Estimation of the 3-D center of mass excursion from force-plate data during standing.

Biomechanical models are used with force-plate information to determine the center of mass (COM) trajectory during standing. They are usually based on simplifying assumptions and are often limited to a single-plane analysis. The objectives of this study were to present a three-dimensional (3-D) model to calculate the excursion of the COM of the human body, validate it and compare its performance to a video-based system during quiet standing and antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) self-imposed oscillations.

Distribution of fasting plasma insulin, free fatty acids, and glucose concentrations and of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in a representative sample of Quebec children and adolescents.

Background: Plasma fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) are markers of IR, which, at least in part, mediates the relation of obesity to increased cardiovascular risk. Increased free fatty acids (FFAs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of IR. Our objectives were to describe the distributions of fasting plasma insulin, glucose, and FFAs and HOMA-IR in youth and to assess the relationship between FFAs and markers of IR.

Developing palliative care surveillance in Canada: results of a pilot study.

Objective: A pilot study compiled data from six palliative care centres across Canada to assess the feasibility of developing a national surveillance system.

Methods: Data provided for the three-year period between 1993-1997 were combined into a comparative minimum data set. Analyses included 6,369 care episodes from five centres, plus 948 patients from one centre.

Delirium in advanced cancer: a psychoeducational intervention for family caregivers.

Delirium, a global brain dysfunction, develops frequently in advanced cancer. It is a leading source of distress for family caregivers. Following recommendations from palliative care professionals and caregivers for terminally ill cancer patients, a psychoeducational intervention was implemented in a palliative care hospice to help family caregivers cope with delirium and, eventually, to contribute to early detection.

An affibody in complex with a target protein: structure and coupled folding.

Combinatorial protein engineering provides powerful means for functional selection of novel binding proteins. One class of engineered binding proteins, denoted affibodies, is based on the three-helix scaffold of the Z domain derived from staphylococcal protein A. The Z(SPA-1) affibody has been selected from a phage-displayed library as a binder to protein A.

Contribution of accelerated body masses to able-bodied gait.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to demonstrate that data from a video-based system could be used to estimate the net effect of the external forces during gait, to determine the contribution of the trunk and upper and lower limbs using their accelerated body masses, and to test the hypothesis that the thigh mainly assumed lower limb propulsion during able-bodied locomotion.

Methods: The gait of 16 able-bodied subjects was assessed using an eight-camera video-based system and two force plates. The right limb was the leading limb, and there were two trials per subject.

Stem-loop binding protein accumulates during oocyte maturation and is not cell-cycle-regulated in the early mouse embryo.

The stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) binds to the 3' end of histone mRNA and participates in 3'-processing of the newly synthesized transcripts, which protects them from degradation, and probably also promotes their translation. In proliferating cells, translation of SLBP mRNA begins at G1/S and the protein is degraded following DNA replication. These post-transcriptional mechanisms closely couple SLBP expression to S-phase of the cell cycle, and play a key role in restricting synthesis of replication-dependent histones to S-phase.

(13)C-(1)H NMR relaxation and fluorescence anisotropy decay study of tyrosine dynamics in motilin.

Tyrosine ring dynamics of the gastrointestinal hormone motilin was studied using two independent physical methods: fluorescence polarization anisotropy decay and NMR relaxation. Motilin, a 22-residue peptide, was selectively (13)C labeled in the ring epsilon-carbons of the single tyrosine residue. To eliminate effects of differences in peptide concentration, the same motilin sample was used in both experiments.

Relations between standing stability and body posture parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective study of standing imbalance and body posture in 71 able-bodied girls and subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was conducted.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that postural parameters are related to standing stability parameters.

Summary Of Background Data: Spinal deformity not only modifies the shape of the trunk, but also changes the relations between body segments affecting posture in scoliotic children.

Caudate nucleus dopamine d(2) receptors in vascular dementia.

Caudate nucleus dopamine (DA) D(2) receptors were studied in patients with vascular dementia (VaD) and in a control group using [(3)H]raclopride as a radioligand. There was no significant difference in the number of DA D(2) receptors in the VaD group as compared with controls. The binding affinity was significantly lower in the VaD group.

Relationship between ankle frontal muscle powers and three-d gait patterns.

Objective: This study was undertaken to demonstrate that the ankle frontal muscle power absorption and generation at push-off are related to the foot's initial position at heel-strike with respect to the body center of mass.

Design: Nineteen able-bodied male subjects participated in this study and were divided into two groups according to ankle frontal plane power generation or absorption at push-off.

Results: At heel-strike, the group that absorbed had a center of pressure that was located on average 25% more anteriorly and 36% more laterally to the body center of mass.

ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate system of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion--part I: ankle, hip, and spine. International Society of Biomechanics.

The Standardization and Terminology Committee (STC) of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) proposes a general reporting standard for joint kinematics based on the Joint Coordinate System (JCS), first proposed by Grood and Suntay for the knee joint in 1983 (J. Biomech. Eng.

Main functional roles of knee flexors/extensors in able-bodied gait using principal component analysis (I).

This study was undertaken to demonstrate how principal component analysis (PCA) can be used to detect the main functional structure of actions taken by knee flexors/extensors during able-bodied gait. PCA was applied as a classification and curve structure detection method for knee sagittal muscle moment developed during walking of 20 young, healthy male subjects. Over 90% of the information provided by the first three principal components (PCs) was chosen for further biomechanical interpretation.

Lower limb muscle power relationships in bilateral able-bodied gait.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that limb propulsion is mainly associated with the interaction of a number of muscle power bursts developed throughout the stance phase and that the control actions are mainly achieved by the contralateral limb through different power-burst interactions. We also hypothesized that the power activities of the propulsion limb would be related to those of the control limb.

Design: Sixty gait trials of 20 subjects with dominant right hands and right legs were chosen for analysis.

Pelvic and lower limb compensatory actions of subjects in an early stage of hip osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine if compensatory actions take place at the pelvis and other joints of the affected lower limb in subjects who were in an early stage of hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: Nonrandomized, case-control study.

Setting: A gait laboratory.

Relationship between morphologic somatotypes and standing posture equilibrium.

Previous studies have identified height and weight as important factors affecting quiet standing stability but studies have not addressed body morphology as a global factor. Using anthropometric measurements, the morphologic somatotypes were defined in terms of body composition and structure. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that morphologic somatotypes were related to standing posture equilibrium in able-bodied girls.

[Palliative care: profile of medical practice in the Quebec city region].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the palliative care provided by physicians in the Quebec city region and to identify factors that affect its delivery. DESIGN: Mailed survey. SETTING: Quebec city region.

A complete Hermitian operator basis set for any spin quantum number.

A new Hermitian operator basis set for spins of any quantum number is presented for use in simulations of NMR experiments. The advantage with a Hermitian operator basis is that the Liouville-von Neumann equation, including relaxation with dynamic frequency shifts, is real. Real algebra makes numerical calculations faster and simplifies physical interpretation of the equation system as compared to complex algebra.

Proton- and sodium-coupled phosphate transport systems and energy status of Yarrowia lipolytica cells grown in acidic and alkaline conditions.

In this study we have used a newly isolated Yarrowia lipolytica yeast strain with a unique capacity to grow over a wide pH range (3.5-10.5), which makes it an excellent model system for studying H(+)- and Na(+)-coupled phosphate transport systems.

Functional roles of ankle and hip sagittal muscle moments in able-bodied gait.

Objective: The main objectives of this study on able-bodied gait were (a) to identify the main functions of the ankle and hip muscle moments and their contribution to support and propulsion tasks, and (b) to illustrate the interaction between the ankle and hip moment activities.

Design: Twenty young, able-bodied male subjects walked along a 13 m path at a freely chosen speed.

Background: Functional contributions of the ankle and hip muscles and their interactions in achieving support and propulsion tasks during gait are still subject to controversy.

Influence of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on platelet serotonin uptake site and serotonin 2A receptor binding.

Objective: To examine whether binding of [3H]paroxetine to the platelet serotonin transporter or binding of [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to the platelet 5-HT(2A) receptor are influenced by postmenopausal estrogen/progestogen treatment.

Methods: Twenty-three postmenopausal women with climacteric symptoms completed this double-blind, randomized, crossover study. The women received 2 mg of estradiol continuously during four 28-day cycles.

Educational interventions to improve cancer pain control: a systematic review.

Context: Inadequate pain control is a dismaying reality in cancer patients.

Objectives: To review studies on cancer pain control interventions, and describe their findings with respect to participants' attitudes and knowledge, pain management, and pain levels.

Data Sources: Computer searches were made in MEDLINE from January 1962, in PsychLIT from January 1974, and in CINAHL from January 1982 to August 1999, using a search strategy based on a combination of key words.

Binding of [3H]paroxetine to serotonin uptake sites and of [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide to 5-HT2A receptors in platelets from women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder during gonadotropin releasing hormone treatment.

Changes in serotonergic parameters have been reported in psychiatric conditions such as depression but also in the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In addition, hormonal effects on serotonergic activity have been established. In the present study, binding of [3H]paroxetine to platelet serotonin uptake sites and binding of [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide ([3H]LSD) to platelet serotonin (5-HT)2A receptors were studied in patients with PMDD treated with a low dose of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (buserelin) or placebo and compared to controls.