Outward Rotation Research Articles

Gait Improvement of Hemiplegic Patients Using an Ankle-Foot Orthosis with Assistance of Heel Rocker Function

The ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with oil damper, GaitSolution (GS), was previously developed to make heel rocker function possible during the gait of hemiplegic patients. To clarify the characteristics of patients who show adaptation to GS use, a questionnaire was completed by the clinicians responsible for 99 patients with hemiplegia who participated in this study. Clinicians completed items concerning gait data of patients without AFO use and with GS use, adaptation to the use of GS, and patient opinion of GS use. Approximately 60% of patients achieved heel rocker function during the loading response of the paretic limb and improved gait when using GS. A comparison of the patients whose gaits were improved by GS more than by other AFOs revealed the use of GS was well suited to the gait of patients with a relatively higher Brunnstrom stage and a slightly flexed knee joint during the stance phase. Approximately 60% of patients reported feeling comfortable using GS, although patient comfort did not necessarily coincide with the results of gait assessment by clinicians. Patient comfort mainly depended on trunk posture and hip joint outward rotation; hip joint outward rotation could be improved using GS in the recovery phase but not in the maintenance phase. This result implies the importance of gait training in the early stage of rehabilitation.

The free moment in walking and its change with foot rotation angle

BackgroundThis investigation characterized the time-history pattern of the free moment (FM) during walking and, additionally, assessed whether walking with either an internally or externally rotated foot position altered the FM's time-history.MethodsForce plate and foot kinematic data were acquired simultaneously for 11 healthy subjects (6 males, 5 females) while walking at their self-selected comfortable speed in 3 foot rotation conditions (normal, internal and external). The FM was calculated and normalized by the product of each participant's body weight and height prior to extraction of peak FM, occurrence of peak FM in stance and net relative impulse. Differences in these values across foot rotation conditions were assessed using separate one-way, repeated measures analysis of variance and subsequent pair-wise comparisons.ResultsThe average FM pattern during normal walking exhibits a biphasic shape: resisting inward rotation during approximately the first half of stance and outward rotation during the latter part of stance. While no differences in peak FM or net relative impulse were observed between the internal foot rotation condition and normal walking, the external foot rotation condition resulted in significantly greater peak FM and relative net impulse in comparison to normal walking.ConclusionThe differences in selected FM variables between normal walking and the external foot rotation condition are attributable to individual subject response to walking with an externally rotated foot. In this condition, some subjects displayed a FM pattern that was similar to that recorded during normal walking, while others displayed markedly larger FM patterns that are comparable in magnitude to those reported for running. The larger FM values in these latter subjects are speculated to be a result of excessive transverse plane body movements. Whilst further investigation is warranted regarding the FM time-history characteristics during walking, our results indicate that the FM may provide useful information in assessment of gait.

Gait abnormalities differentially indicate pain or structural joint damage in monoarticular antigen-induced arthritis

Gait abnormalities have been suggested to provide an objective measure for joint pain in animal models. Here, we aimed to assess whether parameters of gait analysis correlate with measures of pain-related behavior in experimental monoarthritis. For this purpose, antigen-induced arthritis was induced in the left knee joints of 68 female Lewis rats, of which 30 were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF)-neutralizing compounds. During the course of arthritis, paw print analysis parameters and measures for mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia were obtained. Knee joints harvested on either day 3 or day 21 were scored histologically for signs of inflammation and cartilage and bone destructions. Data were compared to those obtained from 33 immunized control rats and correlated for days 3 and 21. Arthritic rats showed distinct asymmetric gait abnormalities. In the acute stage of antigen-induced arthritis, but not in the chronic phase, there was a significant correlation between the gait parameter ‘left–right distance’ and measures of primary and secondary hyperalgesia. Both in the acute and chronic phases, however, the gait parameter ‘angle between paws’ indicating outward rotation of paws mainly correlated with joint destruction as assessed using histology. Etanercept treatment exhibited pronounced anti-nociceptive and pro-locomotional effects, but the described correlations remained. In conclusion, some parameters of gait analysis may represent a good measure for arthritis pain, mainly in acute inflammation, while others are increasingly influenced by mechanical joint deformation as indicated by cartilage and bone destructions. Thus, gait abnormalities may not unequivocally be suitable for objective pain assessment in all stages of experimental arthritis.

Thermodynamic control of the electrocyclic ring opening of cyclobutenes: C=X substituents at C-3 mask the kinetic torquoselectivity.

The thermal ring-opening reactions of 4-phenyl-1,3,3-triethoxycarbonylcyclobutene and 4-methyl-1,3,3-triethoxycarbonylcyclobutene yield dienes that result from an unexpected selectivity for "inward" rotation of the phenyl and methyl groups. With 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-phenylcyclobutene, "outward" rotation of the phenyl group occurs exclusively. Density functional theory was used to investigate the role of the 3,3-geminal diester groups and the origin of torquoselectivity in these electrocyclic reactions. The rules of torquoselectivity still hold, with a calculated 6-8 kcal/mol preference for outward rotation of the methyl and phenyl substituents. However, cyclization of the "out" dienes to pyran intermediates allows for isomerization and thermodynamic control of stereoselectivity.

Enlargement of the Hippocampal Angle: A New Index of Alzheimer Disease

Imaging diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, requires evaluation of the extent of hippocampal atrophy. Coronal magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with AD often demonstrate outward rotation of the hippocampus that is altered from a long horizontal elliptical to a long vertical elliptical shape. Such rotation may be related to the disease process of AD. To determine whether hippocampal rotation is associated with AD, we investigated MR images from 11 patients with AD and 11 normal controls, measuring the hippocampal angle (HA) and the volume of the left hippocampus on coronal T(1)-weighted MR images. The HA is the angle between a horizontal line orthogonal to the falx cerebri and the uncal sulcus line between the deepest point of the uncal sulcus and the point nearest to the side of the ambient cistern in the uncal gyrus facing the uncal sulcus. The HA is measured on the most rostral slice in which the uncal sulcus can be identified and increases with hippocampal rotation. We found correlation between the HA and standardized hippocampal volume in the AD group, but not in controls. Hippocampal rotation is a new marker associated with the pathology of AD.

척수장애 휠체어 탁구 스트로크의 운동학적 분석 및 절단장애 선수와의 비교 -2008 베이징 장애인 올림픽 메달리스트 사례연구-

본 연구는 2008 베이징 장애인 올림픽에 참가하는 국가대표 휠체어 탁구 선수들 중 대표적인 절단장애 선수와 척수장애 선수의 스트로크를 대상으로 운동학적 비교분석을 실시하였다. 실재와 같은 경기상황을 설정하여 모든 경기 상황에서의 스트로크를 수집하였다. 그중 대표적인 포핸드 스트로크 세 개의 동작과 백핸드 스트로크 세 개의 동작을 추출하였다. 9대의 적외선 카메라를 이용하여 수집한 자료는 LabVIEW7.0 그래픽 프로그램을 이용한 운동학적 분석에 의하여 각운동으로 나타내었다. 그 결과 척수장애 선수의 포핸드 스트로크에서는 몸통의 회전이 하위분절인 어깨의 회전과 팔꿈치의 굴곡신전과 거의 동시에 이루어지고 있었다. 백핸드 스트로크는 몸통의 회전, 어깨의 굴곡-신전, 그리고 팔꿈치의 굴곡-신전이 날아오는 공의 연장선상에서 일정한 형태로 정렬되어 있었고 공을 치기위한 백스윙은 어깨의 회전을 이용해 만들고 있었다. 절단장애 선수의 포핸드 스트로크는 팔의 외측회전으로 백스윙과 내측회전으로 만들어지는 회전을 이용하여 스트로크 하고 있었다. 백핸드 스트로크는 어깨의 회전과 허리의 회전에 있어 내측회전이 백스윙을 만들고 백스윙 후 공을 향한 큰 폭의 외측회전으로 임팩트를 이루고 있었다. In this research, kinematic comparative analysis was performed on strokes of abscission and spinal cord injured athletes who participated in 2008 Beijing Paralympics wheelchair table tennis games. Strokes of all situations were collected under real match-like conditions. Among those, three major forehand stroke motions and backhand stroke motions were drawn Data collected by 9 infrared cameras were expressed in angular motions using graphic program LabVIEW7.0. As a result, forehand stroke of spin handicap athlete from analyzed images, the rotations of the trunk happened with the rotations of shoulder and the flexion extensions of elbow nearly at the same time. According to these results, insufficient turning force or speed of rackets is recompensed using flexion. backhand stroke of spin handicap athlete from analyzed images, the rotations of the trunk, the flexion extensions of the elbow and the flexion extensions of the shoulder were lined up on the prolongations of ping-pong balls. Forehand stroke of abscission athletes was done by outward rotation of the arm using backswing and inner rotation. As for backhand stroke, backswing was made by inner rotation in the spin of shoulder and waist. And after the backswing, impact was formed in wide outer rotation towards the ball.

Intra-articular injections of hyaluronan solutions of different elastoviscosity reduce nociceptive nerve activity in a model of osteoarthritic knee joint of the guinea pig

To study in guinea pigs knee joints the effects of intra-articular injection of HYADD 4-G (Fidia-Farmaceutici), a novel hyaluronan (HA)-derived elastoviscous material and of Hyalgan (Fidia-Farmaceutici), a HA product with very low viscoelasticity, on movement-evoked nociceptor impulse activity from normal and inflamed knee joints. Nociceptor impulse activity was recorded from single Adelta and C fibers of the medial articular nerve either under control conditions or after induction of an experimental knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) by partial medial menisectomy and transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (PMM-TACL). The stimuli consisted of standardized innocuous and noxious inward and outward rotations of the tibia against the femur of 50s duration, repeated every 5min for 1.5h. The number of movement-evoked impulses was significantly augmented 1 day and 1 week after PMM-TACL compared with intact knee joint. The enhanced impulse response to joint movements 1 week following surgery was attenuated by repeated intra-articular injection of HYADD 4-G and even more prominently by Hyalgan. HA products have a reducing action on joint nociceptor discharges that appears to depend predominantly on their role as an elastoviscous filter associated with their rheological properties, but also on a chemical effect on sensitized nociceptive terminals of inflamed joint tissues, possibly linked to the HA concentration.

Molecular interactions in reverse hexagonal mesophase in the presence of Cyclosporin A

The present work investigates the detailed molecular structure of the H II mesophase of GMO/tricaprylin/phosphatidylcholine/water system in the presence of hydrophobic model peptide Cyclosporin A (CSA) via ATR-FTIR analysis. The conformation of the peptide in the hexagonal mesophase, as well as its location and specific interactions with the components of the carrier, were studied. Incorporation of phosphatidylcholine to the ternary GMO/tricaprylin/water system caused competition for water binding between the hydroxyl groups of GMO and the phosphate groups of the phosphatidylcholine (PC) leading to dehydration of the GMO hydroxyls in favor of phospholipid hydration. Analysis of CSA solubilization effect on the H II mesophase revealed a significant increase in the strength of hydrogen bonding with surfactant hydrogen-bonded carbonyls, indicating interaction of the peptide with the C O groups of the surfactants. The peptide probably caused partial replacement of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the mesophase carbonyl groups with intermolecular hydrogen bonds of these carbonyl groups with the peptide. Furthermore, analysis of the Amide I’ peak in the FTIR spectra of the peptide demonstrated that two pairs of its internal hydrogen bonds are disrupted when it is incorporated. The partial disruption of the internal hydrogen bonds seems to cause an outward rotation of the peptide amide groups involved, resulting in more efficient intermolecular hydrogen-bonding ability. Apparently, this conformational change increased the hydrophilic properties of CSA, even making it susceptible to a weak interaction with the GMO hydroxyl groups in the interfacial region.

Molecular architecture of native HIV-1 gp120 trimers

The envelope glycoproteins (Env) of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV, respectively) mediate virus binding to the cell surface receptor CD4 on target cells to initiate infection. Env is a heterodimer of a transmembrane glycoprotein (gp41) and a surface glycoprotein (gp120), and forms trimers on the surface of the viral membrane. Using cryo-electron tomography combined with three-dimensional image classification and averaging, we report the three-dimensional structures of trimeric Env displayed on native HIV-1 in the unliganded state, in complex with the broadly neutralizing antibody b12 and in a ternary complex with CD4 and the 17b antibody. By fitting the known crystal structures of the monomeric gp120 core in the b12- and CD4/17b-bound conformations into the density maps derived by electron tomography, we derive molecular models for the native HIV-1 gp120 trimer in unliganded and CD4-bound states. We demonstrate that CD4 binding results in a major reorganization of the Env trimer, causing an outward rotation and displacement of each gp120 monomer. This appears to be coupled with a rearrangement of the gp41 region along the central axis of the trimer, leading to closer contact between the viral and target cell membranes. Our findings elucidate the structure and conformational changes of trimeric HIV-1 gp120 relevant to antibody neutralization and attachment to target cells.

Functional anatomy of the limbs of erethizontidae (Rodentia, Caviomorpha): Indicators of locomotor behavior in Miocene porcupines

Functional analysis of the limb bones of the erethizontid Steiromys duplicatus, one of the most abundant Miocene porcupines from Patagonia, provides evidence to infer their locomotor behavior. Remains of the giant Neosteiromys pattoni (Late Miocene of Northeast Argentina) are also analyzed. Osteological and myological features of extant porcupines were evaluated and used as a model to interpret the functional significance of Miocene species' limbs. Several features in erethizontids are compatible with the ability to climb: the low humeral tuberosities indicate a mobile gleno-humeral joint; the prominent and distally extended deltopectoral crest indicates a powerful pectoral muscle, which is particularly active when climbing; the humero-ulnar and humero-radial joints are indicative of pronation-supination movements; the well-developed lateral epicondylar ridge and the medially protruding entepicondyle are in agreement with an important development of the brachioradialis, supinator, flexor digitorum profundus, and pronator teres muscles, acting in climbing and grasping functions; the mechanical advantage of the biceps brachii would be emphasized because of its distal attachment on the bicipital tuberosity. As with extant porcupines, in Miocene species, the large femoral head would have permitted a broad range of abduction of the femur, and the medially protruding lesser trochanter would have emphasized the abduction and outward rotation of the femur by the action of the ilio-psoas complex. In S. duplicatus, the shape of the hip, knee, and cruro-astragalar, calcaneo-astragalar, and astragalo-navicular joints would have allowed lateral and rotational movements, although probably to a lesser degree than in extant porcupines. Foot features of S. duplicatus (e.g., great medial sesamoid bone, medial astragalar head, complete hallux) indicate that this species would have had grasping ability, but would not have achieved the high degree of specialization of Coendou. Steiromys duplicatus would have been a semiarboreal dweller, resembling Erethizon dorsatum.

Effect of ski boot settings on tibio-femoral abduction and rotation during standing and simulated skiing

Ski boots are designed to transfer high forces from the skier to the ski. For this purpose they are made of stiff materials and constrain the leg of the skier to an unnatural position. To overcome the problem of unnatural knee posture, the ski boots can be adjusted in the frontal plane as well as in the horizontal plane by the canting mechanism and the “v-position”, respectively. Canting enables lateral and medial orientation of the shaft with respect to the base of the boot. The “v-position” is a pronounced outward rotation of the boot's base with respect to the ski's long axis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different foot rotations and ski boot canting settings on knee kinematics during standing and simulated skiing. Knee kinematics was measured by means of motion analysis and with the help of skin-mounted markers on 20 subjects. The ski boots in their standard settings significantly constrained the skier to an unnatural valgus position. Ski boot base rotation had a significant effect on internal external knee rotation, whereas canting had an effect on varus–valgus angles during standing. However, for the simulated skiing position no effects were observed. The study suggests that the constraints of the ski boots result in a clinically relevant valgus misalignment. Canting settings reduced the misalignment but only by about 10%. Increased ski boot canting settings would therefore be desirable. Knee kinematics showed that rotational misalignment could not be linked to any significant increase in injury risk.

Documentation of dislocation arthropathy of the shoulder “area index”: A better method to objectify the humeral osteophyte?

We suggest a method to validate the Samilson-Prieto classification system of dislocation arthropathy of the shoulder. Based on a mean standard sagital measure of the humeral head, we calculate an area index for the humeral osteophyte. The application of this method is done on a previous published series of 56 shoulders with a follow-up time of 15 years minimum after surgery with the Bankart or Bristow repairs. This technique of evaluation showed that the Bristow shoulders had a higher mean area index value on all radiological projections compared to the Bankart shoulders. The highest index was found on AP radiogrammes angulated 45 degrees from above with the arm in neutral rotation (subcoracoid view) followed by the AP view in inward rotation. Our observations indicate that the humeral osteophyte mostly has its largest size at 4 to 5 o'clock position, as visualized with its greatest index on the subcoracoid view. Mild arthropathy, according to Samilson-Prieto, had a mean osteophyte area index of 3.7 (standard deviation, 3.4) on the AP inward rotation view. The corresponding figures for moderate arthropathy were 10.6 (standard deviation, 13.3) and 30.3 for severe (standard deviation, 24.1), respectively. The use of this index, based on the AP view in inward and outward rotation, will make future comparisons between different series of patients more reliable than using just the Samilson-Prieto classification. The radiological change over time should also be more appropriately described. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the importance of using the same radiological views when dislocation arthropathy of the shoulder is documented.

Ergonomic analysis of postural and muscular loads to diagnostic sonographers

Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in diagnostic sonographers. This study quantifies the postural and muscular loads during ultrasound scanning. Video-based stop-motion postural analysis at 4 samples/minute for 24 full scans (527.5 minutes) by 11 sonographers showed sonographers spend 68% of scanning time with >30 o shoulder abduction, 63% with >30 o shoulder outward rotation, and 37% with the neck bent forward, laterally or twisted >20 o. The shoulder was observed to be unsupported, or static, for 73% of scanning time and this was significantly higher for carotid scans compared with abdominal, obstetrical or leg scans ( p<0.05). Electromyography (EMG) was collected for seven scans performed by three sonographers on three shoulder muscles: Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and trapezius; as well as for flexor carpi ulnaris. Static (0.10) amplitude probability distribution functions (APDFs) for all three shoulder muscles exceeded 3% MVC corresponding to a “medium” risk rating for shoulder–neck disorders. Mean forearm flexor EMG was 3.96 kg (SD 2.94), with occasional peak forces as high as 27.6 kg. Relevance to industry Diagnostic sonographers experience long durations in static shoulder abduction and outward rotation, with high peak and sustained grip forces. These risk factors are consistent with the high prevalence of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms reported by many sonographers.

Use of a circular external skeletal fixator for stabilization of a comminuted diaphyseal metatarsal fracture in an alpaca

A 3-year-old male alpaca was evaluated because of non-weight-bearing lameness (grade 5/5) in the left hind limb. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed a closed, comminuted, nonarticular, displaced diaphyseal fracture of the left third and fourth metatarsal bones. Initial attempts at treatment via reduction of the fracture under traction and subsequent application of a cast were unsuccessful, and more stable fracture fixation was pursued. The alpaca underwent closed reduction of the fracture, which was stabilized by the application of a 3-ring circular external skeletal fixator (CESF). Improved weight bearing on the affected limb was evident soon after surgery and gradually increased; full weight bearing was evident by the seventh day after discharge from the hospital (day 20 after application of the CESF). Lameness was hardly noticeable during walking at that time. After 3 months, complete fracture healing was evident and the CESF was removed; mild outward rotation of the distal fragment and metatarsophalangeal joint was present. A Robert Jones bandage was applied to the limb, and the alpaca was kept in a stall for another 4 weeks. Eleven months after CESF application, the owners and referring veterinarian reported that the alpaca was healthy, not lame, and serving as a stallion without apparent impediment. Although mostly restricted to small animals, application of a CESF can be a viable alternative for management of long bone fractures in South American camelids.

Intracapsular Pressure and Elasticity of the Hip Joint Capsule in Osteoarthritis

We investigated intracapsular pressure and elasticity of the hip joint capsule in osteoarthritis. HOOS hip score, sonography of the hip joint, and radiographic assessment of osteoarthritis were performed in 31 patients before total hip arthroplasty. The intracapsular hydrostatic pressure was measured perioperatively, and 0.9% saline solution was then injected in the hip joint, 1 mL at a time, with continuous pressure recording up to 300 mm Hg. The mean radiographic grade of severity of osteoarthritis was 8 (SD, 2.4). The mean hydrostatic intracapsular pressure in 45° of flexion was 2.2 mm Hg (SD, 10.0); in extension, 15.8 mm Hg (SD, 33.0); in inward rotation, 13.7 mm Hg (SD, 26.0); and in outward rotation, 12.1 mm Hg (SD, 24.3). Severe osteoarthritis was associated with lower intracapsular pressure and lower elasticity of the joint capsule.

Middle Vault Reconstruction

Archives of Facial Plastic SurgeryVol. 9, No. 2 Editor’s Correspondence: Comments & OpinionsFree AccessMiddle Vault ReconstructionJannis ConstantinidisJannis ConstantinidisCorrespondence: Dr Constantinidis, Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA-Hospital, 54 006 Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail Address: janconst@otenet.grSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Mar 2007https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.9.2.139-aAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail It is with great interest that I read the recent article by Gassner et al.1 The authors address a problem that to date has not been sufficiently addressed in functional rhinoplasty: structural pathologic characteristics of the transition of the upper lateral cartilage into the septum with resulting nasal valve obstruction.Efforts at reconstructing this aspect of the middle vault, typically after resection of a dorsal hump, have included the placement of spreader grafts and dorsal onlay grafts. Other approaches include the Skoog technique2 and the push-down let-down approach used by Maurice H. Cottle, MD, and disciples.3 As Gassner et al1 point out, most methods of functional middle vault reconstruction to date aim at lateralizing the insertion of the cartilage into the septum. One established technique that allows for lateral rotation of the upper lateral cartilages and opening of the valve angle is the butterfly graft.In my hands, the butterfly graft works only in a selected patient population secondary to some inherent limitations. Those include the fact that the upper lateral cartilages typically stay attached to the septum when a butterfly graft is inserted. Moreover, the butterfly graft is typically harvested from conchal cartilage, which has limited structural resilience, especially in elderly individuals. Spreader grafts need to be of substantial thickness to enlarge the nasal valve area in a meaningful way. These grafts are often insufficient to correct defects caused by diseases of the nasal valve unless additional maneuvers are performed.The concept of removing the upper lateral cartilages, reducing the height of the septum, and creating a lower insertion point for the fully preserved upper lateral cartilages is novel. The graft described by Gassner et al1 allows for preservation or reconstruction of a natural dorsal line and simultaneous outward rotation of the upper lateral cartilages. This technique has the potential to advance functional nasal surgery. As always with new concepts, larger series and extended long-term follow-up with objective outcome data will have to prove the usefulness and establish the indications of this novel method.

Nociceptive nerve activity in an experimental model of knee joint osteoarthritis of the guinea pig: Effect of intra-articular hyaluronan application

Nociceptive impulse activity was recorded extracellularly from single Aδ and C primary afferents of the guinea pig’s medial articular nerve after induction of an experimental osteoarthritis in the knee joint by partial medial menisectomy and transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (PMM + TACL). Also, the analgesic effects of intra-articular hyaluronan solutions were evaluated. Healthy, PMM + TACL operated, sham-operated (opening of the joint capsule without PMM and TACL surgery) and acutely inflamed (intra-articular kaolin–carrageenan, K–C) animals were used. The stimulus protocol consisted of torque meter-controlled, standardized innocuous and noxious inward and outward rotations of the joint. This stimulus protocol of 50 s duration was repeated every 5 min for 70 min. One day, one week and three weeks after PMM + TACL, the movement-evoked discharges of Aδ articular afferents were increased significantly over values found in sham-operated animals. The discharges of C fibers were significantly augmented only one week after PMM + TACL surgery. Filling of the joint cavity with a high viscosity hyaluronan solution (hylan G-F 20, Synvisc ®) immediately and three days after surgery reduced significantly the enhanced nerve activity observed in joint afferent fibers one day and one week after surgery. Augmentation of movement-evoked discharges in K–C acutely inflamed knee joints was similar to that observed one week after PMM + TACL. Our results indicate that in the PMM + TACL model of osteoarthritis in guinea pigs, enhancement of nociceptive responses to joint movement was primarily associated to post-surgical inflammation. Intra-articular injection of an elastoviscous hyaluronan solution reduced the augmented nerve activity.

Ligand pathways in myoglobin: A review of trp cavity mutations

The pathways for ligand entry and exit in myoglobin have now been well established by a wide variety of experimental results, including pico- to nano- to microsecond transient absorbance measurements and time-resolved X-ray crystallographic measurements. Trp insertions have been used to block, one at a time, the three major cavities occupied by photodissociated ligands. In this work, we review the effects of the L29(B10)W mutation, which places a large indole ring in the initial 'docking site' for photodissociated ligands. Then, the effects of blocking the Xe4 site with I28W, V68W, and I107W mutations and the Xe1 cavity with L89W, L104W, and F138W mutations are described. The structures of four of these mutants are shown for the first time (Trp28, Trp68, Trp107, and Trp 138 sperm whale metMb). All available results support a 'side path' mechanism in which ligands move into and out of myoglobin by outward rotation of the HisE7 side chain, but after entry can migrate into internal cavities, including the distal Xe4 and proximal Xe1 binding sites. The distal cavities act like the pocket of a baseball glove, catching the ligand and holding it long enough for the histidine gate to close and facilitate internal coordination with the heme iron atom. The physiological role of the proximal Xe1 site is less clear because changes in the size of this cavity have minimal effects on overall O(2) binding parameters.

Carpal and fetlock conformation of the juvenile Thoroughbred from birth to yearling auction age

There is little information available about conformational changes in the forelimbs of growing foals. To describe the conformation of the carpus and fetlock of Thoroughbred foals from birth to yearling sale age. Subjective assessments of the fetlock and carpal conformation of 119 Thoroughbred foals were made within the first month of life and then at 30 day intervals until at least age 120 days. At least 70 subjects were examined further at 60 day intervals until September of their second year. Conformation grades are reported for 5 age groups: first 7 days and at a mean of 46, 176, 362 and 525 days. The conformation of all available sires and dams of subjects was also graded. All subjects demonstrated carpal deviations, such as valgus, outward rotation and offset, and approximately 30% had fetlock deviations. Heavier birth weights were associated with carpal offset and fetlock inward conformation at most ages, and heavier yearlings were more likely to be carpal valgus. The carpal conformation of the sire (offset and outward rotation) was associated with similar yearling carpal conformation. During the study period, the carpal conformation of Thoroughbred foals became less valgus and more offset. Fetlock conformation became more inwardly deviated during the first 6 months of the study. Carpal and fetlock conformation change greatly in Thoroughbred foals up to age 18 months. The phenotype of the sire can be associated with yearling carpal conformation and bodyweight, particularly at birth and as yearlings, is associated with yearling fetlock and carpal conformation. New factors associated with forelimb conformational deviations have been identified that may help breeders better to manage young racing stock.

Ergonomic evaluation of screwdriver handles under different working conditions

Maximum torque strength, muscle strain and subjective responses were evaluated in a series of screwdriver tests with 10 varied handles, performed under different working conditions. Screwing in and unscrewing tasks that affected inward and outward rotations of the upper extremity muscles were measured. Maximum torque strength for supination and pronation was determined under the conditions of dry hands, using industrial gloves, and with oily hands, consecutively. Physiological cost of performance was simultaneously determined by measuring electromyographic activities (EA) of 5 muscles of the hand-arm-shoulder system that were expected to be involved in screwing tasks. Subjective assessments were made through a questionnaire before and after each experiment. Significant differences were determined between maximum torque values produced during inward and outward rotations for the three operational cases. Maximum torque values exerted by the twelve subjects using industrial gloves were substantially higher than the values obtained by dry and oily hands during both supination and pronation. EA values of the 5 muscles investigated differed significantly. However the subjective assessments of the handles did not vary in the pre and post assessments.