The effects of training specific mnemonics on the metamnemonic efficiency of retarded children

On examination of the thumbs of 20 dissected preparations of ligaments and joints, of ten dry skeletons and of a number of living hands, apoposition (from apo = away from) was distinguished as a position in which the first carpometacarpal joint is fully abducted and laterally rotated and in which one or both distal joints of the thumb are flexed. Apoposition is commonly used in writing and it has a specific osteoligamentous basis for its stability: (1) a Y-shaped intermetacarpal ligament is attached by two crura to the base of the second metacarpal bone and by a common stem to the first metacarpal. Together with the palmar and dorsal oblique ligaments it becomes taut at abduction and establishes thereby a fixed center for the circumduction. Stability is enhanced as the circumduction takes place in the radial flat part of the joint away from the center; (2) of the two palmar prominences of the head of the first metacarpal bone the radial is the larger. At 25-30 degrees flexion in the metacarpophalangeal joint the prominence fits into an excavation on the base of the proximal phalanx in a manner which together with the ulnar collateral ligament locks the joint against mutual abduction and lateral rotation, and (3) the radial part of the trochlea of the interphalangeal joint is larger than the ulnar and secures, together with the ulnar collateral ligament, the joint against a radial luxation. Apoposition does not require activity of the thumb muscles; it is brought about by applying an external force to the ulnar side of the thumb and it is checked by ligaments and the shape of the joints.     

Inbreeding and canine mammary cancer: a retrospective study

Using files of the Animal Neoplasm Registry (ANR) in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, we conducted a retrospective study to compare the degree of inbreeding in the ancestry of purebred dogs with mammary and other cancers, and of those without tumors. Wright's coefficients of inbreeding, calculated for all animals in the three groups, ranged from 0.000 to 0.535. The median inbreeding coefficients of the mammary cancer and comparison groups (consisting of other cancers) were approximately twice that of the nonneoplastic group, but neither difference was statistically significant. Dogs with mammary adenocarcinoma and mixed mammary cancer had similar degrees of inbreeding.     

Cost of management of patients with haemophilia

The cost of managing 114 adult haemophiliacs in the west of Scotland was assessed for the period 1 March 1971 to 28 February 1974. Altogether 23 of them (20%) accounted for 80% of the resources used. The cost of hospital treatment of these patients during the period was compared with the predicted cost of home treatment, given the availability of freeze-dried factor VIII concentrate in sufficient amounts. We calculate that adequate on-demand home treatment would cost only 16% more than the present treatment, which is substantially less efficient.     

Utilization of cellulosic materials through enzymatic hydrolysis. II. Preliminary assessment of an integrated processing scheme

An integrated processing scheme is described for the conversion of a celluosic waste (newsprint) to sugrsa by enzymatic hydrolysis and then to ethanol and yeast by fermentation. The unconverted solids are burned to produce process energy requirements and surplus electrical power. Preliminary designs and cost studies are developed to provide a rough perspective on the potential economic feasibility of this method of cellulose utilization.     

Genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance and toxigenic profiles of Bacillus cereus isolated from food in Brazil over three decades

Bacillus cereus is an ever-present problem. It is widely distributed in several environments such as soil and plants and is commonly isolated from food and additives. In this study we analyzed 97 foodborne B. cereus sensu stricto strains isolated in Brazil in the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's in order to investigate the genetic diversity (assessed by Rep-PCR), antimicrobial resistance and toxigenic profiles (presence of hblA, hblC and hblD; nheA, nheB and nheC as well as cytK, ces and entFM genes) of such strains. The majority of the strains (79, 81.4%) were β-hemolytic. The NHE complex was found in 82 strains (84.5%) and HBL complex was found in 61 (62.9%) strains. All strains were negative to ces. The cytK-2 gene was found in 44 (45.4%) strains. The predominant toxigenic pattern was type I (32, 33%) which included strains positive for all toxin genes but ces. Computer assisted cluster analysis of Rep-PCR profiles showed a high genetic diversity. Seven major clusters comprising two or more strains were found and cluster 1 was predominant (ten strains, nine of them showing 100% similarity). This cluster included strains isolated in the 1980's and the 1990's. Cluster analysis of Rep-PCR profiles based on decade of isolation, source, hemolytic pattern, toxigenic and antibiotic resistance patterns revealed a similar clustering pattern as found in the analysis including all strains. The inability to observe a predominant band pattern when Rep-PCR cluster analysis was based on decade of isolation suggests that this diversity has been maintained over time. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin. We detected resistance to tetracycline (11 strains showing intermediate resistance and nine completely resistant strains), clindamycin (ten intermediate strains) and vancomycin (one strain). Clindamycin resistance showed statistical association with strains isolated in 2000's. The predominant resistance pattern was type A (72, 72.2%) which included strains susceptible to all drugs tested. Our results suggest that the majority of the strains present in several types of food in Brazil pose a potential risk to cause food poisoning due to the high prevalence of toxin genes found in these strains. However, additional studies involving cytotoxicity tests and affiliation of these strains to phylogenetic groups based on molecular data would be useful to better evaluate this potential and could provide a more accurate indication of the risk.