Method of quantitative anatomical study of the dorsal neck muscles

Summary Biomechanical models of the cervical spine require knowledge of the position, size and orientation of the individual muscles that act on the cervical spine. We have developed a technique to stereometrically measure anatomical specimens. The apparatus is composed of three graduated metallic rods, which slide along a fixed support. This method is accurate to map the anatomy of individual muscles and provides quantitative data on their lines of action. Results are obtained from one specimen. The computer processing of the collected data allows formulation of a three-dimensional model of the neck muscles in man.

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Méthode d'étude anatomique quantitative des muscles de la nuqueEtude préliminaire

Résumé Pour élaborer un modèle biomécanique de la colonne cervicale, il faut connaître la position, la taille et l'orientation des différents muscles du cou. Nous avons mis au point une méthode de mesure stéréométrique sur des sujets anatomiques. L'appareil est composé de 3 axes métalliques gradués qui coulissent sur un support fixe. Cette technique permet une étude anatomique précise de chacun des muscles de la nuque, fournissant des données quantitatives sur les différents faisceaux ou lignes d'action. Les résultats sont obtenus sur un sujet. Leur traitement informatique permettra l'élaboration d'un modèle mathématique tridimensionnel des muscles du cou chez l'homme.

     

Heart rate reactivity and heart period variability throughout the first year after heart transplantation

Heart rate reactivity to mental stress is substantially blunted early after heart transplantation, suggesting that the loss of neural modulation limits the cardiovascular response to mental stress. We tested whether reactivity to mental stress recovers during the first year after heart transplantation. Hemodynamic and respiratory responses to mental arithmetic challenge were studied in 20 heart transplant recipients 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. A normal comparison group was studied at equivalent intervals. Heart rate reactivity to mental arithmetic was significantly reduced in the cardiac transplant group compared to the normal subjects. This effect persisted up to 1 year after transplantation. Heart period variability in the heart transplant recipients was minimal in all three-test sessions. The findings suggest that no functional reinnervation or other compensatory adaptation occurs up to 1 year after heart transplantation.     

A five-year study on the interactive effects of depression and physical illness on psychiatric unit length of stay

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown that hospital length of stay among medical patients is significantly increased by comorbid mental illness, in particular depression. However, few studies have examined the length of stay effect of comorbid physical and mental illness among psychiatric patients. METHOD: The present study examined the effect of comorbid physical and psychiatric illness on hospital length of stay among 2323 psychiatric inpatient admissions over a 5-year period. Patients were grouped into seven diagnostic categories. RESULTS: Average length of stay was significantly longer for patients with comorbid physical diagnoses (mean = 20.01 days) than for patients with no physical diagnoses (mean = 16.63 days). Analyses of the psychiatric categories revealed that the average length of stay for depressed patients was significantly greater for those with comorbid physical diagnoses (mean = 19.73 days) than for depressed patients with no comorbid physical diagnoses (mean = 13.96 days). No other psychiatric group evidenced a significant increase in length of stay for comorbid physical illness. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that comorbid physical diagnosis increases length of stay among psychiatric patients overall, with increased hospitalization stay for depressed patients, in particular.     

N-Mannich-Base Prodrugs of 5-Iodo-2′-deoxycytidine as Topical Delivery Enhancers

Two Mannich-base prodrugs of 5-iodo-2-deoxycytidine (5-IDC) have been synthesized. The prodrugs exhibit increased lipid solubility compared to 5-IDC and rapidly revert to 5-IDC in buffer. One of the prodrugs delivered about twice as much 5-IDC from isopropyl myristate (IPM) through hairless mouse skin in diffusion-cell experiments as did 5-IDC from IPM. Subsequent applications of theophylline/ propylene glycol onto the diffusion cells to determine the effect of prodrug/IPM, 5-IDC/IPM, or IPM on the resistance of the skins to subsequent applications showed that the prodrug/IPM had no more effect than IPM itself.     

Long-term Effects of Adolescent Substance Use Prevention on Participants,Partners, and their Children: Resiliency and Outcomes 15 Years Later During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prevention Science - We examined whether participation in adolescent substance use prevention programming can enhance long-term resilience into adulthood such that individuals were better able to...     

Antenatal differentiation of the human intervertebral disc

Summary To study the antenatal differentiation of the human intervertebral disc, the columns of forty eight embryos and fetuses were examined histologically. The primitive disc is composed of two structures: the notochord which shows a progressive expansion into the disc, and the fibrocartilaginous perinotochordal disc. No histological sign of interaction between notochordal and perinotochordal cells, which may explain the notochordal expansion into the discs, was seen. On the other hand, the notochordal intervention in the cartilaginous differentiation of the inner zone is probable.

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Différenciation anténatale du disque intervertébral humain

Résumé Cette étude de la différenciation anténatale du disque intervertébral humain repose sur l'examen de coupes histologiques de quarante huit colonnes vertébrales d'embryons et de foetus. Le disque primitif est composé de deux structures : la notochorde, qui présente une expansion progressive de son diamètre au sein du disque, et le disque périnotochordal, d'abord mésenchymateux puis fibrocartilagineux. Il n'a pas été mis en évidence de signe histologique témoignant d'une interaction entre les cellules notochordales et les cellules périnotochordales qui puisse expliquer l'expansion de la notochorde au sein des disques. Le rôle de la notochorde dans la différenciation cartilagineuse de la zone centrale est par contre probable.

     

Influencing prescribing practices and associated outcomes utilizing the drug use evaluation process

Influencing prescribing practices and the implementation of pharmaceutical care utilizing the drug use evaluation (DUE) process at a 891-bed teaching hospital are described. The DUE program has been structured to provide for significant pharmacy involvement while maintaining medical staff responsibility as outlined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. A multidisciplinary approach is used to identify problems and develop prescribing criteria and educational initiatives. Pharmacists provide drug therapy monitoring and engage in clinical interventions and documentation of outcomes on a daily basis. DUE program pharmacists help target possible interventions, assure monitoring and outcome documentation, and compile results of all initiatives for reporting purposes to the medical staff and quality assessment program. Specific performance compliance and problems are identified and incorporated into the credentialing process. Corrective measures are determined by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Subcommittee with subsequent actions carried out by peer physicians. The net result is a positive influence on prescribing practices that improves the appropriate and effective use of drugs and improves patient outcomes.