Velopharyngeal function during vocalization in infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the age at which infants achieve velopharyngeal closure during vocalization. DESIGN: Longitudinal with repeated measures. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Six healthy infants were studied monthly from ages 2 to 6 months while they interacted with a parent and an investigator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence or absence of velopharyngeal closure, as determined by sensing ram pressure at the anterior nares. RESULTS: The velopharynx was open for windups, whimpers, and laughs, and it was closed for cries, screams, and raspberries, regardless of age. The frequency with which the velopharynx closed during syllable utterances increased significantly with age. CONCLUSIONS: Velopharyngeal closure for speech-like utterance increases with age, but is not complete and is still undergoing development at 6 months of age. Velopharyngeal closure during infancy may be influenced by pressure demands of the utterance; however, support for this speculation is stronger for other types of utterances than it is for speech-like utterances. The method used in this study holds promise for evaluating infants with suspected velopharyngeal impairment.     

Cloning and expression analysis of the chick DAN gene, an antagonist of the BMP family of growth factors.

Differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma (DAN) is a member of a cystine knot protein family that includes Cerberus and Gremlin. First isolated in a screen to identify genes down-regulated in transformed rat fibroblasts, DAN has subsequently been cloned in Xenopus, mouse, and human. Overexpression of DAN suppresses the transformed phenotype and retards the cell's entry into S phase. Biochemical analyses have demonstrated DAN's ability to bind bone morphogenetic proteins and antagonize their signaling activity. In this study, chick DAN was cloned and sequenced, revealing a conserved cystine knot region as well as an N-glycosylation site. A riboprobe was designed from the 3' chick DAN coding sequence and used for analysis of DAN in the developing chick embryo by in situ hybridization. Chick DAN was expressed beginning at stage 10 in the developing somites and the medial otic epithelium. Expression in the neural layer of the eye became apparent at stage 14. By stage 17, expression had expanded to the base of the hindbrain. Limb bud labeling began at stage 20, whereas expression in the branchial arches appeared at stage 25. Chick DAN expression generally corresponded to that of mouse DAN expression as shown by comparative in situ hybridization. However, chick DAN was found in the otic epithelium and notochord, whereas mouse DAN was restricted to the overlying otic ectomesenchyme and was absent from the notochord. This observation suggests that DAN may play different roles in chick and mouse otic and notochord development.     

No evidence for a direct vasodilatory effect of celiprolol on human vasculature in vivo or in vitro

Celiprolol is reported to be a new cardioselective beta blocker with novel ancillary properties including vasodilator effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether celiprolol possesses a direct vasodilatory effect on human vasculature in vivo and in vitro. We studied the in vivo effects of intra-arterial celiprolol (1-100 micrograms/min i.a.) on forearm blood flow (FBF). Forearm blood was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Possible vasorelaxant actions of celiprolol on human vascular smooth muscle were studied using segments of isolated human saphenous vein in vitro. The effect of celiprolol was investigated on resting tone or noradrenaline induced tone. Possible alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist effects of celiprolol were assessed using celiprolol as an antagonist of BHT933 induced constriction. Celiprolol was without significant effect on FBF and failed to relax isolated saphenous vein segments preconstricted with noradrenaline. The weak alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist action of celiprolol was demonstrable in human saphenous vein. This study does not provide evidence for a direct vasodilatory effect of celiprolol on human vasculature.     

Visualization of 3-D treatment plans with fast neutrons.

The treatment planning for radiotherapy with fast neutrons requires modifications of the planning systems used for photons. The neutron- and photon-component of the treatment fields must be determined and can then be used for separate calculations. The corrections for inhomogeneities are performed by use of attenuation coefficients and the corresponding corrections for changes in the kerma. The treatment planning system MEVAPLAN (Siemens) was modified to follow these requirements. Thus treatment planning for 14 MeV DT-neutrons could be performed. The multiplanar option is used to calculate 3D-dose distributions based on up to 40 serial CT slices. The generated three-dimensional dose matrix and the CT data are transferred via magnetic tape to the visualization system VOXEL-MAN developed at the University Hospital of Hamburg. This system uses a ray casting algorithm based on the generalized Voxel-model to display detailed 3D-images of human anatomy together with the calculated dose distribution. Different treatment plans for neutrons and photons are calculated and visualized. Various manipulations of the data-sets are displayed to improve the critical examination of the simulated dose distribution and to discern the quality of treatment techniques.     

Lipodermatosclerosis: review of cases evaluated at Mayo Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Lipodermatosclerosis describes bound-down, sclerotic skin involving the lower extremities. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe the demographic and clinical features of patients with lipodermatosclerosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients presenting to Mayo Clinic between 1976 and 1998 with a diagnosis of lipodermatosclerosis. RESULTS: Of 97 patients, 84 (87%) were women. Mean age was 62 years (range, 25-88 years). Mean body mass index was 34.3 (range, 17.8-71.5). Clinical signs were bilateral involvement in 44 patients (45%), induration localized to a discrete plaque in 49 (51%), erythema in 69 (71%), hyperpigmentation in 57 (59%), ulceration in 13 (13%), concomitant edema in 69 (71%), and varicosities in 55 (57%). Vascular studies performed on 72 patients showed abnormalities in 49: deep venous incompetence in 33 (67%), calf muscle pump abnormality in 19 (39%), abnormal pulsatility in 10 (20%), and obstruction in 1 (2%). CONCLUSION: Lipodermatosclerosis was associated with female sex, middle age, high body mass index, and venous abnormalities.     

Der chirurgische Part im Rahmen multimodaler Therapiekonzepte in der Onkologie-Schilddrüse

29. Tagung der ?sterreichischen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie und Ihrer Assoziierten Fachgesellschaften Innsbruck, 2. bis 4. Juni 1988 Herausgeber: E. Bodner und G. Szinicz Abstracts

Der chirurgische Part im Rahmen multimodaler Therapiekonzepte in der Onkologie-Schilddrüse     

Identification of histiocytic reticulum cells by the immunohistochemical demonstration of factor XIII (F-XIIIa) in human lymph nodes

Morphologically and enzyme histochemically distinguishable tissue macrophages and stromal cells of human reactive lymph nodes were characterized by the cytoplasmic presence of the subunit A of factor XIII and by the expression of surface antigenic determinants reacting with monoclonal antibodies directed against monocyte/macrophage populations (Mo 1, Leu M3) and HLA-DR antigens. The distribution of F-XIIIa positive cells was studied on formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded sections with immunoperoxidase techniques. established on cryostat section with double immunofluorescence. Alpha-Naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) reaction was The immunophenotype was established on cryostat sections with double immunofluorescence. Alpha-Naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) reaction was carried out on these cryostat sections to identify tissue macrophages. The antibody against F-XIIIa detected histiocytes in both intra- and extra-sinusoidal locations which were ANAE+, Mo 1+, Leu M3+ and HLA-DR-. F-XIIIa was also present in fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells with the following phenotypic characteristics: ANAE-, Mo 1+, Leu M3+ and HLA-DR+. The anti F-XIIIa antibody did not stain lymphoid cells, granulocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells and mast cells. The immunohistochemical detection of F-XIIIa works on formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. The most promising application seems to be the identification of histiocytes in lymphoid and histiocytic proliferations.     

Changes in triceps surae muscle architecture with sarcopenia

AIM: To investigate whether sarcopenia was evenly distributed among the three components of the triceps surae (TS) muscle group. METHODS: Muscle volume (VOL), fibre fascicle length (Lf), pennation angle (theta) and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA = VOL/Lf) were measured in vivo for the lateral (GL) and medial (GM) heads of the gastrocnemius muscles and for the soleus muscle (SOL), in 15 young males (YM, aged 25.3 +/- 4.5 years) and 12 elderly males (EM aged 73.8 +/- 4.4 years). RESULTS: In the EM, VOL of all three muscles was significantly smaller than in the YM; differences were: 27% for the GL (P < 0.01), 29% for the GM (P < 0.01) and 17% for the SOL (P < 0.05). In total, TS VOL was 22% smaller in EM than in YM (P < 0.01). In the EM, values of theta were significantly smaller than in the YM; by 15-18% for the GL, GM and SOL (P < 0.05). In the EM, Lf of the GM was 16% smaller than in the YM (P < 0.01); no significant differences were found in the other muscles. PCSA of the GL and GM were both found to be smaller in EM by 19% (P < 0.01) and 14.5% (P < 0.05), respectively. No difference was observed in the SOL PCSA between YM and EM. Interestingly, probably because of the prevalent contribution of the SOL to PCSA distribution of each muscle to the TS PCSA, the relative TS PCSA was not different between YM and EM. Furthermore, the Lf/muscle length ratio did not differ between YM and EM. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the relative PCSA composition of the TS is maintained with ageing and that the PCSA is scaled down harmonically with the decrease in muscle volume and fascicle length. Such observation suggests that the relative contribution of the components of the TS muscle to the total force developed by this muscle group is maintained with ageing.