A double-blind comparison of morphological and collagen fingerprinting (ZooMS) methods of skeletal identifications from Paleolithic contexts.

Modeling the subsistence strategies of prehistoric groups depends on the accuracy of the faunal identifications that provide the basis for these models. However, our knowledge remains limited about the reproducibility of published taxonomic identifications and how they accurately reflect the range of species deposited in the archaeological record. This study compares taxonomic identifications at three Paleolithic sites (Saint-Césaire and Le Piage in France, Crvena Stijena in Montenegro) characterized by high levels of fragmentation.

Species delineation and genetic structure of two species ( and ) on Madagascar and the Comoro archipelago.

Cryptic species diversity is known to be common in bats but remains challenging to study in these mammals, whose natural history traits render their sampling and monitoring challenging. For these animals, indirect genetic approaches provide a powerful tool to gain insight into the evolutionary history and ecology of cryptic bat species. The speciation history of the polyphyletic species group (Molossidae) is poorly understood, including those found on western Indian Ocean islands.

Every contact leaves a trace: Documenting contamination in lithic residue studies at the Middle Palaeolithic sites of Lusakert Cave 1 (Armenia) and Crvena Stijena (Montenegro).

Investigations of organic lithic micro-residues have, over the last decade, shifted from entirely morphological observations using visible-light microscopy to compositional ones using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy, providing a seemingly objective chemical basis for residue identifications. Contamination, though, remains a problem that can affect these results. Modern contaminants, accumulated during the post-excavation lives of artifacts, are pervasive, subtle, and even "invisible" (unlisted ingredients in common lab products).

Characterisation of charred organic matter in micromorphological thin sections by means of Raman spectroscopy.

Unlabelled: Burned or charred organic matter in anthropogenic combustion features may provide important clues about past human activities related to fire. To interpret archaeological hearths, a correct identification of the organic source material is key. In the present work, Raman spectroscopy is applied to characterise the structural properties of char produced in laboratory heating- and open-fire experiments.

Micro-contextual identification of archaeological lipid biomarkers using resin-impregnated sediment slabs.

Characterizing organic matter preserved in archaeological sediment is crucial to behavioral and paleoenvironmental investigations. This task becomes particularly challenging when considering microstratigraphic complexity. Most of the current analytical methods rely on loose sediment samples lacking spatial and temporal resolution at a microstratigraphic scale, adding uncertainty to the results.

Estimation of external contact loads using an inverse dynamics and optimization approach: general method and application to sit-to-stand maneuvers.

This paper presents a general method to estimate unmeasured external contact loads (ECLs) acting on a system whose kinematics and inertial properties are known. This method is dedicated to underdetermined problems, e.g.

Piriformis muscle syndrome: diagnostic criteria and treatment of a monocentric series of 250 patients.

Objectives: Piriformis Muscle Syndrome (PMS) is caused by sciatic nerve compression in the infrapiriformis canal. However, the pathology is poorly understood and difficult to diagnose. This study aimed to devise a clinical assessment score for PMS diagnosis and to develop a treatment strategy.

The piriformis muscle syndrome: an exploration of anatomical context, pathophysiological hypotheses and diagnostic criteria.

Introduction: The piriformis muscle syndrome (PMS) has remained an ill-defined entity. It is a form of entrapment neuropathy involving compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Bearing this in mind, a medical examination is likely to be suggestive, as a classical range of symptoms corresponds to truncal sciatica with frequently fluctuating pain, initially in the muscles of the buttocks.

A French observational study of botulinum toxin use in the management of children with cerebral palsy: BOTULOSCOPE.

Background: Dystonia and spasticity are common symptoms in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), whose management is a challenge to overcome in order to enable the harmonized development of motor function during growth.

Aim: To describe botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) use and efficacy as a treatment of focal spasticity in CP children in France.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 282 CP children mostly administered according to French standards with BTX-A in lower limbs.

Analysis of return to competition and repeat rupture for 298 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with patellar or hamstring tendon autograft in sportspeople.

Objectives: To establish the influence of the type of surgical technique, competitive level, type of sport and the time before returning to competition on the reinjury rate after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.

Methods: The authors followed-up 540 competitive sportspeople who had undergone ACL surgery via patellar or hamstring tendon autograft (HTA) techniques in 2003 and 2004. The sportspeople (all of whom had competed at a regional or higher level) were asked to fill out a questionnaire during their fourth postoperative year.

[Lower urinary tract dysfunction and herniated disk].

Lower urinary tract dysfunction related to herniated disk can raise complex diagnostic and management problems. This article reviews the two main clinical situations encountered: documented lower urinary tract dysfunction in a context of cauda equina syndrome secondary to herniated disk and lower urinary tract dysfunction representing the only clinical sign of herniated disk with no other alteration of the neurological examination. Regardless of the neurological signs, urodynamic assessment is essential to characterize any lower urinary tract dysfunction and to determine the modalities of long-term surveillance.

Which screening strategy using BMD measurements would be most cost effective for hip fracture prevention in elderly women? A decision analysis based on a Markov model.

Introduction: Hip fractures are responsible for excessive mortality, decreasing the 5-year survival rate by about 20%. From an economic perspective, they represent a major source of expense, with direct costs in hospitalization, rehabilitation, and institutionalization. The incidence rate sharply increases after the age of 70, but it can be reduced in women aged 70-80 years by therapeutic interventions.

New indications for botulinum toxin in rheumatology.

Previously known only as a deadly bacterial poison responsible for severe paralysis, botulinum toxin is now a well-recognized therapeutic agent used to relieve involuntary movements, dystonia-related functional impairments, spasticity, and autonomic disorders such as hyperhidrosis. Musculoskeletal pain in patients with rheumatic disorders is among the emerging indications for botulinum toxin therapy. Preliminary data have been obtained in patients with cervical or thoracolumbar myofascial pain syndrome, chronic low back pain, piriformis muscle syndrome, tennis elbow, and stiff person syndrome.

Is the VO2 slow component in heavy arm-cranking exercise associated with recruitment of type II muscle fibers as assessed by an increase in surface EMG?

The recruitment of additional type II muscle fibers is one mechanism often suggested to be responsible for the slow component of oxygen uptake (VO2 (SC)). We hypothesized that surface electromyogram (EMG) of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, anterior deltoid, and infraspinatus muscles could be related to the VO2 (SC) amplitude during arm-cranking exercises above ventilatory threshold (VT). Eight healthy subjects performed transitions from rest to 6-min heavy exercise at a constant power output of approximately 40% between VT and peak VO2.

Effects of two devices on the surface electromyography responses of eleven shoulder muscles during Azarian in gymnastics.

Difficult elements of strength such as Azarian must be presented on the rings. Specific-muscles training may be realized with 2 devices, the Herdos and the Belt, both of which reproduce the competitive situation and allow many repetitions. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare the shoulder muscle activity during the performance of Azarian with each device.

Extra- and intramuscular nerve supply of the muscles of the anterior antebrachial compartment: applications for selective neurotomy and for botulinum toxin injection.

Hypertonia of the upper limb due to spasticity causes pronation of the forearm and flexion of wrist and fingers. Nowadays this spasticity is often treated with injections of botulinum toxin and sometimes with selective fascicular neurotomy. To correctly perform this microsurgical technique, it is necessary to get precise knowledge of the extramuscular nerve branching in order to be better able to select the motor branches which supply the muscles involved in spasticity.

The discovery of encephalic arteries. From Johann Jacob Wepfer to Charles Foix.

Up until the 17th century, ideas surrounding the discovery of encephalic arteries were to remain largely influenced by the political and religious ideologies of the era. Parts of the encephalic arterial system have been called after several anatomists from this earlier period. From the 18th century onwards, scientists and doctors in particular, liberated themselves from the political and religious trends which had governed their work in previous centuries.

Surface electromyography of nine shoulder muscles in two iron cross conditions in gymnastics.

Aim: The rules of gymnastics impose an element of static strength such as an iron cross (IC) on the rings. For IC training, coaches use a custom made device -- the herdos -- to simulate the conditions of competition. The purpose was to compare muscle activity and coordination during IC performed both on the rings and using herdos.

[Topographic and functional anatomy of cranial nerves].

This review summarizes the descriptive anatomy of cranial nerves III through XII, starting at their emergence from the neuraxis towards peripheral territories, as well as their functional anatomy. For each pair of cranial nerves, correlations are made between diseases, anatomo-clinical and anatomo-neurophysiological data.

[Evaluation of drug therapy knowledge in liver transplant patients after pharmacy counseling].

The analysis of the literature demonstrated that pharmacy counselling influenced patient outcome after transplantation. This was the reason we established pharmacy consultation in 1999. The aim of this study was to determine patient knowledge before and after pharmacy counselling.

"Mesorectum": the surgical value of an anatomical approach.

The quality of total extirpation of the "mesorectum" nowadays determines the prognosis of rectal cancer but the planes of surgical dissection which have been proposed and the anatomical restrictions of this "mesorectum" are sometimes contradictory. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships of the "mesorectum" with the fascias and nerves of the pelvic cavity to harmonize the plane of dissection in its total extirpation. Four pelvises (2 male, 2 female) harvested from embalmed cadavers were studied by dissection and anatomico-imaging correlation.

Arterial vascularization of the human thalamus: extra-parenchymal arterial groups.

The problem of the arterial vascularization of the human thalamus has been debated at length. Anatomical references concerning the thalamic arterial groups are contradictory and complex, preventing any solid application in practice. It is, therefore, difficult to produce reliable anatomical radio-clinical correlation.