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Mountain biking injuries: an update.

This article reviews the available literature regarding injuries in off-road bicyclists. Recent progress in injury research has allowed the description of several patterns of injury in this sport. Mountain biking remains popular, particularly among young males, although sales and participation figures have decreased in the last several years. Competition in downhill racing has increased, while cross-country racing has decreased somewhat in popularity. Recreational riders comprise the largest segment of participants, but little is known about the demographics and injury epidemiology of noncompetitive mountain cyclists. Most mountain bikers participating in surveys reported a history of previous injuries, but prospective studies conducted at mountain bike races have found injury rates of <1%. The most common mechanism of injury involves a forward fall over the handlebars, usually while riding downhill, which can result in direct trauma to the head, torso and upper extremities. A variety of factors can be associated with this type of fall, including trail surface irregularities, mechanical failures and loss of control. In mountain bike racing the risk of injury may be higher for women than men. Minor injuries such as abrasions and contusions occur frequently, but are usually of little consequence. Fractures usually involve the torso or upper extremities, and shoulder injuries are common. Head and face injuries are not always prevented by current helmet designs. Fatal injuries are rare but have been reported. Improvements in safety equipment, rider training and racecourse design are suggested injury prevention measures. The authors encourage continued research in this sport.

Accident Prevention↗

Male body image: self-perceived weight status and avoidance of body exposure.

157 undergraduate students (M age 18.6 yr.) taking introductory psychology courses participated in this study to assess if men's self-perceived weight status is associated with a disposition to engage in or to avoid activities that would expose the body to scrutiny of male and female observers. A second objective of this study was to examine whether willingness to expose the upper torso would be associated with self-reports of anxiety about physique and fear of negative evaluation. Analysis indicated that both self-perceived overweight and underweight men reported less intent than self-perceived normal weight men to volunteer for activities that would expose the body to scrutiny. Surprisingly, participants volunteered for more activities if the viewers of their bodies were women than if they were men. Finally, endorsed unwillingness to expose the upper torso to others was significantly associated with increased social physique anxiety and higher fear of negative evaluation.

Adolescent↗

Heat strain in cold.

In spite of increased environmental cold stress, heat strain is possible also in a cold environment. The body heat balance depends on three factors: environmental thermal conditions, metabolic heat production and thermal insulation of clothing and other protective garments. As physical exercise may increase metabolic heat production from rest values by ten times or even more, the required thermal insulation of clothing may vary accordingly. However, in most outdoor work, and often in indoor cold work, too, the thermal insulation of clothing is impractical, difficult or impossible to adjust according to the changes in physical activity. This is especially true with whole body covering garments like chemical protective clothing. As a result of this imbalance, heat strain may develop. In cold all the signs of heat strain (core temperature above 38 degrees C, warm or hot thermal sensations, increased cutaneous circulation and sweating) may not be present at the same time. Heat strain in cold may be whole body heat strain or related only to torso or core temperature. Together with heat strain in torso or body core, there can be at the same time even cold strain in peripheral parts and/or superficial layers of the body. In cold environment both the preservation of insulation and facilitation of heat loss are important. Development of clothing design is still needed to allow easy adjustments of thermal insulation.

Cold Temperature↗

A comparison of trunk extensor strength and squat lifting ability.

Back testing devices are frequently utilized in the clinic to assess function and return to work readiness in place of the job task, yet little research on their validity has been reported. This study was conducted to determine if correlations exist between squat lifting and isoinertial and isometric trunk extensor strength, torso length and isoinertial and isometric trunk extensor strength, and body weight and isoinertial and isometric trunk extensor strength. Twenty-eight subjects participated in two sessions involving B200 testing and 30.5 cm to knuckle lifting ability. Regression and correlations were performed. The results indicate that body weight and torso length do not demonstrate a relationship with trunk extensor strength, and isometric and isoinertial trunk extensor strength cannot be used accurately to estimate one's 30.5 cm to knuckle lifting ability. In conclusion, other anthropometric measures should be investigated if anthropometrics are used to estimate strength, and functional testing should be used to evaluate function.

Adult↗

Loosely coupled coaxial TEM applicators for deep-heating.

The development of a coaxial TEM (transverse electromagnetic) deep-heating, non-contacting applicator employing two axially spaced concentric sleeves is described which has electrostatic characteristics and has been named the ESA. Thermal data obtained with the FDA/CDRH elliptic-shaped human torso phantom (with fat overlay) showed nearly uniform heating (+/- 10%) throughout the inner cross-section. Saline tank measurements on a torso cross-section confirmed similar SAR uniformity. Animal experiments with a pig, both with and without blood flow, verified deep-heating and suggested that some preferential central heating occurred. The absence of excessive surface heating indicated that the major portion of the E-field excitation is axially aligned. The non-contacting applicator does not require a water bolus, and experiments showed that moderate patient movement had minor effect on performance.

Animals↗

3-D mapping of body surface potentials.

A new system has been developed in which the human body surface potentials are displayed in a 3-dimensional format using computer graphics. A wire-frame model of the human torso is constructed using geometrical data from several cross-sectional slices. The body surface potentials are measured and the isopotential lines drawn. By mapping the co-ordinates obtained with the isopotential line subroutine to the X, Y and Z torso arrays, a 3-dimensional representation of the depolarization wave travelling across the body surface can be displayed. The deviations from its normal path are clearly seen in the 2 clinical cardiac conditions presented (right bundle branch block and left ventricular premature beat). The increased realism and spatial resolution, as compared to ECG and the 2-dimensional contour map, lead to a clear understanding and interpretation of the underlying electrical phenomena of the heart while making a diagnosis or presenting experimental results.

Bundle-Branch Block↗

Response corridors of human surrogates in lateral impacts.

Thirty-six lateral PMHS sled tests were performed at 6.7 or 8.9 m/s, under rigid or padded loading conditions and with a variety of impact surface geometries. Forces between the simulated vehicle environment and the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, as well as torso deflections and various accelerations were measured and scaled to the average male. Mean +/- one standard deviation corridors were calculated. PMHS response corridors for force, torso deflection and acceleration were developed. The offset test condition, when partnered with the flat wall condition, forms the basis of a robust battery of tests that can be used to evaluate how an ATD interacts with its environment, and how body regions within the ATD interact with each other.

Journal Article↗

[Experimental study of coil selection considered from subject size].

We examined the index of coil selection in consideration of subject size to measure signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and uniformity in a phantom experiment. The QD-Head, 8-channel-Head, and 8-channel-Head-Neck coil were used for head examination, QD-Body, 4-channel-TORSO, and 8-channel-Body coil were used for body examination. In the examination of the head, measurements were performed at various positions in a coil. The SNR measured by the QD-Head coil showed the highest values for 9 cm or 12 cm diameters of the phantom, and 10 cm to 15 cm distance from the coil entrance. The QD-Head coil also showed adequate uniformity at most sizes of phantoms. In the body examination, both multi-channel coils showed an SNR higher than the QD-Body coil for all sizes, but they were inferior to the QD-Body coil in uniformity. The 4-channel-TORSO coil showed an SNR higher than the 8-channel-Body coil when a phantom with a diameter of 21 cm or less was used. Since sensitivity distributions differ according to various cases, the 8-channel coil does not necessarily always show a high SNR. It is necessary to perform coil selection according to the subject's size and purpose.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging↗

Identification of group A coxsackieviruses by immune adherence hemagglutination.

We investigated to find whether the immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA) test could be used for identification of group A coxsackieviruses (Cox. A). By using homogenate of suckling mouse torsos infected with each of nine prototype viruses (Cox. A 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 16) and 46 isolates as antigens and hyperimmune mouse ascitic fluids to the prototype viruses, we compared IAHA with complement fixation (CF) for serotyping of these viruses. The results of identification tests by IAHA were the same as those by combined use of CF and neutralization tests on all the 46 strains. By CF alone, however, six of 46 strains were not identified because of lower antigen titers; IAHA antigen titers were generally higher by 16-fold or more than CF tests. Furthermore, IAHA had a higher type-specificity than CF; a weak cross-reaction was found by IAHA only between Cox. A 3 and Cox. A 8. Nonspecific reactions encountered in IAHA were reduced more readily by kaolin than fluorocarbon treatment of the torso homogenates. From these results, we conclude that IAHA is an alternative method to CF and neutralization for serotyping of Cox. A viruses.

Animals↗

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture: associated injuries and outcome.

A retrospective case note analysis was performed on all patients treated for traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) at a major teaching hospital between January 1990 and August 1998. Patients were identified from the prospectively maintained UK Trauma and Research Network Database. Of the 480 cases of torso trauma admitted during the study period, 16 (3.3%) had TDR. Blunt trauma accounted for 13 (81%) of the injuries. A radiological pre-operative diagnosis was made in 10 (62.5%) patients. Seven of these were made on initial chest radiography, two on ultrasound scan and one on computed tomography. All patients underwent a midline laparotomy and TDR was subsequently diagnosed at operation in 6 patients. The left hemidiaphragm was ruptured in 14 (87.5%) patients and there was visceral herniation in 8 (50%). Twelve patients with blunt trauma had associated abdominal and extra-abdominal injuries, but only one of the three patients with penetrating trauma had other injuries. The median Injury Severity Score (range) was 21 (9-50). The median time (range) spent on the intensive care unit was 2 days (0-35 days). Pulmonary complications occurred in 7 (44%) patients. Two (12.5%) patients died from associated head injuries. TDR results from blunt and penetrating torso trauma, is uncommon, rarely occurs in isolation and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion makes early diagnosis more likely as initial physical and radiological signs may be lacking.

Adolescent↗

Endoscopic coronary artery bypass graft (ECABG) procedure with robotic assistance.

BACKGROUND: Technical details of the Robotically assisted endoscopic coronary artery bypass graft (ECABG) procedure on the cadaver model are reported. Moreover, this study will provide essential techniques, steps, and procedural development concepts necessary to introduce the ZEUS Robotic Surgical System (Computer Motion, Inc., Goleta, CA) into the human operating room. METHODS: Between August 1998 and March 1999, an ECABG procedure was performed on 10 cadaver torsos. The cadaver torso was placed in the left anterior oblique (LAO) position. The left and right internal mammary arteries (IMA) were taken down endoscopically. The ends of the IMA's were intracorporeally prepared. An upper partial sternotomy was demonstrated for perfusion cannulation and proximal anastomoses for multiple vessel revascularization. An arteriotomy was created with an endoscopic scalpel. The IMA was anastomosed to a chosen coronary using robotic assistance. The patency was verified by probing and injecting of methylene blue. RESULTS: Templates were developed to determine the placement of the robotic arms. Port templates were developed to both harvest the IMA's and perform the desired anastomoses. The following vessels were accessed through the developed port templates and retraction of the heart: left anterior descending (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA), diagonal (D(1)), obtuse marginal (OM(1) and OM(2)), and posterior descending artery (PDA). CONCLUSIONS: The use of robotic assistance during an ECABG procedure on a cadaver model is feasible. This study is a necessary and useful progression from the use of robotics in the animal lab to the use of robotics in the human operating room.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

Sustained combustion of an animal carcass and its implications for the consumption of human bodies in fires.

When a human body is found with significant portions of its torso and limbs destroyed yet with comparatively minor damage to head, hands and feet, the mechanism of such destruction defies ready explanation, since exposure to external fires, particularly those involving flammable liquids, usually results in the destruction of hands, feet, limbs, and head prior to significant combustion of the large mass of the torso. Previous tests by these authors have demonstrated the conditions necessary to promote combustion of a body: the presence of adequate body fat, presence of a porous, rigid char to act as a wick, and an external flame source sustained for several minutes to char the body and cause the subcutaneous fat to begin rendering. In the test reported here, a freshly-slaughtered pig carcass with a net weight of 215 lb. (95 kg) was wrapped in a cotton blanket and placed on a carpet-covered plywood panel. The fire was initiated using 1 L of gasoline poured on the shoulder area of the blanket-wrapped carcass. The gasoline burned off within 4 min, having ignited a large area of the blanket and adjoining carpet. Flames from those fuel packages resulted in the establishment of a steady-state fire sustained by the rendering of the body fat, with the necessary wick provided by the charred cotton blanket and carpet. The heat release rate of this fire was 60+/-10 kW, with flames less than 12 in. (0.35 m) high for its duration. The fire sustained itself by the rendering process for more than 6 1/2 h from ignition, at which time it was extinguished. An average mass loss rate of 1.5 g/s (5.3 kg/h) was observed during the self-sustained fire. Extensive destruction of the carcass (more than 60% by weight) included reduction of large bones to a fragile, ashen state. Other test data will demonstrate the similarity between subcutaneous fat from human and porcine sources. The implications for the reconstruction of accidental and homicidal fires involving such destruction will be discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗

Preliminary evaluation of wheelchair occupant restraint system usage in motor vehicles.

Individuals using wheeled mobility devices (WMDs) often use them as motor vehicle seats during transportation. Wheelchair occupant restraint systems (WORSs), consisting of upper torso and pelvic restraints, are usually mounted to the structure of transit vehicles to secure individuals within their wheelchair seats. This preliminary study attempts to evaluate the use and satisfaction of currently installed vehicle-mounted WORSs for individuals using WMD as seats in motor vehicles. A survey was conducted among 33 adults who use their WMD to travel in motor vehicles. Results from the survey showed that upper torso and pelvic restraints installed in private vehicles are quick, comfortable, and easy to use. However, WORS installed in mass transit and paratransit are often uncomfortable to wear, difficult to reach, and time-consuming to use. This preliminary study documents the growing need for developing alternative WORS that are safe, comfortable, and that allow independent usage for wheelchair occupants while traveling in a motor vehicle.

Accident Prevention↗

Sun protection of children at the beach.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to determine the frequency with which sun protection measures are used by children at the beach. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken that combined a brief, structured interview with direct observation of the sun protection methods (sunscreen, clothing, hats, shade) used for children at a public beach in Florida. RESULTS: Of the 139 children observed, 97 (69.8%) had some form of sun protection used on all three body regions (head, torso, legs), while only 8 (5.8%) had none of the three body regions protected. Sunscreen was the most common method of sun protection (84.9%), and other methods were less frequently used (shirt 11.5%, pants 26.6%, hat 8.6%, shade 14.4%). Sun protection use differed by sex, with girls having better protection of their head and torso, and boys slightly better protection of their legs. CONCLUSIONS: Using direct observation, we found that parents frequently use sun protection measures (mainly sunscreen) for their children while at the beach. Parents primarily rely on the use of sunscreen, rather than such measures as avoiding the sun, using shade, or protective clothing.

Bathing Beaches↗

[Effects of head-down bedrest on surface temperature distribution and non-evaporative heat dissipation].

OBJECTIVE: To study effect of simulated weightlessness on non-evaporative heat dissipation from different parts of the human body. METHOD: Body surface temperature distribution of five subjects was measured under -6 degrees head down bedrest for 7 d with HR-II infrared thermography. Non-evaporative heat dissipation was calculated with the heat exchange equations based on surface temperature. RESULT: The temperature difference between torso and extremities increased during bed rest, and the largest was 6.7 degrees C higher than the control on the 3rd day of bed rest. The part of non-evaporative heat dissipation from the torso increased about 6% and that from head-neck increased 2%. At the same time, the parts of heat dissipation from the upper and lower extremities decreased about 3% and 5% respectively. CONCLUSION: The parts of non-evaporative heat dissipation from different areas of the human body changed during simulated weightlessness. This result provided a basis for the flow distribution design of liquid cooling garment of EVA suit.

Arm↗

Dynamic performances of different seat designs for low to medium velocity rear impact.

There is good evidence that seat design and impact severities in terms of delta-V and acceleration plays a role in AIS 1 neck injury outcomes in the event of a rear impact. This study evaluates a number of current production seats to assess the AIS 1 neck injury protection potential at different impact severities. Five different seat designs were exposed to four different impact severities in a sled simulating a rear impact. The same delta-V produced with different peak accelerations generated very different dummy responses. Head restraint position influenced the angular and horizontal displacement of the head relative to torso and the time of head to head restraint contact. The lowest motion of the head relative to the torso was found in the two anti-whiplash seats tested. The results of the study can be used for the design of future vehicle seats and anti-whiplash systems.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗

A phase II pilot trial of concurrent biochemotherapy with cisplatin, vinblastine, temozolomide, interleukin 2, and IFN-alpha 2B in patients with metastatic melanoma.

PURPOSE: In an effort to reduce the frequency of central nervous system (CNS) progression in patients with metastatic melanoma with ongoing systemic response to biochemotherapy, we modified our standard concurrent biochemotherapy regimen by replacing dacarbazine (DTIC) with oral temozolomide. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients received cisplatin, vinblastine, and temozolomide (20 mg/m(2) cisplatin and 1.2 mg/m(2) vinblastine i.v., days 1-4; 150 mg/m(2) p.o. temozolomide, days 1-4) concurrent with interleukin 2 (9 MIU/m(2)/day) by continuous i.v. infusion on days 1-4 and IFN-alpha (5 MU/m(2)/day) on days 1-5, 8, 10, and 12. Prophylactic antibiotics and a maximum of four cycles were administered. Routine granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and aggressive antiemetics were also provided. Tumor staging included torso computed tomography scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging pretreatment, after cycle 4 and then every 3 months for 2 years. Torso computed tomography scans were also performed after cycle 2. RESULTS: A total of 147 treatment cycles were administered to 48 patients. No patients had received prior chemotherapy or interleukin 2; however, 19 (40%) had received prior adjuvant IFN-alpha. Significant toxicities included 2 deaths from cardiac events (pericarditis al tamponade and posttreatment myocardial infarction with associated ventricular arrhythmia) and 3 gastrointestinal serious adverse events (pancreatitis, appendicitis, and upper GI bleed). No other nonhematological grade 4 toxicities were observed. Tumor responses were seen in 22 of 47 evaluable patients (relative risk, 47%) with 7 complete responses (15%). Response durations ranged from 1 to 29+ months with 1 currently ongoing. Median survival was 7.5 months. The CNS was the initial site of progression in 2 responding patients. An additional 6 responding patients developed CNS progression within 3 months of systemic progression. Initial CNS progression was significantly less frequent what was seen with the prior DTIC-based biochemotherapy regimen (2 of 22 versus 12 of 19; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This regimen appears to be active and reasonably well tolerated in patients with metastatic melanoma. Although the substitution of temozolomide for DTIC reduced the incidence of initial CNS progression, this effect did not appear to result in an improved overall outcome.

Adult↗

Individual thermal profiles as a basis for comfort improvement in space and other environments.

BACKGROUND: The development of individualized countermeasures to address problems in thermoregulation is of considerable importance for humans in space and other extreme environments. A methodology is presented for evaluating minimal/maximal heat flux from the total human body and specific body zones, and for assessing individual differences in the efficiency of heat exchange from these body areas. The goal is to apply this information to the design of individualized protective equipment. METHODS: A multi-compartment conductive plastic tubing liquid cooling/warming garment (LCWG) was developed. Inlet water temperatures of 8-45 degrees C were imposed sequentially to specific body areas while the remainder of the garment was maintained at 33 degrees C. RESULTS: There were significant differences in heat exchange level among body zones in both the 8 degrees and 45 degrees C temperature conditions (p < 0.001). The greatest amount of heat was absorbed/released by the following areas: thighs (8 degrees C: -2.12 +/- 0.14 kcal min(-1); 45 degrees C: +1.58 +/- 0.23); torso (8 degrees C: -2.12 +/- 0.13 kcal min(-1); 45 degrees C: +1.31 +/- 0.27); calves (8 degrees C: -1.59 +/- 0.26 kcal min(-1); 45 degrees C: +1.53 +/- 0.24); and forearms (8 degrees C: -1.67 +/- 0.29 kcal x min(-1); 45 degrees C: +1.45 +/- 0.20). These are primarily zones with relatively large muscle mass and adipose tissue. Calculation of absorption/release heat rates standardized per unit tube length and flow rate instead of zonal surface area covered showed that there was significantly greater heat transfer in the head, hands, and feet (p < 0.001). The areas in which there was considerable between-subject variability in rates of heat transfer and thus most informative for individual profile design were the torso, thighs, shoulders, and calves or forearms. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology developed is sensitive to individual differences in the process of heat exchange and variations in different body areas, depending on their size and tissue mass content. The design of individual thermal profiles is feasible for better comfort of astronauts on long-duration missions and personnel in other extreme environments.

Adult↗