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Biomedical subjects

P Schaff

Publications and source records attributed to P Schaff.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Phorbol esters imitate in rat fat-cells the full effect of insulin on glucose-carrier translocation, but not on 3-O-methylglucose-transport activity.

Tumour-promoting phorbol esters have insulin-like effects on glucose transport and lipogenesis in adipocytes and myocytes. It is believed that insulin activates the glucose-transport system through translocation of glucose transporters from subcellular membranes to the plasma membrane. The aim of the present study was to investigate if phorbol esters act through the same mechanism as insulin on glucose-transport activity of rat adipocytes. We compared the effects of the tumour-promoting phorbol ester tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) and of insulin on 3-O-methylglucose transport and on the distribution of D-glucose-inhibitable cytochalasin-B binding sites in isolated rat adipocytes. Insulin (100 mu units/ml) stimulated 3-O-methylglucose uptake 9-fold, whereas TPA (1 nM) stimulated the uptake only 3-fold (mean values of five experiments, given as percentage of equilibrium reached after 4 s: basal 7 +/- 1.3%, insulin 60 +/- 3.1%, TPA 22 +/- 2.3%). In contrast, both agents stimulated glucose-transporter translocation to the same extent [cytochalasin B-binding sites (pmol/mg of protein; n = 7): plasma membranes, basal 6.2 +/- 1.0, insulin 13.4 +/- 2.0, TPA 12.7 +/- 2.7; low-density membranes, basal 12.8 +/- 2.1, insulin 6.3 +/- 0.9, TPA 8.9 +/- 0.7; high-density membranes, 6.9 +/- 1.1; insulin 12.5 +/- 1.0, TPA 8.1 +/- 0.9]. We conclude from these data: (1) TPA stimulates glucose transport in fat-cells by stimulation of glucose-carrier translocation; (2) insulin and TPA stimulate the carrier translocation to the same extent, whereas the stimulation of glucose uptake is 3-fold higher with insulin, suggesting that the stimulatory effect of insulin on glucose-transport activity involves other mechanisms in addition to carrier translocation.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

[Factors affecting the pressure distribution underneath the foot sole in ski boots].

The determination of pressure patterns underneath the footsole inside skiboots, may reveal reasons for footpain and injury risk. In our study, a new developed 72 point measuring mat was used in 5 different skiboots. Data were collected in 10 subjects in different forward flexion positions. In addition a determination of the pressure distribution over the instep was done by means of single measuring points. The results proof, that a proper adapting along the dorsum of the foot does lower the forefoot load during flexion. A tightly closed and well adapted boot will lead to a significant reduction of the total load on the footsole. High shaft models show similar pressure patterns even at earlier forward flexion angles. A pressure related discrimination between rear entry and traditional boots, that was found along the tibia, was not the case underneath the footsole. The force transmission is mainly performed along the shaft of the boot. The effect of orthotics designed mainly to support steerability of the ski, is therefore doubtful. The results may help to improve our knowledge of the interaction between boot and skier and lead, together with future field research, to a reduction of equipment related injuries.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

[Measuring pressure distribution on the human tibia in ski boots].

Pressure distribution inside shoes is of great importance for orthopaedic and biomechanical inquiries. Especially in sports, safety and comfort depend essentially on this quantity, which also determines whether a shoe is well suited for a certain discipline. Therefore, the measurement of pressure distribution allows detailed and objective statements about these factors. Using a set of newly developed thin and highly flexible measuring mats and the corresponding electronic equipment, such statements have become possible. First results with this method were obtained in alpine skiing. 8 different types of ski boots (sizes 5 and 8) worn by 14 subjects were tested on different foreward leans and temperatures using 7-point measuring mats (2 cm2/point) fixed between the boot shaft and the front of the lower leg of each leg. Additional measurements on three different types of boots using a 3 x 24-point mat (1 cm2/point) for the lower leg, as well as measurements underneath the foot with a 14-point (2 cm2/point) and a 80-point (1 cm2/point) mat were performed. A complementary determination of the force at the heel element of a ski binding and a registration of muscular activity (EMG) helped in the interpretation of the results. Some field research using telemetry completed our study. Considerable variations between different boots were found in value and location of pressure maxima. Traditional boots show high pressure values over the instep at foreward leans of 35 degrees and a rise of pressure underneath the forefoot while fixing the buckles, whereas minimal pressure over the instep, no compression of the forefoot and a pressure maximum near the upper end of the shaft are observed in rear entry boots. The force at the heel-important for binding release-varies widely between different boots at the same foreward lean. There was no asymmetry between the pressure distributions of right and left. The pressure distributions for different subjects measured in the same boot were very similar. The temperature dependence of pressures is strongly influenced by the construction principle of the boot: If shaft stiffness is caused by deformation of plastics, boots become much stiffer at the freezing point than they are at room temperature. Well-suited ski boots should cause low pressure over the instep and show a relatively low maximum in the upper part of the shaft, in order to allow a good transmission of torque, which is necessary for a safe binding release and easy skiing without fatigue. The shaft stiffness must not depend strongly on temperature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

[Dynamic measurement of pressure distribution with flexible measuring mats--an innovative measuring procedure in sports orthopedics and traumatology. Development--use--value].

The results of this study provide the basis for an on-target use of measurement of pressure distribution with flexible mats in sports orthopaedics and traumatology and adjacent overlapping fields. Dynamic measurement of pressure distribution using a flexible mat as a capacitor can yield valuable additional information not available so far in this form, on the static and dynamic stress acting on the human locomotor system. In the future this method can be used to prevent injuries and to optimise performance in many disciplines of sport and will make a significant contribution to optimised treatment concepts with pressure-adjusted shoes or insoles, as well as to the control of functional surgery results in traumatology. The fundamentals are presented via a detailed description of the development, standardization and testing of this innovative measuring method. The questions of applicability, practicability and information supplied are discussed on the basis of extensive studies on reproducibility, on the amount of time and technical effort required for each measurement, and on a critical comparison with other methods. For the two fields of application presented here it was possible to standardize the working procedure enabling a largely problem-free application in practice. The first useful results were obtained in sports orthopaedics (alpine ski boots and sportshoe design). By applying the measuring of pressure distribution in alpine ski sports the influence the construction of ski boots on the stress exercised on the human leg could be objectively quantified in man for the first time. Marked differences were found between models where the heel can be turned down on entering, to conventionally fastened ski boots. This, as well as the results on the influence temperature, height of shaft and shaft stability or rigidity on the pressure distribution along the tibia, provide the basis for a new guideline for the testing of ski boots. A new method was developed for the quality testing of shoes, insoles and sport shoes. This method enables for the first time dynamic pressure measurements inside the shoe and under the foot within the shoe. First results have been obtained with different insoles and arch supports or instep-raisers, or with different shoe constructions in general. These results are discussed in respect of their importance for an assessment of the stress exercised on the human body, for a timely detection of unfavourable stress distribution, and for optimizing the performance by means of selecting the appropriate material and suitable design and construction.

Athletic Injuries↗

[Mechanical effects on measuring displacement of the knee joint with the knee arthrometer KT1000 and KT2000].

The KT2000 knee ligament arthrometer manufactured by the MEDmetric Corporation is used in the field of orthopedics to establish quantitatively the size of the anterior and posterior draw phenomena of the knee joint. The basis for the measurement is the Lachman test in which a force is applied to the tibia relative to the femur. The resulting displacement is limited by the cruciate ligaments. The measurements obtained for a potentially injured knee are compared with those of the healthy knee and empirical threshold values, and serve as a basis for deciding whether to operate on patients with cruciate ligament insufficiency. The subject of the present study is a design shortcoming of the KT2000 that may falsify the measured results when the device is not correctly employed. A simple mechanical modification of the KT2000 can reduce this error. In the present study, the error is quantified and we show how the modification can keep it within tolerable limits.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries↗