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Digits
Kinds of Digits Terms modified by Digits Selected AbstractsSurgical Excision of Pedunculated Supernumerary Digits Prevents Traumatic Amputation NeuromasPEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Geoffrey E. Leber The first group consisted of three patients who had among them five traumatic amputation neuromas. In each case these lesions resulted from primary suture ligation of accessory digits in infancy. Secondary surgical excision of the vestigial digit with high ligation and retraction of the accompanying nerve tissue was required in all cases. The second group consisted of six patients who had 12 pedunculated supernumerary digits. Primary surgical excision of these digits was performed with high transection and retraction of the accompanying accessory digital nerve. All patients in this group had excellent cosmetic results with no postoperative neuroma formation. Adult family members who had undergone suture ligation of similar supernumerary digits in infancy accompanied seven of the nine patients in this series. On careful examination, each of these family members had signs and symptoms attributable to traumatic amputation neuromas. We feel identification and high transection of the accessory digital nerve is essential in the treatment of pedunculated supernumerary digits. This treatment prevents traumatic amputation neuromas and yields a better cosmetic result than the traditional method of suture ligation in infancy. [source] Developmental toxicity of indium: Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in experimental animalsCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 4 2008Mikio Nakajima ABSTRACT Indium, a precious metal classified in group 13 (IIIB) in the periodic table, has been used increasingly in the semiconductor industry. Because indium is a rare metal, technology for indium recycling from transparent conducting films for liquid crystal displays is desired, and its safety evaluation is becoming increasingly necessary. The developmental toxicity of indium in experimental animals was summarized. The intravenous or oral administration of indium to pregnant animals causes growth inhibition and the death of embryos in hamsters, rats, and mice. The intravenous administration of indium to pregnant animals causes embryonic or fetal malformation, mainly involving digit and tail deformities, in hamsters and rats. The oral administration of indium also induces fetal malformation in rats and rabbits, but requires higher doses. No teratogenicity has been observed in mice. Caudal hypoplasia, probably due to excessive cell loss by increased apoptosis in the tailbud, in the early postimplantation stage was considered to account for indium-induced tail malformation as a possible pathogenetic mechanism. Findings from in vitro experiments indicated that the embryotoxicity of indium could have direct effects on the conceptuses. Toxicokinetic studies showed that the embryonic exposure concentration was more critical than the exposure time regarding the embryotoxicity of indium. It is considered from these findings that the risk of the developmental toxicity of indium in humans is low, unless an accidentally high level of exposure or unknown toxic interaction occurs because of possible human exposure routes and levels (i.e. oral, very low-level exposure). [source] Retinoic acid controls expression of tissue remodeling genes Hmgn1 and Fgf18 at the digit,interdigit junctionDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2010Xianling Zhao Abstract Previous studies on retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mutants suggested that retinoic acid (RA) is required for loss of interdigital mesenchyme during digit formation. Here, we report that the RA-generating enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (Raldh2) is expressed in the interdigital mesenchyme whereas Cyp26b1, controlling RA degradation, is expressed in digits, limiting autopodal RA action to the interdigital zones. Embryonic day 13.5 Raldh2,/, mouse embryos lose expression of the RARE-lacZ RA-reporter transgene and matrix metalloproteinase-11 (Mmp11) throughout the interdigital mesenchyme, while expression of RARb, Fgf18, and high mobility group N1 (Hmgn1) is lost at the digit,interdigit junction. Raldh2,/, autopods exhibit reduced interdigital apoptosis associated with loss of Bmp7 expression, but Bmp2, Bmp4, Msx2, and Fgf8 were unaffected. Although interdigital expression of Hmgn1 was greatly down-regulated in Raldh2,/, autopods, complementary expression of Sox9 in digit cartilage was unaffected. Regulation of Hmgn1 and Fgf18 at the digit,interdigit junction suggests RA controls tissue remodeling as well as apoptosis. Developmental Dynamics 239:665,671, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Loss of the Tg737 protein results in skeletal patterning defectsDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2003Qihong Zhang Abstract Tg737 mutant mice exhibit pathologic conditions in numerous tissues along with skeletal patterning defects. Herein, we characterize the skeletal pathologic conditions and confirm a role for Tg737 in skeletal patterning through transgenic rescue. Analyses were conducted in both the hypomorphic Tg737orpk allele that results in duplication of digit one and in the null Tg737,2-3,Gal allele that is an embryonic lethal mutation exhibiting eight digits per limb. In early limb buds, Tg737 expression is detected throughout the mesenchyme becoming concentrated in precartilage condensations at later stages. In situ analyses indicate that the Tg737orpk mutant limb defects are not associated with changes in expression of Shh, Ihh, HoxD11,13, Patched, BMPs, or Glis. Likewise, in Tg737,2-3,Gal mutant embryos, there was no change in Shh expression. However, in both alleles, Fgf4 was ectopically expressed on the anterior apical ectodermal ridge. Collectively, the data argue for a dosage effect of Tg737 on the limb phenotypes and that the polydactyly is independent of Shh misexpression. Developmental Dynamics 227:78,90, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Vascular regression is required for mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis in the developing limbDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2001Melinda Yin Abstract Vascular regression occurs during limb mesenchymal cell condensation and chondrogenesis, but it is unclear whether it is required for these processes or is a secondary phenomenon without major regulatory roles. To address this issue, beads presoaked with the potent angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were implanted in the vicinity of the prospective digit 2 in early chick embryo wing buds and the effects on angiogenesis and digit development were determined over time. We found that VEGF treatment caused a marked local increase in blood vessel number and density. Strikingly, this was accompanied by inhibition of digit 2 development as revealed by lack of expression of chondrogenic transcription factor Sox9 and absence of Alcian blue staining. Vascular distribution and skeletal development in adjacent areas remained largely unaffected. Inhibition of digit formation and excess vascularization were both reversible upon further embryonic growth and dissipation of VEGF activity. When supernumerary digits were induced at the anterior limb margin by retinoic acid treatment, their development was also preceded by vascular regression; interestingly, cotreatment with VEGF inhibited supernumerary digit development as well. Direct exposure of limb mesenchymal cells in micromass cultures to VEGF caused no obvious effects on condensation and chondrogenesis, indicating that VEGF effects are not due to direct action on skeletal cells. Our results are the first to provide evidence that vascular regression is required for mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis. A model of how patterning mechanisms and vascular regression may intersect and orchestrate limb skeletogenesis is proposed. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The incidence of dyslexia among young offenders in KuwaitDYSLEXIA, Issue 2 2009Gad Elbeheri Abstract This paper investigates the incidence of dyslexia among young offenders in Kuwait. A total of 91 children/young adults from 8 juvenile delinquent welfare centres across Kuwait were interviewed and tested. A measure of non-verbal reasoning ability was used to exclude those with low general ability. The remaining 53 participants were tested on their ability to identify alliteration and rhyme, retain and manipulate sequences of digit and letter names, decode novel letter strings and identify words within letter chains. Participants' reading accuracy, rate of reading, reading comprehension and ability to spell correctly dictated text were also assessed. These measures were used to determine those with indicators of dyslexia. The results indicated that the percentage of individuals presenting evidence of dyslexia was much larger (greater than 20%) in this population of young offenders than would be expected based on the national average (around 6%) of dyslexics in Kuwait derived from a nationwide study (A survey study of dyslexia in Kuwait, Kuwait Dyslexia Association: Kuwait City; 2002). These findings replicate previous evidence for an increased frequency of dyslexia among young offenders. The implications of such findings are discussed in terms of dyslexia awareness, socio-cultural factors, education and intervention, particularly in Kuwait juvenile delinquent welfare centres. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Growth and maturation of metatarsals and their taxonomic significance in the jerboas Allactaga and Jaculus (Rodentia: Dipodidae)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2 2005A. A. B. Shahin Abstract The development of metatarsals in Allactaga tetradactyla, Jaculus jaculus jaculus and J. orientalis was studied and their taxonomic significance was elucidated. The five metatarsals, as a rule, are developed and ossified in the three species, but variation in the fate of the first and fifth metatarsals was found. Ossification begins in the median part of the metatarsals; however, it appears in the distal part of the digits' phalanges, beginning with the third phalanx. The first metatarsal appears just distal to the entocuneiform and develops as a small, separate bone located either in close contact with the distal end of the entocuneiform in A. tetradactyla or completely fused with it, forming a compound bone, in both of J. j. jaculus and J. orientalis. The second, third and fourth metatarsals differentiate distal to the mesocuneiform, ectocuneiform and cuboid, respectively, and fuse with one another into a single long cannon bone in all species. Nevertheless, the fifth metatarsal differentiates ventro-lateral to the head of the fourth metatarsal and ossifies ventral to the head process of the developing cannon bone. The fifth metatarsal either extends to articulate with the phalanges of the fourth digit in A. tetradactyla or persists as a separate, small bone in both of J. j. jaculus and J. orientalis. On this basis, it is concluded that J. jaculus and J. orientalis are both distinct congeneric species and are somewhat more distant from A. tetradactyla. [source] Gene expression and digit homology in the chicken embryo wingEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2005Monique C. M. Welten Summary The bird wing is of special interest to students of homology and avian evolution. Fossil and developmental data give conflicting indications of digit homology if a pentadactyl "archetype" is assumed. Morphological signs of a vestigial digit I are seen in bird embryos, but no digit-like structure develops in wild-type embryos. To examine the developmental mechanisms of digit loss, we studied the expression of the high-mobility group box containing Sox9 gene, and bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1b (bmpR-1b),markers for precondensation and prechondrogenic cells, respectively. We find an elongated domain of Sox9 expression, but no bmpR-1b expression, anterior to digit II. We interpret this as a digit I domain that reaches precondensation, but not condensation or precartilage stages. It develops late, when the tissue in which it is lodged is being remodeled. We consider these findings in the light of previous Hoxd-11 misexpression studies. Together, they suggest that there is a digit I vestige in the wing that can be rescued and undergo development if posterior patterning cues are enhanced. We observed Sox9 expression in the elusive "element X" that is sometimes stated to represent a sixth digit. Indeed, incongruity between digit domains and identities in theropods disappears if birds and other archosaurs are considered primitively polydactyl. Our study provides the first gene expression evidence for at least five digital domains in the chick wing. The failure of the first to develop may be plausibly linked to attenuation of posterior signals. [source] Influence of cultural factors on price clustering and price resistance in China's stock marketsACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 4 2007Bill M. Cai G10; G14 Abstract This paper builds on prior research by analysing the impact of cultural factors on both price clustering and price resistance in China's stock markets. The results support the presence of cultural factors impacting on price clustering with the digit 8 showing a higher propensity for clustering and the digits 4 and 7 showing a lower propensity in the A-share market, where stock is denominated in renminbi and traded by mainland Chinese. These results are further supported by an analysis of the B-share market, where cultural factors have no (or less) impact on the price of Chinese stocks traded by foreign investors in US dollars (or in Hong Kong dollars). A range of measures for price resistance show the digits 0 and 5 to be significant resistance points in the A-share market. Although digit 8 cannot be considered as a resistance point, its resistance level is highest among the remaining numbers. In conclusion, cultural factors help to explain not only price clustering in the Chinese stock markets but price resistance levels as well, albeit at a weak level. [source] Cutaneous sclerosing perineurioma of the digitINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Toshitsugu Nakamura MD An 11-year-old Japanese girl noticed a small nodule, with mild tenderness, on the right index finger 5 years before visiting our outpatient clinic. She had no familial history of neurofibromatosis or past history of traumatic injury at the site of the tumor. Physical examination revealed a slightly elevated, subcutaneous, nodular tumor in the volar aspect between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the digit (Fig. 1A). By magnetic resonance imaging examination, the tumor showed low density on both T1- and T2-weighted images, and was located just adjacent to the tendon with no invasive signs. The tumor was extirpated; at operation, it was well circumscribed and mobile without adhesion to adjacent tendon or nerve, and was easily removed. Figure 1. (a) Slightly elevated subcutaneous tumor (arrow) on the volar aspect of the right index finger. (b) gross appearance of the extirpated tumor, showing a well-circumscribed, whitish solid nodule Grossly, the tumor was a well-circumscribed, firm nodule (10 mm × 8 mm × 5 mm in size) (Fig. 1B). The cut surface was whitish, homogeneous, and solid without cystic lesions. Histologically, it was an unencapsulated, paucicellular dense, fibrous nodule with a concentric circular arrangement of collagen bundles (Fig. 2A). Amongst the fibrous bundles, a small number of ovoid/epithelioid or plump spindle cells were arranged in a corded, trabecular, or whorled (onion bulb-like) pattern (Fig. 2B); a storiform pattern was not noted. These cells were relatively uniform and had a somewhat elongated, slightly hyperchromatic nucleus with fine granular chromatin. Neither nuclear pleomorphism nor multinucleated cells were evident, and necrosis and mitotic figures were not observed. Periodic acid,Schiff (PAS) stain after diastase digestion highlighted the corded or whorled pattern of the tumor cells by encasing them. For immunohistochemical examination, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded serial tissue sections were stained by a labeled streptavidin,biotin method. The tumor cells were positive for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) (Fig. 3A), and negative for pan-cytokeratin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD34, ,-smooth muscle actin, desmin, and CD68. Type IV collagen and laminin (Fig. 3B) were detected along the cords or whorls of the tumor cells, similar to the staining pattern of the diastase-PAS reaction. Schwann cells and axonal components, immunoreactive for S100 protein and neurofilament, respectively, were focally detected just adjacent to the cords or whorls, although the tumor cells per se did not express these proteins. Consequently, the tumor was found to be perineurial in origin and was diagnosed as cutaneous sclerosing perineurioma. Figure 2. (a) Low-power view of the tumor, showing an unencapsulated, paucicellular, dense, fibrous nodule with a concentric circular arrangement of collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin stain: original magnification, ×15). (b) Higher magnification of the tumor, showing ovoid or epithelioid cells arranged in cords or whorls in the abundant collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin stain: original magnification, ×150) Figure 3. Immunohistochemical profiles of the tumor. The tumor cells are positive for epithelial membrane antigen (a) and are surrounded by laminin (b) (original magnification, ×150) [source] Finger pebbles in a diabetic patient: Huntley's papulesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2005Claudio Guarneri MD A 60-year-old obese man was referred to our department from the internal medicine unit. He had a 20-year history of poorly controlled diabetes (no other cases in the family), and was admitted to hospital because of respiratory and consequent heart failure. Skin examination showed diffuse xerosis and a rough, sandpaper-like appearance of the skin of the finger, of approximately 15 years' duration, consisting of multiple, minute, hyperkeratotic papules grouped in a miniature "cobblestone" pattern on the dorsum of the distal phalanges (Fig. 1), more dense over the knuckles and the interphalangeal joints. No pruritus was present. Figure 1. Pebbly pattern of the skin on the dorsum of the second digit He was a pensioner, who had been physically inactive for months previously, and this condition had occurred progressively in the absence of any known trauma. No other cutaneous manifestations were evident. Histologic examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining of a biopsy specimen taken from the left second finger; it displayed a hyperorthokeratotic epidermis with enlarged dermal papillae, thickened and vertically oriented collagen bundles, few elastic fibers, and a mild perivascular inflammatory infiltrate (Fig. 2). Figure 2. Histologic view of a biopsy specimen of the skin of the finger: the epidermis is hyperkeratotic, the dermal papillae are enlarged and there are thickened vertical collagen bundles, elastic fibers, and a mild perivascular inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×100) [source] Polydactyly in the prehistoric American SouthwestINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2006D. T. Case Abstract General surveys of skeletal collections from Arizona for evidence of trauma and pathology led to the identification of polydactyly in two subadults. Polydactyly is a congenital condition characterised by the presence of extra digits on the hands or feet. Both affected subadults exhibit a sixth digit in the form of a branching fifth metatarsal. One of the affected individuals is an infant from the Tapia del Cerrito site exhibiting Y-shaped fifth metatarsals indicative of postaxial type A polydactyly. The second individual is a juvenile from the Nuvakwewtaqa (Chavez Pass Ruin) site exhibiting a left fifth metatarsal with a lateral branch, also diagnosed as postaxial type A polydactyly. These two cases appear to be the first examples of polydactyly from archaeological contexts identified among subadults, and bring the total number of known cases from the American Southwest to six. Discovery of so many examples of this relatively rare condition amongst the Puebloan people of the Southwest adds to the evidence that, rather than simply being an artistic motif, rock art depictions featuring hands and feet with six digits were probably inspired by observation of the condition amongst living people. Furthermore, burial treatment of the Tapia del Cerrito infant suggests that polydactyly may have conferred a special status on the bearer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Hand development and sequence of ossification in the forelimb of the European shrew Crocidura russula (Soricidae) and comparisons across therian mammalsJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 2 2004Jan Prochel Abstract Hand development in the European shrew Crocidura russula is described, based on the examination of a cleared and double-stained ontogenetic series and histological sections of a c. 20-day-old embryo and a neonate. In the embryo all carpal elements are still mesenchymal condensations, and there are three more elements than in the adult stage: the ,lunatum', which fuses with the scaphoid around birth; a centrale, which either fuses with another carpal element or just disappears later in ontogeny; and the anlage of an element that later fuses with the radius. Carpal arrangement in the neonate and the adult is the same. In order to compare the relative timing of the onset of ossification in forelimb bones in C. russula with that of other therians, we built up two matrices of events based on two sets of data and used the event-pair method. In the first analysis, ossification of forelimb elements in general was examined, including that of the humerus, radius, ulna, the first carpal and metacarpal to ossify, and the phalanges of the third digit. The second analysis included each carpal, humerus, radius, ulna, the first metacarpal and the first phalanx to ossify. Some characters (= event,pairs) provide synapomorphies for some clades examined. There have been some shifts in the timing of ossification apparently not caused by ecological and/or environmental influences. In two species (Oryctolagus and Myotis), there is a tendency to start the ossification of the carpals relatively earlier than in all other species examined, the sauropsid outgroups included. [source] Perspectives on hyperphalangy: patterns and processesJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 3 2004Tim J. Fedak Abstract Hyperphalangy is a digit morphology in which increased numbers of phalanges are arranged linearly within a digit beyond the plesiomorphic condition. We analyse patterns and processes of hyperphalangy by considering previous definitions and occurrences of hyperphalangy among terrestrial and secondarily aquatic extant and fossil taxa (cetaceans, ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and mosasaurs), and recent studies that elucidate the factors involved in terrestrial autopod joint induction. Extreme hyperphalangy, defined as exceeding a threshold condition of 4/6/6/6/6, is shown only to be found among secondarily aquatic vertebrates with a flipper limb morphology. Based on this definition, hyperphalangy occurs exclusively in digits II and III among extant cetaceans. Previous reports of cetacean embryos having more phalanges than adults is clarified and shown to be based on cartilaginous elements not ossified phalanges. Developmental prerequisites for hyperphalangy include lack of cell death in interdigital mesoderm (producing a flipper limb) and maintenance of a secondary apical ectodermal ridge (AER), which initiates digit elongation and extra joint patterning. Factors of the limb-patterning pathways located in the interdigital mesoderm, including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), BMP antagonists, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), Wnt-14 and ck-erg, are implicated in maintenance of the flipper limb, secondary AER formation, digit elongation and additional joint induction leading to hyperphalangy. [source] Impact of Terminal Digit Preference by Family Physicians and Sphygmomanometer Calibration Errors on Blood Pressure Value: Implication for Hypertension ScreeningJOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 5 2008Theophile Niyonsenga PhD The accuracy of blood pressure (BP) measurement is important; systematic small errors can mislabel BP status in many persons. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of 2 types of measurement errors on the evaluation of BP in family medicine: errors associated with terminal digit preference and those associated with calibration errors of sphygmomanometers. Secondary data analyses from 2 different projects were used to derive empiric distributions of terminal digit and BP device errors. Taking into account both types of errors, the proportion of false positives (falsely high BP) and false negatives (falsely normal BP) varied between 0. 82% and 5.18% of the population of consulting family physicians. In the United States, false positives and false negatives in patients' BP evaluations might lead to overtreating or undertreating 1.15 million to 7.25 million patients. Results support the need for the development of systematic interventions for quality control of BP measurements and periodic retraining for health professionals. [source] Verbal short-term memory in Down's syndrome: An articulatory loop deficit?JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004S. Vicari Abstract Background Verbal short-term memory, as measured by digit or word span, is generally impaired in individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) compared to mental age-matched controls. Moving from the working memory model, the present authors investigated the hypothesis that impairment in some of the articulatory loop sub-components is at the base of the deficient maintenance and recall of phonological representations in individuals with DS. Methods Two experiments were carried out in a group of adolescents with DS and in typically developing children matched for mental age. In the first experiment, the authors explored the reliance of these subjects on the subvocal rehearsal mechanism during a word-span task and the effects produced by varying the frequency of occurrence of the words on the extension of the word span. In the second experiment, they investigated the functioning of the phonological store component of the articulatory loop in more detail. Results A reduced verbal span in DS was confirmed. Neither individuals with DS nor controls engaged in spontaneous subvocal rehearsal. Moreover, the data provide little support for defective functioning of the phonological store in DS. Conclusions No evidence was found suggesting that a dysfunction of the articulatory loop and lexical-semantic competence significantly contributed to verbal span reduction in subjects with DS. Alternative explanations of defective verbal short-term memory in DS, such as a central executive system impairment, must be considered. [source] Ectopic dermal ridge configurations on the interdigital webbings and postaxial marginal portion of the hindlimb in Hammertoe mutant mice (Hm),JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 10 2008Sumiko Kimura Abstract The effects of the hereditary malformation of Hammertoe mutant mice (gene symbol Hm) on the digital pads and dermal ridge configurations on their hindlimbs were examined. In the wild-type (+/+) mice with normally separated digits, dermal ridges developed only on the pads. Heterozygous (Hm/+) and homozygous (Hm/Hm) mutant mice, however, had a broad big toe, fused interdigital soft tissues, reduced claws, an extra rudimentary postaxial digit and camptodactyly. The dermal ridges appeared not only on the pads, affected in their number and configurations, but also on the ventral surface of the interdigital webbings and postaxial marginal area exhibiting an extra rudimentary digit and webbing. These aberrant configurations may be related to the abnormal occurrence of programmed cell death (PCD) in the interdigital zones and the postaxial marginal portion in Hm/+ and Hm/Hm mice. That is, the diminished cell death may fail to decrease the cell density in the interdigital zones and postaxial marginal portion and result in the webbing and an extra rudimentary digit and webbing, respectively. Simultaneously, it could also interrupt the migration of surviving cells of these areas toward the neighboring digits and the distal area of the sole and produce the ectopic dermal ridges on the way to the as yet unformed (presumptive) digital and plantar volar pads. The present findings suggest that normal interdigital and pre/postaxial PCD contributes not only to the separation of digits, the initial formation of individual digits of different sizes, and the inhibition of the extra digit but also to the development of the presumptive digital and plantar pads, including dermal ridges. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Musculoskeletal underpinnings to differences in killing behavior between North American accipiters (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) and falcons (Falconidae)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Diego Sustaita Abstract Accipiters (Accipiter spp.) and falcons (Falco spp.) both use their feet to seize prey, but falcons kill primarily with their beaks, whereas accipiters kill with their feet. This study examines the mechanistic basis to differences in their modes of dispatching prey, by focusing on the myology and biomechanics of the jaws, digits, and distal hindlimb. Bite, grip, and distal hindlimb flexion forces were estimated from measurements of physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and indices of mechanical advantage (MA) for the major jaw adductors, and digit and tarsometatarsal flexors. Estimated bite force, total jaw adductor PCSA, and jaw MA (averaged over adductors) tended to be relatively and absolutely greater in falcons, reflecting their emphasis on biting for dispatching their prey. Differences between genera in estimated grip force, total digit flexor PCSA, and digit MA (averaged over inter-phalangeal joints and digits) were not as clear-cut; each of these parameters scaled positively allometric in accipiters, which may reflect the scaling of both prey size, and the proportion of mammalian prey consumed by this lineage with increasing body size. Estimated tarsometatarsal force was greater in falcons than in accipiters, due to their greater MA, which may reflect selection for incurring greater forces during prey strikes. Conversely, the comparatively lower tarsometatarsal MA in accipiters reflects their capacity for greater foot speed potentially necessary for grasping elusive prey. Thus, this study elucidates how differences in jaw and hindlimb musculoskeletal morphology of accipiters and falcons are reflected in differences in their killing modes, and through differences in their force-generating capacities. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The quadriga effect revisited: Designing a "safety incision" to prevent tendon repair rupture and gap formation in a canine model in vitroJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 11 2010Hugo Giambini Abstract Loss of experimental animals due to tendon repair failure results in the need for additional animals to complete the study. We designed a relief proximal to the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon repair site to serve as a "safety incision" to prevent repair site ruptures and maximize safety incision-to-suture strength. The FDP tendons were dissected in 24 canine forepaws. The 2nd and 5th tendons were lacerated at the proximal interphalangeal joint level and sutured using a modified Kessler technique and peripheral running suture. Tendon width was measured where the FDP tendon separates into each individual digit and a safety incision, equal to the 2nd and 5th tendon widths, was performed 3, 4, or 5,mm (Groups 1, 2, and 3) proximal to the separation. The tendons were pulled at a rate of 1,mm/s until either the "safety incision" ruptured or the repair failed. There was no gap formation at the repair site in Groups 1 and 2. However, all Group 3 tendons failed by repair site rupture with the safety incision intact. An adequate safety incision to protect repair gap and rupture and maintain tendon tension for the FDP animal model should be about 4,mm from where the FDP tendon separates. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1482,1489, 2010 [source] Effect of elbow position on canine flexor digitorum profundus tendon tensionJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Tatsuro Tanaka Abstract Tendon injury in the finger remains a clinical challenge to hand surgeons. A canine model is commonly used to study biological effects of tendon injuries and their treatment. There is an important anatomical difference between human and canine anatomy that may be overlooked, however, namely that most of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) muscle in dogs takes its origin from the medial epicondyle of the humerus, whereas in humans this muscle arises purely from the forearm. Therefore, elbow position can affect the tension of this muscle in dogs, while having no effect in humans. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of elbow position on tendon tension in the canine digit in vitro. Elbow position had a significant effect on tendon tension. Digit motion with the elbow fully flexed resulted in significantly higher tendon tension compared to digit motion with the elbow flexed 90° or fully extended, regardless of digit or wrist position (p < 0.05). The tension with the elbow flexed 90° was also significantly higher than with the elbow fully extended (p < 0.05). The maximum tendon tension with the elbow fully flexed was more than eight times larger than that of the fully extended elbow (p < 0.05). We conclude that, in the canine model, elbow position is an important parameter that affects the passive tension applied to the flexor digitorum profundus, and, by implication, to any repair of that tendon. Dog flexor tendon rehabilitation protocols should therefore specify elbow position, in addition to wrist and digit position. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Ethanol Teratogenesis in Five Inbred Strains of MiceALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2009Chris Downing Background:, Previous studies have demonstrated individual differences in susceptibility to the detrimental effects of prenatal ethanol exposure. Many factors, including genetic differences, have been shown to play a role in susceptibility and resistance, but few studies have investigated the range of genetic variation in rodent models. Methods:, We examined ethanol teratogenesis in 5 inbred strains of mice: C57BL/6J (B6), Inbred Short-Sleep, C3H/Ibg, A/Ibg, and 129S6/SvEvTac (129). Pregnant dams were intubated with either 5.8 g/kg ethanol (E) or an isocaloric amount of maltose,dextrin (MD) on day 9 of pregnancy. Dams were sacrificed on day 18 and fetuses were weighed, sexed, and examined for gross morphological malformations. Every other fetus within a litter was then either placed in Bouin's fixative for subsequent soft-tissue analyses or eviscerated and placed in ethanol for subsequent skeletal analyses. Results:, B6 mice exposed to ethanol in utero had fetal weight deficits and digit, kidney, brain ventricle, and vertebral malformations. In contrast, 129 mice showed no teratogenesis. The remaining strains showed varying degrees of teratogenesis. Conclusions:, Differences among inbred strains demonstrate genetic variation in the teratogenic effects of ethanol. Identifying susceptible and resistant strains allows future studies to elucidate the genetic architecture underlying prenatal alcohol phenotypes. [source] Proximal interphalangeal joint instability in the dogJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 9 2003M. J. Guilliard A prospective study into the use of transarticular external skeletal fixation in the treatment of proximal interphalangeal instability was undertaken. Only dogs with soft tissue injuries were included. All the dogs except one were greyhounds or related breeds. A hypothesis was proposed that if the articular surfaces were held in normal congruency for a period of time then the development of periarticular fibrosis would alone give sufficient joint support. Joint congruency was maintained by the application of a unilateral external skeletal fixator for approximately three weeks. Complications were common and were due to frame impingement on the neighbouring digit, pin tract infection and pin loosening, and all resolved following frame removal and antibiotic therapy. Careful pinplacement and prophylactic antibiotic treatment prevented complications in subsequent cases. All dogs returned to normal function with no lameness, with the exception of one racing greyhound which had a recurrence of the instability. [source] Characterization of agonist-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilatory responses in the vascular bed of the equine digitJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2008Y. BERHANE The role of endothelium-derived relaxing factors was studied in the regulation of vascular responses in the Krebs perfused equine isolated digit. Perfusion pressure was recorded in response to bolus doses of 5-hydroxytryptamine (6 nmol) alone or co-administered with carbachol (CCh; 0.2 ,mol), bradykinin (BK; 0.2 nmol), substance P (SP; 0.2 nmol) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.2 ,mol). N, -Nitro- l -Arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l -NAME; 300 ,m) caused partial but significant inhibition of CCh-induced vasodilatory response, whereas BK and SP-induced responses were resistant to l -NAME. High potassium (K+, 30 mm) and the cytochrome P - 450 (CYP) epoxygenase inhibitor, clotrimazole (10 ,m) plus l -NAME (100 ,m), completely abolished the CCh, BK and SP-induced vasodilatory responses, whereas the response to SNP was unaffected. In contrast, the l -NAME-resistant proportion of CCh, BK and SP-induced vasodilatory response was not inhibited by the highly selective CYP2C9 inhibitor, sulphaphenazole (10 ,m). The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen (10 ,m) did not affect the CCh, BK and SP-induced responses. These data demonstrate that CCh, BK and SP-induced relaxation in the equine digit involve a combination of the NO and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) pathways. These results do not support the evidence for the involvement of CYP-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and the exact nature of EDHF in the equine digit remains to be established. [source] A reconstructed digit by transplantation of a second toe for control of an electromechanical prosthetic handMICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2002Zhong Wei Chen M.D. The treatment options for the loss of an entire human hand and part of the forearm are currently limited to the transplantation of toe(s) to the amputation stump or a Krukenberg's bifurcation hand, and using a cosmetic or functional prosthesis. The functional prosthetic hand, such as the prevailing myoelectrically controlled prosthetic hand, has an action accuracy that is affected by many factors. The acceptance rate of the three planes freedom myoelectronic hand by the patients was 46,90% because of poor function caused by the weakness of signal and strong external interference. In this report, the left second toe was transplanted to the patient's forearm amputation stump. Mandates from the brain are relayed by the action of this reconstructed digit, to control a special designed multidimension freedom electronic prosthetic hand. After rehabilitation and adaptation training, the correct recognition rate of the electronic prosthetic hand controlled by this reconstructed digit is a remarkable 100%. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:5,10, 2002 DOI 10.1002/micr.22002 [source] Simplified orthodromic inching test in mild carpal tunnel syndromeMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 12 2001Paul Seror MD Abstract This prospective study was undertaken to determine the clinical relevance, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of the orthodromic inching test with 2-cm incremental study of the median nerve over the four intracarpal centimeters in 50 control and 50 successive (unselected) patient wrists with mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In controls, the mean maximum conduction delay per 2 cm (CD/2cm) was 0.445 ± 0.04 ms, and abnormality was defined as at least one CD/2cm exceeding the mean + 2.5 SD of the normal CD/2cm. This yielded a specificity of 98%. In patients with mild unselected CTS, this simplified orthodromic inching test (SOIT) detected the median nerve lesion at the wrist in 47 cases (sensitivity = 94%). The SOIT detected 15 more CTS cases than did the orthodromic median-ulnar latency difference of the 4th digit (Chi square = 13; P = .002). Thus, the SOIT was as effective as an incremental study every centimeter over 10 cm, and the time required for the test allows its routine use when other electrodiagnostic tests fail to reveal any median nerve impairment. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1595,1600, 2001 [source] Sunburns, Sun Protection and Indoor Tanning Behaviors, and Attitudes Regarding Sun Protection Benefits and Tan Appeal among Parents of U.S. Adolescents,1998 Compared to 2004PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Priti Bandi M.S. Data were from the American Cancer Society Sun Surveys I and II, telephone-based random digit dialed cross-sectional surveys of U.S. adolescents and their parents conducted in the summers of 1998 and 2004. Between 1998 and 2004, use of sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and composite use of three to five behaviors increased significantly; concurrently, indoor tanning use increased significantly and sunburn prevalence changed a little. In 2004, 47% reported summer sunburns and more than half of those received painful sunburns. Parents continued to report low compliance with recommended behaviors; sunscreen use was most frequently reported, but many followed inappropriate application practices. About 13% practiced indoor tanning in the past year. Parents reported high levels of positive attitudes toward sun protection benefit, but at the same time, significant proportions reported positive tan appeal and outdoor sun exposure attitudes. The low rates and mixed progress in safe ultraviolet radiation exposure behaviors demand more attention for primary skin cancer prevention among parents of adolescents that focuses on changing beliefs about tanning appeal and promotes comprehensive ultraviolet radiation exposure protection. [source] Surgical Excision of Pedunculated Supernumerary Digits Prevents Traumatic Amputation NeuromasPEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Geoffrey E. Leber The first group consisted of three patients who had among them five traumatic amputation neuromas. In each case these lesions resulted from primary suture ligation of accessory digits in infancy. Secondary surgical excision of the vestigial digit with high ligation and retraction of the accompanying nerve tissue was required in all cases. The second group consisted of six patients who had 12 pedunculated supernumerary digits. Primary surgical excision of these digits was performed with high transection and retraction of the accompanying accessory digital nerve. All patients in this group had excellent cosmetic results with no postoperative neuroma formation. Adult family members who had undergone suture ligation of similar supernumerary digits in infancy accompanied seven of the nine patients in this series. On careful examination, each of these family members had signs and symptoms attributable to traumatic amputation neuromas. We feel identification and high transection of the accessory digital nerve is essential in the treatment of pedunculated supernumerary digits. This treatment prevents traumatic amputation neuromas and yields a better cosmetic result than the traditional method of suture ligation in infancy. [source] Turner syndrome phalangeal screening based on a two-stage linear regression conceptPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2009Chui-Mei Tiu Abstract Background:, Turner syndrome (TS) is a congenital chromosomal abnormality, resulting in short stature, short fourth metacarpal, and retarded skeletal maturation in children. The existing methods of diagnosis, which include carpal angle, metacarpal sign, and body mass index (BMI), cannot accurately diagnose TS. The authors propose a novel procedure for examining the hand skeleton to distinguish between normal individuals and patients with TS. Methods:, This investigation was divided into two parts. In the first part, existing methods (evaluation of the metacarpal sign, measurement of the carpal angle, and determination of BMI) were used. Examination in the second part was based on the two-stage screening method (TSSM). In the first stage in TSSM, the ratio of the lengths of the distal,middle phalanges of the fifth digit was determined in normal subjects with average range of satisfactory body height and TS patients. A suitable cut-off was found on linear regression and used to divide the plot into TS patients and normal subjects. In the second stage, the normal section was transferred to another group based on bone and chronological ages. A greater number of patients were diagnosed with TS using this method. Finally, four cut-off parameters were determined on linear regression analysis. Results with optimal sensitivity and specificity were automatically obtained. Results:, The combination of TSSM with optimal programming (sensitivity = 0.81 and specificity = 0.91) was satisfactory for diagnosing TS patients. Conclusion:, TSSM can suitably evaluate growth of the hand skeleton to distinguish between normal individuals and patients with TS. [source] Moderate and high affinity serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal toxicity,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 4 2008James D. Lewis MD, MSCE Abstract Objective Serotonin release from platelets is important for regulating hemostasis. Some prior studies suggest an association between use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and gastrointestinal bleeding and a possible synergistic effect of these medications with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This study examined the effect of medications that inhibit serotonin uptake on upper gastrointestinal toxicity. Methods 359 case subjects hospitalized for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, or benign gastric outlet obstruction were recruited from 28 hospitals. 1889 control subjects were recruited by random digit dialing from the same region. Data were collected during structured telephone interviews. Antidepressant medications were characterized according to their affinity for serotonin receptors. Exposure to medications required use on at least 1,day during the week prior to the index date. Results Any moderate or high affinity serotonin reuptake inhibitor (MHA-SRI) use was reported by 61 cases (17.1%) and 197 controls (10.4%). After adjusting for potential confounders, MHA-SRI use was associated with a significantly increased odds of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal toxicity (adjusted OR,=,2.0, 95%CI 1.4,3.0). A dose,response relationship in terms of affinity for serotonin uptake receptors was not observed (p,=,0.17). No statistical interaction was observed for use of high dose NSAIDs or aspirin concomitantly with MHA-SRIs (p,=,0.5). When MHA-SRIs were used concomitantly with high dose NSAIDs, the adjusted odds ratio for the association with upper gastrointestinal toxicity was 3.5 (95%CI 1.9,6.6). Conclusions Use of MHA-SRIs is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal toxicity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Brief communication: Dynamic plantar pressure distribution during locomotion in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Eishi Hirasaki Abstract To better place the form and motion of the human foot in an evolutionary context, understanding how foot motions change when quadrupeds walk bipedally can be informative. For this purpose, we compared the pressures beneath the foot during bipedal and quadrupedal walking in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). The pressure at nine plantar regions was recorded using a pressure mat (120 Hz), while the animals walked on a level walkway at their preferred speeds. The results revealed substantial differences in foot use between the two modes of locomotion, and some features observed during bipedal walking resembled human gait, such as the medial transfer of the center of pressure (COP), abrupt declines in forefoot pressures, and the increased pressure beneath the hallux, all occurring during the late-stance phase. In particular, the medial transfer of the COP, which is also observed in bonobos (Vereecke et al.: Am J Phys Anthropol 120 (2003) 373,383), was due to a biomechanical requirement for a hind limb dominant gait, such as bipedal walking. Features shared by bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion that were quite different from human locomotion were also observed: the heel never contacted the ground, a foot longitudinal arch was absent, the hallux was widely abducted, and the functional axis was on the third digit, not the second. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||