Fear of falling in people with chronic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of fear of falling (FoF) in a sample of people with chronic stroke and compared multiple variables (balance, anxiety, depression, activity and participation, and stroke severity) in people with and without FoF. METHOD: This study was a secondary analysis of data collected from a cross-sectional study of mobility after stroke in 77 participants with chronic stroke (>6 mo poststroke). RESULTS: Of the 77 participants, 51 (66%) reported experiencing FoF. People with FoF had significantly decreased balance (p<.001) and activity and participation (p=.006) and significantly increased anxiety (p=.007). People with FoF also had significantly worse stroke severity (p=.001). CONCLUSION: FoF is a prevalent concern in the chronic stroke population. The presence of FoF was associated with a variety of negative consequences. Occupational therapy practitioners should address FoF to help clients manage FoF and possibly improve recovery.

Punctuated distribution of recombination hotspots and demarcation of pericentromeric regions in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

High density genetic maps are a reliable tool for genetic dissection of complex plant traits. Mapping resolution is often hampered by the variable crossover and non-crossover events occurring across the genome, with pericentromeric regions (pCENR) showing highly suppressed recombination rates. The efficiency of linkage mapping can further be improved by characterizing and understanding the distribution of recombinational activity along individual chromosomes. In order to evaluate the genome wide recombination rate in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) we developed a SNP-based linkage map using the genotype-by-sequencing approach with a 188 recombinant inbred line family generated from an inter gene pool cross (Andean x Mesoamerican). We identified 1,112 SNPs that were subsequently used to construct a robust linkage map with 11 groups, comprising 513 recombinationally unique marker loci spanning 943 cM (LOD 3.0). Comparative analysis showed that the linkage map spanned >95% of the physical map, indicating that the map is almost saturated. Evaluation of genome-wide recombination rate indicated that at least 45% of the genome is highly recombinationally suppressed, and allowed us to estimate locations of pCENRs. We observed an average recombination rate of 0.25 cM/Mb in pCENRs as compared to the rest of genome that showed 3.72 cM/Mb. However, several hot spots of recombination were also detected with recombination rates reaching as high as 34 cM/Mb. Hotspots were mostly found towards the end of chromosomes, which also happened to be gene-rich regions. Analyzing relationships between linkage and physical map indicated a punctuated distribution of recombinational hot spots across the genome.

The role of knee immobilizers in cancer patients with femoral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of knee immobilizers for cancer patients with femoral neuropathy. DESIGN: Retrospective case series with chart reviews and telephone interviews. SETTING: Teaching hospital, inpatient setting, and 1-year follow-up as outpatients. PARTICIPANTS: Five cancer patients with femoral neuropathy (4 men, 1 woman; age range, 51-76 y). Inclusion criteria were (1) diagnosis of femoral neuropathy, (2) receipt of knee immobilizer as an inpatient, and (3) ability to discuss opinions about knee orthotics at 1-year follow-up. INTERVENTION: Knee immobilizer. Main outcome measures Number of falls with and without knee immobilizer, ambulatory distance with and without immobilizer, subjective rating of activity level, and feeling of stability with and without immobilizer. RESULTS: Patients reported that the knee immobilizer reduced their number of falls by up to 10-fold, increased ambulatory distance between 105 and 420 ft (31.5 and 126 m), improved their feeling of stability, and increased overall activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Patients can benefit from knee immobilizers during their rehabilitation efforts: risk of falls decreased, ambulation distance increased, and relative peace of mind was achieved with the orthotic's use.