Comparative biomechanical analysis of energy-storing prosthetic feet.

Gait analysis was performed on eight men who had unilateral traumatic below-knee amputation and on nine control subjects. Each subject was given two prostheses--the Seattle Foot and the Flex Foot--which differed only in the energy-storing foot component. Analysis of subjects consisted of clinical gait observation, forceplate analysis of the ground reaction force (GRF) while using each prosthesis during level walking at the natural cadence, and evaluation of subject preference between the two prosthetic feet.

The cisterna magna in second-trimester fetuses with abnormal karyotypes.

Six hundred thirty-eight gravidas at 14-21 weeks' gestation, who were at increased risk for an abnormal fetal karyotype, had sonographic measurement of the fetal cisterna magna at the level of the posterior fossa before genetic amniocentesis. The size of the fetal cisterna magna increased significantly with advancing gestational age in the normal fetus (P less than .001).

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some novel 6-methyl- and 6-propenyl-substituted carbapenems.

The synthesis and antibacterial activity of a number of 6-methyl- and 6-propenyl-substituted carbapenems is described. The 6-(hydroxymethyl)- and 6-(aminomethyl)carbapenems possessed more potent antibacterial activity in vitro than their respective 6-(1'(R)-hydroxyethyl) or 6-(1'(R)-aminoethyl) counterparts. However, because of reduced stability, the 6-(aminomethyl)carbapenem was found to be inactive in vivo.

Oxidant-induced mobilization of zinc from metallothionein.

Neutrophils which accumulate at sites of inflammation secrete a number of injurious oxidants which are highly reactive with protein sulfhydryls. The present study examined the possibility that this reactivity with thiols may cause protein damage by mobilizing zinc from cellular metalloproteins in which the metal is bound to cysteine. The ability of the three principal neutrophil oxidants, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), superoxide (.

The synthesis, antibacterial, and beta-lactamase inhibitory activity of a novel asparenomycin analog.

An analog, 6-(2'-hydroxyethylidene)-4 beta-methyl-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2- carboxylate (11), of the carbapenem beta-lactamase inhibitor, asparenomycin A, was synthesized.

[Deglutition and partial supracricoid laryngectomies].

The indications of partial supracricoid laryngectomy have become more numerous since the first descriptions made by Majer, Labayle and Piquet. The study of the published functional results emphasizes that false passages during deglutition are the main postoperative problem. This technical note is aimed at drawing attention to the various points to be respected intra- and postoperatively to allow swallowing in as physiological a manner as possible.

[Stage T1 malignant tumors of the arythenoid. Analysis of a series of 26 cases].

26 malignant tumours of the arytenoid classified as T1 according to the UICC 1987, were treated in the ENT and Cervico-Facial Surgery wards to Hospital Laennec between 1961 and 1990. The natural history of these lesions, locoregional efficiency of the different treatments used, the part played by chemotherapy, survival, causes of death and therapeutic modalities used as a last measure, have been analysed. The frequency of tumours with neuroendocrine has been emphasized.

Relative metabolic efficiency of concentric and eccentric exercise determined by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

To determine the relative metabolic efficiency (metabolic energy used per unit of mechanical energy output) of negative to positive muscular power, we used 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor the cellular energy metabolism of limb muscles in eight healthy subjects during a nonfatiguing, mixed concentric-eccentric activity and during its concentric and eccentric components. We also studied isometric contractions. We found that in terms of the flow of metabolic energy through the muscle cells, the cost of concentric exercise at this intensity was proportional to the mechanical power generated, but the cost of eccentric and isometric exercise did not increase significantly as the apparent intensity of the exercise increased over the range studied.

Hypochlorous acid mobilizes cellular zinc.

Neutrophil oxidants, in particular hypochlorous acid (HOCl), can cause injury to healthy tissues at sites of inflammation. Some of this injury may be caused by oxidant-induced mobilization of metals. We examined the ability of HOCl to mobilize Zn2+ in target tissues.

Relationship between performance on lumbar dynamometry and Waddell score in a population with low-back pain.

A prospective, blinded cohort study was performed to investigate the relationship between biomechanical variables measured during lumbar dynamometry and several psychological tests and measures of nonorganic pain behavior. Eighty-five men, aged 18-60 years, who had had low-back pain for longer than 5 weeks participated in the study. Nonorganic pain behavior was measured with the Waddell score, and lumbar function was measured with the Isostation B-200 Lumbar Dynamometer.

Gax collagen as an adjunctive measure for the incontinent myomucosal shunt.

Clinically important aspiration following the creation of a phonatory myomucosal shunt has occurred in 16% of our cases. Gax collagen was used in three cases therapeutically with excellent results. We report the technique used, the properties that make it efficacious, and the case specifics.

Hypochlorous acid-induced mobilization of zinc from metalloproteins.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a neutrophil oxidant, can contribute to tissue injury at sites of inflammation by its reactivity with protein sulfhydryls. The present study shows that physiological concentrations (50-200 microM) of HOCl can displace Zn2+ from metalloproteins, such as metallothionein and alcohol dehydrogenase, in which the metal is bound to sulfhydryls by means of thiolate (S-Zn) bonds. No mobilization of Zn2+ was observed from superoxide dismutase in which the metal is not bound to cysteine, suggesting that HOCl reacts selectively with thiolate bonds.

Acute and chronic hypothermia in a man with spinal cord injury: environmental and pharmacologic causes.

It is well known that people with spinal cord injuries can develop hypothermia when exposed to an unusually cold environment. Hypothermia can also develop during inpatient rehabilitation, particularly as a side effect of certain medications. We present a patient with C4 incomplete spinal cord injury whose core body temperature was chronically subnormal, and who developed acute hypothermia on several occasions during inpatient rehabilitation.

Anemia after traumatic spinal cord injury.

The incidence and natural history of anemia in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) were investigated in a prospective study of 68 patients consecutively admitted to a regional acute SCI unit. Fifty had SCI and 18 had spine injuries (SI) without neurologic deficit. Thirty-six of 41 males (88%) and six of nine females (67%) with SCI were anemic on at least one occasion.

[Extension to the infratemporal fossa of malignant tumors of the face].

The authors report about the experience of the N&T department of Laënnec Hospital with tumors of the upper facial structures invading the infratemporal fossa. This invasion is currently diagnosed preoperatively owing to the progress made in imaging. The involvement of the posterior wall of the sinus is the first CT sign.

[Esthesioneuroblastomas. Could a preoperative chemotherapy improve their prognosis?].

The prognosis of malignant tumours of the olfactory epithelium of the nasal vault stays very poor. In the literature, the 5-year actuarial survival rate ranges between 50% and 65%; the 5-year recovery rate is 15% due to the high frequency of locoregional reoccurrences (60%) and metastasis (35-40%). Up to now chemotherapy was suggested as palliative treatment; but as Esthesioneuroblastomas (ETNB) appear to be sensitive to several chemotherapeutic agents (such as CDDP and 5-FU), we have decided to administer, from now on, to all patients harbouring an ETNB, an inductive chemotherapy whatever the staging and eventual diffusion of the tumour.

[Combined approach to malignant tumors of the ethmoid and other paranasal sinuses. Principles and results].

The authors present their experience concerning combined transfacial and neurosurgical procedures in the treatment of carcinomas of the ethmoid sinuses. 109 ethmoid-spheno-orbital tumors were treated at our department from 1982 to 1990: 85 were located into the ethmoidal and/or sphenoidal sinuses; 78 of these were malignant. Among the 65 ethmoidal carcinomas which were operated through a combined route, 48 underwent an induction chemotherapy and 19 a post-operative radiotherapy.

[Histiocytoma of the infratemporal fossa. Apropos of a case].

The authors present one case of histiofibroma of the infratemporal fossa. The difficulties in both diagnosis, treatment and histological prognosis of this tumors are discussed. The resection was realized through a cervicotransoral approach.

Primary and secondary lysosomes in megakaryocytes and platelets from cattle with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

The ultrastructure of lysosomes from megakaryocytes (MK) and platelets of cattle with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) was characterized using acid phosphatase histochemistry with beta-glycerophosphate as substrate and cerium as a capturing agent. Acid phosphatase was localized in the trans aspect of the Golgi complex and/or granules in MK at all stages of maturation. Morphometric analysis of the diameter of each lysosome was performed on MK from CHS cattle and compared to MK from normal cattle.

Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy: a partial laryngeal procedure for selected supraglottic and transglottic carcinomas.

The partial horizontal supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy consists of resection of the whole thyroid cartilage and paraglottic space, as well as the epiglottis and the whole pre-epiglottic space. The cricoid cartilage, the hyoid bone, and at least one arytenoid cartilage are spared. Sixty-eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottis who underwent this procedure during the period from 1974 through 1986 are presented.

Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy: a partial laryngeal procedure for glottic carcinoma.

The partial horizontal supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy consists of resection of the whole thyroid cartilage and paraglottic space. The cricoid cartilage, the hyoid bone, most of the epiglottis, and at least one arytenoid cartilage are conserved. Thirty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis who underwent this procedure from 1974 through 1986 are presented.

Demonstration of secondary lysosomes in bovine megakaryocytes and platelets using acid phosphatase cytochemistry with cerium as a trapping agent.

The ultrastructure of lysosomes from bovine megakaryocytes (MK) and platelets was characterized using acid phosphatase cytochemistry with beta-glycerophosphate as substrate and cerium as a trapping agent. The technique was easily reproducible; cerium-phosphate precipitates were uniform, readily visualized, and there was a virtual absence of nonspecific reaction product. Acid phosphatase was localized in the trans aspect of the Golgi complex and/or granules of less than 50 nm to 650 nm diameters in MK at all stages of maturation.

[Castleman's disease. Report of 2 cases with otorhinolaryngologic involvement].

Two cases of head and neck Castleman disease are reported. Diagnosis is always confirmed by histopathologic examination of the specimen. Head and neck and general localisations are described and discussed.

Voice evaluation of myomucosal shunt after total laryngectomy: comparison with esophageal speech.

The vocal quality attained with a tracheoesophageal myomucosal shunt (MMS) as described by Strome was evaluated in four patients and compared with three esophageal speakers and two normal subjects. The patients with MMSs acquired speech sooner. Fundamental frequency, pitch, timbre, and melody were analyzed with computerized electroglottography and sonography.