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Hand And Foot (hand + and_foot)
Selected AbstractsSex Determination from Hand and Foot Bone Lengths,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2007D. Troy Case Ph.D. ABSTRACT: Numerous studies have addressed sex estimation from the hands and feet with varying results. These studies have utilized multiple measurements to determine sex from the hands and feet, including measures of robusticity (e.g., base width and midshaft diameter). However, robusticity measurements are affected by activity, which can disguise underlying patterns of sexual dimorphism. The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of length measurements of the hands and feet to estimate sex. The sample consists of white females (n=123) and males (n=136) from the Terry Collection. Discriminant function analysis was used to classify individuals by sex. The left hand outperformed both the right hand and foot producing correct classification rates exceeding 80%. Surprisingly, the phalanges were better sex discriminators than either the metacarpals or metatarsals. This study suggests that length measures are more appropriate than robusticity measures for sex estimation. [source] The thoracodorsal vascular tree-based combined fascial flapsMICROSURGERY, Issue 2 2009Meisei Takeishi M.D. In this study, combined fascial flaps pedicled on the thoracodorsal artery and vein were raised and used for thin coverage of dorsal surfaces of the fingers and the dorsum of hand and foot with favorable results. The combined fascial flaps consist of the serratus anterior fascia and the axillary fascia at the entrance of the latissimus dorsi. These flaps were used for reconstruction of the hand, fingers, or foot in nine patients. Reconstruction was performed for burn or burn scar contracture, after resection of malignant tumors, posttraumatic skin defects, and chronic regional pain syndrome. The sites of reconstruction were dorsal surfaces of fingers, dorsum of hand, wrist and palm, forearm, lower leg, and foot. The flaps were used in various configurations including two independent fascial flaps, two-lobed fascial flap with separate feeding vessels, and composite fascial and thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. The fascial and skin flaps survived in all nine patients, with favorable results both functionally and esthetically. Good coverage of soft tissue defects and good recovery of range of motion in resurfaced joints were achieved. There were no complications. The scars at the sites of harvest were not noticeable. The advantage of this method is that not only a single flap but flaps of a variety of configurations can be harvested for different purposes. The thoracodorsal vascular tree-based combined fascial flaps are useful for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the extremities. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009. [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 6 2007Article first published online: 8 JUN 200 Initial macrolide better for pneumonia? An observational study has suggested that initial treatment with a macrolide antibiotic (such as erythromycin) may be more effective than a fluoroquinolone (like ciprofloxacin) or tetracycline as initial treatment for community acquired pneumonia and bacteraemia (Chest 2007;131:466-73). The US review of 2209 hospital episodes found that macrolide therapy was associated with a 40 per cent lower risk of death during hospital stay or within 30 days and of hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge. By contrast, no such benefit was apparent with fluoroquinolones or tetracycline. Two-year safety data for inhaled insulin Compared with sc insulin, inhaled insulin (Exubera) is associated with a small early decrease in lung function in the first three months of therapy but no further difference for up to two years (Diabetes Care 2007;30: 579-85). The comparative trial found that FEV1 declined at a mean rate of 0.051 litres per year with inhaled insulin and 0.034 litres per year with sc insulin, but there was no significant difference in the rates of decline after three months. Inhaled insulin was associated with a higher incidence of cough (37.6 vs 13.1 per cent) but a lower incidence of severe hypoglycaemic events (2.8 vs 4.1 events per 100 subject- months) and mean weight gain was 1.25kg less. Fracture risk warning with rosiglitazone GlaxoSmithKline has warned US prescribers that rosiglitazone may be associated with an increased risk of fractures. The company says information for prescribers in Europe will follow shortly. The warning comes from the ADOPT study (N Engl J Med 2006;355:2427-43), which found a significantly higher incidence of fractures of the humerus, hand and foot among women taking rosiglitazone (9.3 per cent) than with metformin (5.1 per cent) or glibenclamide (3.5 per cent). There was no difference in fracture incidence among men. The company recommends that fracture risk should be considered for women taking or about to take rosiglitazone. Oral treatment for grass pollen allergy A new treatment for allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen allergy has been introduced by ALK-Abelló. Grazax is a sublingual tablet containing a stan-dardised dose of allergen from the pollen of timothy grass. Treatment should be initiated by a specialist four months before the onset of the allergy season and continued throughout the season. Adverse effects include oral and ear pruritus, nasopharyngitis and mouth oedema. A month's treatment at the recommended dose of one tablet daily costs Ł67.50. Frequent analgesics linked with hypertension Men who take analgesics regularly have an increased frequency of hypertension, a US study has shown (Arch Intern Med 2007;167:394-9). The US Health Professionals Follow-Up study evaluated the use of NSAIDs, paracetamol and aspirin in 16 031 men with normal blood pressure and followed them up for four years. Compared with those who did not report analgesic use, the risk of hypertension was increased by 38 per cent for NSAID use, 34 per cent for paracetamol and 26 per cent for aspirin, all for for six or seven days a week. Similar risks were found when anal- gesic use was determined according to the number of tablets taken. The authors acknowledge the increased risk is modest, but point out that the implications may nonetheless be important because analgesics are widely used. Multiples do most pharmacist MURs Uptake of medicines use reviews (MURs) by pharmacists was modest in 2005 and most reviews were carried out by pharmacy chains rather than independent contractors, a new study has shown (Pharm J 2007;278:218-23). The survey of PCTs and SHAs in England and Wales found that, although 38 per cent of community pharmacies claimed payments for the service, 84 per cent of MURs were carried out by pharmacy chains. Uptake was low, amounting to only 7 per cent of the maximum possible number of MURs. Patients see information needs differently There is a mismatch in the perceptions of patients and health professionals about the purpose of written information about medicines, a systematic review has concluded (Health Technol Assess 2007;11:1-178). Some health professionals believe the main purpose of information is to promote compliance, whereas patients want information to help them make decisions about their treatment, including not taking it. In particular, patients want information on adverse effects, but health professionals have reservations about providing it. Aspirin for all women over 65? All women over 65 should take low-dose aspirin if the benefits are likely to outweigh the risk of adverse effects, according to new guidelines from the American Heart Association on preventing cardiovascular disease in women (published online 19 Feb 2007;doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.107.181546). The guidelines have moved away from the long-established Framingham model of risk assessment to categorising three levels of risk: high (heart disease or other relevant disease present), at risk (at least one risk factor) and optimal (healthy lifestyle, no risk factors). Low-dose aspirin is recommended for all women at high risk, for women aged 65 or over when reducing the risk of MI or ischaemic stroke outweighs the risk of adverse effects, and for younger women when reducing the risk of ischaemic stroke outweighs that of toxicity. Combination inhaler therapy Combining an inhaled long-acting bronchodilator with a steroid reduces COPD exacerbations but not all-cause mortality, a three-year trial has shown (N Engl J Med 2007;356:775-89). However, inhaled steroids appear to increase the risk of pneumonia. The TORCH trial randomised 6112 patients (FEV1<60 per cent predicted) to treatment with salmeterol 50µg plus fluticasone 500µg (Seretide) twice daily, salmeterol (Serevent) or fluticasone (Flixotide) as monotherapy, or placebo. All-cause mortality rates were 12.6, 13.5, 16.0 and 15.2 per cent respectively; the risk of death was 17 per cent lower with combined therapy, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The combination reduced the incidence of exacerbations by 25 per cent and improved health status and FEV1. Use of fluticasone was not associated with more ocular or bone disorders, but there was an increased incidence of pneumonia among users (19.6 per cent with combined therapy and 18.3 per cent with fluticasone vs 12.3 per cent with placebo). Seretide is currently licensed in the UK for use in patients with FEV1 <50 per cent predicted. Tamoxifen long- term benefits Women with breast cancer who take tamoxifen for five to eight years continue to have a lower risk of recurrence for 10-20 years, long-term follow-up of two blinded trials has shown (J Nat Cancer Inst 2007; 99:258-60, 272-90). The frequency of adverse effects was markedly reduced when treatment ended, changing the balance of risk and benefit. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Incidence and ossification of sesamoid bones in the hands and feet: A radiographic study in an Arab populationCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 4 2007A.S. Dharap Abstract The incidence and ossification of sesamoid bones in the hands and feet were studied in 922 radiographs (400 hands and 522 feet) in an Arab population from Bahrain, 5,83 years of age and consisting of 549 adults (393 men and 156 women) and 373 children (286 boys and 97 girls). All radiographs of the hand and foot in the adult population showed two sesamoid bones in the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and in the hallucal metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, respectively. Only 2.3% and 1.5% of hands showed sesamoids at the MCP joints of the middle and ring fingers respectively compared to a reported incidence of 7.1% for each digit in Caucasians. The incidence of sesamoids in the MTP joints of third and fourth toes (0.6% each) and inferior to the hallucal interphalangeal joint (3.1%) is probably the lowest reported so far in the literature. In the hands, ossification commenced first in the thumb sesamoids, at the age of 10 years in females and 11 years in males and was completed by the age of 13 and 14 years, respectively. In the feet, ossification began first in the hallucal sesamoids at the age of 8 years in females and 9 years in males and was completed by the age of 10 years in both sexes. The incidence and ossification of sesamoids in the hands and feet in the Arab population from Bahrain seem to differ considerably from reports in other populations. The clinical significance of our findings is discussed. Clin. Anat. 20:416,423, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Screening for duct-dependent congenital heart disease with pulse oximetry: A critical evaluation of strategies to maximize sensitivityACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 11 2005ANNE DE-WAHL GRANELLI Abstract Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of detecting duct-dependent congenital heart disease before hospital discharge by using pulse oximetry. Design: Case-control study. Setting: A supra-regional referral centre for paediatric cardiac surgery in Sweden. Patients: 200 normal term newborns with echocardiographically normal hearts (median age 1.0 d) and 66 infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD; median age 3 d). Methods: Pulse oximetry was performed in the right hand and one foot using a new-generation pulse oximeter (NGoxi) and a conventional-technology oximeter (CToxi). Results: With the NGoxi, normal newborns showed a median postductal saturation of 99% (range 94,100%); intra-observer variability showed a mean difference of 0% (SD 1.3%), and inter-observer variability was 0% (SD 1.5%). The CToxi recorded a significantly greater proportion of postductal values below 95% (41% vs 1%) in the normal newborns compared with NGoxi (p < 0.0001). The CCHD group showed a median postductal saturation of 90% (45,99%) with the NGoxi. Analysis of distributions suggested a screening cut-off of < 95%; however, this still gave 7/66 false-negative patients, all with aortic arch obstruction. Best sensitivity was obtained by adding one further criterion: saturation of < 95% in both hand and foot or a difference of > ± 3% between hand and foot. These combined criteria gave a sensitivity of 98.5%, specificity of 96.0%, positive predictive value of 89.0% and negative predictive value of 99.5%. Conclusion: Systematic screening for CCHD with high accuracy requires a new-generation oximeter, and comparison of saturation values from the right hand and one foot substantially improves the detection of CCHD. [source] Neonatal management of symptomatic transplacental cryoglobulinaemiaACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2004V Laugel This study reports the first case of symptomatic placental transfer of cryoglobulins and discusses the potential pathogenic processes and the basic guidelines for neonatal management. A 32-y-old woman was affected by essential type I cryoglobulinaemia and displayed the cold-triggered cutaneous symptoms of the disease due to a monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) cryoglobulin. She gave birth to healthy dizygotic twins who were placed in incubators immediately after birth and did not show any cutaneous or visceral lesion in the first 2 d. Cyanotic macules appeared on the hand and foot of one of the newborns when they were removed from the incubators. The same monoclonal IgG-, cryoglobulin was identified in the two newborns'cord blood and in the mother's serum. The skin lesions disappeared within 1 wk as both twins were transiently replaced in incubators. No recurrence of skin lesions was observed even at room temperature and, 6 mo later, both twins were healthy and their clinical examination was normal. Conclusion: To the authors'knowledge, this is the first report of placental transfer of cryoglobulins and the first description of any neonatal effect. Neonates born to mothers suffering from IgG cryoglobulinaemia should be protected against cold to avoid precipitation of the pathogenic cryoglobulins, until spontaneous resolution. [source] | ||||||||||