Non-specific directional adaptation to asymmetrical visual-vestibular stimulation

Subjective estimates of passive whole-body rotations in darkness were evaluated before and after exposure to asymmetrical incoherent visual-vestibular stimulation (VVS). Two subjects who showed large capacity for adaptation to symmetrical incoherent VVS were enrolled in the study. Strikingly, after 45 min of asymmetrical left-right VVS, perception of rotation decreased equally for rotations to the right and to the left indicating that the calibration of vestibular sensory input for spatial orientation did not undergo a directional specific control.     

Effect of fixed low dose combination of perindopril and indapamide on processes of cardiovascular remodeling in previously untreated patients with hypertension

AIM: To assess changes of blood pressure (BP) and processes of cardiovascular remodeling during treatment of previously untreated patients with hypertension with fixed low dose combination of perindopril and indapamide. MATERIAL: Patients with untreated hypertension (n=30, mean age 46.7+/-1.8 years, 16 men, 14 women) received low-dose perindopril (2 mg) - indapamide (0.625 mg) combination for 6 months. METHODS: Twenty four-hour BP monitoring, measurement of left ventricular (LV) mass index and wall and interventricular septal thickness, carotid artery intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity and cerebral blood flow velocity. RESULTS: Target BP level was reached in 83.3% of patients. BP monitoring revealed significant lowering of daytime and nocturnal systolic BP (-13.2%, p<0.0001 and -14.5%, p<0.0001, respectively), daytime and nocturnal diastolic BP (- 14.3%, p<0.0001 and -15.3%, p<0.0001, respectively). Significant reduction of LV mass index (-12%, p=0.0002) was also observed. Both LV posterior wall and interventricular septal thicknesses were reduced as well (-5.1%, p<0,01). This was accompanied by decreases of intima-media thickness of right and left carotid arteries (-5,4%, p=0.04 and -5,3%, p=0.01, respectively), reduction of stiffness of elastic arteries (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity decreased by 8%, p=0.003), and increase of cerebral blood flow velocity. CONCLUSION: The use of perindopril/indapamide combination in hypertensive patients was associated BP lowering and positive effects on remodeling both of the heart and large and medium arteries.     

One-Year Follow-up of Duodenal Ulcers after 1-Wk Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori

Objective : to study the ulcer recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers at 1 yr after eradication of the bacteria by triple therapy. Method : Patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were randomized to receive either triple therapy for 1 wk plus omeprazole for 4 wk (THple+OMP) (n = 78), or omeprazole alone (OMP) for 4 wk (N = 77). Patients were followed up every 3 months for symptom enquiry. At 1 yr, all asymptomatic patients were invited to attend for gastroscopy. Results : At 8 wk, 16 patients in the OMP group and four in the Triple+OMP group had an ulcer. During the 1-yr period, 12 patients in the OMP group and no patient in the Triple+OMP group developed symptomatic ulcers. At follow-up endoscopy at 1 yr, another 10 ulcers were detected in the OMP group and two in the Triple+OMP group. Fifteen patients in the OMP group and 13 in the Triple+OMP group were lost to follow-up. In total, ulcers were de-tected in 39 of 61 (64%) assessahle patients in the OMP group, and in six of 65 (97o) assessahle patients in the Triple+OMP group after I yr (χ² test: p < 0.001). Of the patients whose H, pytori were successfully eradicated hy Triple+OMP at 8 wk, 90% remained H. pylori negative at 1 yr. Conclusion : Triple therapy for 1 wk eradicates H, pylori infection and significantly reduces duodenal ulcer relapses.     

Two-thirds power law in human locomotion: role of ground contact forces

Are there general rules for the generation of curvilinear motion of the end-effector? Form and kinematics of the arm trajectory are typically inter-related. A relationship between velocity and curvature of the endpoint path has been previously described and quantified as the two-thirds power law. Here we show that the two-thirds power law holds also for the foot trajectory (during the swing phase) in human locomotion for a wide range of walking speeds and gravitational loads, but air-stepping. In air-stepping, it was violated systematically. The results suggest that the power law represents a general constrain of biological motion, may be attributed to both mechanical and neural factors and can depend on natural interactions with external environment.