Effects of communication content on speech behavior of depressives.

Depressed patients were interviewed at two different severity levels in the course of their illness about both problematic and neutral topics, and their speech behavior was analyzed in terms of speech activity and silences. Lowered speech activity and increased silences occurred at higher severity levels and also during problematic communication content, suggesting the mediation of cognitive factors as postulated by Beck's cognitive model of depression.     

Management of the subluxed crystalline lens.

There has been a traditional reluctance to remove a subluxed (ectopic) lens because of the high surgical risk. The use of closed intraocular microsurgical techniques, however, now allows greater intraoperative control with few complications. The authors present the results of subluxed lens extraction, by limbal or pars plana lensectomy, in 44 eyes of 24 patients, in which the indication for surgery was lens subluxation causing a reduction in visual acuity or uncorrectable refractive error. Visual acuity was improved in all cases after surgery, with no significant complications. Patients with reduced visual acuity secondary to ectopic lenses have a good visual prognosis after lensectomy using a closed intraocular microsurgical technique.     

Lectin-like cell adhesion molecule 1 mediates leukocyte rolling in mesenteric venules in vivo

During the inflammatory response, granulocytes and other leukocytes adhere to and emigrate from small venules. Before firm attachment, leukocytes are observed rolling slowly along the endothelium in venules of most tissues accessible to intravital microscopy. The molecular mechanism underlying this early type of leukocyte-endothelial interaction is unknown. Leukocyte rolling was investigated in venules (diameter, 40 microns) of the exposed rat mesentery. Micro-infusion of a recombinant soluble chimera (LEC-IgG) of the murine homing receptor lectin-like cell adhesion molecule 1 (LEC-CAM 1; gp90MEL) into individual venules reduced the number of rolling leukocytes by 89% +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM, n = 20 venules), while a similar CD4 chimera (CD4-IgG) had no effect (inhibition 14% +/- 7%, n = 25). Rolling was also greatly reduced by a polyclonal serum against LEC-CAM 1 (inhibition 84% +/- 3%, n = 35); preimmune serum was ineffective (11% +/- 13% inhibition, n = 28). These findings indicate that LEC-CAM 1 mediates the adhesive interaction underlying leukocyte rolling and thus may play an important role in inflammation and in pathologic conditions involving leukocytes.     

Combined open and laparoscopic approach to chronic pain following open inguinal hernia repair

Introduction: Chronic groin pain is the most common long-term complication after open inguinal hernia repair. Traditional surgical management of the associated neuralgia consists of injection therapy followed by groin exploration, mesh removal, and nerve transection. The resultant hernia defect may be difficult to repair from an anterior approach. We evaluate the outcomes of a combined laparoscopic and open approach for the treatment of chronic groin pain following open inguinal herniorrhaphy. Methods: All patients who underwent groin exploration for chronic neuralgia after a prior open inguinal hernia repair were prospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, type of prior hernia repair, and prior nonoperative therapies were recorded. The operation consisted of a standard three trocar laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair, followed by groin exploration, mesh removal, and nerve transection. Outcome measures included recurrent groin pain, numbness, hernia recurrence, and complications. Results: Twelve patients (11 male and 1 female) with a mean age of 41 years (range 29–51) underwent combined laparoscopic and open treatment for chronic groin pain. Ten patients complained of unilateral neuralgia, one patient had bilateral complaints, and one patient complained of orchalgia. All patients failed at least two attempted percutaneous nerve blocks. Prior repairs included Lichtenstein (n=9), McVay (n=1), plug and patch (n=1), and Shouldice (n=1). There were no intraoperative complications or wound infections. With a minimum of 6 weeks follow up, all patients were significantly improved. One patient complained of intermittent minor discomfort that required no further therapy. Two patients had persistent numbness in the ilioinguinal nerve distribution but remained satisfied with the procedure. Conclusions: A combined laparoscopic and open approach for postherniorrhaphy groin pain results in good to excellent patient satisfaction with no perioperative morbidity. It may be the preferred technique for the definitive management of chronic neuralgia after prior open hernia repair.     

Scientific basis of competitive cross-country skiing.

The sport of cross-country skiing had its origins as a utilitarian mode of travel more than 4000 yr ago. From hunters carrying weapons and moving about on carved wooden skis, the sport has evolved to spandex-clad competitors carrying reinforced fiberglass poles while gliding on high-tech composite skis. The widespread use of ski-skating techniques coupled with the technological innovations of the last decade have profoundly changed the nature of competitive cross-country skiing. This symposium is intended to summarize the current state of scientific knowledge about the sport.     

Plate fixation of open fractures of the tibia

The results of immediate plate fixation of 97 open fractures of the tibial shaft in 95 patients are reported. Significant joint stiffness occurred in 11.4% and angular malunion of greater than 5 degrees in any plane was seen in 3.1%. The infection rate was 10.3%. However, even in those cases which develop delayed union or other complications, plate fixation of open fractures can produce excellent recovery of limb function.     

Development of cDNA probes for typing group A bovine rotaviruses on the basis of VP4 specificity.

Dot and Northern (RNA) blot hybridization assays were developed for the P typing of group A bovine rotaviruses (BRV) by using cDNA probes prepared from gene segment 4. The probes were prepared by polymerase chain reaction amplification of hyperdivergent regions (nucleotides 211 to 686) of BRV strain UK, IND, NCDV, and Cr VP4 cDNA by using specific oligonucleotide primers. The probes were P type specific (VP4) and exhibited little or no cross-reactivity with double-stranded RNA from heterologous rotavirus P types. Our studies indicate that at least three P types, as defined by polymerase chain reaction-derived VP4 gene probes from the UK, NCDV, and Cr strains, exist among the seven BRV isolates tested.