Cement versus cementless fixation in total knee arthroplasty

A prospectively studied group of 55 uncemented Press Fit Condylar total knee arthroplasties was compared retrospectively with a matched group of 51 cemented Press Fit Condylar total knee arthroplasties at a mean of 10 years after operation. For the cemented group, the pain and function scores improved from 32 and 45 preoperatively to 95 and 77, respectively. For the uncemented group the scores improved from 33 and 50 preoperatively to 93 and 60, respectively. There were 10 revisions in the uncemented group for femoral or tibial aseptic loosening or osteolysis compared with two revisions in the cemented group. Exclusive of problems related to patellar metal backing, survival to revision for aseptic failure or radiographic loosening was 72% in the uncemented group and 94% in the cemented group at 10 years. A significantly higher revision rate was found in the uncemented compared with cemented total knee arthroplasty of the Press Fit Condylar design.     

A method to estimate the initial length of equine tendons

A procedure is described by which the length of a tendon at the onset of loading is determined objectively. The procedure includes the fitting of third-order polynomial functions on the load-elongation data. The onset of loading is detected by an increasing fit of the polynomial by selective data reduction of the initial part of the load-elongation curve. The procedure results in an objective and reproducible definition of the zero strain level of a tendon.     

Endothelium-dependent effect of perindopril and enalaprilat in rat thoracic aorta

AIM: To study the effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors perindopril (Per) and enalaprilat (Ena) on the reactivity of the endothelium in normal rats. METHODS: Male rats were treated intragastrically with Per (2 mg.kg-1.d-1) or placebo (n = 18) for 6 wk. Aorta was isolated for experiment. Another set of isolated aortic rings with and without endothelium were incubated with Ena (0.1 mumol.L-1) for 30 min. Responses to acetylcholine, serotonin, phenylephrine, sodium nitroprusside (SN), and nitroglycerin (Nit) were observed. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was augmented in aortic rings from rats treated with Per in comparison with control. The IC50 value (95% confidence limits) decreased from 3.8 (0.56-26.1) mumol.L-1 (control group) to 0.98 (0.28-3.41) mumol.L-1 (Per-treated group). The maximal relaxation was augmented from 62 +/- 9% to 78 +/- 10% (P < 0.01). However, the responses to the endothelium-independent vasodilators, SN and Nit, were similar. Serotonin- and phenylephrine-induced contractions were decreased, which were influenced by basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). EC50 values was 6.1 (2.6-14.4) nmol.L-1 vs 8.3 (3.6-18.8) nmol.L-1 in comparison with control group and Per-treated group. The maximal contraction was decreased from 2.42 +/- 0.29 g (control group) to 1.96 +/- 0.25 g (treated group) (P < 0.01). Similar results were found in incubation with Ena. CONCLUSION: Ena and Per enhanced the basic release of EDRF from vascular endothelium.     

Solar radiation data for indonesia

The solar radiation climate of Indonesia was surveyed from 1969 to 1976 as part of a project of the Meteorological and Geophysics Centre, Jakarta. Summaries of this survey have been presented in reports of the Centre for Meteorological and Geophysics primarily from the point of view of climatic studies. The study reported in the present paper has processed this data into computer compatible form and generated representative data years for use in the analysis of the performance of solar energy collecting systems. Comparison of irradiation conditions in Indonesia and neighbouring countries is also presented.     

The influence of nicotine pretreatment on mesoaccumbens dopamine overflow and locomotor responses to D-amphetamine

In this retrospective cephalometric study of mandibular rotational change, we studied 60 cases. All patients were treated with full fixed appliances and exhibited an opening rotation of at least 1.5 degrees during treatment, as measured on the basis of the angle of the Y-axis to the sella-nasion line (SN). Our objective was to determine whether this opening rotation was sustained during retention. Paired t tests were used to test the hypothesis that the treatment change or opening rotation was stable and that these patients did not return to their original mandible-to-cranium relationship in the posttreatment period. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine which (if any) changes in the independent variables during treatment could predict the subsequent behavior of the angle of the mandibular plane to the SN and the angle of the Y-axis to the SN during retention. During treatment, the mean increase in the angle of the Y-axis to the SN was 2.43 degrees. After an average posttreatment period of 54 months, this angle was reduced on average by only 0.73 degrees. Stepwise linear-regression analysis indicated that none of the treatment changes seen in the independent variables strongly predicted the ensuing closing rotation seen during retention. The correlation coefficient between the Y-axis angle and the mandibular-plane angle during treatment was 0.67. Mandibular opening rotations as a consequence of orthodontic treatment do not invariably return to the pretreatment value, and their negative effects--although sometimes small--cannot be discounted. Because the preponderant evidence of a closing rotation occurs in the terminal pubertal growth stages, the net effect may be even more significant.     

Interdisciplinary approach to functional voice disorders: the psychiatrist''s role

The Trichuris muris-mouse model of intestinal helminth infection provides a convenient system to examine the immune mechanisms operating during acute and chronic infection. Particular subsets of helper T lymphocytes (CD4+Th cells) play an important role in regulating infection via the secretion of distinct groups of cytokines. Reciprocal activation of Th cell subsets is associated with either expulsion of the parasites from the intestine (Th2 cells) or chronic infection (Th1 cells). In vivo neutralization experiments using anti-cytokine monoclonal antibodies show that critical cytokines are involved, with interferon-gamma playing an important role in the establishment of chronic trichuriasis and interleukin-4 in expulsion of the parasite from the gut. This model has provided clear evidence of a crucial role for distinct cytokines in mediating host protection against intestinal helminth infection and that manipulation of the immune response through the Th cell-cytokine axis can benefit either the host or the parasite. As such, the T. muris model is poised to generate important new data relevant not only to intestinal helminthiasis but to the wider field of parasite immunity and infection in general.     

The composition and microbial quality of pre-packed dates purchased in Greater Glasgow

Composition and microbiological contamination was measured in samples of pre-packed dates purchased from a number of stores and retail outlets in Greater Glasgow. The sugar content of dried pitted dates was c . 74%, about 10% more than reported on those packs where nutritional information was given. Potentially pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus were identified in some of the samples together with lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and moulds, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus . Fresh dates were the most heavily contaminated of all samples, probably owing to the high moisture content.     

Metabolism of Zidovudine

1. The anti-HIV drug zidovudine (3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine; ZDV) has three important pathways of metabolism. ZDV is a prodrug and must be phosphorylated in lymphocytes in order to exert its antiviral action. However, in quantitative terms this is a minor pathway probably accounting for less than 1% of the overall metabolic profile. The predominant pathway of metabolism is glucuronidation to GZDV and the metabolite is renally excreted. A further metabolite, derived by reduction of the azido moiety is 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine (AMT). 2. Zidovudine glucuronidation has been characterised in human liver microsomes. A number of drugs (e.g., naproxen, indomethacin and probenecid) have been shown to inhibit the in vitro conjugation of ZDV. Some of these drugs have also been co-administered with ZDV in HIV-positive patients. Significant pharmacokinetic interactions have been demonstrated with probenecid, naproxen and fluconazole. 3. 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine formation is probably mediated by both cytochrome P450 isozymes and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. Peak plasma concentrations of AMT are approximately 10-15% of ZDV in patients. This is a potentially important metabolite because of its alleged cytotoxicity. 4. Measurement of intracellular ZDV phosphates in patients provides the key to our understanding of both the efficacy and toxicity of ZDV. Important recent work has demonstrated that as patients deteriorate (i.e., CD4 counts decrease below 100 x 10(6)/L), there is a corresponding increase in intracellular ZDV-monophosphate. This could have toxicological implications.