Validation of the STR system FES/FPS for forensic purposes in an Austrian population sample

The short tandem repeat system FES/FPS was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 211 unrelated Austrians and analysed by horizontal, non-denaturing electrophoresis. The allele distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No mutations were found in 25 families (50 meioses). The mean exclusion chance was 0.49, the discriminating power 0.86 and the heterozygosity rate 74.4%. Amplification could be achieved with as little as 100 pg of high molecular weight DNA, which could be reduced to 75 pg by using 32 instead of 30 cycles. By reamplifying 1 l for another 15 cycles, the threshold could be reduced to less than 20 pg. In a degradation experiment DNA extracted from bloodstains stored for up to 24 days in a moist chamber and DNA boiled for up to 18 min could be amplified.     

Best Core Stabilization for Anticipatory Postural Adjustment and Falls in Hemiparetic Stroke

Objectives

To compare the effects of conventional core stabilization and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) on anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) time, balance performance, and fear of falls in chronic hemiparetic stroke.

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation With Functional Electrical Stimulation Improves Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Objective

To compare virtual reality (VR) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) with cyclic FES for improving upper extremity function and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.

Functional Electrical Stimulation—A New Therapeutic Approach to Enhance Exercise Intensity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Randomized,Controlled Crossover Trial

Objective

To evaluate the effect of quadriceps functional electrical stimulation (FES)-cycling on exertional oxygen uptake ($\dot{\text{V}}$o₂) compared with placebo FES-cycling in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

电脑控制功能性电刺激辅助截瘫病人行走系统的临床应用

本文以功能性电刺激为基础,研制了一套电脑控制的截瘫锻炼和辅助行走系统,并探索了一套康复锻炼方法,经临床应用,锻炼后瘫痪下肢的肌力、肌耐力均有明显提高。本文设计的辅助行走选用骶棘肌、臂大肌、股四头肌及下肢屈曲肌群,有效的延缓了肌疲劳的发生,增加了站立行走时间,使辅助行走过程更接近于自然行走。     

Development of a resonant‐type microwave reactor and its application to the synthesis of positron emission tomography radiopharmaceuticals

Microwave technology has been successfully applied to enhance the effectiveness of radiolabeling reactions. The use of a microwave as a source of heat energy can allow chemical reactions to proceed over much shorter reaction times and in higher yields than they would do under conventional thermal conditions. A microwave reactor developed by Resonance Instrument Inc. (Model 520/521) and CEM (PETWave) has been used exclusively for the synthesis of radiolabeled agents for positron emission tomography by numerous groups throughout the world. In this study, we have developed a novel resonant‐type microwave reactor powered by a solid‐state device and confirmed that this system can focus microwave power on a small amount of reaction solution. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the rapid and facile radiosynthesis of 16α‐[¹⁸F]fluoroestradiol, 4‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐N‐[2‐(1‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐piperazinyl]ethyl‐N‐2‐pyridinylbenzamide, and N‐succinimidyl 4‐[¹⁸F]fluorobenzoate using our newly developed microwave reactor.     

31例骨科并发症脂防栓塞的预见性护理

目的总结31例易发生脂防栓塞的高危患者的预见性护理。方法对高危患者严密监测生命体征.妥善固定骨折部位,预防感染,防治休克,纠正酸中毒,结氧等。结论本组除3例因病情急、起病隐匿,在典型症状出现之前很快死亡,其余均痊愈出院。     

Surface-applied functional electrical stimulation for orthotic and therapeutic treatment of drop-foot after stroke – a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: Drop-foot when incurred as a deficit post-stroke significantly contributes to the development of physical disability and social restriction. The condition is most commonly treated using a custom moulded ankle foot orthosis (AFO) or functional electrical stimulation (FES). No previous systematic review has assessed the evidence for both an orthotic (while the device is still on) and therapeutic (when the device is no longer worn) effect of FES, including all types of methodology and outcome measure. This is certainly a gap in the literature in terms of informing the practising clinician.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify all articles published between 1990 and 2008 relating to the effectiveness of FES for the treatment of drop-foot post-stroke using strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Included literature was quality-appraised according to the Guidelines for Cochrane reviewers.

Results: Thirty studies were analysed (264 excluded) and results support the conclusion that FES can have a positive orthotic effect particularly for gait speed and physiological cost index (PCI), in chronic post-stroke patients. Research supporting a therapeutic effect of FES post-stroke is less conclusive. Some support exists for FES in combination with 'conventional rehabilitation' or treadmill training or for increasing the effectiveness of Botulinum toxin injections.

Discussion: While more evidence exists to support an orthotic than therapeutic effect of FES, further research is needed to define the extent of a therapeutic effect (particularly in acute patients) and compare the efficacy of FES with an AFO. More standardisation of protocols and a more collaborative approach between engineers, researchers, clinicians and users is required.     

Early diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome by automated image analysis of alveolar macrophages

To evaluate the value of automated semiquantitative analysis of fat within alveolar macrophages as an early diag-nostic tool for fat embolism syndrome (FES), we investigated 3 patients with respiratory failure following long-bone frac-tures. The mean area of fat droplets per alveolar macrophage was determined in pixels and, additionally, the percentage of the evaluated areas was calculated. In 2 patients, the diagnosis of FES could be established as early as 24 hr after trauma. Both patients showed an increase in the area of fat per alveolar macrophage (pixels: 851, 1069) as well as in the percentage of fat area per alveolar macrophage area (40.04%, 52.73%), whereas the analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens of a third patient, who later recovered without ap-pearance of clinical signs of FES, revealed only minimal fat content (pixels: 82; 3.82%). Automated semiquantitative anal-ysis of fat within alveolar macrophages may be helpful in the early diagnosis of FES.