Biomechanical analysis of rehabilitation in the standing position.

Biomechanical analysis of the two-dimensional models composed from roentgenographic pictures and electromyographic analysis of the shear force exerted on the tibia during standing on both legs were conducted in 21 young adult males. The simultaneous contraction of the quadriceps and hamstrings was observed in all electromyograms. Amplitude observed on electromyograms of the hamstrings increased as the trunk flexion angle increased. The calculated average values of shear force were negative at every knee flexion angle (negative value means posteriorly directed force). As the trunk flexion angle increased, posterior drawer force increased at knee flexion angles of 30 degrees and 60 degrees. The simultaneous contraction of the quadriceps and the hamstrings was considered to be the main factor that influenced these results. Standing on both legs with knee and trunk flexion was considered to be applicable in the early stages after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.     

Cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome in thalamic infarction

Sensory disturbance around the corner of the mouth, in the palm of the hand and in the foot on the same side (cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome) has been reported only in 2 patients with brainstem lesion. We report 2 cases of cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome; the causative lesion was revealed by magnetic resonance imaging to be in the ventral posterolateral and ventral posteromedial nuclei of the thalamus.     

Postprandial plasma gastrin and secretin concentrations after a pancreatoduodenectomy. A comparison between a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy and the Whipple procedure

Based on the observation that patients given a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy maintain higher gut hormonal levels than do patients who have received the classic Whipple surgical procedure, which seems most likely due to a postoperative difference in the remaining digestive tract, the postprandial plasma gastrin and secretin concentrations in patients who have received either surgery have been evaluated to examine this difference more fully. The subjects were 20 patients treated by a pylorus-preserving operation and 27 patients treated by the Whipple procedure whose concentrations were compared with those of 8 healthy control patients. The postprandial plasma gastrin concentrations were found to be similar in patients given the pylorus-preserving operation and the controls and were significantly lower in patients who underwent the Whipple procedure (p less than 0.05). Similarly, the postprandial plasma secretin concentrations did not differ in these two groups, whereas patients who underwent the Whipple procedure showed significantly lower concentrations at 60, 90, and 120 minutes (p less than 0.05). The above findings, as well as supportive data in the literature, indicate that the duodenal bulb and the gastric antrum, which are resected in the Whipple procedure and are kept in the pylorus-preserving operation, seem to play important roles in the gut hormonal release and that the pylorus-preserving operation is the superior surgical technique in terms of gastrin and secretin release.     

Evaluation of disease activity by hand X-ray findings in rheumatoid arthritis

It would appear to us that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in whom articular bone lesions were confined to the wrist and/or carpal joints in X-ray films, may follow a milder disease activity than do the patients with the hand and finger joint lesions. To clarify it, the present study was performed retrospectively. RA patients showing stage II or more lesions in the wrists and/or carpal joints but no lesions over stage II in any hand and finger joint (MCP, IP and PIP) radiologically after 5 years or more duration were regarded as the carpal type (C type). The clinical and laboratory data were compared between 44 patients of the C type RA and 44 patients of other type RA, matched in the sex, age and disease duration. Significant differences were observed in the following parameters between the 2 groups; the functional class, Lansbury's activity index, number of the affected joints, ESR, CRP and hemoglobin values, and ADL scores. That is, Hb values and ADL scores were higher, but the others were lower, in the C type RA group than in other type RA group. The positive percentage and titer of rheumatoid factor were not significantly different between the 2 groups. It was concluded that C type RA patients are milder in the activity and fewer in the number of affected joints than other type RA patients. Furthermore it was suggested that C type RA patients may have milder clinical course and better prognosis than other type RA patients.     

A Case of Pseudovascular Adenoid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin with Spindle Cell Pattern

We report a case of pseudovascular adenoid squamous cell carcinoma which was in the form of a dome-shaped, cherry red tumor on the right cheek of an 86-year-old Japanese woman. Histologically, two types of atypical cells were identified; round cells in the upper part and spindle cells in the lower part. In the upper part, inter-anastomosing sinusoid-like pseudolumina were observed between the cords of the tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells did not express Factor VIII-related and CD34 antigens or bind Ulex europaes I agglutinin, except for only one anti-cytokeratin antibody. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained tonofilaments and desmosomes and represented acantholysis. From the electron microscopy, possible role of capillary hyperpermeability on the acantholytic process of the neoplastic cells was suggested.     

Capillary number and percentage closed in human diabetic sural nerve.

The number of capillaries per mm2, minimum intercapillary distance, number of endothelial nuclei per capillary section, and percentage of capillaries closed were evaluated in transverse sections of fascicles of 45 control and 36 diabetic sural nerves. All controls and patients were prospectively studied to ascertain their diabetic and neuropathic status. An index of pathology was introduced and it was found to provide a sensitive and reliable measurement of the presence and severity of neuropathy. The number of capillaries and minimum intercapillary distance of diabetic nerves were not significantly different from those of controls (P greater than 0.05). Diabetic nerves exhibited a small but statistically significant increase in the number of endothelial nuclei per capillary that was positively correlated with the severity of neuropathy. The most striking abnormality was the statistically significant increase in the percentage of capillaries closed in patients with neuropathy as compared to those without neuropathy and controls. Among diabetics, this percentage increased with the severity of neuropathy (P = 0.008). The two capillary abnormalities that have been demonstrated may play a role in the development of diabetic polyneuropathy.