Fear of falling and postural control in Parkinson's disease.

This study investigated the relationship between fear of falling (FOF) and qualitative and quantitative postural control in Parkinson's disease (PD). Fifty-eight nondemented PD patients were studied along with age-matched healthy controls. The degree of FOF was estimated using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. Qualitative postural control was evaluated using a component of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale. Postural control was quantified, using centre of pressure measures obtained from a force plate, for eight standing balance tests of different challenges. The results showed that FOF was more evident for PD patients when compared with healthy individuals of similar age. Furthermore, FOF was significantly associated with a qualitative estimate of postural control in PD; individuals with PD who had a greater degree of posture impairment reported greater FOF. The results also showed that an estimate of FOF may help to explain quantitative postural instability in PD. FOF, when coupled with a qualitative estimate of postural control, was able to explain a greater amount of variation in quantitative balance performance for five of the eight balance tests. When considered independently, the qualitative measure of postural control, in general, could not well predict quantitative balance performance. The greater degree of FOF and its possible association with altered postural control suggests that FOF should be considered as an important, independent risk factor in the assessment and treatment of postural instability in patients with PD.     

Probiotics as flourishing benefactors for the human body.

This article provides a comprehensive review of the beneficial effects of various strains of probiotics in preventing and treating certain diseases. Currently, changed lifestyles as well as the increased use of antibiotics are significant factors challenging the preservation of a healthy intestinal microflora. The concept of probiotics is to restore and uphold a microflora advantageous for the human body. Probiotics are found in a number of fermented dairy products, infant formula, and dietary supplements. In the presence of prebiotics, which are nondigestible food ingredients favorable for probiotic growth, their survival in the intestine is ameliorated.     

Ruminative Response Style and Vulnerability to Episodes of Dysphoria: Gender, Neuroticism, and Episode Duration

A number of recent laboratory and prospectivefield studies suggest that the tendency to ruminateabout dysphoric moods is associated with more severe andpersistent negative emotional experiences (e.g., Morrow & Nolen-Hoeksema, 1990;Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991). The current paperreports two studies that tested the hypotheses that (a)ruminative response styles act as a trait vulnerabilityto dysphoria, particularly to relativelypersistent episodes of dysphoria; (b) aspects ofrumination that are not likely to be contaminated withthe presence and severity of previous symptomatology(introspection/self-isolation, self-blame) demonstrate vulnerability effects;and (c) rumination mediates the effects of gender andneuroticism on vulnerability to dysphoria. Consistentsupport was found for each of these hypotheses. Overall, our data suggest that rumination mightreflect an important cognitive manifestation ofneuroticism that increases vulnerability to episodes ofpersistent dysphoria.     

Nonepileptic Posttraumatic Seizures

Summary: Purpose: Epileptic posttraumatic seizures (PTSs) are a well-recognized consequence of head injury (HI), but HI and nonepileptic seizures (NESs) have not been related. We describe a significant subset of patients with NESs who had their seizures attributed to HI.
Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with NES at the University of Maryland Medical Center over a 6-year period (1989–1995) and selected patients with seizures attributed to a head injury occurring ≥3 years before the onset of their seizures.
Results: Of 157 patients with video-EEG confirmed NES, 37 (24%) had the onset of their seizures attributed to an HI. Their average age was 34 years (range, 15–56 years); 68% were women. Nonepileptic PTS usually developed within the first year after HI (89%). Convulsive symptoms were present in 54%. Whereas epileptic PTSs characteristically follow severe HI, the majority (78%) of our patients with nonepileptic PTSs sustained only mild HI. Before their HI, 76% of our patients were employed, working in the home, or students, but only 11% could continue those activities after developing nonepileptic PTSs.
Conclusions: Nonepileptic PTSs are frequently mistaken for epileptic PTSs and result in serious disability. The misdiagnosis of nonepileptic PTSs leads to ineffective and inappropriate treatment. Patients with intractable seizures after HIS, articularly mild HIS, should be carefully evaluated for NESs.     

The effects of X monosomy on brain development: Monozygotic twins discorcant for Turner's syndrome

Monosomy for the X chromosome is the most frequent cause of Turner's syndrome, a common clinical syndrome associated with particular physical and neurobehavioral features. The results from comprehensive assessment of prepubertal monozygotic female twins discordant for X monosomy are presented. Zygosity was established with DNA Fingerprinting and no evidence of chromosomal mosaicism was seen in either child. Physical features in the affected twin were relatively mild with respect to the full spectrum of physical malformations and disabilities associated with Turner's syndrome. The neurobehavioral phenotypes of the twins were compared. Although both sisters scored in the superior range of intelligence, the affected twin's Performance IQ was 18 points less than her sister, whereas Verbal IQ showed only a 3-point difference between the sisters. Other relative differences were noted within the executive, visuospatial, and visuomotor domains of function. Behavioral evaluation indicated greater problems with attention, hyperactivity, and anxiety in the affected twin. Quantitative analysis of brain anatomy revealed evidence of both general and regional effects of X monosomy on neurodevelopment. Cerebrospinal fluid volume was increased by 25% in the affected twin compared with her sister with a corresponding decrease in gray matter volume. The right frontal, right parietal–occipital, and left parietal-perisylvian regions showed the greatest discrepancy between the sisters with respect to increased cerebrospinal fluid and decreased gray matter volumes in the twin with X monosomy. Differences in the posterior fossa were also noted with a 50% relative increase in the volumes of the fourth ventricle and cisterna magna and a 10 to 15% relative reduction in size of the cerebellar vermis, pons, and medulla in the affected twin. The association between the neurobehavioral and neuroanatomical findings in the affected twin is discussed. The unique nature of the naturally occurring genetic phenomenon seen in this twin pair provides an opportunity to more fully elucidate the neurobehavioral phenotype associated with X monosomy and Turner's syndrome.     

Medical management: Its accomplishments in Crohn's disease and indications for surgery

While the etiology of Crohn's disease remains unknown, the optimal treatment of patients with this complaint must include integrated medical and surgical management.Crohn's disease is, in practice, not a single disorder but comprises a wide variety of disorders masquerading under the one name, so that each patient requires careful individual evaluation, including a review of previous resections and a clear definition of the site and extent of macroscopic disease. Any anemia and fluid or electrolyte depletion must be detected and rectified. Local complications such as stricture, abscess, or enterocutaneous fistula must be identified, and secondary complications such as renal stones, gallstones, or peptic ulcer considered. Symptomatic relief of diarrhea with codeine phosphate, Lomotil^®, or loperamide may be appropriate. In symptomatic patients with nonobstructing Crohn's disease, specific therapy using sulphasalazine, metronidazole, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive therapy may play a useful shortterm role. In a few patients, dietary manipulation and enteral or parenteral feeding may be of value. Several controlled trials have shown that specific medical treatment is not of any benefit either for patients with quiescent disease or for asymptomatic patients after resection of their lesions. Crohn's disease complicated by the occurrence of a stricture, an intraabdominal abscess, or an enterocutaneous fistula lies essentially within the province of the surgeon. Many patients with Crohn's colitis respond initially to specific medical treatment, but relapses are common, so that resection is appropriate in those patients with chronic ill health; there is a negligible mortality in experienced hands. The risk of recurrent disease should not delay surgical treatment, which can restore the chronically ill patient to good health, often for a considerable time. Furthermore, recurrent disease is commonly localized to the site of previous resection; if symptoms persist, a further resection can be undertaken with minimal morbidity.

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Resumen Aunque la etiología de la enfermedad de Crohn permanece desconocida, el tratamiento óptimo de los pacientes afectados por esta entidad debe incluír manejo tanto médico como quirurgico.La enfermedad de Crohn en realidad no es una alteración Única, sino más bien una variedad de alteraciones enmascaradas bajo una denominación, en tal forma que cada paciente requiere cuidadosa valoración individual incluyendo la revisión de resecciones quirÚrgicas previas y la definición de la ubicación y extensión de la enfermedad macroscópica; la anemia y la depleción de líquidos y electrolitos deben ser corregidas. Complicaciones localizadas, tales como estrecheces, abscesos, o fístulas enterocutáneas deben ser identificadas, y las complicaciones secundarias tales como cálculos renales o biliares, o ulceración péptica, deben ser tenidas en cuenta. El tratamiento sintomático de la diarrea con fosfato de codeína, Lomotil^®, o loperamida debe ser apropiado. En los pacientes sintomáticos con enfermedad de Crohn no obstructiva, la terapia específica con sulfasalazina, metronidazol, corticosteroides, o medicación inmunosupresiva puede jugar un papel Útil por tiempos limitados. En algunos casos, la manipulación dietética enteral o parenteral puede ser de utilidad. Algunos ensayos clínicos controlados han demostrado que el tratamiento médico específico no aporta beneficio a pacientes con enfermedad latente ni a pacientes sintomáticos una vez que les han sido resecadas sus lesiones macroscópicas.La enfermedad de Crohn con complicaciones como estrecheces, abscesos abdominales, o fístulas enterocutáneas es hoy del dominio del cirujano.Muchos pacientes con colitis de Crohn responden inicialmente al tratamiento médico pero la recidiva es lo comÚn y por ello la resección resulta apropiada para los casos de enfermedad crónica; la mortalidad es casi nula en manos experimentadas. El riesgo de recurrencia de la enfermedad no debe demorar el tratamiento quirÚrgico, el cual es capaz de restaurar un buen estado de salud en el paciente con padecimiento crónico. Además, la recurrencia comunmente afecta a segmentos intestinales cortos y se localiza en el lugar de anastomosis previas; si los síntomas persisten, debe emprenderse la resección adicional, la cual con mínima morbilidad, restablece rápidamente un buen estado de salud.

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Résumé Alors mÊme que l'édologie de la maladie de Crohn reste inconnue le traitement de l'affection relève de la médecine et de la chirurgie.La maladie de Crohn ne se manifeste pas de manière univoque mais se présente sous de multiples aspects si bien que chaque malade requiert une appréciation précise de son affection en définissant rigoureusement la localisation et l'extension des lésions et les résections qui ont déjà été pratiquées. Toute anémie ou déplétion hydroélectrolytique doit Être décelée et corrigée. Les complications locales telles que sténose, abcès, fistule entéro-cutanée doivent Être reconnues ainsi que les complications secondaires tels que calculs rénaux, calculs biliaires, ulcère peptique. Le traitement symptomatique de la diarrhée par la codéine, le Lomotil^® ou le loperamide peut Être indiqué chez les malades qui accusent des troubles mais ne présentent pas d'obstruction intestinale; un traitement spécifique comportant sulphasalazine, métronidazole, cortico-stéroides, agents immuno-suppresseurs peut jouer un rÔle utile à court terme. Chez quelques malades, la diététique et l'alimentation par voie entérale ou parentérale sont à envisager. Plusieurs essais contrÔlés ont montré que le traitement médical spécifique ne procure aucune amélioration chez les malades dont la maladie est en phase de quiescence ou chez les opérés qui ne présentent pas de troubles après résection des lésions.La maladie de Crohn compliquée de sténose, d'abcès intraabdominal, de fistule entéro-cutanée relève essentiellement de la chirurgie.De nombreuses lésions coliques répondent d'abord favorablement au traitement médical spécifique mais les récidives sont si fréquentes que la résection est indiquée chez ces malades en état de mal chronique d'autant que la mortalité est faible entre les mains de chirurgiens expérimentés. Il convient de devancer la récidive pour que le malade récupère un bon état de santé. En outre, lorsque la récidive se manifeste au niveau du site d'une résection antérieure, il convient, si les troubles persistent, de procéder à une nouvelle résection en raison de la faible morbidité opératoire.