Habilidad motora, síntomas depresivos y función cognitiva en pacientes pos-ACV

The aim of this study was (1) to characterize post-stroke patients according to motor skills (MS), depressive symptoms (DS) and cognitive function (CF), (2) compare these aspects according to sex, age, level of physical activity and (3) correlate them to time after stroke. We evaluated 135 subjects with mean age of 60 (± 15) years and 17 months post-stroke time. The following instruments were used: sociodemographic questionnaire, Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale (MA), Beck Depression Inventory (DS) and Mini Mental State Examination (CF). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare sexes, ages and physical activity practice. The Spearman coefficient was used to verify the correlation between post-stroke time and the variables analyzed (MA, DS and CF). The group obtained an average of 118.19 (± 30.45) to MA, 9.93 (± 7.14) for DS and 21.7 (± 5.43) to CF. The results showed that women presented higher levels of depressive symptoms than men, patients older than 50 years presented lower scores for CF. There were no significant differences between sedentary and nonsedentary patients with regard to motor skills, depressive symptoms and cognitive function. No significant correlations were found between time and the variables analyzed. Our results will contribute to action and planning which seeks to improve the patient’s quality of life.Los objetivos de este estudio fueran (1) caracterizar a los pacientes después del accidente cerebrovascular en relación con las habilidades motoras (HM), síntomas depresivos (DS) y la función cognitiva (CF), (2) hacer comparaciones de estos aspectos en cuanto al sexo, edad, nivel de actividad física y (3) correlacionar con el tiempo post-AVC. Se evaluaron 135 sujetos con edad media de 60 (± 15) años y tiempo medio post-AVC de 17 meses. Se utilizaron los siguientes instrumentos: cuestionario sociodemográfico, Protocolo de Habilidad Motora de Fugl-Meyer (HM), Inventario de Depresión de Beck (SD) y Mini Examen del Estado Mental (FC). La prueba Mann-Whitney fue utilizada para la comparación entre sexo, edad y práctica de actividad física. El coeficiente de Spearman fue utilizado para verificar la correlación entre el tiempo post-AVC y las variables analizadas (HM, SD y FC). El grupo obtuvo una media de 118,19 (± 30,45) para HM, 9,93 (± 7,14) para SD y de 21,7 (± 5,43) para FC. Además, nuestros resultados muestran que las mujeres presentan mayores niveles de síntomas depresivos que los hombres; los pacientes mayores de 50 años presentaron peor escore para FC. No hubo diferencias significativas entre pacientes practicantes y no practicantes de actividad física en relación con la habilidad motora, síntomas depresivos y función cognitiva. No se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre el tiempo postAVC y las variables analizadas. Los resultados contribuyen a la planificación y acciones que busquen la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes.Os objetivos deste estudo foram (1) caracterizar pacientes pós-AVC em relação à habilidade motora (HM), sintomas depressivos (SD) e função cognitiva (FC); (2) realizar comparações desses aspectos entre sexo, idade, nível de atividade física; e (3) correlacioná-los com o tempo pós-AVC. Avaliamos 135 sujeitos com idade média de 60 (±15) anos e tempo médio pós-AVC de 17 meses. Foram usados os seguintes instrumentos: questionário sociodemográfico, Protocolo de Habilidade Motora de Fugl-Meyer (HM), Inventário de Depressão de Beck (SD) e Mini Exame do Estado Mental (FC). O teste MannWhitney foi utilizado para comparação entre sexo, idade e prática de atividade física. O coeficiente de Spearman para verificar a correlação entre o tempo pós-AVC e as variáveis analisadas (HM, SD e FC). O grupo obteve uma média de 118,19 (±30,45) para HM, 9,93 (±7,14) para SD e de 21,7 (±5,43) para FC. Além disso, nossos resultados mostram que as mulheres apresentam maiores níveis de sintomas depressivos do que os homens, pacientes maiores de 50 anos apresentaram pior escore para FC. Não houve diferenças significativas entre pacientes praticantes e não praticantes de atividade física em relação à habilidade motora, sintomas depressivos e função cognitiva. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre o tempo pós-AVC e as variáveis analisadas. Nossos resultados contribuem para o planejamento e ações que busquem a melhora da qualidade de vida dos pacientes

Longevity-associated NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit-2 237 Leu/Met Polymorphism Modulates the Effects of Daily Alcohol Drinking on Yearly Changes in Serum Total and LDL Cholesterol in Japanese Men

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase subunit 2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism, is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The ND2-237Met genotype may exert resistance to atherogenic diseases, such as myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disorders. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with yearly changes in serum lipid levels, we conducted a longitudinal study of 107 healthy Japanese male subjects. Analysis of covariance revealed that the interaction between the ND2-237 Leu/Met genotypes and habitual drinking was significantly associated with yearly changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels (p0.036 and p0.006, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, daily drinking was significantly and positively associated with yearly changes in serum LDLC levels in men with ND2-237Met (p0.026). After adjusting for covariates, yearly changes in serum LDLC levels were significantly lower in non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Met than in those with ND2-237Leu (p0.047). These results suggest that ND2-237Met has a beneficial impact on yearly changes in serum LDLC in non-daily drinkers but not in daily drinkers.</p

Is there a correlation between depressive symptoms and motor skills in post-stroke patients?

Deficits in motor skills and depressive symptoms are common effects observed after stroke, so it is necessary to understand how these variables interact with each other. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these two variables in post-ischemic stroke patients. We evaluated 135 patients with a mean age of 60 years (+/- 15). The Fugl-Meyer assessment of motor function was used to assess motor skills in the upper limbs, lower limbs, balance, and sensitivity and the Beck Depression Inventory was applied to evaluate depressive symptoms. To assess the relationship between both components, Spearman's correlation was performed. Depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with all variables of motor skills. This study suggests that higher motor skills in post-stroke patients may be associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Thus, a better understanding of how post-stroke symptoms are interrelated may improve patient treatment and care, contributing to a better quality of life773155156COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES01-P-03504/201

Association of Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index with Intraocular Pressure in Middle-aged and Older Japanese Residents:A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Study

To clarify whether high blood pressure (BP) and high body mass index (BMI) are associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted. This epidemiological study analyzed health examination data obtained between 2001 and 2005 from 896 Japanese individuals (aged 32-79 years) who had not undergone any ocular surgery or medical treatment for hypertension, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma. Multiple-regression analysis of our cross-sectional data showed that systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) and BMI had significant and near-significant positive associations with IOP in men (p＜0.05) and women (p＜0.1). Our longitudinal study from analyses of covariance found that the adjusted mean level of changes in IOP tended to increase with increased levels of SBP, DBP, and BMI in men (p＜0.1). In women also, changes in SBP and BMI tended to be positively related with that of IOP (p＜0.1). The results of this study suggested that BP and BMI were positively associated with IOP in middle-aged and older Japanese. Therefore, management of BP and improvement of obesity might be especially important to Japanese patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension as they have a higher incidence of normal-tension glaucoma than Europeans and Americans

Expression analysis of three isoforms of hyaluronan synthase and hyaluronidase in the synovium of knees in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Hyaluronan is a major molecule in joint fluid and plays a crucial role in joint motion and the maintenance of joint homeostasis. The concentration and average molecular weight of hyaluronan in the joint fluids are reduced in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we analyzed the message expression of three isoforms of hyaluronan synthase and hyaluronidase from knee synovium, using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Synovia were obtained from 17 patients with osteoarthritis, 14 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 20 healthy control donors. The message expression of hyaluronan synthase-1 and -2 in the synovium of both types of arthritis was significantly less than in the control synovium, whereas that of hyaluronidase-2 in the synovium of both arthritides was significantly greater than in the control synovium. The decreased expression of the messages for hyaluronan synthase-1 and -2 and/or the increased expression of the message for hyaluronidase-2 may be reflected in the reduced concentration and decreased average molecular weight of hyaluronan in the joint fluids of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Steady-state data acquisition method for LHD diagnostics

The LHD experiment has gone through 5 campaign periods over the past 4 years, during which the diagnostics data continues to grow and the primary 28 measurements produce about 620 MB/shot in 150 shot/day 3-min cycles. In 2002, 30-min long-pulse experiments will be carried out in LHD, where real-time operations are indispensable for plasma measurements and data acquisition. The new scheme for utilizing conventional CAMAC digitizers in long-pulse experiments has been discussed and examined. As a result, in LHD, CAMACs will shift into 120?180 s cyclic operation, synchronized by the diagnostic timing system. The new CompactPCI-based digitizer frontend has performed about 84 MB/s continuous acquisition in benchmarks, and has been formulated with the conventional CAMAC system to make concurrent acquisitions