Moment arms and lengths of human upper limb muscles as functions of joint angles

Modeling of musculoskeletal structures requires accurate data on anatomical parameters such as muscle lengths (MLs), moment arms (MAs) and those describing the upper limb position. Using a geometrical model of planar arm movements with three degrees of freedom, we present, in an analytical form, the available information on the relationship between MAs and MLs and joint angles for thirteen human upper limb muscles. The degrees of freedom included are shoulder flexion/extension, elbow flexion/extension, and either wrist flexion/extension (the forearm in supination) or radial/ulnar deviation (the forearm in mid-pronation). Previously published MA/angle curves were approximated by polynomials. ML/angle curves were obtained by combining the constant values of MLs (defined by the distance between the origin and insertion points for a specific upper limb position) with a variable part obtained by multiplying the MA (joint radius) and the joint angle. The MAs of the prime wrist movers in radial/ulnar deviation were linear functions of the joint angle (R2 > or = 0.9954), while quadratic polynomials accurately described their MAs during wrist flexion/extensions. The relationship between MAs and the elbow angle was described by 2nd, 3rd or 5th-order polynomials (R2 > or = 0.9904), with a lesser quality of fit for the anconeus (R2 = 0.9349). In the full range of angular displacements, the length of wrist, elbow and shoulder muscles can change by 8.5, 55 and 200%, respectively.     

Diagnosis of systemic causes of uveitis; a matter of ophthalmologist and internist

OBJECTIVE: To assess how often the aetiology is established in patients with uveitis, what systemic disease are found and what is the contribution of the internist to the diagnostic process. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital Leiden, the Netherlands. METHOD: From January 1987 to April 1992, 342 patients presented with uveitis. All patients underwent a standard ophthalmological examination. Referral to an internist and individualised laboratory screening followed in patients with recurrent, chronic, bilateral or panuveitis. Recorded were: ophthalmological data, results of laboratory screening, results of analysis by the internist, final diagnosis and presence of systemic disease. RESULTS: 149 (44%) patients were examined by the internist, 18 (5.2%) were seen by another specialist. In 169 (49%) patients a specific diagnosis was made. 74 (22%) had a systemic disease, 74 a primary ocular disease. In 28 (8%) a systemic disease was presumed (5% were HLA-B27 positive, 3% had abnormal laboratory results); 5 (1%) patients had endophthalmitis as a complication of a septic process. CONCLUSION: In approximately 1/3 of the patients with uveitis a systemic disease was found. Examination by the internist tailored to the individual patient is essential in the evaluation of uveitis patients.     

Deposition of thin film silicon using the pulsed PECVD and HWCVD techniques

We report on the use of pulsed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (P-PECVD) technique and show that “state-of-the-art” amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) materials and solar cells can be produced at a deposition rate of up to 15 Å/s using a modulation frequency in the range 1–100 kHz. The approach has also been developed to deposit materials and devices onto large area, 30 cm×40 cm, substrates with thickness uniformity (<5%), and gas utilization rate (>25%). We have developed a new “hot wire” chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) method and report that our new filament material, graphite, has so far shown no appreciable degradation even after deposition of 500 μm of amorphous silicon. We report that this technique can produce “state-of-the-art” a-Si:H and that a solar cell of p/i/n configuration exhibited an initial efficiency approaching 9%. The use of microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) materials to produce low-cost stable solar cells is gaining considerable attention. We show that both of these techniques can produce thin film μc-Si, dependent on process conditions, with 1 1 1 and/or 2 2 0 orientations and with a grain size of approx. 500 A. Inclusion of these types of materials into a solar cell configuration will be discussed.     

Isoforms p69 and p100 of 2'',5''-oligoadenylate synthetase induced differentially by interferons in vivo and in vitro

There is no better place to test life-saving resuscitation interventions than in the prehospital setting. Patients rarely survive cardiac arrest if resuscitation techniques have failed before leaving the scene. Also, paramedics are usually very experienced in key initial resuscitative techniques, and they routinely operate under strict paramilitary protocol, resulting in better study compliance. In addition, the large study populations that are derived from emergency medical services (EMS) systems lead to faster study completion and statistically stronger data. Most important, by reinforcing standardized care, rigidly scrutinized trials improve patient care, regardless of the effect of the study intervention. The success of productive EMS research centers requires routine communication between hospital and EMS administrators and their medical directors, designation of mutually acceptable data collectors who guarantee confidentiality, reciprocal exchange of study data provided as educational seminars to the hospitals, commitments to support the budget requests of an EMS program and appropriate system modifications, inclusion of EMS personnel in study design from the very beginning, prospective education of the medical community and media before protocol implementation, an authoritative grassroots medical director, and a paramedic supervisor system.     

Stochastic model for a wavelike exothermal reaction in condensed heterogeneous systems

The labile protons of two 32-base-pair, four-arm models of immobile Holliday junctions have been studied by two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Overlap of resonances in the imino-imino region of two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) spectra necessitates the use of a multi-pathway approach for obtaining sequence-specific assignments wherein all possible NOE connectivities to the labile protons are utilized, including those from the 2H of adenine, 5CH3 of thymine, and 5H of cytosine. Resonance assignments are obtained for all slowly exchanging imino and cytosine amino protons. Base-pairing up to and including the junction point is found in all four arms of both Holliday junctions. Several cross-arm NOE connectivities are identified and can be used to infer the geometry of the helical stacking domains. The two Holliday junctions studied, which differ only by the exchange of two base pairs at the branch point, appear to have opposite arm stacking geometries. These assignments form an important part of the critical background for detailed NMR analysis of Holliday junction structure and dynamics.     

Guidelines for management of left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis: a role for thrombolytic therapy. Consensus Conference on Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis

OBJECTIVES: We sought to form a consensus recommendation for management of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) from previous case and uncontrolled reports from a consensus of international specialists. BACKGROUND: PVT and thromboembolism relate to inadequate anticoagulation and valve type and location. PVT is suspected by history (dyspnea) and auscultation (muffled valve sounds or new murmurs) and confirmed by Doppler echocardiography showing a marked valve gradient. METHODS: A consensus conference was held to recommend management of left-sided PVT. RESULTS: Transesophageal Doppler echocardiography is used to visualize abnormal leaflet motion and the size, location and mobility of thrombus. Thrombolysis is used for high risk surgical candidates with left-sided PVT (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV) because cerebral thromboembolism may occur in 12% of patients. Duration of thrombolysis depends on resolution of pressure gradients and valve areas to near normal by Doppler echocardiography performed every few hours. Lysis is stopped after 72 or 24 h if there is no hemodynamic improvement (operation indicated). Heparin infusion with frequent measurement of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) begins when aPTT is more than twice control levels and can be converted to warfarin (international normalized ratio [INR] 2.5 to 3.5) plus aspirin (81 to 100 mg/day). Patients in functional class I or II have lower surgical mortality, and those with large immobile thrombi on the prosthetic valve or left atrium have responded to endogenous lysis with combined subcutaneous heparin every 12 h (aPTT 55 to 80 s) plus warfarin (INR 2.5 to 3.5) for 1 to 6 months. Operation is advised for nonresponders or patients with mobile thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolysis, followed by heparin, warfarin and aspirin, is advised for high risk surgical candidates with left-sided PVT.     

The number and biodiversity of the parasites from small mammals in the evacuation area of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station

The study of the micromammalian parasite complexes in the Belorussian part of the evacuation zone of the Chernobyl nuclear station revealed 13 species of Coccidia and 30 species of ectoparasitic Arthropoda. Total increase of abundance and biodiversity of both parasites and their hosts was observed. The part of ectoparasites being epidemically hazardous was significantly increased. An analysis of a long-term dynamics of parasite abundance reveals their adaptation to new conditions in the Belorussia.