Influence of energy cost and physical fitness on the preferred walking speed and gait variability in elderly women

Typically gait speed decreases and gait variability increases in elderly. The aim of this study was to define the influence of energy cost of walking on gait speed and of health-related physical fitness on gait variability. Thirty healthy young and older women were recruited in the study. Energy cost of walking (NetCW) was analyzed with indirect calorimetry while a kinematic analysis was performed with an optoelectronic system to calculate gait variability (GV) during treadmill walking at different speeds. Gait speed was defined as the preferred walking speed (PWS) of the subject and health related physical fitness (HRPF) comprised body fat, strength, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. In healthy elderly women, the coefficient of variation of step width was found to be a better indicator of GV than stride time, stride length and double support coefficients of variation. GV was not affected by age allowing a high PWS. Furthermore, significant associations, adjusted for age, body mass index and number of falls, were identified neither between NetCW and the PWS, nor between HRPF and GV; only a significant association was found between hand-grip strength and gait stability. Findings highlighted the importance to evaluate hand-grip strength as an indicator of gait efficiency

The impact of allergic rhinitis in clinical practice: an italian survey

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common disorder. The current Survey was conducted on a sample of about 5,000 adult subjects in 5 Italian cities. A questionnaire, containing 15 questions, was administered on the road. AR affects about 20% of the general population. The most common diagnostic test was the skin prick test, but only 12% of patients performed an allergy test to confirm the diagnosis. About 50% of patients did not take any medicine. Even about 40% of treatments were suggested by friends or pharmacists. In conclusion, the current Survey demonstrated that AR is a common disorder in Italy, the diagnostic work-up is still incorrect, and the therapeutic approach does not adhere to the guidelines. Therefore, there is a need to implement adequate information on this topic in Italy

Serum IL-17 after one course of sublingual immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis to birch

Recently, it has been reported that IL-17 may be involved in allergic reaction. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is the unique curative treatment for allergic rhinitis. This study aims at investigating whether one course of birch SLIT could affect serum IL-17 levels. The findings provided show that some IL-17 producer patients had a reduction of serum IL-17 levels after one SLIT course. Therefore, this preliminary study shows that a single pre-seasonal SLIT course may induce a significant decreasing trend in serum IL-17 levels; further study should be carried out to define the role exerted by IL-17 in allergic rhinitis

Three-dimensional superimposition for patients with facial palsy: an innovative method for assessing the success of facial reanimation procedures

Facial palsy is a severe condition that may be ameliorated by facial reanimation, but there is no consensus about how to judge its success. In this study we aimed to test a new method for assessing facial movements based on 3-dimensional analysis of the facial surfaces. Eleven patients aged between 42 and 77 years who had recently been affected by facial palsy (onset between 6 and 18 months) were treated by an operation based on triple innervation: the masseteric to temporofacial nerve branch, 30% of the hypoglossal fibres to the cervicofacial nerve branch, and the contralateral facial nerve through two cross-face sural nerve grafts. Each patient had five stereophotogrammetric scans: at rest, smiling on the healthy side (facial stimulus), biting (masseteric stimulus), moving the tongue (hypoglossal stimulus), and corner-of-the-mouth smile (Mona Lisa). Each scan was superimposed onto the facial model of the "rest" position, and the point-to-point root mean square (RMS) value was automatically calculated on both the paralysed and the healthy side, together with an index of asymmetry. One-way and two-way ANOVA tests, respectively, were applied to verify the significance of possible differences in the RMS and asymmetry index according to the type of stimulus (p = 0.0329) and side (p < 0.0001). RMS differed significantly according to side between the facial stimulus and the masseteric one on the paralysed side (p = 0.0316). Facial stimulus evoked the most asymmetrical movement, whereas the masseteric produced the most symmetrical expression. The method can be used for assessing facial movements after facial reanimation

Primary Bladder Neck Obstruction May be Determined by Postural Imbalances

Primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) is a frequent under-investigated urological condition in which the bladder neck fails to open adequately during voiding. In the majority of cases no known etiological factor can be found. In this study we propose a new hypothesis to explain the origin of the disease in young male patients with no neurological disorders. We suggest a possible role of an unbalanced biomechanics of the pelvis on urethral sphincters activity and on functional bladder capacity. To support the proposed hypothesis, we present pilot gait analysis data of young male patients with primary bladder neck obstruction

Cetirizine modifies quality of life and symptoms in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis: A pilot study

Background and aim: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is a common disease in childhood that is characterized by bothersome symptoms and impaired quality of life (QoL). As histamine is the pivotal pathogenic mediator in SAR, antihistamines are the first-line option in the treatment. Cetirizine is a well-known effective antihistamine. This real-life pilot study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a 4-week continu-ous cetirizine treatment in a group of Italian children with SAR. Methods: Total symptom score (TSS) and the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) were assessed at baseline and the end of the treatment. Results: Cetirizine significantly improved QoL (in all domains) and symptom severity (p&lt;0.001 for both). Conclusions: The present preliminary study showed that a 4-week cetirizine treatment was able to improve QoL significantly. Cetirizine treatment also significantly reduced symptom severity in Italian children with SAR and was safe

Biologic drugs in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a condition defined by the presence of recurrent urticaria, angioedema, or both, which persist for more than six weeks in duration and occurs in the absence of an identifiable trigger. Both children and adults can develop CSU, although it is more common in adults and in women than in men, with a peak occurrence in the third to fifth decades of life. It imposes a significant burden on patients, families and healthcare systems. The goal of therapy in patients with CSU is to achieve a level of symptom control and improvement in quality of life that is acceptable to the patient, while minimizing therapy-related side effects. The recent introduction of biologic drugs has changed the management of the disease. This work aims to provide a narrative review of the current state of biological therapy and the promising drugs under development for CSU