The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and clinical features of tick-borne encephalitis in north-eastern Poland. Clinical and epidemiological data were analysed of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis in the Department of the Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University in Bialystok in 1997-2001. Tick-borne encephalitis was diagnosed in 152 patients: 51 (34%) presented with meningitis, 89 (59%) with meningoencephalitis and 12 (8%) with meningoencephalomyelitis. Headache (84%) and fever (81%) were the most common symptoms. Meningeal signs were present in 137 patients (90%). Most common neurological abnormalities were: Oppenheim and Babinski signs (74 patients, 49%), ataxia (37, 24%), impaired consciousness (37, 24%) and pareses (16, 10%). Of patients examined, 146 (96%) had raised pleiocytosis, frequently accompanied by high cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration (90%), raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (65%), peripheral blood leucocytosis (26%) and increased aminotransferase activity (16%). There was only 1 forest worker among the patients. Tick-borne encephalitis remains common in north-eastern Poland but, possibly because of effective vaccination, it has virtually disappeared among forest employees. The diagnosis appears difficult in some cases, as meningeal signs may not be present and laboratory findings may not be suggestive of a viral infection.
StreszczenieWstęp: Zaburzenia równowagi ciała są jednym z wielu czynników negatywnie wpływa-jącym na codzienną aktywność, co skutkuje pogorszeniem jakości życia człowieka. Celem pracy była cena różnic wyników stabilometrycznych w dynamice i statyce u kobiet młod-szych, starszych i z dysfunkcją narządu wzroku.Materiał i metody: Materiał badany obejmował 67 kobiet podzielonych na 3 grupy: 26 kobiet młodszych (20,2 ± 1,75) i 26 starszych (68,7 ± 7,55) oraz 15 osób z dysfunkcją narządu wzroku (19,2±1,78). Wykonano badania stabilometryczne na dwóch platformach; Accusway i Balans System SD.Wyniki: Wyniki różniące się istotnie statystycznie odnotowano pomiędzy grupą osób młodszych a starszych w wynikach parametrów z platformy Accusway badanych z kontrolą wzrokową tylko w polu powierzchni stabilogramu oraz w maksymalnych wychyleniach na boki. W powyższych grupach na platformie BBS obserwuje się znamienne różnice we wszystkich ocenianych próbach. Największe różnice obserwuje się na poziomie p<0,0001 w protokołach z niestabilnym podłożem. Najlepsze wyniki długości COP w warunkach oczu zamkniętych w statyce osiągnęły osoby z dysfunkcją narządu wzroku (37,01±6,73), najsłabsze kobiety po 60 r. ż. (49,59±21,04). Natomiast badania na niestabilnym podłożu bez kontroli wzrokowej osoby starsze nie wykonały, a kobiety z dysfunkcją narządu wzroku osiągnęły istotnie gorsze rezultaty od grupy osób normalnie widzących.Wnioski: Większe zaangażowanie systemu kontroli równowagi obserwuje się w badaniach dynamicznych, które wydają się być bardziej odpowiednie i mogą wcześniej wykrywać zaburzenia niż badania w statyce. Szczególnie przydatne wydają się protokoły badań ze zmiennym ustawieniem niestabilności platformy lub dodatkowo bez kontroli wzrokowej, które najbardziej różnicują badanych. Słowa kluczowe: stabilność posturalna, Biodex Balance System SD, Platforma Accusway, kobiety z dysfunkcją narządu wzroku, kobiety starszeAbstract Introduction: Balance difficulties are one of the factors that have a negative impact on the daily activity of elderly people, which in turn lowers their quality of life. Aim: evaluation of the differences in static and dynamic postural stability in young, elderly and with vision loss women.Material and methods: Eighty-three female volunteers were divided into three groups: 26 young women (20,2 ± 1,75), 26 elderly (68,7 ± 7,55) and 15 pupils with vision loss (19,2±1,78). The following parameters were analysed from Accusway and BBS platforms.
Every third subject reported the desired dimensions of pain control (internal strong or undifferentiated strong types). The obtain results suggest helplessness and lack of self-control of pain among the studied sample.
The highest activity of brain waves concerns the beta band in the frequency range of 21-22Hz, regardless of the type of the light source (LED, fluorescent tube). The methods used to supply power and color temperature of fluorescent tubes do not significantly affect bioelectrical brain activity during "work", but previous lighting with fluorescent tubes during work has an essential effect on bioelectrical brain activity during rest. Regardless of the color temperature, LED lighting with PWM power supply leads to the highest bioelectrical activity (mainly in the range of 21-22Hz) in the brain during work and rest, which might suggests the usefulness of this method of supplying power for everyday work. Incandescent light does not affect the bioelectrical brain activity during work and rest.
Introduction: Morphological and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs causing characteristic for old age reduction of the efficiency of all organs, and therefore decrease in the level of physical fitness. To determine its level, to find areas of weakness and select optimal physical activity programs that will improve the quality of life and health of older people it is necessary to multi-dimensional assess the level of physical fitness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the fitness level of students of the University of the Third Age in Warsaw Almamer with Fullerton Functional Fitness Test in relation to American standards. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a 40-person group of students of the University of Third Age Almamer in Warsaw, at the age of 60-70 years. Mobility assessment was based on a comparison of results obtained by the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test with standards developed by the authors test for the U.S. population. Results: In all trials conducted with Fullerton Test women got positive results after normalization to the mean and standard deviation of the U.S. population peers. The greatest variation among the test subjects compared to American standards test result was observed in flexion of the forearm. Conclusions: The tested listeners of UTW characterized a good level of physical fitness Fullerton The test evaluated in relation to American standards. According to the authors, developing standards for the test used in Polish conditions would contribute to a more reliable assessment of people over 60 years old.
Background. Tetanus is an acute disease caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus immunization has been available since the late 1930s but sporadic cases still occur, usually in incompletely vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals. Case Report. An elderly previously vaccinated female contracted tetanus following foot injury. Clinically she presented with meningitis causing diagnostic and therapeutic delays. Why Should Physician Be Aware of This? Even in developed countries the differential diagnosis of meningitis, especially in the elderly, should include tetanus. Treatment in intensive care unit is required. General population might benefit from vaccine boosters and education on this potentially fatal disease.
Background It is known that cochlear implantation may alter the inner ear and induce vestibular disorders. Research Question How does cochlear implantation influence gait stability? Material and Methods. An experimental group of twenty-one subjects scheduled for cochlear implantation underwent gait testing twice, on the day before cochlear implantation (BCI) and three months after cochlear implantation (ACI), using a motion capture system. A control group of 30 age-matched healthy individuals were also tested. Results In the experimental group, the gait stability ratio (GSR) was found to improve in 17 subjects after implantation, by an average of 6%. Certain other parameters also showed statistically significant improvement between the two experimental group tests: step time (p<0.001), single-support phase walking speed (p<0.05), and center of mass (CoM) (p<0.05). Using the CoM results of the control group, we devised a stability classification system and applied it to the pre- and postimplantation subjects. After implantation, increases were seen in the number of subjects classified in interval II (strong stability) and III (weak stability). The number of subjects in interval I (perfect stability) decreased by 1 and in interval IV (no stability) by 4. Significance (1) Although cochlear implantation intervenes in the vestibular area, we found evidence that gait stability improves in most subjects after the surgery, reducing the risk of falls. (2) We found statistically significant improvements in individual parameters (such as single-support phase time), in GSR, and in CoM. (3) Based on CoM results, we proposed a new rule-of-thumb way of classifying patients into gait stability intervals, for use in rehabilitation planning and monitoring.
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