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Biomedical subjects

P J Rowe

Publications and source records attributed to P J Rowe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

An electromyographical study to investigate the effects of patellar taping on the vastus medialis/vastus lateralis ratio in asymptomatic participants.

It is commonly theorised that patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is caused by maltracking due to vastus medialis (VM) weakness relative to the vastus lateralis (VL). Despite this being a controversial theory, patellar taping is a commonly used technique that purports to correct this muscle imbalance by increasing the VM/VL ratio. The effects of different forms of taping on vasti muscle activity are still not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three different types of patellar taping on the VM/VL ratio in asymptomatic university students. Each participant performed a set of four single-legged squats under four separate taping conditions: A) medial, B) lateral, C) neutral, and D) no-tape. The condition sequence was randomised. The main outcome measure was the normalised VM/VL ratio, assessed by using surface electromyography. Secondary outcome measures were the normalised EMG activity of the VM and the VL. A convenience sample of 24 (17 females) students (22 +/- 10 years, M +/- SD) completed this study. The lateral taping condition produced small but significantly greater VM/VL ratios than the medial (p = 0.007) and neutral (p = 0.007) but not the no-tape (p = 0.123) condition. There were no significant differences between the medial, neutral, and no-tape conditions. These results question whether patellar taping can impart a clinically significant effect on the VM/VL ratio. The results of this study cannot be directly extrapolated to a patient population, and further research in the PFPS population is required before clinical recommendations can be made.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of total knee arthroplasty on joint movement during functional activities and joint range of motion with particular regard to higher flexion users.

PURPOSE: To evaluate active and functional knee excursion of patients before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to determine whether TKA restores quality of life related to functional activities of daily living. METHODS: Electrogoniometry was used to measure the functional movement of the knee during 11 activities of daily living in 50 patients who underwent TKA. These data were compared with the patient's active range of motion and quality-of-life scores. RESULTS: A cut-off point existed between loss and gain in flexion at between 90 and 95 degrees of preoperative active flexion. Two thirds of patients had preoperative flexion of more than 90 degrees, 83% of them had reduced flexion postoperatively. The remaining one third had preoperative flexion of 90 degrees or less, 85% of them had improved flexion postoperatively. A similar pattern of loss and gain occurred for functional movement of the knee. Reduced functional range was associated with significantly reduced physical quality of life compared with age-matched healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Although TKA offers excellent pain relief and contributes to the overall well-being of the patient, these results suggest that it also leads to a reduced range of active and functional motion in the majority of patients. This is associated with a lower-than-normal physical quality of life. The design of implants and rehabilitation programmes should be reconsidered so that better range of motion and quality of life can be achieved for patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of menstrual blood loss in Brazilian users of the frameless copper-releasing IUD with copper surface area of 330 mm2 and the frameless levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two types of IUDs on the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL): the frameless copper-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) with copper surface area of 330 mm2 (GyneFix; Contrel Research, Ghent, Belgium) and the frameless levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) releasing 14 microg per day (FibroPlant-LNG; Contrel Research). Heavy and abnormal MBL is the main reason for discontinuation of intrauterine devices. METHODS: In 20 Brazilian women using GyneFix 330 and 32 using FibroPlant-LNG, respectively, MBL was measured by the quantitative alkaline hematin technique. In addition, ferritin levels were measured in GyneFix 330 and FibroPlant-LNG users. RESULTS: MBL with GyneFix 330, measured over a 24-month period, increased but was less when compared with TCu380A. Ferritin levels with GyneFix 330 were not affected in contrast with TCu380A. In FibroPlant-LNG users, mean MBL decreased by about 90% and ferritin levels increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The authors confirm earlier reports that, especially for women with low body iron stores and heavy menstrual bleeding, there is an order of preference for IUD use to minimize MBL. The choice should first be a progestin-releasing IUS, then a copper IUD, which has the least effect on menstrual bleeding, such as the frameless GyneFix IUD.

Brazil↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of menstrual blood loss in women with ideopathic menorrhagia using the frameless levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a "low-dose" levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) on the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL) in women with ideopathic menorrhagia. METHODS: Menstrual blood loss was assessed with the visual assessment technique in 12 Belgian FibroPlant-LNG users with menorrhagia. In addition, ferritin levels were measured. RESULTS: The median MBL, evaluated by the visual scoring technique, decreased by more than 90%. The ferritin levels increased significantly during treatment with the levonorgestrel system. CONCLUSION: This study confirms previous MBL studies conducted with the FibroPlant-LNG IUS demonstrating the efficacy of the LNG-IUS to significantly reduce the amount of MBL in women with menorrhagia. The strong endometrial suppression is the principal mechanism explaining the effect on MBL. The therapeutic effect of this contraceptive method is highly desirable, particularly in women with heavy bleeding or anemia, as other treatment modalities are less effective, more costly, more invasive or inaccessible. The simple design characteristics and anchoring system account for minimizing the occurrence of complaints of pain and expulsion.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of menstrual blood loss in Belgian users of the frameless copper-releasing IUD with copper surface area of 200 mm2 and users of a copper-levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a miniaturized frameless copper IUD (GyneFix 200 small) and a copper-levonorgestrel (GynePlant) intrauterine system (IUS) on the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL). METHODS: In 60 Belgian women using GyneFix 200 and 21 using GynePlant, MBL was assessed with the visual assessment technique. RESULTS: MBL scores in GyneFix 200 users did not change from baseline during the mean observation period of 31 months. In GynePlant users, mean MBL scores decreased by at least 50% in all but one user. CONCLUSION: The impact of copper IUDs on MBL can be minimized by reducing the surface area of the foreign body. Reduction of MBL, without causing amenorrhea, can be obtained by adding levonorgestrel.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Male infertility: risk factors in Mongolian men.

AIM: To determine the most common risk factors of male infertility in Mongolian men attending an infertility clinic. METHODS: A prospective, case-control study was conducted in which 430 men were enrolled. All the men had sought their first infertility evaluation between 1998-2002 in the State Research Center on Maternal Child Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. They were divided into two groups depending on the results of their semen analysis: 191 with abnormal semen and 239 with normal semen profile. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine any association between risk factors and semen abnormality. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the testicular volume, a history of sexually transmitted infections (STI), epididymitis and testicular damage all have statistically significant associations with semen abnormality, when controlled for multiple risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios of 3.4 for mumps orchitis, 2.3 for other orchitis and 3.9 for testicular injury were found. Gonorrhoea, the most commonly reported STIs in this study, gave an adjusted odds ratio of 1.0 for having one or more sperm abnormality. An adjusted odds ratio for subjects with a history of other STIs was 2.7. However, as a predictor of azoospermia, STIs had very high odds ratio, being 5.6 in patients with gonorrhoea and 7.6 in patients with other STIs. CONCLUSION: A history of pathology involving testicular damage appeared to have the strongest impact on male infertility in Mongolia. STIs have less impact on semen quality except when complicated by orchitis, epididymitis and vasal obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The use of colposcopy in assessing vaginal irritation in research.

Since the early 1990s, colposcopy of the vagina and cervix has been used in the development of vaginal products in order to detect epithelial changes that may increase the likelihood of HIV or acquisition of other sexually transmitted diseases. As part of a continued effort to examine and define the role of colposcopy in a research setting, the Contraceptive Research and Development Program (CONRAD) and the International Working Group on Microbicides (IWGM), in association with the United Nations Program for AIDS (UNAIDS) sponsored a conference entitled, 'The Use of Colposcopy in Assessing Vaginal Irritation in Research', held in Washington, DC in January 1999. This is a report of that conference. The World Health Organization's colposcopy procedure and nomenclature, published in 1995, were reviewed and changes were recommended. The revised procedure involves colposcopic examination of the external genitalia, naked eye examination of the cervix, fornices, and vaginal walls, followed by lavage and colposcopic examination of those areas, and sampling as appropriate for microscopic examination. Revised nomenclature replaces the terms used for findings with descriptions of what is actually seen. Digital video imaging and testing for inflammatory markers may be adjuncts to colposcopy and should be further studied. Other areas requiring additional research include the natural history of colposcopic changes, factors other than product use that may affect colposcopic findings, the clinical significance of findings, and the procedure which best assesses these findings.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2000

Knee joint kinematics in gait and other functional activities measured using flexible electrogoniometry: how much knee motion is sufficient for normal daily life?

The knee joint kinematics of a group (n=20) of elderly normal subjects (mean age=67 years) were investigated using flexible electrogoniometry. The flexion-extension angle of the knee was recorded during a range of functional activities performed as part of a circuit in and around the hospital. The functions analysed including gait, walking on slopes, stair negotiation, the use of standard and low chairs and a bath. The data were used to produce the pattern of joint angulation against the percentage of the cycle for each individual conducting each activity. Further the maximum and minimum knee joint angles and the excursion of the joint during the cycle were identified. The results indicate gait and slopes require less than 90 degrees of knee flexion, stairs and chairs 90-120 degrees of flexion and a bath approximately 135 degrees of flexion. The data suggests that 110 degrees of flexion would seem a suitable goal for the rehabilitation of motion in the knee. It is concluded that flexible electrogoniometry is a suitable and practical method for evaluating knee motion during a range of functional activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

What is balance?

Balance is a term frequently used by health professionals working in a wide variety of clinical specialities. There is no universally accepted definition of human balance, or related terms. This article identifies mechanical definitions of balance and introduces clinical definitions of balance and postural control. Postural control is defined as the act of maintaining, achieving or restoring a state of balance during any posture or activity. Postural control strategies may be either predictive or reactive, and may involve either a fixed-support or a change-in-support response. Clinical tests of balance assess different components of balance ability. Health professionals should select clinical assessments based on a sound knowledge and understanding of the classification of balance and postural control strategies.

Gravity Sensing↗
PubMed1999

A new system for the measurement of displacements of the human body with widespread applications in human movement studies.

This paper reports the development, construction and use of a new system for the measurement of linear kinematics in one, two or three dimensions. The system uses a series of rotary shaft encoders and inelastic tensioned strings to measure the linear displacement of key anatomical points in space. The system is simple, inexpensive, portable, accurate and flexible. It is therefore suitable for inclusion in a variety of motion analysis studies. Details of the construction, calibration and interfacing of the device to an IBM PC computer are given as is a full mathematical description of the appropriate measurement theory for one, two and three dimensions. Examples of the results obtained from the device during gait, running, rising to stand, sitting down and pointing with the upper limb are given. Finally it is proposed that, provided the constraints of the system are considered, this method has the potential to measure a variety of functional human movements simply and inexpensively and may therefore be a valuable addition to the methods available to the motion scientist.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1999

Chlamydial urethral infection in male students in Chiang Mai: a screening test of urine deposits by enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

Adolescent males are considered to be an important genital chlamydial reservoir. However, there has been little information on urethral chlamydial infection in Thai adolescent males. About one fourth of males who are genital chlamydial reservoirs are asymptomatic. An appropriate means of defining the extent of chlamydial infection in adolescent males would be a non-invasive screening survey, instead of the conventional method of a deep swab cell culture, which is painful. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and to determine what factors should indicate the use of a screening test for urethral chlamydial infection in adolescent males residing in Chiang Mai. Chlamydial urethritis was detected by examining urine deposits for chlamydial antigen by enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Development of a low-cost video vector for the display of ground reaction forces during gait.

Video vector systems offer a simple and valuable tool suitable for evaluating and analysing the biomechanics of human motion. These systems are capable of widespread applications in education, clinical evaluation and research. However, the literature indicated that current video vector systems are expensive and not widely available. The work presented in this study indicates an alternative method of constructing a video vector system which is inexpensive and relatively simple to build. The system uses a VGA to video adaptor to convert computer-generated graphics of the ground reaction force into a video formet. This picture can then be overlaid on to a video picture of the moving subject using a video mixer. By careful positioning of the camera and suitable perspective drawing of the computer image a true representation of the relationship between the force vector and the subject can be produced. The system has been found to be reliable, versatile and robust and has been used for a variety of motion analysis tasks. It is hoped that the work contained in this paper will encourage others to construct their own video vector systems using similar commercially available components and hence benefit from the considerable advantages that such a system can offer. This paper describes the design and construction of a simple, inexpensive video vector system which has been shown to be a useful biomechanical technique with widespread applications in the educational, clinical and research environments.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1996

The association of Chlamydia trachomatis/gonococcal infection and tubal factor infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of past Chlamydia trachomatis and past Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection with tubal factor infertility. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Cases consisted of 55 primary infertile women with laparoscopy confirmed tubal damage (group A) and their husbands, consecutively attending the Infertility Unit at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital between 1990 and 1992; and 58 primary infertile women with laparoscopy confirmed normal tubes (group B) and their husbands, consecutively attending the same hospital over the same period. Controls consisted of 59 postpartum women (group C) and their husbands omitted to the same hospital over the same period as cases. Past chlamydial and gonococcal infections were assessed by measuring serum IgG antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The EIA antigens consisted of purified elementary bodies of C. trachomatis serovar L1, or purified alpha pili of N. gonorrhoeae strain P9. RESULTS: The prevalence of positive IgG antibody to gonococcal pili in sera from group A was 29.1%, significantly higher than the prevalence of 5.2% in group B or 3.4% in group C (p = 0.000). The husbands of women in group A had a significantly higher prevalence of IgG antibody to gonococcal pili (36.4%) than the husbands of women in group B (8.6%) or group C (18.6%) (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in positive IgA antibody between case and control groups. After controlling for age, group A showed significantly higher prevalences of past gonorrhea (OR = 32.4, 95% CI 4.3, 242.2) and past chlamydial infection (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.2, 8.5) than group C. The husbands of women in group A also had higher prevalences of both types of infection than the husbands of women in group C; the odds ratios for past gonorrhea or chlamydial infections were 2.8 (95% CI 1.1, 6.9) and 2.9 (95% CI 1.2, 7.1), respectively. Neither infertile women with normal tubes (group B) nor their husbands showed any difference when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in this region of northern Thailand there is an association between past gonorrhea and past chlamydial infection and tubal factor infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The use of therapeutic electrical stimulation in the treatment of hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

The effect of electrical stimulation of the anterior tibial muscles of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy was studied. 10 children received electrical stimulation, applied by their parents daily for an hour for 35 days; they were compared with 10 matched controls. Active and passive ranges of movement of the ankle, and knee and ankle motion during walking were measured before and after therapy using electrogoniometers. The results showed a significant increase in passive range of movement among children receiving electrical stimulation. Gait analysis of knee and ankle motion showed little change.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1994

Ball color, eye color, and a reactive motor skill.

Researchers investigating performance differences between light- and dark-eyed individuals have indicated that dark-eyed individuals perform better on reactive activities than light-eyed individuals. College students (61 men, 64 women) performed a forehand rally with different colored racquetballs. Eye color, sex, and total hits were recorded for each subject. Men scored significantly better with balls of each color than did women. Dark-eyed men performed better than other subjects and performance was better with blue balls than yellow or green balls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Intrauterine devices and pelvic inflammatory disease: an international perspective.

The risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) associated with use of an intrauterine device (IUD) has been an important concern that has dominated decisions on its use throughout the world, especially in the USA. Early research that suggested such an association led to both a dramatic decline in use of the method and its withdrawal from the US market by two manufacturers. However, factors other than use of an IUD are now thought to be major determinants of PID risk. To address these concerns, we have reviewed the World Health Organisation's IUD clinical trial data to explore the incidence and patterns of PID risk with use of an IUD. The overall rate of PID among 22,908 IUD insertions and during 51,399 woman-years of follow-up was 1.6 cases per 1000 woman-years of use. After adjustment for confounding factors, PID risk was more than six times higher during the 20 days after insertion than during later times (unadjusted rates, 9.7 vs 1.4 per 1000 woman-years, respectively); the risk was low and constant for up to eight years of follow-up. Rates varied according to geographical area (highest in Africa and lowest in China) and were inversely associated with age. PID rates were lower among women who had IUDs inserted more recently. Our findings indicate that PID among IUD users is most strongly related to the insertion process and to background risk of sexually transmissible disease. PID is an infrequent event beyond the first 20 days after insertion. Because of this increased risk with insertion, IUDs should be left in place up to their maximum lifespan and should not routinely be replaced earlier, provided there are no contraindications to continued use and the woman wishes to continue with the device.

Adolescent↗