Results of magnetic resonance and computerized tomography studies of augmentation plastic surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament using carbon fibers. II

19 patients out of those described in part I were examined by MRI and CT. We quote MRI as an excellent new mean of imaging without exposure to ionising radiation which renders sufficient information about the internal knee-structures without surgical invasion. The signal density for the neoligament as well intraarticular as in the "over the top"-position gives evidence for the ingrowth of mesenchymal structures. The MRI diagnosis was proved by histological examination in 2 cases. Very good correspondence between clinic examination and the CT-images could be found. On top of that the tibial drilling holes could be shown in an excellent way. The CT-scan is a fine instrument to judge the postoperative state of the anterior cruciate ligament. The density measurement inside and outside the bone gives evidence for mesenchymal growth inside the carbon fibre structure and the existence of a new natural ligament.     

Unicameral cyst of the calcaneus: surgical indications, biomechanical calculations and results of follow-up studies

Between April 1986 and August 1988, 7 patients (6 men, 1 woman) with unicameral calcaneal cysts were seen at the Trauma Hospital in Meidling. In one case both calcanei were affected. In all cases the findings were accidental, as a result of minor injuries. No familial preponderance was observed. The mean age of the patients was 26.6 years (19 to 33). In 3 patients, filling of the cyst was indicated due to risks from sport or occupational activities. Four cysts were therefore filled with fibrin-spongiosa (homologous bone chips). The mean follow-up interval was 19 months. No recurrent cyst formation was observed, and the patients had no complaints. Nor were there any complications. The importance of CT for preoperative diagnosis and postoperative verification of the result is indicated. On the basis of a strut framework model, it is proved mathematically that cyst formation is not of major importance for the "vertical load case"; on the other hand, bending moments occurring in "inclined load cases" (pronation, supination, extension, flexion), are substantially reduced if the cancellous bone in the cavity region is taken into account. As a logical consequence, surgery is indicated in individuals as risk due to occupational or sports activities; in cases which are not subject to stress peaks, however, therapy is unnecessary.     

Rehabilitative techniques for athletes after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

A wide spectrum of protocols is available for rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and little agreement exists on the specifics of strengthening exercises or the sequence of activities. In this article, we discuss the current rehabilitative techniques used at the Mayo Clinic for athletes who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. These techniques are based on established principles of rehabilitation, clinical experience, and new information about the related biomechanics of the knee. An illustrative case reflects the benefits of this rehabilitation program, which lasts up to 1 year and is divided into five stages. The early stages focus on protected mobilization and a strengthening program that emphasizes closed rather than open kinetic chain exercises. Later, neuromuscular-proprioceptive training and sport-specific agility training redevelop the reaction time and the "coordination engrams" necessary for athletic competition. High-quality surgical care and a closely supervised rehabilitation program, based on kinesiologic and biomechanical factors as they pertain to the anterior cruciate ligament, are necessary for a successful outcome.     

Nasotracheal enterococcal carriage and resistomes: detection of optrA-, poxtA- and cfrD-carrying strains in migratory birds,livestock, pets,and in-contact humans in Spain

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - This study determined the carriage rates and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of enterococci from...     

Soft-Tissue Tumors: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management

Benign soft-tissue neoplasms and tumorlike conditions of the musculoskeletal system are common. Sarcomas are less frequent, with only 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. After plain radiographs of the affected area have been obtained, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (both T1- and T2-weighted sequences) is the best imaging modality for detecting and characterizing the lesion. Although MR imaging is not specific in determining whether lesions are benign or malignant, it can be useful in evaluating other characteristics, such as size, pattern of growth, integrity of natural boundaries, and homogeneity. Biopsy must be done carefully, so as not to adversely affect the outcome. Technical considerations include proper location and orientation of the biopsy incision, meticulous hemostasis, and frozen-section analysis to ensure that diagnostic material has been obtained. Effective treatment requires close coordination between the surgeon, the radiation oncologist, the pathologist, the plastic surgeon, and the diagnostic radiologist. Limb-salvage surgery has resulted in a local control rate greater than 90%. High-grade tumors that are larger than 5 cm in diameter have the worst prognosis. The role of chemotherapy remains controversial and unresolved.     

Rivastigmine: a review

The acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the first useful and useable drugs for palliative treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer type. This article reviews the second-generation carbamate cholinesterase inhibitor, rivastigmine (EXELON, Novartis, Basel) whose distinctive pharmacology is not only of immediate clinical relevance but also the key to some tantalizing therapeutic possibilities.     

A method for genotyping murine arylamine N-acetyltransferase type 2 (NAT2): a gene expressed in preimplantation embryonic stem cells encoding an enzyme acetylating the folate catabolite p-aminobenzoylglutamate.

Mice have three arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) isoenzymes (NAT1, NAT2, and NAT3) of which NAT2 is known to be polymorphic. Humans have two polymorphic isoenzymes, NAT1 and NAT2. The isoenzymes mouse NAT1 and human NAT2 are expressed predominantly in the liver and intestine and are involved in drug and xenobiotic metabolism. Mouse NAT2 and human NAT1 have a widespread tissue distribution and the folate catabolite p-aminobenzoylglutamate (pAB-Glu) has been proposed as a candidate endogenous substrate. All mice have detectable NAT2 activity, although inbred mouse strains have either a fast or slow acetylator phenotype conferred by the presence of either NAT2*8 (fast) or NAT2*9 (slow) alleles at the NAT2 locus. In this report, we describe a simple method for distinguishing these murine alleles by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. We compared the tissue distribution of the acetylation activity found in both fast (C57BL/6J) and slow (A/J) acetylating strains of mice using pAB-Glu and p-aminobenzoic acid as probe substrates. It has previously been demonstrated that murine NAT2 is expressed in the neural tube prior to closure (Stanley L, Copp A, Rolls S, Smelt V, Perry VH and Sim E, Teratology 58: 174-182, 1998). We demonstrate here that murine NAT2 is expressed in preimplantation embryonic stem cells. Murine NAT2 is likely to be expressed prior to neurulation and this may be important in view of the protective role of folate in neural tube development.     

How do normal subjects learn a simple adaptative task: How and why do paranoid schizophrenic patients fail?

Summary The authors studied the behavior of normal subjects and paranoid schizophrenic patients in a simple problem-solving situation. The schizophrenics were divided into two sample groups, one of individuals under treatment and the other of individuals not under treatment.The learning process involved in this problem-solving situation is very similar to an instrumental conditioning, and can be understood by means of the following assumptions: (1) the subjects use decision functions in reacting to the stimuli, although they may be not fully aware of this; (2) learning is the result of successive transformations of these decisions in the course of time; (3) the changes have specific probabilities and are related to (a) those responses which are made to the latest stimuli, and (b) a differential probability for decision functions which were effective, or only interrupted painful reinforcement, or were completely ineffective.In schizophrenics further factors of importance were (1) an inertia factor and (2) the rigidly continued use of unsuccessful or only partially successful decision criteria.The authors used a systems theory based on Galois field theory and a calculus of operators specifying three groups of subjects. A computer program based on these hypotheses was tested in a simulation experiment.The statistical evaluation of the results showed a congruence between the theoretical approach and the experimental data.This work was carried out with financial support from the Institute de Alta Cultura, Lisbon, between 1970 and 1974     

Inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase activity by some isoquinoline alkaloids

The inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase activity in human serum by protoberberine, benzophenanthridine and aporphine alkaloids as well as four model compounds has been studied. The mechanism of the inhibition is discussed on the basis of the different types of interaction of these compounds with butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase.