Selected Body Sites Research Articles

Neural correlates of evoked phantom limb sensations

Previous work showed the existence of changes in the topographic organization within the somatosensory cortex (SI) in amputees with phantom limb pain, however, the link between nonpainful phantom sensations such as cramping or tingling or the percept of the limb and cortical changes is less clear.We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a highly selective group of limb amputees who experienced inducible and reproducible nonpainful phantom sensations. A standardized procedure was used to locate body sites eliciting phantom sensations in each amputee. Selected body sites that could systematically evoke phantom sensations were stimulated using electrical pulses in order to induce phasic phantom sensations. Homologous body parts were also stimulated in a group of matched controls.Activations related to evoked phantom sensations were found bilaterally in SI and the intraparietal sulci (IPS), which significantly correlated with the intensity of evoked phantom sensations. In addition, we found differences in intra- and interhemispheric interaction between amputees and controls during evoked phantom sensations. We assume that phantom sensations might be associated with a functional decoupling between bilateral SI and IPS, possibly resulting from transcallosal reorganization mechanisms following amputation.

Prediction of high naevus count in a healthy U.K. population to estimate melanoma risk.

Despite recent discoveries of germline and somatic mutations in melanoma, naevus count remains the most important risk factor for melanoma. Counting naevi on the whole body is time consuming. In order to identify patients at risk for melanoma, many studies have used naevus count on selected body sites as a proxy for total body naevus count (TBNC). The main aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of naevus count on 17 different body sites in estimating TBNC in a large cohort of healthy U.K. Caucasian female subjects. Once the site with the best predictive value for TBNC was determined, a second aim was to estimate the cut-off values of naevus counts at this anatomical site that best predict the presence of 50 or 100 naevi, respectively. The most predictive body site for TBNC was assessed in a cohort of healthy female twins. This finding was replicated on a control group from a U.K. case-control study and a prediction model was performed afterwards. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was used to evaluate the best cut-off for the prediction of having a TBNC of more than 50 or 100. There were 3694 female twins included. The TBNC showed a steady decline after the age of 30 years (P < 0·001). The most predictive sites for TBNC were the arms and legs: the adjusted correlation coefficients were 0·50 and 0·51 (P < 0·001) for the right and left arm, respectively, and 0·49 and 0·48 for the right and left legs, respectively (P < 0·001). The arm remained the most predictive site for TBNC when replicated in a control population including both sexes. In the twin study, women with more than 11 naevi on the right arm were approximately nine times more likely to have more than 100 naevi (odds ratio = 9·38, 95% confidence interval 6·71-13·11). The ability to estimate TBNC quickly by counting naevi on one arm could be a very useful tool in assessing melanoma risk in primary care.

Wetness perception across body sites

Human skin is innervated with a variety of receptors serving somatosensation and includes the sensory sub-modalities of touch, temperature, pain and itch. The density and type of receptors differ across the body surface, and there are various body-map representations in the brain. The perceptions of skin sensations outside of the specified sub-modalities, e.g. wetness or greasiness, are described as ‘touch blends’ and are learned. The perception of wetness is generated from the coincident activation of tactile and thermal receptors. The present study aims to quantify threshold levels of wetness perception and find out if this differs across body sites. A rotary tactile stimulator was used to apply a moving, wetted stimulus over selected body sites at a precise force and velocity. Four wetness levels were tested over eight body sites. After each stimulus, the participant rated how wet the stimulus was perceived to be using a visual analogue scale. The results indicated that participants discriminated between levels of wetness as distinct percepts. Significant differences were found between all levels of wetness, apart from the lowest levels of comparison (20μl and 40μl). The perception of wetness did not, however, differ significantly across body sites and there were no significant interactions between wetness level and body site. The present study emphasizes the importance of understanding how bottom-up and top-down processes interact to generate complex perceptions.

Effect of a Conditioning Program on Subcutaneous Fat and LBM% in Males Aged 18-24 Years

This study examined the effect of a three-month conditioning program-consisting of exercises targeted to improve flexibility strength and cardiorespiratory endurance on Subcutaneous Fat and Lean Body Mass percent (LBM%) in fifty (N = 50) physically active males aged 18-24 years. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis was used for total body composition assessment and subcutaneous fat distribution was measured with the help of skinfold thickness from selected body sites (Biceps Triceps Subscapular Suprailiac and Calf). On an average most deposition of fat was noticed in the Subscapular site followed by Calf Triceps Suprailiac and Biceps regions in that order before the start of a conditioning program. Conditioning program caused a significant reduction in the subcutaneous fat deposition at all sites after the completion of first mesocycle of 45 days as well as after the second mesocycle (next 45 days of conditioning). However the conditioning program of 90 days failed to change the distribution pattern of subcutaneous fat in the observed sites. On the body composition front the mean values of total body fat percent demonstrated a decrease after the conditioning program (before 19.83 ± 5.50 and after 17.7 ± 5.36) but this decrease was not statistical significant (P < 0.05). Similarly the mean values of total body LBM% demonstrated increase after a conditioning program (before 80.16 ± 5.50 and after 82.3 ± 5.44) but again this increase was also not statistically significant. These findings indicate that a conditioning program on the one hand statistically significant lowers skinfold thickness by mobilizing and using the stored fat (subcutaneous) from various sites and on the other hand although there was a difference in the mean values of total body Fat Percent and total LBM percent after a conditioning but that difference was not statistical significant. (authors)

Pre‐vitamin D3 effective ultraviolet transmission through clothing during simulated wear

Clothing is an important protective layer used to reduce ultraviolet (UV) exposures to the skin surface. However, not all UV exposure is linked to detrimental health effects with some exposure to UVB wavelengths below 316 nm required for the synthesis of pre-vitamin D(3). The aim of the current research was to investigate the effect of fabric type, color, fit, and wetness on the transmission of pre-vitamin D(3) effective UV through garments during simulated wear, in a high UV exposure environment. Dosimeters fabricated from polysulfone film were positioned at eight selected body sites on the skin surface and clothing surface of identically designed, loose and fitted, black and white T-shirts made up in two knitted fabric types and tested when both dry and when drying after initial wetting (n=3 replicates). The T-shirts were placed on manikins set to simulate humans in the sun between 09:30 and 12:30 Eastern Standard Time during the Southern Hemisphere summer period. The post-exposure absorbance was measured and the dosimeters were calibrated for biologically effective UV for pre-vitamin D(3) synthesis with a UV spectroradiometer. The effect of fit, fabric type, color, and wetness on pre-vitamin D(3) effective UV transmission during simulated wear was assessed. Irradiances varied among body sites with the highest erythemal exposures to a horizontal plane over the 3 h period reaching approximately 14.5 minimal erythema dose (MED) while the highest exposure under the garment was 0.22 MED which may not be above the threshold for pre-vitamin D(3) synthesis for the time period investigated. Fabric and fit were the main variables affecting transmission of pre-vitamin D(3) effective UV. Some interactions were identified between the fabric color and wetness and between fabric type and color; however, while significantly modifying transmission these effects were small. Transmission of pre-vitamin D(3) effective UV occurred through the high UPF knitted fabrics investigated. However, the length of exposure will influence whether the irradiances are sufficient to be above the threshold for pre-vitamin D(3) synthesis. The main effect on transmission of pre-vitamin D(3) effective UV was the fit of the T-shirt and its fabric type (probably structure) rather than color or degree of wetness.

Infection in cancer and transplantation

<h2>Abstract</h2> Patients with cancer and organ graft recipients are highly susceptible to life-threatening infections. Specific defects in one or more host defence mechanisms are associated with characteristic infections with particular pathogens. In addition, certain infections follow temporal patterns. Diagnosis of infection requires careful examination, concentrating on selected body sites and systems. Radiology, microbial culture and antigen detection are of particular value, but serology is often less useful. Empirical therapy based on local epidemiology is the mainstay of treatment, but these regimens should be modified on the basis of significant investigation results. Therapy is usually prolonged and may be continued until immune reconstitution. Preventive measures include strict hygiene, controlled environment and use of protective clothing. Directed antimicrobial prophylaxis and vaccination are also used.

Annual occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation in central Queensland.

The purpose of this study was to determine annual occupational exposure to UV radiation by measurement and derive ambient exposure fractions for an entire year that could be applied in the human exposure model. Using polysulphone the daily occupational erythema effective solar ultraviolet radiation exposure at selected body sites of Australia Post mail delivery personnel and physical education teachers were measured over an 18-mo period on a daily basis in the Rockhampton (lat. 23.5 degrees S) region. The daily exposures were summed to estimate an annual exposure for these occupations in this region. For the Australia Post mail delivery personnel, who had very little change to the posture or route during delivery, the annual mean estimates of exposure to erythema effective solar irradiance for the chest, hands, and back were in the range of 192+/-27 kJ m(-2), 388+/-45 kJ m(-2), and 283+/-32 kJ m(-2), respectively. Physical education teachers had varied duties on a day-to-day basis and many changes in their posture and outdoor locations where the exposure occurred. Their annual mean exposure on the vertex (hat), chest, shoulder, thigh, and back were in the range 340+/-71 kJ m(-2), 140+/-28 kJ m(-2), 180+/-40 kJ m(-2), 129+/-24 kJ m(-2), and 212+/-42 kJ m(-2), respectively. The annual exposure range for erythema effective solar irradiance at different body sites during the experimental period was between 120 and 440 kJ m(-2) for the two occupational groups. These exposures greatly exceed the National Health and Medical Research Council occupational standard limit of 30 J m(-2) for daily exposure, which indicates the need for additional protective measures. The ambient exposure was also measured and used to compute ambient exposure fractions for the different body sites over an entire year, which are useful for model calculations on human exposure and assess increase in risk of n on melanoma skin cancer.

Early adaptation of human skin following birth: a biophysical assessment

Background/aims: Successful adaptation to postnatal life requires rapid physiological transitions in multiple organ systems. Mechanisms regulating stratum corneum water interactions and evaporative heat loss, for example, are pivotal in making the transition from the warm, aqueous prenatal state to a cold, dry postnatal environment. Understanding these mechanisms is important in formulating skin care guidelines in early infancy.Methods: One hundred and one full term infants were enrolled prospectively and evaluated in three maternity hospitals over the first few hours after birth. Skin surface electrical capacitance and optical imaging were performed over selected body sites after placement under a radiant warming device. A selected group of infants were occluded with a plastic wrap following towel drying in the delivery room. Specific measurements included baseline skin hydration, continuous capacitive reactance, peak water sorption, rate of water desorption, skin pH, and grading of optical images for abnormal skin desquamation.Results: Occlusion of the skin surface following birth delays the normal fall in surface hydration and transepidermal water movement (TEWM). Sites exposed to the radiant warmer (chest) exhibited decreased hydration and increased pH compared to non‐exposed sites (back). Desquamation was increased over the chest compared to the back as judged by optical image grades. Significant inverse correlations were noted between baseline skin hydration and the ability to desorb surface water. Unexpectedly, females exhibited significantly increased desorption of exogenously applied water with a near significant increase in maternal‐infant bonding time.Conclusions: Newborn infant stratum corneum undergoes a slow (minutes to hours) diminution in surface hydration following birth; this is a function of body site, position, and exposure to the radiant warmer. Practices such as occlusion of the skin surface at birth delay the normal drying process. The data support potential gender specific differences in skin surface water handling and/or delivery room practices. Focus on the complex process of newborn skin adaptation provides a physiological framework for skin care protocols extending into infancy, childhood, and later life.

Rapid in vivo measurement of the topography of human skin by active image triangulation using a digital micromirror device

Background/aims: Topometry is one of the most relevant methods for biophysical research on skin in dermatologic and cosmetic science, because it relates very closely to the perceived quality of skin. Taking silicon replicas of skin sites under investigation and measuring those imprints with mechanical or optical profilometers is still the most frequently used method. Direct measurement of the topography of human skin in vivo by active image triangulation avoids the need to make replicas and seems to be a promising alternative.Methods: The introduction of active image triangulation in conjunction with phase‐shift techniques in skin topometry enables a fast and non‐invasive measurement of the skin surface in vivo. The main attribute of the proposed system is the projection of a regular sinusoidal intensity pattern with a sophisticated digital projection device onto the surface of skin under a certain angle of incidence. The height information of the structured surface is coded in the distorted intensity pattern, which is recorded by an appropriate video technique.Results: Successful in vivo measurements of selected body sites and measurements on scar, nevus, wound and wrinkles are presented in this paper. Furthermore, irritation of skin, influence of hydration of skin, and differences between youthful and elderly skin can be detected in the measurement results of the new optical system.Conclusions: For measuring the topog raphy of human skin, active image triangulation is appropriate both for macrotopometry (nevus, scar, wound) and for microtopometry (casts, selected body sites). This new non‐contact technique allows dynamic measurements of alterations in skin topography as a consequence of certain treatments (e.g., application of ingredient, hydration of skin) without removal of corneocytes or scales. Optical three‐dimensional (3D) topometry using active image triangulation appears to offer a significant improvement in speed and flexibility, providing a fast and accurate analysis of skin surface topography.

The Effectiveness of Specimen Tactile Evaluation As a Predictor of Garment Tactile Acceptability for Garments As a Whole and on a Regional Basis

Tactile perceptions of five fabrics commonly used for protective clothing were made by four subjects from specimens using the hand and from garments using selected body sites. Results indicated there was considerable agreement among subjects on ratings of prickly-smooth, stiff-limp, cool-warm, thick-thin, and the five fabrics being assessed did not differ significantly. Regional variations in perception were not demonstrated.

Correlation and Factor Analyses of the Death Rates from Malignant Neoplasms for Selected Body Sites

Correlation and Factor Analyses of the Death Rates from Malignant Neoplasms for Selected Body Sites