Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): Its Mechanisms and Effects on Range of Motion and Muscular Function.

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is common practice for increasing range of motion, though little research has been done to evaluate theories behind it. The purpose of this study was to review possible mechanisms, proposed theories, and physiological changes that occur due to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques. Four theoretical mechanisms were identified: autogenic inhibition, reciprocal inhibition, stress relaxation, and the gate control theory.

Quantitative analysis and prediction of curvature in leucine-rich repeat proteins.

Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins form a large and diverse family. They have a wide range of functions most of which involve the formation of protein-protein interactions. All known LRR structures form curved solenoids, although there is large variation in their curvature.

The leucine-rich repeat structure.

The leucine-rich repeat is a widespread structural motif of 20-30 amino acids with a characteristic repetitive sequence pattern rich in leucines. Leucine-rich repeat domains are built from tandems of two or more repeats and form curved solenoid structures that are particularly suitable for protein-protein interactions. Thousands of protein sequences containing leucine-rich repeats have been identified by automatic annotation methods.

The energetics of tetrahydrocarbazole aromatization over Pd(111): a computational analysis.

The carbazole moiety is a component of many important pharmaceuticals including anticancer and anti-HIV agents and is commonly utilized in the production of modern polymeric materials with novel photophysical and electronic properties. Simple carbazoles are generally produced via the aromatization of the respective tetrahydrocarbazole (THCZ). In this work, density functional theory calculations are used to model the reaction pathway of tetrahydrocarbazole aromatization over Pd(111).

Pectus excavatum complicating breast cancer surgery.

Breast cancer surgery in the presence of previous reconstruction for pectus excavatum has not been reported. Such a case is described where simultaneous chest wall resection was undertaken because of fibrous tissue distortion mimicking malignant infiltration. Furthermore, postoperative adhesions necessitated opening the pleural lining during rib resection.

Colorectal cancer surveillance post-surgery.

Current surveillance methods for detecting recurrence after apparently curative colorectal cancer resection are insensitive and have not been shown to significantly improve survival. New surveillance methods based on molecular, flow cytometric and immunohistochemical detection of small numbers of tumour cells may prove more sensitive in detecting early recurrent cancer and may improve outcome.

The caudal canal in children: a study using magnetic resonance imaging.

The anatomy of the caudal (sacral extradural) space was studied in 41 children, using magnetic resonance imaging. The distance from the upper margin of the sacrococcygeal membrane to the dural sac, the length of the membrane and the maximum depth of the caudal space were each measured. Age, height, weight and body surface area were recorded and, using multiple linear regression (stepwise technique), equations predicting the length of the membrane and the distance between its upper margin and the lower limit of the dural sac were obtained.