Daytime variations in glucose tolerance in people with impaired glucose tolerance

To determine whether glucose tolerance varies throughout the day in people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We studied 15 healthy IGT, and 18 matched normal glucose tolerant (NGT) individuals. Blood samples were taken every 30-120 min during a 24 h period in which all individuals had three mixed meals and nocturnal sleep. We measured glucose, free fatty acids, specific insulin, intact proinsulin, cortisol and growth hormone. Variable responses were considered as concentrations and areas under the curves. Comparison between the groups was by Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, and analysis of variance. Higher total glucose response, inappropriate normal total insulin response, and unproportionally increased proinsulin total response were observed in the IGT group. Lower glucose tolerance occurred in IGT after dinner, as in the NGT, and after breakfast associated with increased insulin response after breakfast, and similar proinsulin response after all three meals. IGT had higher glucose response than NGT after breakfast and lunch, similar insulin responses, and increased proinsulin-insulin ratio after all three meals. Data from this study demonstrate that IGT individuals present lower glucose tolerance in the evening, as those with NGT, and in the morning, as reported in patients with type 2 diabetes. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of visual feedback sampling on obstacle crossing behavior in people with Parkinson's disease

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of visual information on gait control in people with Parkinson's disease as they crossed over obstacles. Twelve healthy individuals, and 12 patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, walked at their preferred speeds along a walkway and stepped over obstacles of varying heights (ankle height or half-knee height), under three visual sampling conditions: dynamic (normal lighting), static (static visual samples, similar to stroboscopic lighting), and voluntary visual sampling. Subjects wore liquid crystal glasses for visual manipulation. In the static visual sampling condition only, the patients with Parkinson's disease made contact with the obstacle more often than did the control subjects. In the successful trials, the patients increased their crossing step width in the static visual sampling condition as compared to the dynamic and voluntary visual sampling conditions; the control group maintained the same step width for all visual sampling conditions. The patients showed lower horizontal mean velocity values during obstacle crossing than did the controls. The patients with Parkinson's disease were more dependent on optic flow information for successful task and postural stability than were the control subjects. Bradykinesia influenced obstacle crossing in the patients with Parkinson's disease. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Disease severity affects obstacle crossing in people with Parkinson's disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mobiliários adaptados para pessoas com paralisia cerebral: um levantamento das teses e dissertações produzidas no Brasil

The Assistive Technology makes the lives of people without disabilities more practical, but for people with disabilities it can make things possible. For these individuals can provide the conditions, making their limitations are not obstacles to their social and personal empowerment, and may contribute to their effective participation in tasks that were previously impossible, such as remaining seated correctly. A segment on which the necessary assistive technology works, is the adaptation of furniture such as chairs, tables, chairs-to-wheels for individuals with disabilities, as well as cerebral palsy. The study aimed to conduct a survey and brief description of theses and dissertations produced in Brazil on furniture adapted for students with cerebral palsy. We made searching in databases of libraries of major universities and federal state national banks, theses and dissertations. Nine studies were selected for description. It was concluded that there is a considerable array of professionals, both in engineering as the field of rehabilitation, to contribute in the adaptation, creation and even the manufacture of furniture for children with cerebral palsy and that the securities most studied are the chairs and their components.

Tecnologia assistiva: analisando espaços de acessibilidade às pessoas com deficiência visual em universidades públicas

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR