Distinctive physiological muscle synergy patterns define the Box and Block Task execution as revealed by electromyographic features.

Stroke survivors experience muscular pattern alterations of the upper limb that decrease their ability to perform daily-living activities. The Box and Block test (BBT) is widely used to assess the unilateral manual dexterity. Although BBT provides insights into functional performance, it returns limited information about the mechanisms contributing to the impaired movement. This study aims at exploring the BBT by means of muscle synergies analysis during the execution of BBT in a sample of 12 healthy participants with their dominant and non-dominant upper limb. Results revealed that: (i) the BBT can be described by 1 or 2 synergies; the number of synergies (ii) does not differ between dominant and non-dominant sides and (iii) varies considering each phase of the task; (iv) the transfer phase requires more synergies. Clinical Relevance- This preliminary study characterizes muscular synergies during the BBT task in order to establish normative patterns that could assist in understanding the neuromuscular demands and support future evaluations of stroke deficits.

Experimental evaluation of indoor magnetic distortion effects on gait analysis performed with wearable inertial sensors.

Magnetic inertial measurement unit systems (MIMU) offer the potential to perform joint kinematics evaluation as an alternative to optoelectronic systems (OS). Several studies have reported the effect of indoor magnetic field disturbances on the MIMU's heading output, even though the overall effect on the evaluation of lower limb joint kinematics is not yet fully explored. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of indoor magnetic field distortion on gait analysis trials conducted with a commercial MIMU system. A healthy adult performed gait analysis sessions both indoors and outdoors. Data collected indoors were post-processed with and without a heading correction methodology performed with OS at the start of the gait trial. The performance of the MIMU system is characterized in terms of indices, based on the mean value of lower limb joint angles and the associated ROM, quantifying the system repeatability. We find that the effects of magnetic field distortion, such as the one we experienced in our lab, were limited to the transverse plane of each joint and to the frontal plane of the ankle. Sagittal plane values, instead, showed sufficient repeatability moving from outdoors to indoors. Our findings provide indications to clinicians on MIMU performance in the measurement of lower limb kinematics.

[Postural vertigo and basilar artery flow increment]. / Surcroît du flux dans l'artère basilaire durant le vertige de position.

PURPOSE: Research was focused on cerebral arterial flow in normal individuals and in patients suffering from short-term vertigo when sitting up rapidly from a lying position. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The research was performed in normal subjects and 46 patients affected by short term vertigo who underwent transcranial Doppler 32. In normal subjects (16 with an average age of 25 and 16 with an average age of 61) cerebral artery flow was recorded in a sitting and lying position, in Trendelenburg position and during transition from one position to another. In subjects suffering from short-term vertigo, arterial flow was recorded at baseline and during short-term vertigo. RESULTS: In normal subjects the flow remained unchanged in all body positions as well as during transition from one position to another. In subjects with short-term vertigo basilar artery flow increased with the onset of dizziness and returned to normal when dizziness ceased. CONCLUSIONS: In normal subjects cerebral self-regulation maintains constant flow in any body position. Increased basilar artery flow during short term vertigo is probably either due to altered self-regulation or its reduction in the carotid area with compensatory basilar artery hyperflow, or else to over-response in vertebro-basilar territory.

Complexo teníase-cisticercose. Avaliaçäo parcial da situaçäo no Estado do Pará / Taeniasis-cysticercosis complex in Northern Brazil. A partial retrospective study

Um estudo retrospectivo a respeito da situaçäo do complexo teníase-cisticercose no Estado do Pará demonstrou taxas de prevalência de 0,0097 por cento (intervalo de confiança, 0,002282-0,017172) para a cisticercose bovina e 0,0333 por cento (intervalo de confiança 0,008648-0,070000) para a cisticercose suína (p < 0,05); tendência de queda de prevalência da cisticercose bovina; taxas de prevalência de teníases por Taenia solium e Taenia saginata, respectivamente de 0,113154 por cento (intervalo de confiança 0,066255-0,160053) e 0,03657 por cento (intervalo de confiança 0,004969-0,068173) (p < 0,05); e a ocorrência de 12 casos de cisticercose humana em Belém

Remarriage: parental perceptions of steprelations with children and adolescents.

This study was designed to determine if relationships between stepparents and adolescents differed from those between stepparents and younger children. Utilizing a questionnaire developed by Duberman, responses from remarried couples (N-50) were used to determine a steprelationship score for each child. The scores for children under age 13 and 13 and over both at the time of the parental marriage termination and the remarriage were compared. Chi-square techniques were used in the data analysis. No significant differences were found between the two groups. The results of this study suggest that factors, other than the child's age, may influence the steprelationship. Possibilities suggested include unresolved conflicts in the child and/or parents, the child's relationship with one or both natural parents, or the natural parents' relationship. This population merits further research consideration as society attempts to assimilate the growing number of these families.

Mental health consultation in a home care agency.

A mental health nurse, educationally and clinically prepared as a specialist, can be effectively utilized as a consultant to aid nurse generalists in assessment and intervention of patients in a home health care agency. An individual staff nurse consulting with the specialist or a group of nurses provides the setting for consultant led case discussions. Consultation is a highly efficient use of specialist's knowledge and skills in health care delivery, and also provides learning opportunities for staff.