursuit-rotor tracking, reaction time). The arm hang was represented in the fewest papers (n = 2) while the dash and long jump were most frequently referenced (n = 21).

Aging↗

PubMed1996

Metabolic constraints on voluntary intake in ruminants.

The weak point in all current methods or models of diet formulation is the prediction of intake. The major uncertainty is not in the cases in which physical constraints apply, but in those in which voluntary intake is limited by feedback from metabolic factors. Voluntary intake is, ultimately, a psychological phenomenon, involving the integration of many signals, and reflects the flexibility of biological systems evolved to cope with variability in food supply, composition and animal state. Conditions giving rise to regulatory signals may provide a framework for modeling metabolic constraints on intake. The empirical evidence for metabolic feedback shows that the animal's productive potential, which affects its ability to utilize nutrients, interacts with the balance of absorbed nutrients to regulate intake. The relative importance of the sites where nutrient imbalance occurs (microbial or host animal metabolism) is unclear, as is the relevant time scale (minutes or days) of response. A model of the effects of asynchrony of nutrient supply to ruminal microbes suggests that ammonia and microbial recycling and the contribution of hind-gut fermentation reduce the asynchrony in the balance of nutrients absorbed into the bloodstream. Hitherto, rather little progress has been made in mathematical modeling of the metabolic processes controlling intake. Models that describe the phenomenon in terms of global variables, such as total energy intake, protein supply, and protein synthetic capacity, can simulate the way constraints may operate without requiring or providing a deeper understanding of the metabolic processes involved. Models describing the flux of energy and materials down established metabolic pathways have the potential to explore constraints on intake, but until the problem of parameterizing such models can be overcome, that potential will remain untapped.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Audiological and psychological characteristics of a group of tinnitus sufferers, prior to tinnitus management training.

A profile of audiological and psychological characteristics, obtained before starting tinnitus management training, is presented for 96 subjects with tinnitus. Variability was marked in all measures. A history of headaches, neck or back pain, or balance problems was not related to the ability to cope with tinnitus. The coping strategies used to manage tinnitus were influenced by the beliefs held about tinnitus, but the coping strategies chosen were not necessarily effective. No gender differences were found in coping ability or overall stress levels, although there were gender differences on some psychological measures and stress influences. Subjects who had previously sought assistance differed from those who had not in the complexity of the tinnitus sounds, the level of emotional reaction and the use of coping behaviours.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1985

VNA of Los Angeles.

Reviewing the course of the reorganization, VNA-LA President Sharon Grigsby remarked, "Throughout this two-year process a number of lessons were strongly imprinted. The first was the confirmation that the agency was solidly committed to providing indigent care and to remaining a community voluntary nonprofit agency--recognizing that indigent care was costly, and that finding financial resources to cover it would continue to severely tax our abilities." In the end what tipped the balance, in the board's decision to reject the takeover bids, was the lack of assurance by the proprietary enterprises that they would honor this traditional VNA covenant. This commitment to indigent care was the foundation and the impulse behind the reorganization. The second lesson was that reorganization required a dedication shared by board members, staff, and even the community. Weathering the threat of takeover by proprietary interests melded board, staff, our sister VNAs in the Southern California Coalition, and our partner in indigent home health care, the United Way. Their active support and cooperation saw the agency through the hard times surrounding the acquisition proposals, and laid the groundwork for the VNA-LA successfully to emerge from the crisis into the new corporation structure.

California↗

PubMed2001

Uremic medium disturbs the hemostatic balance of cultured human endothelial cells.

We have investigated the ability of serum from uremic patients to modify the thrombogenic properties of the endothelium. The effects of uremic medium on the morphology of endothelial cells (ECs), and their resistance to flow was analyzed. The influence of uremic media on the reactivity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) generated by ECs towards normal platelets was evaluated in a parallel-plate perfusion chamber. Exposure of ECs to uremic medium resulted in abnormal cell morphology and signs of an accelerated growth. Detachment of ECs exposed to circulating blood was increased when cells had been grown with media supplemented with uremic serum (21% vs. 14% non exposed). Platelet deposition was significantly elevated on ECMs generated in the presence of uremic media (uremicECMs) (p<0.01 vs. control studies). Effects of uremic serum were not observed at short incubation periods (5 h) but were evident after 24 or 72 h of incubation. Northern blot analysis revealed increased expression of tissue factor (TF) mRNA in ECs exposed to uremic conditions. Immunocytochemical methods detected an augmented expression of TF antigen on uremic ECMs. Incubation of ECMs with an antibody to human tissue factor prevented the increase in platelet deposition observed in uremic ECMs, suggesting that the presence of TF in ECM could be responsible for the enhanced platelet deposition. Results from our study indicate that uremic medium impairs the antithrombotic functions of cultured endothelial cells.

Biological Factors↗

PubMed2003

Sustained spinal cord compression: part I: time-dependent effect on long-term pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between the duration of sustained spinal cord compression and the extent of spinal cord injury and the capacity for functional recovery after decompression. METHODS: Sixteen dogs underwent sustained spinal cord compression for thirty or 180 minutes. The cords were compressed with use of a loading device with a hydraulic piston. A pressure transducer was attached to the surface of the piston, which transmitted real-time spinal cord interface pressures to a data-acquisition system. Somatosensory evoked potentials were monitored during a sixty-minute recovery period as well as at twenty-eight days after the injury. Functional motor recovery was judged throughout a twenty-six-day period after the injury with use of a battery of motor tasks. The volume of the lesion and damage to the tissue were assessed with both magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis. RESULTS: Sustained spinal cord compression was associated with a gradual decline in interface pressure. Despite this, there was continuous decline in the amplitude of the somatosensory evoked potentials, which did not return until the cord was decompressed. Within one hour after the decompression, the dogs in the thirty-minute-compression group had recovery of somatosensory evoked potentials, but no animal had such recovery in the 180-minute group. Recovery of the somatosensory evoked potentials in the thirty-minute group was sustained over the twenty-eight days after the injury. Motor tests demonstrated rapid recovery of hindlimb motor function in the thirty-minute group, but there was considerable impairment in the 180-minute group. Within two weeks after the injury, balance, cadence, stair-climbing, and the ability to walk up an inclined plane were significantly better in the thirty-minute group than in the 180-minute group. The longer duration of compression produced lesions of significantly greater volume, which corresponded to the long-term functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively rapid viscoelastic relaxation of the spinal cord during the early phase of sustained cord compression suggests that there are mechanisms of secondary injury that are linked to tissue displacement. Longer periods of displacement allow propagation of the secondary injury process, resulting in a lack of recovery of somatosensory evoked potentials, limited functional recovery, and more extensive tissue damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

The role of the FDA in new drug development and availability.

During the last decade, the process by which the FDA regulates investigational new drugs has become a renewed focus of national attention. The ability of the FDA to maintain a balance between accelerating the availability of new drugs and ensuring that patients do not receive unsafe or ineffective treatments has been particularly challenged by the AIDS crisis. In response to this crisis, the FDA has revised its regulations and created various formal mechanisms for expediting the development and accessibility of promising new therapies to treat AIDS and other serious illnesses. Regulatory requirements have been reduced and consultation with the FDA to discuss the planning and design of clinical research is encouraged.

Drug Industry↗

PubMed1989

[Anesthesia for shoulder surgery. Comparison of anesthesiologic problems and technics].

We evaluated the ability of general, regional (interscalene block) and balanced anaesthesia (interscalene block supplemented by general anaesthesia) to manage the problems of shoulder surgery. Our results show that general anaesthesia is not adequate. Interscalene block provides intra and postoperative analgesia, allows an early realization of the postoperative rehabilitation programme and quickens the recovery of shoulder function. Therefore, interscalene block should routinely be performed. The positions of patient and surgeons cause the main disadvantages of anaesthesia with interscalene block alone, ad the control of airway of sedated patients is difficult and performing general anaesthesia in case of insufficient analgesia may be troublesome. Balanced anaesthesia, as compared to regional block alone, allows a safer control of respiration and an easier control of surgical analgesia.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

New autoperfusion preparation for long-term organ preservation.

The problems in long-term organ preservation are ischemia and toxicity from metabolic waste. A simple self-perfusing self-cleaning system has been developed that kept the heart, lungs, and kidney functioning for a mean time of 24 hours. Nine adult dogs were anesthetized and artifically ventilated. The heart and lungs were removed en bloc while being perfused by the heart. One kidney was connected to the descending aorta and inferior vena cava. No anticoagulant was used. Another group of six dogs without functioning kidneys was used as the control group. In the experimental group, urine output ranged from 26 to 48 ml/hr, aortic systolic pressures were 80-107 mm Hg, heart rate was 85-100 beats/min, serum potassium content was 3.25-4.40 mmol/l, and serum sodium content was 155-163 mmol/l. In the experimental group, blood creatinine levels decreased from 0.95 to 0.47 mg/dl during preservation; in the control group, blood creatinine levels decreased from 0.96 to 0.79 mg/dl. Lung biopsies in the preparation with the longest survival showed good preservation for as long as 24 hours, and no thrombi were present. This preparation has the advantage of no ischemic time, no foreign material in the circulation, and the ability to automatically maintain acid-base balance and blood electrolytes. The simplicity of this autoperfusion preparation may allow greater transport distance in organ procurement for subsequent transplantation.

Animals↗

PubMed1967

Positional distribution of isomers of monoenoic fatty acids in animal glycerolipids.

The distributions of the following monoenoic acids were determined [notation: (position of double bond)-(chain length): (no. of double bonds)]: 7-, 9-, and 11-16:1; 7-, 9-, 11-, and 13-18:1; 9-, 11-, and 13-20:1; 9 + 11-22:1 and 13-22:1. As a rule, all isomers of a group show different distribution patterns. In the phospholipids of fish and mammals, the 7- and 13-isomers of 18:1 accumulate in position 1. In triglycerides of mammals fed on fish they accumulate in positions 1 plus 3, and this distribution is shared by 7-16:1 and 11-16:1 and by the groups 20:1 and 22:1. The positional distribution of the acids seems to depend on their structure, the 9-isomers in general accumulating in position 2; but in triglycerides, at least, the origin of the acid also seems to play a directing role, the exogenous acids being incorporated into positions 1 and 3. The variability of the distribution patterns of 9-16:1, 9-18:1, and 11:18:1, which contrasts with the regularity of the patterns for saturated and polyenoic acids, may be connected with the ability of the endogenous monoenoic acids to balance fluctuations in the supply of the exogenous polyenoic acids, and with the role of the fatty acid 9,10-dehydrogenation mechanism in the maintenance of structural and physical properties of phospholipids and triglycerides.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of serotonin on the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex in the rabbit].

Application of serotonin on the rabbit cerebral cortex produced prolonged (minutes) periodical oscillations of the activation level and the level of spatial synchronization of neocortical biopotentials. Periodical changes of biopotentials correlation were due above all to a significant reorganization of phasic correlation of the EEG theta-components of remote neocortex points. The changes may be explained by the appearance, due to serotonin, of slow oscillations of the excitation level of the cortical neurones, as a systemic transitional reaction to the change in the balance of excitatory and inhibitory processes. The ability of serotonin to influence phasic relationships of the distantly-synchronous cortical theta-rhythm is of considerable significance for conditioned activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Differential effects of IL-12 receptor blockade with IL-12 p40 homodimer on the induction of CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-gamma-producing cells.

The role of IL-12 role in regulating Th1/Th2 balance is attributed in part to the ability of this cytokine to induce IFNgamma production by NK and Th1 cells, which in turn promotes Th1 and inhibits Th2 development. In the present study, the requirement for IL-12 in the development of alloantigen-reactive Th1 was assessed by adding neutralizing anti-IL-12 Abs or the IL-12 receptor antagonist p40 homodimer to primary MLC. The resulting cell populations were assessed for Th1 development by measuring IFN-gamma production upon restimulation with alloantigens. While the addition of anti-IL-12 Abs to primary MLC did not influence subsequent cytokine production, addition of p40 homodimer markedly enhanced, rather than decreased, Th1 development. To determine which T cell population produced enhanced levels of IFN-gamma in response to p40 homodimer, CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were depleted from the MLC. While p40 homodimer was inhibitory to selected CD4+ Th1 development, it enhanced IFN-gamma production by CD8+ T cells. To test the in vivo relevance of these findings, mouse heterotopic cardiac allograft recipients were treated with either p40 homodimer, anti-CD8 mAb, or with both p40 homodimer and anti-CD8 mAb. Treatment of allograft recipients with p40 homodimer had no effect on the in vivo sensitization of IFN-gamma-producing cells and resulted in accelerated allograft rejection relative to unmodified recipients. However, p40 homodimer markedly prolonged allograft survival in mice depleted of CD8+ T cells. Hence, p40 homodimer stimulates CD8+ Th1 development in vitro but inhibits CD4+ T cell function both in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

[Coronary vasomotion in coronary heart disease--significance of epicardial and microcirculatory vessels for myocardial perfusion].

The most important function of the coronary vasculature is the effective regulation of coronary blood flow according to the metabolic needs of the myocardium. Under physiological conditions, coronary blood flow is regulated by a balance of vasoconstricting and -dilating components which can be differentiated with regard to the site (macro- vs. microcirculation), compartment (endothelium vs. vascular smooth muscle), and mechanism of action (receptor dependent vs. independent). This balance includes on the one hand the ability of the coronary circulation to maintain a relatively constant blood flow at any given oxygen demand irrespective of perfusion pressure (coronary autoregulation). On the other hand, coronary blood flow can be increased rapidly and effectively several-fold when myocardial oxygen demand increases. Previous investigations have demonstrated that the coronary endothelium plays a key role in the development of arteriosclerotic vascular lesions. In the time course of arteriosclerosis, functional alterations in endothelium dependent vasodilatation alterations are already present before angiographically demonstrable morphologic lesions. In the present manuscript, the diagnostic methods used to assess clinically the coronary macro- and microcirculation with regard to endothelium and smooth muscle dependent vasomotion are reviewed. In addition, present pharmacotherapeutic strategies to improve myocardial perfusion in coronary artery disease are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

[Insufficient correction of blood bicarbonate levels in biguanide lactic acidosis treated with CVVH and bicarbonate replacement fluids].

BACKGROUND: In the course of Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration (CVVH), bicarbonate buffer instead of lactate is suitable for the treatment of combined renal and hepatic failure and for patients suffering from lactic acidosis, type A or B, joined with acute renal failure (ARF). METHODS: We applied the CVVH buffered with bicarbonate for the treatment of two patients affected by ARF and severe lactic acidosis type B (due to biguanide intoxication) and we evaluated its ability to correct the acid-base balance. RESULTS: Clinical and laboratory data show that this technique, performed in standard conditions (plasma flow: 70 ml/min, ultrafiltration: 25 ml/min, bicarbonate concentration in the infusion fluid: 30 mEq/L), was inadequate to compensate for the high requirement of bicarbonate (approximately 280 mEq/hr during the first 6 hours of observation) and the severe metabolic acidosis, thus additional bicarbonate infusion was needed. CONCLUSIONS: In particular, from ascertained data and theoretical considerations, in the course of lactic acidosis caused by biguanide, in order to correct acidosis a positive balance of bicarbonate could be obtained only by means of a bicarbonate-based replacement fluid and of a continuous high flow hemofiltration, such as to assure an ultrafiltrate volume exceeding 150 ml/min.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

PubMed1993

Annett's theory that individuals heterozygous for the right shift gene are intellectually advantaged: theoretical and empirical problems.

Annett & Manning (1989; 1990a,b) have proposed that left-handedness is maintained by a balanced polymorphism, whereby the rs+/-heterozygote manifests increased intellectual ability compared with the rs-/- and rs+/+ homozygotes. In this paper we demonstrate that Annett's method of dividing subjects into putative genotypes does not allow the rs+/- genotype to be compared with the rs-/- genotype within handedness groups. Our alternative method does allow heterozygous right-handers to be compared both with rs+/+ and rs-/- homozygotes. Using this method in undergraduates we find no evidence that supposed heterozygotes are relatively more intellectually able than homozygotes on tests of verbal IQ, spatial IQ, diagrammatic IQ or vocabulary. Theoretical analysis of the balanced polymorphism hypothesis reveals additional limitations. Although estimation of the size of the heterozygote advantage suggests that it must be very large (21 or 45 IQ points) to explain the effects found by Annett & Manning, it nevertheless must be very small (3.4 IQ points) to be compatible with the known differences between right- and left-handers in social class and intelligence. Moreover power analysis shows that the latter effect size is too small for Annett & Manning to have found effects in their studies. Additional power analyses show that studies looking for effects in groups of high intellectual ability, such as university students, are incapable of finding significant results, despite Annett claiming such effects. If the Annett & Manning paradigm does demonstrate differences in intellectual ability related to skill asymmetry then those differences are unlikely to result from a balanced polymorphism, but instead probably reflect motivational or other differences between right-handers of high and low degrees of laterality.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Reduced vision in older adults with age related macular degeneration interferes with ability to care for self and impairs role as carer.

AIM: To study the relation between visual impairment and ability to care for oneself or a dependant in older people with age related macular degeneration (AMD). METHOD: Cross sectional study of older people with visual impairment due to AMD in a specialised retinal service clinic. 199 subjects who underwent visual function assessment (fully corrected distance and near acuity and contrast sensitivity in both eyes), followed by completion of a package of questionnaires dealing with general health status (SF36), visual functioning (Daily Living Tasks Dependent on Vision, DLTV) and ability to care for self or provide care to others. The outcome measure was self reported ability to care for self and others. Three levels of self reported ability to care were identified--inability to care for self (level 1), ability to care for self but not others (level 2), and ability to care for self and others (level 3). RESULTS: People who reported good general health status and visual functioning (that is, had high scores on SF36 and DLTV) were more likely to state that they were able to care for self and others. Similarly people with good vision in the better seeing eye were more likely to report ability to care for self and others. People with a distance visual acuity (DVA) worse than 0.4 logMAR (Snellen 6/15) had less than 50% probability of assigning themselves to care level 3 and those with DVA worse than 1.0 logMAR (Snellen 6/60) had a probability of greater than 50% or for assigning themselves to care level 1. Regression analyses with level of care as the dependent variable and demographic factors, DLTV subscales, and SF36 dimensions as the explanatory variables confirmed that the DLTV subscale 1 was the most important variable in the transition from care level 3 to care level 2. The regression analyses also confirmed that the DLTV subscale 2 was the most important in the transition from care level 3 to care level 1. CONCLUSIONS: Ability to care for self and dependants has a strong relation with self reported visual functioning and quality of life and is adversely influenced by visual impairment. The acuity at which the balance of probability shifts in the direction of diminished ability to care for self or others is lower than the level set by social care agencies for provision of support. These findings have implications for those involved with visual rehabilitation and for studies of the cost effectiveness of interventions in AMD.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of riboxin, essentiale, and phylloquinone on the immunomodulating and antioxidant effect of laser and magneto-laser irradiation in liver toxicosis induced by gentamycin].

The introduction of gentamycine to Wistar rats leads to the toxic liver damage, suppresses humoral immune response to goat erythrocytes, and induces immunosuppressant properties in erythrocytes (caused by increased lipid peroxidation in their membranes and violated cell energy balance) Under these conditions, a combination of the laser or magneto-laser irradiation with the administration of phylloquinone of riboxin provides for a more effective correction of the immune reaction and antioxidant status as compared to the radiation treatment without drugs or with essential. Elimination of the gentamycine induced immunosuppressant properties of erythrocytes is explained by the ability of phylloquinone and essential to reduce the intensity of lipid peroxidation in the cell membranes and with the ability of riboxin to normalize the cell energy balance. An important factor of immunosuppression development in the case of a toxic liver damage caused by D-galactosamine it the interaction of thrombocytes and light erythrocytes with serum factors. The introduction of essential and riboxin favors this interaction and stimulates the development of immunosuppression in thrombocytes.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1994

Protective role of glutathione on alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor inactivation by the myeloperoxidase system. Hypothetic study for therapeutic strategy in the management of smokers' emphysema.

In smoking subjects with obvious emphysema, the interaction between neutrophil-derived MPO and H2O2 produced by alveolar inflammatory cells (alveolar macrophages (AM) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)) has the ability to spontaneously inactivate, in vitro, the alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI). This inactivation can induce a desequilibrium of the protease-antiprotease balance in the lungs. In this study, we investigated the ability of glutathione to protect alpha 1PI. In a cellular model of alpha 1PI inactivation mimicking the effects of alveolar inflammatory cells present in the lower respiratory tract of smoking patients with emphysema, we demonstrated that glutathione can protect alpha 1PI against the oxidative inactivation by these activated cells. This protection has been computed in a cellular experimentation (AM and MPO-system) with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 62 microM. Moreover, glutathione has an important inhibitory effect directly on H2O2 released by PMA-stimulated AM (IC50 = 30 microM) or PMA stimulated PMN (IC50 = 70 microM). The mechanism, which governs glutathione may be a result of a scavenging effect on H2O2 as demonstrated in a free cellular experiment. With this in vitro demonstrated effectiveness, glutathione as a therapeutic antioxidant, via the aerosol, has been proposed, in order to prevent tissue damage, inflicted by an excess of activated phagocytic cells, in some lung diseases such as smoking patients with emphysema.

Glutathione↗