Fiber type composition of muscle units in the cat diaphragm

The fiber type composition of muscle units in the cat diaphragm was examined. As expected, slow-twitch units were composed of type I fibers and fast units were composed of type II fibers. Fast fatigable units were composed of type IIB fibers and fast fatigue resistant units were composed of type IIA fibers. Surprisingly, fast fatigue intermediate units were comprised of both type IIA and IIB fibers.     

Cystic fibrosis in a large kindred family in Qatar

We describe 45 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), diagnosed between June 1987 and May 1999, seen at the Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. Twenty-six of 32 families in the study were related and belonged to the same Bedouin tribe. The parents of 98% of these cases were consanguineous. Metabolic alkalosis and/or hypo-electrolytaemia were found in a large proportion of infants with CF. Cystic fibrosis in Qatari children is phenotypically variable with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, and none of them died during this study. Among the non-Arabic-Asian patients, pulmonary symptoms were more severe, Pseudomonas colonization was earlier, pancreatic insufficiency occurred in infancy and four died in early life.     

A test of the mutagenicity of cooked meats in vivo

There is a correlation between intestinal cancer and diets high in meat, so fried beef, chicken, lamb, pork and fish were tested for their ability to induce mutations in the small intestine of mice. The mice were bred to be heterozygous at the Dlb-1 locus so that loss of the dominant Dlb-1 b allele by mutation could be detected. Mice were fed the AIN-76A diet (which contains 50% of the calories in the form of sucrose) or an isocaloric diet in which the sucrose was replaced by meat or fish, for 5 or 9 weeks. Manifestation of mutants requires approximately 1 week in this system, so this corresponds to an effective exposure of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. There was no significant difference in the weights of animals on the different diets, and no difference in mutant frequency. Several food mutagens were present, but at low levels. These results, when considered in the light of tests of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine and amino(alpha)carboline at much higher doses (Zhang,X.-B., Tao,K.S., Urlando,C., Shaver-Walker,P. and Heddle,J.A. (1996) MUTAGENESIS:, 11, 43-48), indicate that there is no highly mutagenic compound missed by previous testing with bacterial assays and that mixtures of heterocyclic amines at low levels do not show great synergy.     

Primary patellar tendon repair and early mobilization: results in an active-duty population

We retrospectively reviewed 13 patellar tendon repairs done over 32 months at a tertiary care, military medical center. Early mobilization was initiated within 2 weeks postoperatively. Clinical and functional results were statistically examined with relation to age, timing of surgery, length of follow-up, quadriceps atrophy, extensor lag, patella position, and time to full duty. At an average of 24 months' follow-up, six patients (46%) had thigh girth atrophy, and one patient (8%) had an extensor lag >5 degrees. Mean Lysholm score was 84 (range, 57 to 100). Maximum postoperative Tegner activity scores averaged 7.1 (range, 5 to 10). Clinical results classified five cases as excellent, three good, three fair, and two poor. Functional results classified three cases as excellent, four good, two fair, and four poor. Time to return to duty averaged 13 months. Our results suggest that adequate extensor function can be restored after primary repair and immediate motion therapy.     

Monozygotic twins concordant for Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome

Monozygotic twin sisters from Qatar, concordant for the Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, are described. Skeletal anomalies not previously seen in this syndrome are described. The mode of inheritance is reviewed.     

Patellar tendon ruptures.

BACKGROUND: Isolated rupture of the patellar tendon is a rare injury. Often occurring during a fall in 20- and 30-year olds, patients may have a preexisting medical condition (eg, history of steroid use) or a history of repetitive microtrauma to the knee. A high-riding patella on physical examination and radiographs is pathognomonic. METHODS: Immediate orthopaedic referral for surgical repair is necessary to reestablish knee extension. Delay in diagnosis can make surgical treatment more difficult. Current methods of postoperative rehabilitation are evolving. RESULTS: Evaluative studies based on rating scales show satisfactory clinical and functional results after surgery. However, time lost from work and recreation may be protracted, and quadriceps atrophy is often evident. CONCLUSIONS: Ruptures of the patellar tendon should be diagnosed acutely and immediately referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. The impact of the injury to the patient may be long-standing even after operative treatment. Contemporary surgical and rehabilitative techniques give the best opportunity for restoration of functional activity.     

Isolated electrothermal capsulorrhaphy in overhand athletes

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of instability in overhand athletes. Electrothermal capsulorrhaphy without labral repair was used to treat 20 symptomatic overhand athletes (15 baseball, 3 softball, and 2 volleyball). Nineteen patients were evaluated at a mean of 23 months. Overall Rowe results were 10 excellent, 4 good, 2 fair, and 3 poor, with a mean score of 82. The overall mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 85.7 (mean pain score, 42.2; mean score for activities of daily living, 43.5). Two failures (ten percent) required open shoulder stabilization. Ten athletes returned to their prior level of sport, three returned to a lower level, and six were unable to return to their sport. These preliminary results indicate that treatment of the overhand athlete with isolated electrothermal capsulorrhaphy is favorable but does not reproduce the success of open surgery. Overall recurrence and failure rates were high. Instability in overhand athletes may require something other than isolated electrothermal capsulorrhaphy to address laxity.