Peculiar body representation alterations in hemineglect:a case report

We report the case of FP affected by personal and extrapersonal neglect and a body representation deficit characterized by delusional ideas. When FP performed the human figure, he placed body parts to the left, despite his extrapersonal neglect. Differently, when he performed the car figure, he placed all parts to the right, in line with his deficit. Comparing FP with a small patient group with the same clinical features without delusional ideas about body emerged that he was the only one to suffer from a specific body representation deficit characterized by a lack of body ownership sense.

The effect of whole body vibration on oxygen uptake and electromyographic signal of the rectus femoris muscle during static and dynamic squat

Whole Body Vibrations consist of a vibration stimulus mechanically transferred to the body. The impact of vibration treatment on specific muscular activity, neuromuscular, and postural control has been widely studied. We investigated whole body vibration (WBV) effect on oxygen uptake and electromyographic signal of the rectus femoris muscle during static and dynamic squat. Fourteen healthy subjects performed a static and dynamic squat with and without vibration. During the vibration exercises, a significant increase was found in oxygen uptake (P=0.05), which increased by 44% during the static squat and 29.4% during the dynamic squat. Vibration increased heart rate by 11.1 ± 9.1 beats.min-1 during the static squat and 7.9 ± 8.3 beats.min-1 during the dynamic squat. No significant changes were observed in rate of perceived exertion between the exercises with and without vibration. The results indicate that the static squat with WBV produced higher neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory system activation for exercise duration ?60 sec. Otherwise, if the single bout duration was higher than 60 sec, the greater cardiorespiratory system activation was achieved during the dynamic squat with WBV while higher neuromuscular activation was still obtained with the static exercise.

Neuromuscular response to whole body vibration treatment during static and dynamic squat exercises

The impact of whole body vibrations (vibration stimulus mechanically transferred to the body) on muscular activity and neuromuscular response has been widely studied but without standard protocol and by using different kinds of exercises and parameters. In this study, we investigated how whole body vibration treatments affect electromyographic signal of rectus femoris during static and dynamic squat exercises. The aim was the identification of squat exercise characteristics useful to maximize neuromuscular activation and hence progress in training efficacy. Fourteen healthy volunteers performed both static and dynamic squat exercises without and with vibration treatments. Surface electromyographic signals of rectus femoris were recorded during the whole exercise and processed to reduce artifacts and to extract root mean square values. Paired t-test results demonstrated an increase of the root mean square values (p<0.05) in both static and dynamic squat exercises with vibrations respectively of 63% and 108%. For each exercise, subjects gave a rating of the perceived exertion according to the Borg's scale but there were no significant changes in the perceived exertion rate between exercises with and without vibration. Finally, results from analysis of electromyographic signals identified the static squat with WBV treatment as the exercise with higher neuromuscular system response. © 2012 IEEE.

Comparison of weight loss outcomes between obese patients with and without Type 2 diabetes attending a weight management focused structured educational group

Aims: Specialist lifestyle management (SLiM) is a medically supported dietetically led structured group education and self-management programme focusing on weight management. Obese patients with Type 2 diabetes are perceived to find it more difficult to lose weight compared with those without diabetes. We aimed to compare the weight loss achieved by obese patients with or without Type 2 diabetes completing the SLiM programme. Methods: A prospective analysis of patients attending SLiM between 2009 and 2013 was conducted. Results: There were 454 obese patients (mean age 49.1 ± 11.6years, women 72.5%, body mass index 49.8 ± 9.3kg/m2, weight137.3 ± 28kg). 152/454 patients (33%) had Type 2 diabetes of which 31 (20.4%) were insulin treated. Patients with Type 2diabetes were older (52.4 ± 11.3 vs 47.5 ± 11.4 years, p < 0.001). SLiM resulted in significant weight loss in patients with (136.5 ± 27 vs 130.2 ± 25.3, p < 0.001) or without (137.6 ± 29 vs 132.6 ± 28.4, p < 0.001) Type 2 diabetes. Weight loss was comparable between patients with and without Type 2 diabetes (6.1 ± 7.9 vs5.1 ± 7kg, p = 0.2). The proportion of patients achieving ≥ 10%weight loss was similar between patients with and without Type 2diabetes (10.5% vs 9.9%, p = 0.4). Insulin-treated patients lost similar weight to those not treated with insulin (6.3 ± 9.4 vs 6.1 ± 7.6kg, p = 0.9). After adjustment for age, sex, referral weight and medications, Type 2 diabetes did not predict weight change during the SLiM programme (b = 0.3, p = 0.5). Conclusions: Attending the SLiM groups produces a significant weight loss in patients with Type 2 diabetes which is comparable to those without Type 2 diabetes. Insulin-treated patients lost similar weight to those not on insulin. Weight gain with Type 2 diabetes and insulin treatment is not ‘unavoidable’ if patients receive the appropriate support and education.

Body representation alterations in personal but not in extrapersonal neglect patients

There is still a matter of debate around the nature of personal neglect. Is it an attention disorder or a body representation disorder? Here we investigate the presence of body representation deficits (i.e., the visuo-spatial body map) in right and left brain-damaged patients and in particular in those affected by personal neglect. 23 unilateral brain-damaged patients (5 left-brain-damaged and 18 right-brain-damaged patients) and 15 healthy controls took part in the study. The visuo-spatial body map was assessed by means of the “Frontal body-evocation subtest (FBE),” in which participants have to put tiles representing body parts on a small wooden board where only the head is depicted as a reference point. In order to compare performance on the FBE with performance on an inanimate object that had well-defined right and left sides, participants also performed the “Car test.” Group statistical analysis shows that the performance of patients with personal neglect is significantly worse than that of the controls and patients without personal neglect in the FBE but not in the Car test. Single case analyses of the five patients with pure personal neglect confirm the results of group analysis. Our data supports the hypothesis that personal neglect is a pervasive body representation disorder.

The effects of yoked prisms on body posture and egocentric perception in a normal population

The principal theme of this thesis is the effect of yoked prisms on body posture and egocentric perception. Yoked prisms have been clinically used in the management of a variety of visual and neuro-motor dysfunctions. Most studies have been conducted in pathological populations by studying the effects of prismatic adaptation, without distinguishing short and long term effects. In this study, postural and perceptual prismatic effects have been studied by preventing prism adaptation. A healthy population was selected in order to investigate the immediate prismatic effects, when there is no obvious benefit from their use for the individual. Posturography was used to assess changes in weight distribution and shifts in centre of pressure (barycentre). In addition, photographic analyses were used to assess effects on posture on the x and z axis. Experiments with space board and visual midline shift were used for the evaluation of spatial perception and egocentric localisation. One pair of 8 Δ yoked prisms base left (BL) and one pair of 8 Δ yoked prisms base up (BU) were applied randomly and compared to a pair of plano lenses. Results suggest that immediate prismatic effects take place on a perceptual level and are reflected on an altered body posture respectively without significant changes in weight distribution. Yoked prisms BL showed a rightward rotational effect on spatial perception by expanding space on the z axis when viewing through the base of the prism and constricting space through the apex of the prism. Body posture responded respectively to what was visually perceived by altering posture. A rightward shift and tilt of the head was recorded along with the hips shift and shoulders tilt in the dame direction. Additionally, right shoulder shifted backwards and an angular midline shift to the right was recorded. The egocentric localisation was affected by shifting the midline perception to the left. Yoked prisms BU resulted on a head shift forward and a reduction of the head-neck angle by bringing the chin closer to the chest. The egocentric localisation was altered on the vertical axis providing subjects the perception that their eye level was higher during the experiment. In conclusion, yoked prisms seemed to induce changes in body posture, mainly in the upper body and head, without any significant changes in weight distribution. These changes are partially reflected in spatial perception tests and egocentric localisation before any prismatic adaptation takes place.

Anthocyanins in Leaves and Other Vegetative Organs: An Introduction

Although anthocyanins are most recognized as pigments contributing to coloration in fruits and flowers, they are also present in leaves and other vegetative organs. Although their presence has long been recognized, particularly because of their contribution to autumn coloration, the phenomenon has been poorly studied and is not well understood. In this chapter we review the history of research on anthocyanins in leaves, emphasizing the flurry of research at the end of the 19 th century as well as the growing body of contemporary research on the topic. We emphasize the various hypotheses of anthocyanin function that were mainly developed more than a century ago, and emphasize recent research that takes advantage of our dramatically increased understanding of whole plant physiology.

Dietary Intake Of Flavonoids And HDL- And LDL- Cholesterol In Two Black Ethnicities With And Without Type 2 Diabetes

Flavonoids are a class of over 6,500 plant metabolites that have been associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease. A cross-sectional analysis of dietary flavonoids and serum cholesterol in 507 Blacks with and without type 2 diabetes (258 Haitian-Americans and 249 African-Americans) showed differences by ethnicity and diabetes status. Haitian-Americans consumed more of most flavonoids as compared to African-Americans. Individuals with type 2 diabetes consumed less of most flavonoids as compared to those without diabetes. Flavonoids were differentially associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) by diabetes status. Flavanones were associated with lower LDL for participants without diabetes and higher LDL for those with diabetes, independent of ethnicity and adjusted for age, gender, cholesterol medications, daily energy, dietary fat, body mass index (BMI), and smoking. Flavan-3-ols were positively related to LDL while polyflavonoids (theaflavin and polymers, proanthocyanidins) were inversely related to LDL for the group without diabetes only. Higher anthocyanidins and flavan-3-ols and lower polyflavonoids were associated with higher HDL (same adjustments) for those without diabetes, whereas no flavonoids were associated with HDL for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Do Dietary Factors Contribute to Medical Cost for Cuban Americans with and without Type 2 Diabetes?

BACKGROUND: Cuban Americans have a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes, placing them at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased medical costs. Little is known regarding the lifestyle risk factors of CVD among Cuban Americans. This study investigated modifiable CVD risk factors of Cuban Americans with and without type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Sociodemographics, anthropometrics, blood pressure, physical activity, dietary intake, and biochemical parameters were collected and assessed for n=79 and n=80 Cuban Americans with and without type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Fourteen percent with diabetes and 24 percent without diabetes engaged in the recommended level of physical activity. Over 90 percent had over the recommended intake of saturated fats. Thirty-five percent were former or current smokers. DISCUSSION: Cuban Americans had several lifestyle factors that are likely to increase the risk of CVD. Their dietary factors were associated with blood cholesterol and body weight, which has been shown to impact on medical expenses. These findings may be used for designing programs for the prevention of CVD as well as type 2 diabetes for Cuban Americans.

Exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds and reproductive toxicity in women

The overall objective of the research presented in this dissertation was to assess exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), phthalates, and bisphenol A (BPA) in the general population and evaluate their associations with adverse reproductive health effects, including cancers, in women. Given the proven contribution of unopposed estrogens to the risk for endometrial neoplasia or breast cancer, renewed health concerns have aroused about estrogen mimicking EDCs found in food, personal care products or as environmental contaminants. Our meta-analysis showed that exposure to estrogen mimicking PCBs increased summary risk of breast cancer and endometriosis. We further evaluated the relationship between endometriosis and breast cancer, and EDCs using a bioinformatics method. Our bioinformatics approach was able to identify genes with the potential to be involved in interaction with PCB, phthalates and BPA that may be important to the development of breast cancer and endometriosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that exposure to EDCs such as PCBs, phthalates, and BPA, results in adverse reproductive health effects in women. Using subject data and biomarkers available from the Center for Disease Controls National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database we conducted a cross-sectional study of EDCs in relation to self-reported history of endometriosis, uterine leiomyomas, breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. Significantly higher body burdens of PCBs were found in women diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer compared to women without cancer. PCB 138 was significantly associated with breast cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer, while PCBs 74 and 118 were significantly associated with ovarian cancer. The sum of dioxin-like PCBs were significantly associated with ovarian cancer (OR of 2.02, 95% CI: 1.06-3.85) and the sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs were significantly associated with uterine cancer (OR of 1.12, 95%CI: 1.03-1.23). Significantly higher body burdens of PCBs were also found in women diagnosed with endometriosis and uterine leiomyomas. Documenting the exposure to EDCs among the general U.S. population, and identifying agents associated with reproductive toxicity have the potential to fill research gaps and facilitate our understanding of the complex role environmental chemicals play in producing toxicity in reproductive organs.^

Farelo do bagaço de caju na restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos em terminação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of cashew bagasse bran (CBB) as food ingredient in qualitative feed restriction programs on the carcass traits, meat quality, organs weight and intestinal morphometry of barrows and gilts. Twenty – four crossbred pigs were used (12 barrows and 12 gilts) with an average initial body weight of 57.93 ± 3.67 kg/LW. The experimental designs was in randomized blocks 3x2 factorial arrangement with three level (0%, 15% e 30% CBB), two genders (barrows and gilts) and four repetition. A total of twenty-four instalments. The treatments were composed of basal diet (BD) formulated with corn, soybean meal and commercial base mix for finishing pigs, being containing different levels of CBB. At the end of the trial period the animals were slaughtered for the evaluation of the meat quality, traits carcass, Absolute Weight (AW) and Relative Weight (RW) of the organs and morphometric study of small intestine fragment. The inclusion of (CBB) in the diets did not affect the traits carcass of gilts, but interfered in the traits carcass of the barrow positively, increasing the yield of meat into cold carcass and reducing the thickness of subcutaneous fat, without affecting the fatty acid profile. However, we observed increased weight of organs and partial volume of absortiva mucosa of gilts. In the comparison between sex was observed a greater liver weight (AW) and (RW), and surface density of absortiva mucosa of barrow. The use of CBB was considered as ingredient to be used in programs of qualitative feed restriction for finishing pigs.

Farelo do bagaço de caju na restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos em terminação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of cashew bagasse bran (CBB) as food ingredient in qualitative feed restriction programs on the carcass traits, meat quality, organs weight and intestinal morphometry of barrows and gilts. Twenty – four crossbred pigs were used (12 barrows and 12 gilts) with an average initial body weight of 57.93 ± 3.67 kg/LW. The experimental designs was in randomized blocks 3x2 factorial arrangement with three level (0%, 15% e 30% CBB), two genders (barrows and gilts) and four repetition. A total of twenty-four instalments. The treatments were composed of basal diet (BD) formulated with corn, soybean meal and commercial base mix for finishing pigs, being containing different levels of CBB. At the end of the trial period the animals were slaughtered for the evaluation of the meat quality, traits carcass, Absolute Weight (AW) and Relative Weight (RW) of the organs and morphometric study of small intestine fragment. The inclusion of (CBB) in the diets did not affect the traits carcass of gilts, but interfered in the traits carcass of the barrow positively, increasing the yield of meat into cold carcass and reducing the thickness of subcutaneous fat, without affecting the fatty acid profile. However, we observed increased weight of organs and partial volume of absortiva mucosa of gilts. In the comparison between sex was observed a greater liver weight (AW) and (RW), and surface density of absortiva mucosa of barrow. The use of CBB was considered as ingredient to be used in programs of qualitative feed restriction for finishing pigs.

Estratégias tróficas do peixe traíra, Hoplias malabaricus e do peixe cascudo, Hypostomus pusarum do açude Marechal Dutra, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

The fish, Hoplias malabaricus (Osteichthyes: Erythrinidae) and armored catfish, Hypostomus pusarum (Loricariidae) are of freshwater origin from the neotropical region, and are considered ecologically and economically of important. This work investigated the trophic strategies, the morphology and histology of the digestive tract of these fish captured from the Marechal Dutra reservoir, Acari, the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A total of 133 individuals of H. malabaricus and 118 specimens of H. pusarum were analyzed. The two study species occupy different levels in the food chain and spatial distribution in the water column of the reservoir. The results of this study are presented in the form of four scientific papers. The first article describes the morphology and histology of the digestive tract and the feeding habits of H. malabaricus (Bloch, 1794). This fish has a short intestine, with an intestinal coefficient of 0.72 ± 0.09. The dietary importance index indicates that H. malabaricus feeds preferentially on animal matter, especially on fish (72.8%) and prawns (27.2%). The histology of its digestive tract confirms the carnivorous feeding habit. The second article discusses about the pioneering work on the feeding strategy and the characterization of anatomy and histology of the digestive tract of H. pusarum. The intestine of this fish is long, with an intestinal coefficient of 10.8±0.7. The dietary importance index indicates that H. pusarum feeds preferentially on organic matter in decomposition (88.7%) and on filamentous microalgae and diatoms (11.3%). The third article compares the morphological aspects of the digestive tract of H. malabaricus and H. pusarum, in relation to their food habits. The arrangement of the digestive organs in both species is directly related to the shape of the peritoneal cavity and the form of the body. The short intestine of H. malabaricus and the long intestine of H. pusarum are associated with their feeding habits. The morphology of the digestive tracts of H. malabaricus and H. pusarum confirm their food habits, carnivorous and detritivorous / herbivorous, respectively. The fourth article discusses the food and reproductive aspects (length and weight, length-weight relationship, type of growth and sex ratio) of H. pusarum. This species has a negatively allometric growth, with the predominance of females in the sampled population. H. malabaricus inhabits the pelagic environment and is a carnivore, while H. pusarum, lives in the benthic environment and is characterized as a detritivore/herbivore. Each species studied shows a very different diet, without trophic competition between them. The morphological and anatomical structures of the digestive tract reflect their feeding strategy.

Contrasting effects of summer and winter warming on body mass explain population dynamics in a food-limited Arctic herbivore

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank the Governor of Svalbard for permission to undertaker the research. We are especially grateful to Steve Coulson, and the logistical and technical staff at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) for supporting the field campaigns. The data collection would not have been possible without the contribution of numerous field assistants, including veterinary students from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Statistical advice was provided by Mark Brewer and David Elston, BioSS. The work was supported mainly by grants from U.K. Natural Environment Research Council the Norwegian Research Council, and the Macaulay Development Trust. Additional financial support has come from the Amundsen Foundation, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, The Macaulay Institute, the NINA, UNIS, and the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science

A planar reconfigurable linear rigid-body motion linkage with two operation modes

A planar reconfigurable linear (also rectilinear) rigid-body motion linkage (RLRBML) with two operation modes, that is, linear rigid-body motion mode and lockup mode, is presented using only R (revolute) joints. The RLRBML does not require disassembly and external intervention to implement multi-task requirements. It is created via combining a Robert’s linkage and a double parallelogram linkage (with equal lengths of rocker links) arranged in parallel, which can convert a limited circular motion to a linear rigid-body motion without any reference guide way. This linear rigid-body motion is achieved since the double parallelogram linkage can guarantee the translation of the motion stage, and Robert’s linkage ensures the approximate straight line motion of its pivot joint connecting to the double parallelogram linkage. This novel RLRBML is under the linear rigid-body motion mode if the four rocker links in the double parallelogram linkage are not parallel. The motion stage is in the lockup mode if all of the four rocker links in the double parallelogram linkage are kept parallel in a tilted position (but the inner/outer two rocker links are still parallel). In the lockup mode, the motion stage of the RLRBML is prohibited from moving even under power off, but the double parallelogram linkage is still moveable for its own rotation application. It is noted that further RLRBMLs can be obtained from the above RLRBML by replacing Robert’s linkage with any other straight line motion linkage (such as Watt’s linkage). Additionally, a compact RLRBML and two single-mode linear rigid-body motion linkages are presented.