Agreement between a frequency-weighted filter for continuous biomechanical measurements of repetitive wrist flexion against a load and published psychophysical data

A previous pilot study demonstrated that a force and frequency-weighted filter network could be developed for processing continuous biomechanical measures of repetitive wrist motions and exertions. The current study achieves the objective by modelling subjective discomfort for repetitive wrist flexion using controlled posture, pace and force. A three-level fractional factorial experiment was conducted involving repetitive wrist flexion (2 s/motion, 6 s/motion, 10 s/motion) from a neutral posture to a given angle (10 degrees, 28 degrees, 45 degrees) against a controlled resistance (5 N, 25 N, 50 N) using a Box Behnken design. Ten subjects participated. Discomfort was reported on a 10 cm visual analogue scale. Results of response surface regression analysis revealed that main effects of force, wrist flexion angle, and repetition were all significant (p < 0.05) and that no second-order effects were observed. Linear regression analysis on these factors established a discomfort model on which the filter characteristics were based. The pure error test model revealed no significant lack of fit (p > 0.05). The continuous model was compared and agreed with discrete psychophysical data from other published studies. The model was used for generating parameters for a force and frequency-weighted digital filter that weighs continuous wrist postural signals with corresponding force in proportion to the equal discomfort function as a function of frequency of repetition. These filters will enable integration of large quantities of biomechanical data in field studies.     

Superior activity of a thromboxane receptor antagonist as compared with aspirin in rat models of arterial and venous thrombosis

We determined the effects of aspirin and a novel thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide (TP)-receptor antagonist, BMS-180291, on thrombosis and bleeding times in skin and mesenteric arteries. In anesthetized rats, occlusive thrombosis was induced in the carotid artery by topical application of ferrous chloride and in the vena cava by blood flow stasis combined with either infusion of thromboplastin or hypotonic saline. Aspirin (1, 10, and 50 mg/kg) did not reduce arterial or venous thrombus weight significantly. BMS 180,291 (150 micrograms/kg/min) decreased arterial thrombus weight and hypotonic saline-induced caval thrombus weight by 58 and 57%, respectively. BMS-180291 lacked antithrombotic activity at a lower dose (50 micrograms/kg/min) and failed to inhibit thromboplastin-induced caval thrombosis. BMS-180291 (150 micrograms/kg/min) significantly reduced arterial thrombus weight by 40% when plasma epinephrine concentration was increased to 5 ng/ml. BMS-180291 and aspirin produced increases of only < or = 30% in bleeding times. These results demonstrate that BMS-180291 has antithrombotic activity in experimental aspirin-resistant arterial and venous thrombosis. Both aspirin and BMS-180291 have only modest effects on small artery hemostasis in rats.     

Site of digestion and milk production by cows fed fats differing in saturation, esterification, and chain length

Four cannulated cows in a 4 x 4 Latin square design were used to study the effects of supplemental dietary fatty acids from roasted soybeans combined with tallow or partially hydrogenated fats, varying in esterification and fatty acid chain length, on nutrient digestion and lactation performance. Diets were formulated to contain (DM basis) 48% forage in addition to 1.5% fatty acids from roasted soybeans and 2.5% fatty acids from tallow, partially hydrogenated tallow triglycerides, partially hydrogenated tallow fatty acids, or a blend of 30% tallow and 70% hydrogenated fatty acids that were rich in palmitic acid. Apparent total tract digestibilities of OM, N, and NDF were similar among diets. Supplemental fat as fatty acids, compared with triglycerides, increased digestibilities of total fatty acids and C18:1 in the small intestine, perhaps indicating that lipolysis was rate-limiting. Fatty acids also increased milk fat percentage and efficiency of 4% FCM production. Although intake of C16 fatty acids was higher for cows fed the fat rich in palmitic acid than for those fed the tallow fatty acids, total duodenal flows of C16 fatty acids were similar, and digestibility in the small intestine was unaffected. Dry matter intake, 4% FCM production, and milk protein percentage were similar among treatments.     

Treatment of urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common conditions in clinical practice. For uncomplicated UTIs, the causative organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles are generally predictable, and empiric short course (3 day) antibiotic therapy after an abbreviated laboratory workup is advocated. Acute pyelonephritis requires a 2 week antibiotic course, often with initial parenteral therapy. Women with frequent recurrences of UTIs may require intermittent self-treatment or continuous or postcoital antibiotic prophylaxis. Catheter-associated UTIs generally only require treatment if the patient shows signs of systemic infection. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is only recommended in certain circumstances. Careful consideration of the clinical circumstances, the patient's known or predicted urinary tract anatomy, and the antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterial pathogen(s) are critical factors in the choice of appropriate therapy for urinary tract infections.     

The genetic relationship between the Finns and the Finnish Saami (Lapps): analysis of nuclear DNA and mtDNA

The genetic relationships between two Finno-Ugric-speaking populations, the Finns and the Finnish Saami (Lapps), were studied by using PCR for six nuclear-DNA marker loci, mitochondrial restriction-site polymorphism, and sequence variation of a 360-bp segment of the mitochondrial control region. The allele frequencies of each of the nuclear-DNA marker loci and the frequencies of mtDNA restriction haplotypes were significantly different between the populations. The Saami showed exceptionally low variation in their mtDNA restriction sites. The 9-bp deletion common in East Asian populations was not observed, nor did the haplotype data fit into the haplogroup categorization of Torroni et al. The average number of nucleotide substitutions from the mtDNA haplotype data indicated that the Finnish Saami may be closer to the Finns than to the other reference populations, whereas nuclear DNA suggested that the Finns are more closely related to the European reference populations than to the Finnish Saami. The similarity of the Finns to the other Europeans was even more pronounced according to the sequence data. We were unable to distinguish between the Finns and either the Swiss or Sardinian reference populations, whereas the Finnish Saami clearly stood apart. The Finnish Saami are distinct from other Circumarctic populations, although two of the lineages found among the Saami showed closer relationship to the Circumarctic than to the European lineages. The sequence data indicated an exceptionally high divergence for the Saami mtDNA control lineages. The distribution of the pairwise nucleotide differences in the Saami suggested that this population has not experienced an expansion similar to what was indicated for the Finns and the reference populations.     

A new tool to measure pressure under burn garments

This article introduces a new tool to measure the pressure that is under pressure garments. The Iscan (Tekscan, Inc.) system uses a patented ultra-thin (0.007 inch) sensor with multiple sensing locations that sample continuously at 100 times per second. It is noninvasive, convenient, and quick. The study had two parts. First, we established the validity and reliability of the device. Next, garment/scar interface pressures were measured on new garments with use of the Iscan system. Four garment types were studied, with 10 measurements made in each group: Isotoner gloves (Smith & Nephew Roylan, Inc.); custom-fit pressure gloves; Tubigrip forearm sleeves (Seton Health Care Group); and custom-fit pressure forearm sleeves. Mean garment/scar interface pressures were 18 +/- 2 mm Hg for the Isotoner glove, 34 +/- 5 mm Hg for the custom-fit pressure glove, 20 +/- 7 mm Hg for the Tubigrip sleeve, and 35 +/- 6 mm Hg for the custom-fit sleeve. We concluded that the Iscan system can be used to measure pressure under pressure garments accurately and reliably, and that custom-fit hand and forearm garments provide more pressure than Isotoner gloves or Tubigrip sleeves.     

Necrotizing fasciitis of the face

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high morbidity and mortality rates. Its occurrence in the head and neck region is uncommon, the majority of reported cases being limited to involvement of the neck, usually from infections of dental or pharyngeal origin. Involvement of the face from NF is rare; only 35 such cases have been reported in the literature since 1960. It is not only associated with a high mortality but can also result in severe disfigurement of the face, posing challenging reconstructive problems. Successful management of facial NF requires early diagnosis, prompt institution of broad spectrum antibiotics, aggressive surgical debridement to control the infection, and reconstruction of the resultant soft tissue defects. This report describes four additional cases of facial necrotizing fasciitis. One of the four patients died as a result of sepsis and multi-organ system failure. Two of the three surviving patients had significant facial disfigurement. A comprehensive review of the facial NF cases reported in the literature is also provided. Based on our experience with facial NF and the results of all previous case reports, the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and management of this disease are discussed.