Impact of depression on gait variability in Parkinson's disease

Objective The goal of this study was to analyze how depression associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) affected gait variability in these patients using a dual-task paradigm. Additionally, the dependency of the executive functions and the impact of depression on gait variability were analyzed. Patients and Methods Three subject groups were included: patients with PD, but no depression (PD-NonDep; 14 patients), patients with both PD and depression (PD-Dep; 16 patients) and healthy controls (HC; 15 subjects). Gait was recorded using the wireless sensors. The participants walked under four conditions: single-task, motor dual- task, cognitive dual-task, and combined dual-task. Variability of stride length, stride duration, and swing time was calculated and analyzed using the statistical methods. Results Variability of stride duration and stride length were not significantly different between PD-Dep and PD-NonDep patients. The linear mixed model showed that swing time variability was statistically significantly higher in PD-Dep patients compared to controls (p = 0.001). Hamilton Disease Rating Scale scores were significantly correlated with the swing time variability (p = 0.01). Variability of all three parameters of gait was significantly higher while performing combined or cognitive task and this effect was more pronounced in PD-Dep group of patients. Conclusions Depression in PD was associated with swing time variability, and this effect was more prominent while performing a dual-task. Significance Diagnosing and treating depression might be important for gait improvement and fall reduction in PD patients

Multivariate Interaction Analysis of Zea mays L. Genotypes Growth Productivity in Different Environmental Conditions

Evaluating maize genotypes under different conditions is important for identifying which genotypes combine stability with high yield potential. The aim of this study was to assess stability and the effect of the genotype–environment interaction (GEI) on the grain yield traits of four maize genotypes grown in field trials; one control trial without nitrogen, and three applying different levels of nitrogen (0, 70, 140, and 210 kg ha−1, respectively). Across two growing seasons, both the phenotypic variability and GEI for yield traits over four maize genotypes (P0725, P9889, P9757 and P9074) grown in four different fertilization treatments were studied. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models were used to estimate the GEI. The results revealed that genotype and environmental effects, such as the GEI effect, significantly influenced yield, as well as revealing that maize genotypes responded differently to different conditions and fertilization measures. An analysis of the GEI using the IPCA (interaction principal components) analysis method showed the statistical significance of the first source of variation, IPCA1. As the main component, IPCA1 explained 74.6% of GEI variation in maize yield. Genotype G3, with a mean grain yield of 10.6 t ha−1, was found to be the most stable and adaptable to all environments in both seasons, while genotype G1 was found to be unstable, following its specific adaptation to the environments

Evaluation of gallbladder motility in patients following total gastrectomy (Roux-en-Y) by infusion cholescintigraphy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to evaluate gallbladder (GB) motor function, by infusion cholescintigraphy, in patients after total gastrectomy (Roux-en-Y) with expected disturbances in the physiological regulation of biliary tract motility. METHODS: The study was done in 10 controls, as well as in 12 patients early (less than 2 months) and in 14 late (6 months-2 years) after surgery. Anterior abdominal imaging by gamma camera and computer acquisition was performed during three-hours infusion of 150 MBq, preceded by the loading dose of 50 MBq of 99mTc-EHIDA in bolus injection. The test meal stimulation was done in the 120th min of the study. GB TA curve was obtained and five parameters of GB motility were analysed: durations of filling (ascending) and emptying (descending) phases, filling and emptying rate ratio and ejection fraction and rate. RESULTS: Our results have shown that in the early period after the operation GB filling is prolonged and emptying impaired, while after several months GB motor function is normalised. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the infusion cholescintigraphy is potentially useful in patients after such surgery to decide on the specific treatment introduction in order to prevent GB calculosis and other complications