現代アメリカ英語の諸相(2)

米国の現代小説や漫画などに見られるが、辞書などでまだ明確にされていない現代アメリカ英語の英語表現について明らかにするとともに、その背景文化について記述した

A Proposal for New Algorithm that Defines Gait-Induced Acceleration and Gait Cycle in Daily Parkinsonian Gait Disorders

We developed a new device, the portable gait rhythmogram (PGR), to record up to 70 hrs of movement-induced accelerations. Acceleration values induced by various movements, averaged every 10 min, showed gamma distribution, and the mean value of this distribution was used as an index of the amount of overall movements. Furthermore, the PGR algorithm can specify gait-induced accelerations using the pattern-matching method. Analysis of the relationship between gait-induced accelerations and gait cycle duration makes it possible to quantify Parkinson’s disease (PD)-specific pathophysiological mechanisms underlying gait disorders. Patients with PD showed the following disease-specific patterns: (1) reduced amount of overall movements and (2) low amplitude of gait-induced accelerations in the early stages of the disease, which was compensated by fast stepping. Loss of compensation was associated with slow stepping gait, (3) narrow range of gait-induced acceleration amplitude and gait cycle duration, suggesting monotony, and (4) evident motor fluctuations during the day by tracing changes in the above two parameters. Prominent motor fluctuation was associated with frequent switching between slow stepping mode and active mode. These findings suggest that monitoring various movement- and gait-induced accelerations allows the detection of specific changes in PD. We conclude that continuous long-term monitoring of these parameters can provide accurate quantitative assessment of parkinsonian clinical motor signs

Associations between non-motor symptoms and patient characteristics in Parkinson’s disease: a multicenter cross-sectional study

ObjectiveParkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by various non-motor symptoms (NMS), such as constipation, olfactory disturbance, sleep disturbance, mental disorders, and motor symptoms. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with NMS in patients with PD.MethodsSymptoms of PD were evaluated using the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Parts I–IV. NMS was assessed using the MDS-UPDRS Part I (self-assessment of NMS) and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) questionnaires. Patients were categorized by age into <70 years and ≥ 70 years (older adults) groups, according to disease duration into early-stage and advanced-stage groups with a cut-off value of 5 years for motor symptoms, and by sex into male and female groups.ResultsA total of 431 patients with PD (202 males and 229 females) with a mean age of 67.7 years, a mean disease duration of 6.4 years, and a mean Part I total score of 9.9 participated in this study. The Part I total score was significantly positively correlated (p < 0.01) with disease duration and Part II, III, and IV scores. For Part I sub-item scores, the older group had significantly higher scores for cognitive impairment, hallucinations, sleep problems, urinary problems, and constipation than the <70 years group, whereas the advanced-stage group had significantly higher scores for hallucinations, sleep problems, daytime sleepiness, pain, urinary problems, and constipation (p < 0.05) than the early-stage group. Anxiety was higher in female patients than in male patients, whereas daytime sleepiness, urinary problems, and RBD were higher in male patients than in female patients (p < 0.05). Factors affecting Part I included disease duration, Part II total scores, Part IV total scores, and RBD.ConclusionAccording to the self-questionnaire assessment, NMS was highly severe in older adult patients, those with longer illness duration, subjective and objective motor function impairments, and RBD. Sex-based differences were also observed

Cortical dynamics during simple calculation processes: A magnetoencephalography study

Objective: We elucidated active cortical areas and their time courses during simple calculation by using whole-scalp magnetoencephalography. Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers were asked to view meaningless figures (figure viewing) or digits (digit viewing) and add single digits (calculation). The magnetic signals of the brain were measured using a helmet-shaped 122-channel neuromagnetometer during the three tasks. Results: The occipital, inferior posterior temporal, and middle temporal areas of each hemisphere and the left superior temporal area (STA) were activated during all tasks (approximately 250 ms after the stimulus onset). The calculation-related sources were located in the left inferior parietal area (IPA) in 8 subjects, right IPA in 5, left STA in 3, right STA in 5, right inferior frontal area in 2, and left inferior frontal area in 1. The IPA and STA of the left hemisphere were activated more strongly and significantly earlier than those of the right hemisphere: the left IPA was activated first (mean activation timing: 301 ms), followed by activations of the left STA (369 ms), right IPA (419 ms), and right STA (483 ms). Conclusions: Simple digit addition is executed mainly in the left IPA and left STA, followed by the recognition processes of results in the right IPA and right STA. Significance: This study clarified the cortical process during simple calculation, with excellent temporal and spatial resolution; the IPA and STA of the left hemisphere were activated more strongly and earlier than the corresponding areas of the right hemisphere. Keywords: Calculation, Magnetoencephalography, Time course, Inferior parietal area, Superior temporal are

Long-term Monitoring Gait Analysis Using a Wearable Device in Daily Lives of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: The Efficacy of Selegiline Hydrochloride for Gait Disturbance

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the gait disorders in the daily lives of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) using with a newly developed portable gait rhythmogram (PGR), which has a trunk-mounted acceleration sensor and automatic gait-detection algorithm.MethodsUsing the PGR, we recorded the daily walking profiles of 14 PD patients before and after the addition or increase in dose of an MAO-B inhibitor (selegiline, average dose: 4.0 mg/day) as part of their medicine regimen, and evaluated their gait using the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) and scores from a freezing of gait (FOG) questionnaire.ResultsBefore treatment with selegiline, the overall movements per 24 h was decreased below 0.41 m/s2 (mean − 1.5 SD) in eight patients. The mean gait acceleration was decreased below 1.94 m/s2 (mean − 2 SD) in 10 patients. The slope of the linear regression line was increased to 1.6 (mean + 1.5 SD) in eight patients. The cadence was increased to 124 steps/min (mean + 1.5 SD) in four patients. Based on continuous PGR recordings in the daily lives of the patients for 24 h, the addition or increase in dose of selegiline increased the amplitudes of gait accelerations in 4 of 10 patients (40.0%), widened the range of gait accelerations in 5 of 8 patients (62.5%), diminished the cadence in 4 of 4 patients (100%), and diminished the fluctuations in gait throughout the day in 12 of 14 patients (85.7%). The UPDRS III and FOG scores significantly improved after the addition or increase in dose of selegiline (p < 0.005, p < 0.01, respectively). However, changes in gait-related scores of UPDRS were not detected in six patients.ConclusionImprovements in the gait fluctuations of PD patients after the addition or increase in dose of selegiline were detected using the PGR in the daily lives of the patients for 24 h. The PGR had a higher sensitivity for detecting the improvements than UPDRS scores

Topographic mapping of P300 and frontal cognitive function in Parkinson's disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between P300 that is one of the event-related potentials and frontal cognitive functions in Parkinson's disease (PD) without clinically apparent dementia. Subjects were 20 PD cases 48 to 79 years of age, all of whom were within normal limits on the Mini-Mental State examination, and 55 age-matched healthy adults. P300 was elicited with an auditory oddball paradigm and recorded at 15 sites on the scalp. Cognitive functioning of the frontal lobe was evaluated using the New Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Letter Pick-Out Test (LPOT) which reflects selective attention and semantic categorization. P300 latency was delayed in 30.0% of subjects and topographic mapping of P300 demonstrated abnormal distribution in 20.0%. Scores of the WCST and the LPOT were abnormal in 15.0%, 21.4%, respectively. P300 latency significantly correlated with number of subcategories achieved on the WCST. P300 amplitude correlated with scores on the LPOT. These results suggest that cognitive dysfunction which linked partly to the frontal lobe might begin in PD even without clinically apparent dementia

Topographic Mapping of P300 and Frontal Cognitive Function in Parkinson’s Disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between P300 that is one of the event-related potentials and frontal cognitive functions in Parkinson’s disease (PD) without clinically apparent dementia