Age-associated differences in global and segmental control during dual-task walking under sub-optimal sensory conditions.

The ability to safely perform cognitive-motor dual-tasks is critical for independence of older adults. We compared age-associated differences in global and segmental control during dual-task walking in sub-optimal sensory conditions. Thirteen young (YA) and 13 healthy older (OA) adults walked a straight pathway with cognitive dual-task of walking-while-talking (WT) or no-WT under four sensory conditions. On randomly selected trials, visual and vestibular inputs were manipulated using blurring goggles (BV) and Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS), respectively. Gait speed decreased more in YA than OA during WT. Gait speed increased with GVS with normal vision but not BV. Step length considerably decreased with WT. Trunk roll significantly decreased only in OA with GVS in WT. Head roll significantly decreased with GVS regardless of age. Results indicate GVS-induced adaptations were dependent on available visual information. YA reduced their gait speed more than OA to achieve a similar pace to safely perform WT. GVS resulted in both age-groups to reduce head movement. However, with the addition of WT during GVS, OA also stiffened their trunk. Therefore, with increased attentional demands healthy OA employed different compensatory strategies than YA to maintain postural control.

[Therapeutic outcome of onabotulinum toxin type A in patients with upper limb spasticity].

Onabotulinum toxin type A treatment for post-stroke upper limb spasticity was investigated to contribute to establishing a standard dosage for Japanese patients. A total of 100 patients participated in the study. The outcome one month (33.6±6.5 days) after the treatment was assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) to estimate the mean effect with a 10-unit injection and the standard dosage expected to improve MAS 1 degree. Average improvement of 263 muscles treated with a higher concentration of 10 units diluted in 0.2 ml was 0.207±0.414 degrees, and that of 231 muscles treated with a lower concentration of 10 units in 0.4 ml was 0.149±0.244 degrees without significant difference among diluted concentrations. To improve MAS 1 degree, 64.6±31.1 units were required for the pectoralis major, 51.2±21.3 units for the teres major, 111.7±48.0 units for the biceps brachii, 51.6±26.8 units for the brachioradialis, 54.1±23.2 units for the brachialis, 34.4±10.7 units for the pronator teres, 64.6±27.9 units for the flexor carpi radialis, 62.4±26.8 units for the flexor carpi ulnalis, 58.5±31.1 units for the flexor digitorum profundus, 69.7±35.1 units for the flexor digitorum superficialis, 24.6±13.4 units for the flexor pollicis longus, and 15.6±11.3 units for the adductor pollicis. Although the results shown here had no significant differences among concentrations, increasing the volume would disturb injection into small muscles, so we considered that a lower volume with a higher concentration should assure larger benefits. It is difficult to make effective injections into all spastic muscles within the officially permitted health insurance dosage of 240 units. Hence, it is advisable to increase the applicable upper limit based on safely achieved cumulative experience.

Clinical correlations with dermatomyositis-specific autoantibodies in adult Japanese patients with dermatomyositis: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the association of clinical and prognostic features with dermatomyositis (DM)-specific autoantibodies (Abs) in adult Japanese patients with DM. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science Department of Dermatology and collaborating medical centers. Patients A total of 376 consecutive adult Japanese patients with DM who visited our hospital or collaborating medical centers between 2003 and 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and laboratory characteristics of adult Japanese patients with DM and DM-specific Abs that include Abs against Mi-2, 155/140, and CADM-140. RESULTS: In patients with DM, anti-Mi-2, anti-155/140, and anti-CADM-140 were detected in 9 (2%), 25 (7%), and 43 (11%), respectively. These DM-specific Abs were mutually exclusive and were detected in none of 34 patients with polymyositis, 326 with systemic sclerosis, and 97 with systemic lupus erythematosus. Anti-Mi-2 was associated with classical DM without interstitial lung disease or malignancy, whereas anti-155/140 was associated with malignancy. Patients with anti-CADM-140 frequently had clinically amyopathic DM and rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease. Cumulative survival rates were more favorable in patients with anti-Mi-2 compared with those with anti-155/140 or anti-CADM-140 (P < .01 for both comparisons). Nearly all deaths occurred within 1 year after diagnosis in patients with anti-CADM-140. Conclusion Dermatomyositis-specific Abs define clinically distinct subsets and are useful for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with DM.