No abstract

This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnancy, advanced pregnancy, and at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Forty-five pregnant women were enrolled and 31 completed the protocol. Data were collected at 7–16 and 34–39 weeks gestation, and at 6–10 and 26–30 weeks postpartum. For each subject, the center of foot pressure path length and mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) were computed from 30-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The body mass, stance width, and sleep duration within 24 h before testing were also recorded. Static postural stability was not different between pregnancy and postpartum, except for the anterior posterior sway tested in the eyes-closed condition, which was significantly increased in late pregnancy compared to that at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Pregnant/postpartum women’s body mass weakly positively correlated with anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-closed condition and their stance width weakly positively correlated with the anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-open condition. No effect of sleep duration on postural sway was found. Our findings indicate that under visual deprivation conditions women in advanced pregnancy may have decreased static stability compared to their non-pregnant state.

Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire as an additional Tool in Clinical Assessment of Patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions The aim was to analyze the usability of Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) in assessment of physical activity in patients before and 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study group consisted of 211 patients aged between 34-79 years (x = 59,5±7,89 yeras), with history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) with or without previous incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). The MLTPAQ was administered to all patients at the time of PCI and then 6 months later, as was the treadmill stress test (TST) and echocardiography (ECHO). Total energy expenditure calculated with the MLTPAQ remained at the same level and was of low intensity (<4 MET, <2000kcal/week) 6 months after the PCI. There was an increased physical capacity noted 6 months after initial PCI: increased metabolic cost (MET); maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max); maximal heart rate (HRmax) obtained during the TST and decreased resting heart rate (HRrest). ECHO examination showed improved LVEF%. Despite increased physical capacity and improved heart hemodynamics, resulting most likely from PCI procedure, the patients showed a similar level of leisure time physical activity 6 months after the PCI.

Plasma renin activity was measured in II cases of coarctation of the aorta before and after operation. The values ofplasma renin activity in the recumbent position before operation were significantly lower than in the control group. After surgery plasma renin activity rose to normal levels. There was no correlation between plasma renin activity levels and arterial blood pressure. The renin-angiotensin system seems not to be involved directly in the maintenance of hypertension in patients with aortic coarctation. conditions encountered in man. The latter studies suggest that the chronic phase of hypertension with coarctation of the aorta is not associated with an increase in peripheral plasma renin activity.Observations in patients with coarctation before and after surgical restoration of normal haemodynamics have been performed only rarely. Such studies are important because after successful operation the mean arterial blood pressure as well as the pulsatility of blood flow is increased in the area distal to the narrowed aorta.The aim of this study was to measure the plasma renin activity in patients with coarctation of the aorta before and after successful surgical treatment in order to assess the possible role of the reninangiotensin system in the production of the hypertension in these patients.

Exercise metabolic rate was established by indirect calorimetry in 18 healthy subjects. Each subject was tested every month for 1 year. Four variables demonstrated a circannual rhythm and its acrophases occurred in the following months: RQ in October; exercise metabolic rate in April; acceleration of heart rate during exercise in February; percentage of body fat in August.