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At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Body up-down acceleration in kinematic gait analysis in comparison with the vertical ground reaction force.

In order to investigate clinical significance of the body up-down acceleration, and to practically verify the relationship with the vertical component of the ground reaction force, 3D kinematic gait analysis was performed on normal subjects and hip patients. The displacement of the body up-down movement was measured at the lower end of the sternum, then the acceleration was calculated from the displacement by using the double differential operation, and differential noise was removed by Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filter with the cutoff frequency of 3 Hz. The acceleration showed a regular cyclic pattern in normal subjects. However, in hip patients, there was a significant decrease of downward acceleration at the mid-stance of the affected side. And the acceleration was roughly consistent with the vertical component showing the same trends of up and down. However, in detail, they are inconsistent in the affected side, which is probably due to abnormal movements of the body and upper limbs, the so-called compensational movements.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1999

Selective modification of apoB-100 in the oxidation of low density lipoproteins by myeloperoxidase in vitro.

Oxidative modification of LDL may be important in the initiation and/or progression of atherosclerosis, but the precise mechanisms through which low density lipoprotein (LDL) is oxidized are unknown. Recently, evidence for the existence of HOCl-oxidized LDL in human atherosclerotic lesions has been reported, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is thought to act through production of HOCl, has been identified in human atherosclerotic lesions. In the present report we describe the formation of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-reactive modifications in the apolipoprotein (apo) by exposure of LDL to myeloperoxidase in vitro. In contrast with the complex mixture of peptides from oxidation of LDL with reagent HOCl, oxidation with MPO in vitro produced a major tryptic peptide showing absorbance at 365 nm. This peptide was isolated and characterized as VELEVPQL(*C)SFILK..., corresponding to amino acid residues 53-66...on apoB-100. Mass spectrometric analyses of two tryptic peptides from oxidation of LDL by HOCl indicated formation of the corresponding methionine sulfoxide (M=O), cysteinyl azo (*C), RS -N= N-DNP, derivatives of EEL(*C)T(M=O)FIR and LNDLNS VLV(M=O)PTFHVPFTDLQVPS(*C)K, which suggest oxidation to the corresponding sulfinic acids (RSO2H) by HOCl. The present results demonstrate that DNPH-reactive modifications other than aldehydes and ketones can be formed in the oxidation of proteins and illustrate how characterization of specific products of protein oxidation can be useful in assessing the relative contributions of different and unexpected mechanisms to the oxidation of LDL and other target substrates. The data also suggest a direct interaction of the LDL particle with the active site on myeloperoxidase and indicate that effects of the protein microenvironment can greatly influence product formation and stability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1976

[Our experience with pulsed oxygen and general anesthesia in direct suspension laryngoscopy].

The authors describe a group of 77 direct suspension laryngoscopies in which general anaesthesia and oxygen therapy were used. The technique is described in considerable detail. The catheter used is independent of the laryngoscope and is passed into the nasal cavity. Analysis of the gases in the blood of 15 patients showed that after three minutes of apnea, ventilation was still satsifactory. No pneumothorax occured during this type of anaesthesia. For the O.-R.-L. practitioner using the method, the advantages are as follows: induction anaesthesia is quicker than after neuroleptanalgesia, exposure of the larynx is excellent due to curarization and three endoscopies can be carried out in the same operation: laryngoscopy, oesophagoscopy and bronchoscopy. The disadvantage of general anaesthesia is that it makes it impossible to judge the mobility of the larynx. In 7,8 p. 100 of the cases, direct suspension laryngoscopy proved difficult or impossible to carry out fir anatomical reasons.

Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture↗
PubMed1999

Determinants of exposure to inhalable particulate, wood dust, resin acids, and monoterpenes in a lumber mill environment.

In a lumber mill in the northern inland region of British Columbia, Canada, we measured inhalable particulate, resin acid, and monoterpene exposures, and estimated wood dust exposures. Potential determinants of exposure were documented concurrently, including weather conditions, tree species, wood conditions, jobs, tasks, equipment used, and certain control measures. Over 220 personal samples were taken for each contaminant. Geometric mean concentrations were 0.98 mg/m3 for inhalable particulate, 0.49 mg/m3 for estimated wood dust, 8.04 micrograms/m3 for total resin acids, and 1.11 mg/m3 for total monoterpenes. Multiple regression models for all contaminants indicated that spruce and pine produced higher exposures than alpine fir or mixed tree species, cleaning up sawdust increased exposures, and personnel enclosure was an effective means of reducing exposures. Sawing wood in the primary breakdown areas of the mill was the main contributor to monoterpene exposures, so exposures were highest for the barker operator, the head rig operator, the canter operator, the board edgers, and a roving utility worker in the sawmill, and lowest in the planer mills (after kiln drying of the lumber) and yard. Cleaning up sawdust, planing kiln-dried lumber, and driving mobile equipment in the yard substantially increased exposures to both inhalable particulate and estimated wood dust. Jobs at the front end of the sawmill where primary breakdown of the logs takes place had lower exposures. Resin acid exposures followed a similar pattern, except that yard driving jobs did not increase exposures.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1999

Accumulated basement membrane material in hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid.

We report here four additional cases of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid and describe the findings of the accumulated basement membrane (BM) material. Focal lumpy depositions of BM material were noted in the stroma of all four tumors and were particularly prominent in two. Antibodies against type IV collagen and laminin strongly immunoreacted with this material, which also showed diastase-resistant periodic acid-Schiff positivity. The ultrastructural findings of accumulated basement membrane was examined in detail. The most striking ultrastructural findings were seen at the periphery of the cell clusters, where the basal aspect of the tumor cells rested on a highly accumulated BM materials displaying mesh-like, fir-branching, or frame-like appearances. Intracytoplasmic BM islands were frequently observed in neoplastic cells. These BM islands were membrane-bounded and focally continuous with the cell surface membrane, suggesting pseudointracytoplasmic depositions of BM material due to marked cytoplasmic infoldings. From the findings, electron microscopic features of accumulated BM material are very characteristic in hyalinizing trabecular adenomas and can be discernible from other histologic types of BM-producing tumors.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1999

[Prognostic markers of survival in infants younger than 12 month of age vertically infected by human immunodeficiency virus].

OBJECTIVES: To assess the immunological and virological markers as potential predictors of progression to death in HIV-1 infected < 12 months of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three HIV-1 infants < 12 months of age were evaluated. None of the children received antiviral treatment, neither their mothers during pregnancy. Plasma viremia was quantified by standardised molecular assay. Virus isolation, evaluation of the non-syncytia-inducing (NSI) or syncytia-inducing (SI) phenotype and kinetic of replication was performed in parallel cultures. RESULTS: Regarding viral load cut off levels of 5 log10 copies/ml appeared to be the best predictors of progression to death. The mean times of progression to death estimated by Kaplan-Meier method were 61.08 months fir children with viral load below that limit, and 19.16 months above this limit (p < 0.013). When the first viral isolate was NSI the mean time of progression to death was of 73.9 months, whereas it was of 26.7 months when was SI (p < 0.003). When the first viral isolate was slow/low (S/L) the mean times of progression to death was 71.8 months, whereas it was of it was of 19.8 months when was rapid/high (R/H) (p < 0.0003). When the first viral isolate was S/L-NSI the mean times of progression to death was of 73.9 months, whereas it was of 19.4 months when was R/H-SI (p < 0.0004). The hazard rate of progression to death in infants with viral load > 5 log10 copies/ml was 4.7, whereas was of 8.07 in those with SI isolates and of 9.32 in those with R/H kinetics. CONCLUSIONS: Initial HIV-1 biological characteristics are better predictors of progression to death than viral load in untreated infants under 12 months of age. Nevertheless, a correlation exists between viral load over 5 log10 copies/ml and progression to death.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

[The role of magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of the os trigonum syndrome].

PURPOSE: We investigated the yield of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in hindfoot conditions, particularly the os trigonum syndrome, which are very difficult to diagnose clinically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 7 consecutive patients complaining of hindfoot pain for more than 4 months (male:female = 1:6; age range 16-22 years, average 18.6). Three patients practiced competitive sports and 4 ballet. We performed conventional radiography (orthogonal projections) and then MRI with a 0.5 T superconductive unit with surface coils; MR images were acquired with T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), T2-weighted gradient-echo (GRE), and fast inversion recovery (FIR) fat-suppressed sequences with 4 mm thickness and 0 mm gap. RESULTS: In 2 cases the os trigonum had irregular margins with subchondral sclerosis and widened synchondrosis. In 3 patients we found flexor hallucis longus tenosynovitis, likely caused by tendon compression and displacement within its sheath; there were neither os trigonum marrow edema nor synchondrosis widening. One patient had os trigonum hypertrophy, mild synchondrosis widening and marrow edema, in the os trigonum and the posterior aspect of talus. One patient had the os trigonum, but no signs referable to the os trigonum syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In the posterior impingement syndrome, our objective is to show inflammatory changes in the posterior capsule of the ankle joint, adjacent ligaments, tendons and chondrosynovial surface. In these cases, the yield of conventional radiography and CT is rather poor, while MRI provides important information on soft tissues involvement, synovial reaction, chondral and subchondral bone injuries and the association of flexor hallucis longus synovitis, if present. MRI also yields detailed information for correct therapeutic approach. In conclusion, for the (differential) diagnosis of hindfoot pain in clinically suspected os trigonum syndrome, MRI appears to be the technique of choice, after conventional radiography, thanks to its noninvasiveness, multiplanarity, and high spatial and contrast resolution.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Os trigonum tarsi syndrome. Role of magnetic resonance].

INTRODUCTION: The os trigonum tarsi is an accessory bone of the foot localized posterolateral to the lateral tubercle of talus. It is usually an asymptomatic condition. However, particular activities such as ballet, soccer, or football may cause repeated stress and chronic microtraumas to the hindfoot, resulting in the os trigonum syndrome. Pain is typically localized anterior to the Achilles tendon; nevertheless, diagnosis may be very difficult because other conditions may show the same symptoms. Radiography can only demonstrate the os trigonum and its morphostructural changes, while MR imaging can also depict associated soft tissue damage. We report on 9 cases of os trigonum tarsi syndrome studied with MR imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients with the os trigonum tarsi syndrome were submitted to MRI. All the examinations were performed with the patients in supine recumbency with the injured foot in neutral position and then in forced plantar flexion. Axial and sagittal T1 SE, T2* GE and FIR images were acquired. We evaluated os trigonum location and shape, signal intensity of bone, cartilages and adjacent soft tissues, and possible associated tendon injuries. RESULTS: No changes were found in the os trigonum location and shape. Signal intensity changes were seen in 2/9 cases. Particularly, a small area of very high signal intensity, due to necrosis, was depicted on the talar aspect in 1 case; a subchondral spot of slightly increased signal intensity, with a low-signal outline, was seen on the calcanear aspect in another case. Disruption of the cartilaginous synchondrosis between the accessory navicular bone and the posterior tibial aspect was observed in 7/9 patients. Tenosynovitis of the flexor hallucis longus was associated in 6/9 patients. Pseudoarthrosis with irregular bone margins and high-signal spots within the cartilage was found in 3 cases. Finally, fluid effusion surrounding the os trigonum and adjacent soft tissues was always detected. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The os trigonum syndrome may result from chronic microtraumas. Indeed, forced plantar flexion may cause os trigonum compression between the posterior aspect of the tibial malleolus and the calcaneus, with disruption of the synchondrosis with the lateral tubercle of talus. Joint inflammation may be associated with possible development of pseudoarthrosis. Other possible complications are related to vascular changes which may lead to bone necrosis. Furthermore, the particular anatomical site of the os trigonum may sometimes cause compression to the flexor hallucis longus tendon, resulting in severe tenosynovitis. MR imaging allows complete morphostructural assessment because it depicts the margins and the signal intensity of bone and ligaments on the 3 spatial planes. Particularly, sagittal T2 images best demonstrate the cartilage changes indicating synchondrosis disruption. This condition may cause abnormal mobility of the accessory bone with possible impingement with the posterior aspect of the tibia, or hypomobility due to pseudoarthrosis. Forced plantar flexion acquisitions are particularly useful in this condition because they can demonstrate the mechanism of injury.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of combined treatment with coffee cherry and whole-body hyperthermia on the growth of spontaneous mammary tumours in SHN mice.

Based on findings that free access in drinking water of the extract of coffee cherry (CC), the residue left after the removal of coffee beans, and whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) induced by far-infrared ray (FIR) can markedly inhibit the growth of spontaneous mammary tumours of SHN mice, the effects of the combined treatment with these agents were examined in this study. The significant inhibition of tumour growth by single treatment with either CC or WBH was not enhanced by their combination. Meanwhile, the body weight loss during WBH was significantly decreased by CC. Normal and preneoplastic growth of mammary glands and plasma component levels were affected little by either treatment. The findings confirmed the "normalization effects" of CC usually obtained with natural products and stress the need for prudence in the choice of any agent, natural or synthetic, to be applied simultaneously to increase the efficacy of WBH.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Validity of schintigraphy in the study of neurogenic dysphagia].

The purpose of the present study was to verify the validity and potential application of oropharyngealesophageal scintigraphy in the analysis of neurogenic dysphagia. Scintigraphy was used on 36 patients divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (control) comprised 17 healthy volunteers; Group 2 included 19 patients suffering from various neurological and neuromuscular pathologies (myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, polymyositis, stroke, paralysis of the last cranial nerves). In group 1 scintigraphy provided normal results both for mode of swallowing and transit, and for the values of the various parameters studied. On the other hand, scintigraphy showed that in group 2 all oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing were altered vs the controls with a statistically significant increase in the average values for the oral transit time (OTT) (1.45 sec., p = 0.0005), pharyngeal transit time (OTT) (3.23 sec., p = 0.044), esophageal transit time (ETT) e19.87 sec., p = 0.005) as well as in the corresponding bolus retention indexes ORU (12.95%, p = 0.0003), FIR (15.05%, p = 0.0003) and ERI (28.63%, p = 0.002). Moreover, the quality and means of swallowing also proved altered while tracheobronchial aspiration was only seen in 6 of the 19 patients (maximum value: 90%, average value; 7.66%) with a marked prevalence in the stroke subgroup (4/8). In light of these results and considering the low dose of radiation (0.00043 Gy), the lack of invasiveness and excellent tolerability, scintigraphy has confirmed its clinical validity in the functional, objective and quali-quantitative study of deglutition, even in patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Chiral HPLC determination of conversion and enantiomeric excess of enzyme catalyzed stereoselective esterification of racemic ibuprofen].

In the study of enzyme catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemates, it is imperative to assay how the optical yield varies with chemical conversion. In this paper, a method using one-time injection to determine enantiomeric excess and conversion of the stereoselective esterification of racemic ibuprofen with n-butanol catalyzed by lipase was developed with a commercially available HPLC CSP column Regis(S, S) Whelk-01. In the linear range of detector, all peak areas of products and substrates are proportional to their concentrations. Because the total mole concentration remains unchanged (equal to the initial value of ibuprofen) in the reaction process, the conversion could be calculated from the peak areas, provided the ratio of response factors was known. The calibration curves of two ibuprofen enantiomers with racemic ibuprofen as external standard were overlapped, indicating fiR = fiS. By investigating the variation of peak areas of products and substrates against conversion (determined by external standard), the ratio of peak area-concentration response factor of ibuprofen butyl ester to that of unreacted ibuprofen was determined to be 1 through linear regressions, from which the conversion could be directly determined by the self normalization of the peak areas. With a mobile phase of IPA/hexane/HAc/triethylamine (15/85/0.2/0.05, V/V, flow rate 0.4 mL/min), the resolution of ibuprofen enantiomers was sufficient for precise enantiomeric purity determination.

Catalysis↗
PubMed2001

From the lab to full-scale SBR operation: treating high strength and variable industrial wastewaters.

This paper describes the path taken from client objectives through laboratory studies and detailed design to full-scale SBR operation and current research. Conventional municipal design principles have often been used to develop treatment processes for industrial wastewaters. The use of scientific trials to test design criteria offers the client a "tailor made" design fir for their particular wastewater character. In this project, a waste management company wished to upgrade their physical-chemical treatment plant to incorporate a biological reactor for treating a range of industrial wastewaters. Laboratory-scale trials were undertaken to determine appropriate design criteria for a full-scale biological process. These laboratory studies indicated that conventional design criteria were not appropriate and that a SBR configuration was optimal compared with an IDAR configuration. It was also found that a novel fungal:bacterial mixed liquor consortium developed, resulting in good effluent quality and settling properties. The treatment plant was able to be constructed and operational within a tight timeframe and budget, allowing the client to take advantage of a commercial opportunity. The plant has been operating since 1997 and meets its discharge conditions. By combining scientific studies with engineering principles, the end-user obtained a complete treatment plant to meet their specific needs. A further benefit of the laboratory trials is current research into the development of a fungal:bacterial SBR to treat industrial wastewaters. This offers ongoing knowledge to the operational full-scale SBR.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2001

[Pollen surveys in Sapporo for 6 years during 1992 to 1997].

We carried out pollen surveys for 6 years from 1992 to 1997. The method of pollen survey studied was based on the standardization board of air born pollen survey and pollen information in Japan. The pollen samples were collected in Nishioka-area of Toyohira-ku, and Kawazoe-area of Minami-ku in Sapporo. As the pollen sample device. IS Rotary pollen trap was used at Nishioka-area during 1992 to 1994 and at Kawazoe-area in 1993, and Durham's pollen trap was used at Kawazoe-area during 1995 to 1997. The yearly pollen counts were highly fluctuated in trees, particularly Yew (Taxus spp.), Alder (Alnus spp.), Birch (Betula spp.), Pine (Pinus spp.), Fir (Abies spp.), than in Grasses (Gramineae) and Weeds (Polygonaceae, Plantago spp., Artemisia spp., Chenopodiaceae). In addition, the starting date of pollination was widely fluctuated year by year in trees. For instance, the pollen of Birch was confirmed on April 13 in 1993, as the first day in Nishioka-area, while it was on April 28 in 1994. It should be considered that the pollen counts and the starting date of pollination were highly dependent on the weather condition of the previous year and the current year.

Japan↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mechanisms of mice resistance to influenza virus A/AICHI/2/68 after preventive injection with polyprenols ].

Preventive effect in influenza can be attained by intramuscular injections of fir (Abies) polyprenols. One of 5 tested polyprenol preparations (No. 1), injected 2 days before aerogenic infection with influenza virus, reliably protected mice from disease. Mice pretreated with polyprenol preparations or Hanks' solution did not differ by accumulation of interferon in the lungs One day after aerogenic infection. Three days after injection of polyprenol preparation No. 1 the weights of the spleen and thymus significantly decreased. One day after injection cell count in the bronchoalveolar tract of mice was almost 2-fold higher than in the control at the expense of lymphocytes and macrophages. After 3 days the relative and absolute counts of macrophages decreased and those of lymphocytes decreased significantly. Three days after injection macrophages were 2-fold more active in absorption of zymosan granules. Preparation No. 1 affected the production of superoxide anion radicals, whose production by all macrophages in the bronchoalveolar tract of mice was significantly higher on day 1 postinjection than on day 3 and higher than on days 1 and 3 after injection of preparation No. 2.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Multichannel spatial auditory display for speech communications.

A spatial auditory display for multiple speech communications was developed at NASA/Ames Research Center. Input is spatialized by the use of simplified head-related transfer functions, adapted for FIR filtering on Motorola 56001 digital signal processors. Hardware and firmware design implementations are overviewed for the initial prototype developed for NASA-Kennedy Space Center. An adaptive staircase method was used to determine intelligibility levels of four-letter call signs used by launch personnel at NASA against diotic speech babble. Spatial positions at 30 degrees azimuth increments were evaluated. The results from eight subjects showed a maximum intelligibility improvement of about 6-7 dB when the signal was spatialized to 60 or 90 degrees azimuth positions.

Auditory Perception↗
PubMed2001

[Bioaccumulation mechanism of red tide alga Prorocentrum micans for heavy metal ions].

Pollution of heavy metal from industrial wastewater is a worldwide environmental problem. Biosorption is an effective technology for the treatment of low concentration industrial wastewater. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal uptake capacities of the biomass of marine red tide Prorocentrum micans. All red tide biomass used in this study were obtained from cultivation in our lab. Batch experimental results showed that living and non-living biomass of P. micans killed by CH2O were similar setting property for Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Ag+ and Cd2+. This study indicated that biomass of P. micans has a high capacities for above six heavy metal and the kinetics under the conditions studied were relatively fast. About 90% of the biosorption occurred within 10 min and an equilibrium was reached in 30 min. The Biosorption capacities for heavy metal ions were strongly dependent on pH of the solution, and higher capacities were obtained at pH around 5 and higher. Bonding and FIR of P. micans polysaccharide obtained by the hot water method for Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Ag+ and Cd2+ was also studied. The study indicated that -OH and -CONH2 groups were active center of biosorption.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

[Influence of temperature and moisture on soil nitrogen mineralization under two types of forest in Changbai Mountain].

The effect of temperature(t) and soil water content(theta) on soil nitrogen mineralization under coniferous-broadleaved and spruce-fir coniferous forests was evaluated by using laboratory incubation method. Based on the analysis of inorganic nitrogen in soil extracts before and after incubation, it was showed that the net mineralization rate of soil nitrogen was positively related to t(alpha < 0.001) from 5 degrees C to 35 degrees C, and to water content when water contents was low, but there was a decrease in net mineralization rate when the water content was above an optimum value. The result suggested the interactive effect of temperature and moisture on the mineralization of soil nitrogen. Two dimensional (t, theta) equations to describe the effect were drawn up.

Humidity↗