Arthroscopic reduction and fixation of bony avulsion of the posterior cruciate ligament of the tibia

Bony avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament of the tibia have commonly been treated by open reduction and internal fixation using the posterior approach. However, this approach, using the prone position, makes it difficult to investigate and treat other combined injuries of the knee joint. We report a case of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion of the tibia that was arthroscopically reduced and firmly fixed with two cannulated screws. The posterior sag was absent after the operation and the result was excellent. By arthroscopy, we got rigid fixation of the avulsed fragment for early rehabilitation, and detection of a concomitant injury was also possible.     

Thoracic electric impedance and fluid balance during aortic surgery

Indices of fluid balance were evaluated during and after aortic surgery in 16 consecutive patients. Thoracic electrical impedance (TI), heart rate (HR), central venous (CVP), pulmonary artery mean (PAMP), pulmonary wedge (PWP) and mean arterial (MAP) pressures as well as fourteen arterial and venous blood gas variables were followed. Consistent with a reduction of TI during the operation, fluid balance was in excess, and it remained elevated on the first postoperative morning. The HR, MAP and PWP remained stable, while CVP and PAMP decreased. Of the determined variables only TI revealed a meaningful correlation to fluid balance (rho = -0.41; p < 0.01). The results indicate that while central venous and pulmonary artery mean pressures gave the impression of a volume deficit, the positive fluid balance was mirrored by thoracic electrical impedance.     

Diversity training in graduate school: An exploratory evaluation of the Safe Zone project.

How can psychologists and graduate students become more affirmative of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues? Safe Zone is a diversity-training program to increase sensitivity toward, knowledge of, and advocacy for LGBT populations and issues that affect them. In this exploratory study, the implementation of Safe Zone is described within a school of professional psychology; its effectiveness was assessed by self-reported behavioral and attitudinal changes and from participant evaluations. Results were encouraging with regard to the goals of Safe Zone and its adaptation to institutions interested in improving relations with the LGBT community, but additional empirical studies are needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fibrinolytic variables and cardiovascular prognosis in patients with stable angina pectoris treated with verapamil or metoprolol. Results from the Angina Prognosis study in Stockholm

BACKGROUND: Disturbed fibrinolytic function may influence the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and contribute to thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Angina Prognosis Study in Stockholm (APSIS), patients with stable angina pectoris were studied prospectively during double-blind treatment with metoprolol or verapamil. Various measures of fibrinolytic function were studied in 631 (of 809) patients. During a median follow-up time of 3.2 years (2132 patient-years), 32 patients suffered a CV death, 21 had a nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and 77 underwent revascularization. Plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) activity and antigen (ag), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activity at test, and TPA responses to exercise were determined at baseline and after 1 month's treatment and were related to subsequent fatal and nonfatal CV events. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated levels of TPA-ag at rest (P < .05), high PAI-1 activity (P < .05), and low TPA-ag responses to exercise (P < .05) were associated with increased risk of subsequent CV death. After adjustment for baseline risk factors, TPA-ag independently predicted CV death or MI. In addition, PAI-1 activity independently predicted CV death or MI in male patients. Verapamil treatment was associated with a 10% decrease of TPA-ag levels and metoprolol treatment with a 2% increase (P < .001 for treatment difference). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma TPA-ag levels at rest, and among male patients PAI-1 activity as well, independently predict subsequent CV death or MI in patients with stable angina pectoris.     

Flux Jumps and H-T Diagram of Instability for MgB2

We present a study of magneto-thermal instabilities in polycrystalline MgB₂ superconductor, by magnetic hysteresis loop measurements and by investigations of magnetic flux dynamics with a miniature Hall probe. Temperature and magnetic field ranges where the flux jumps may be observed have been determined. On the basis of measurements of the magnetic flux dynamics, an average magnetic diffusivity describing the process of the flux jump is estimated. This parameter is compared with the thermal and magnetic diffusivities calculated on the basis of available data for thermal conductivity, heat capacity and resistivity. It is shown that the estimated value of the field of the first flux jump is influenced significantly by the field dependence of specific heat. In order to explain the observed phenomenon, the temperature reached by the sample during the flux jump at different magnetic fields is calculated.     

31P NMR identification of metabolites and pH determination in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6308

The identity of a number of phosphorus-containing metabolites present in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6308 has been confirmed by 31P NMR spectroscopy. The presence of D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP); DL-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GlyP); D(-)3-phosphoglyceric acid (3PGA); D-ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P);6-phosphogluconic acid (6PGA); phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP); inorganic phosphate (Pi); uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG); ADP and ATP were demonstrated by the pH dependence of their 31P NMR chemical shifts in spectra of perchloric acid cell extracts. Intracellular pH of cells was determined to be 7.5-7.7.     

Regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase by dopaminergic drugs

We provide evidence that dopamine receptors differentially modulate tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in the mouse striatum. The dopamine D1 receptor family (D1-like) antagonist, R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H-3-benazepine (SCH 23390), elevated aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity and protein content in striatum, as well as the mRNA for the enzyme in midbrain. The dopamine D1-like receptor agonist, (+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1 H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol (SKF 38393), had no effect on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. The dopamine D1-like drugs had no effect on tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, the dopamine D2 receptor family (D2-like) antagonists haloperidol and spiperone elevated both tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activities. The increase in aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity was accompanied by elevated enzyme protein content but not mRNA. The dopamine D2-like receptor agonists, bromocriptine, quinpirole and (+/-)-7-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT), all decreased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. Under the conditions used, bromocriptine and 7-OH-DPAT, but not quinpirole, decreased aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity of striatum. Both the dopamine D1- and D2-like receptor antagonists enhanced the turnover of striatal dopamine to differing degrees, as judged by the ratio of acid metabolites of dopamine to dopamine. Taken together our results indicate that aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase can be modulated independently of tyrosine hydroxylase.     

Prestidigitation, statistical magic, and Supreme Court numerology in juvenile death penalty cases.

In the Supreme Court's Eighth Amendment jurisprudence, "community sentiment" comes to the fore in judging whether a punishment is cruel and unusual, but the Court is sharply divided over whether "objective indicia" should be solely determinative, or whether the moral sentiments of the justices (i.e., a proportionality analysis) should be permitted. Whereas Justices are committed to doing social science to gauge community sentiment, they are also divided over what indicia count. This article analyzes the Court's social science analyses in two juvenile death penalty cases and finds them riddled with error, statistical magic, and numerology: The empirical question is transmuted into a categorical one, social science is made to disappear, and the philosopher-king, who was supposed to be on the sidelines, now commands the field. A more defensible analysis is put forth, and a different picture of "community sentiment" emerges. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)