PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Zeller

Publications and source records attributed to R Zeller.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Development and testing of a measure of perceived caregiver rewards in adults.

Assessment of the rewards of caregiving is pertinent to a holistic view of the caregiving experience and design of health promotion interventions for caregivers. Few measures of caregiver positive appraisals exist. This paper describes the development and pilot testing of the Picot Caregiver Rewards Scale (PCRS) for adult caregivers. Derived from the choice and social exchange theory, caregiver interviews, and literature, 25 items compose the scale. Psychometric testings of the PCRS were conducted in a nonrandom sample of 83 Black female caregivers and a random sample of 256 Black and White female and male caregivers. Alphas of .83 and .88 demonstrated acceptable internal consistency of the revised 16-item PCRS. Construct validity was demonstrated by support of hypothesized relationships with caregiving demands, palliative coping, depression, and caregiver burden, as well as confirmatory factor analysis. Further psychometric study of the PCRS is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A protocol of in vivo 3D experimental evaluation of global posture and motion of the spine].

PURPOSE: The aim of his study was to assess 3D global posture and movement of body segments, especially for scoliotic subjects. As scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity, it needs three-dimensional evaluation and correction, but there is no mean today to get 3D dynamic examination of the whole body. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using opto-electronic methods, an experimental protocol was established to compare the pre- and post-operative results of treatment. Firstly, the reliability of the protocol was tested in healthy adult subject. Secondly, a reference group of 15 healthy teenagers was analysed Besides, first scoliotic subject in pre- and post-operative situations were followed. The markers fixed on the skin allowed us to calculate the position of the head, the pelvic, the shoulders and the spinal axis, during a static trial and motions. RESULTS: The reliability of the protocol was satisfactory (standard deviation (s) < 5.4 degrees in a flexion movement). The inter-subject variability was greater for the position of the head than for the pelvis, the shoulders or the spinal axis. The scoliotic patient showed a straightening of the whole body in the three anatomic planes. One month after treatment, the range of motion were reduced (+13.8 degrees for the pelvic flexion during a flexion movement), but six months after surgery they were greater than before (+14.7 degrees). CONCLUSION-DISCUSSION: Many systems have been proposed to measure the motion of the trunk, but they were not three-dimensional. The opto-electronic method is a non invasive, external and dynamic system.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Computer graphic analysis of the three dimensional deformities of scoliotic vertebrae].

GOAL: A computer graphics method that permits the reconstruction, visualization and measure of the vertebral deformities of the scoliotic spine is presented. MATERIALS: Medical imaging techniques utilizing computerized tomography is at the foundation of the reconstruction technique. The studied morphometric parameters are: 1) vertebral body wedging, 2) transverse and spinous process orientation and dimensions and 3) bilateral variation of pedicular dimensions. RESULTS: The reconstructed specimen showed the usefulness of this technique for visualizing and measuring vertebral deformities. Preliminary results seem to be in agreement with the literature concerning the deformities of scoliotic vertebrae. CONCLUSION: This tool will be useful in morphometric investigations for the evaluation of the deformations of scoliotic vertebrae.

Computer Graphics↗
PubMed1996

Molecular interaction between limb deformity proteins (formins) and Src family kinases.

Ld proteins (formins) are encoded by the limb deformity (ld) gene and define a family of related gene products regulating establishment of embryonic polarity. In this study we establish that chicken and murine Ld proteins interact directly with Src family kinases (c-Src and c-Fyn). Specific binding is mediated by the proline-rich domain present in Ld proteins and the ligand binding surface of the Src SH3 domain. Co-immunoprecipitation of Ld and c-Src proteins from transfected cells shows that these proteins associate in vivo. Immunolocalization and biochemical fractionation of fibroblasts confirms the predominant nuclear localization of Ld proteins, but unexpectedly identifies a population of Ld proteins associated to cellular membranes. This population of Ld proteins co-localizes with membrane-associated c-Src proteins at both plasma and perinuclear membranes. These studies indicate that the morphoregulatory Ld proteins interact with signal transduction cascades by association to membrane-bound Src family kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

AltFGF-2, a novel ER-associated FGF-2 protein isoform: its embryonic distribution and functional analysis during neural tube development.

A novel fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) protein isoform, called altFGF-2, is expressed abundantly during chicken embryogenesis. The amino-terminal domain of the 21.5-kDa altFGF-2 protein diverges completely from the other three FGF-2 proteins due to alternative splicing of their first coding exons. Furthermore, the altFGF-2 protein, in contrast to FGF-2 proteins, is targeted predominantly to the endoplasmic reticulum. In chicken embryos, altFGF-2 and FGF-2 proteins are differentially distributed in several mesodermal structures including developing limbs and kidneys. All four FGF-2 protein isoforms are also expressed in the developing neural tube from early neural plate stages onward. In contrast to FGF-2 proteins, the altFGF-2 isoform is distributed in a dynamic, spatially restricted pattern in notochord and ventral neural tube (floor plate and motor neurons) during specification of neuronal populations. To study the possible shared or differential signaling functions of chicken altFGF-2 and FGF-2 gene products, they were ectopically expressed in the dorsal neural tube aspect of transgenic mouse embryos. Dorsal expression of altFGF-2, but not FGF-2 gene products, induced alteration of neural tube morphology in a significant fraction of mouse embryos (25%). However, no alterations of dorsoventral (d/v) neural tube polarity were detected, indicating that altFGF-2 and FGF-2 gene products either function as permissive cofactors or regulate neural tube growth without affecting establishment of its primary d/v polarity.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1996

[The foot in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies in children].

PURPOSE: Although Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is known to be the most common neuromuscular cause of pes cavovarus, other paralytic deformities of the foot may be present with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN). The purpose of our review is to analyze these foot deformities and to assess the results of the different therapeutic methods used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 66 patients who had HMSN and had a total of 127 foot deformities. Fifty three patients had CMT, 6 patients Déjerine Sottas disease (DS), and 7 patients had an unclassified HMSN. The average age at diagnosis was of 9 years and 11 months. There were 35 males and 31 females. The deformity was unilateral in 5 cases. In 50 bilateral cases, the severity of the deformity was not similar in both feet. In three bilateral cases, the deformity was completely asymmetrical. The chief complaint was mainly deformity in all cases, followed by subtalar or ankle instability in 57 cases. There were 105 cases of cavus or cavovarus, and 22 cases or valgus or planovalgus deformity (8 of which changed spontaneously to cavovarus). A non surgical treatment was undertaken in 57 cases for minor deformity. Soft tissue release with or without osteotomies was done in 39 cases, and triple arthrodesis in the remaining 31 cases. A clawtoe deformity was treated operatively in 14 cases. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 6 years and 9 months for non operated feet and 7 years and 10 months for operated feet (all of the surgically treated feet were reviewed after the end of growth). Three patients of the non operated group and 8 patients of the surgically treated feet underwent triple arthrodesis for a recurrence of the deformity. Thirty nine per cent of the feet which underwent triple arthrodesis (a total of 42 feet) were considered to have fair or bad result at 6 years and 3 months follow-up period. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The foot deformity in HMSN is of a wide variety. A valgus flat foot is not uncommon, especially in DS and unclassified neuropathies. The young age of the patient is not a contrindication to surgical management. Even if minor previous surgeries do not always succeed in avoiding recurrence of the deformity, they nevertheless prepare the foot fort a possible triple arthrodesis, that will be done in better anatomical conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Extra osseous tumors of the spine in children and adolescents. Spinal complications].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The delay in diagnosis of spinal tumors is not rare. The chief complaint may include pain, walking disability, and spinal or limb deformities. The purpose of our study is to analyze the spinal deformities associated with non osseous intraspinal tumors, to assess the complications of treatment, and to set out a preventive protocol. MATERIALS: We reviewed retrospectively 40 consecutive cases of non osseous intraspinal tumors treated between 1972 and 1991. There were 32 intradural, 2 extradural, and 6 intra and extradural combined tumors. At the first consultation, the age ranged between 4 months and 15 years, and only 16 patients showed neurologic deficit. Spinal deformity existed in 9 patients, 7 of which had no neurologic deficit. All the tumors were treated surgically. Laminectomy was done in 28 cases, and osteoplastic laminotomy in 12 cases. The number of levels included in the laminectomy ranged from 3 to 18. Bilateral arthrectomy at least at one level was undertaken in 15 cases. A postoperative brace was worn in all cases for an average period of 4 months. An adjuvant radiotherapy was undertaken in 12 cases for an incomplete resection. METHODS: The incidence and pattern of spinal deformity was assessed before tumor treatment and ultimately after laminectomy or osteoplastic laminotomy (or laminoplasty). RESULTS: Among the 9 cases with preexisting spinal deformity, the curve magnitude increased after laminectomy in 4. A kyphotic, kyphosoliotic or scoliotic deformity developed in 18 cases after surgery for tumor resection. Among these 18 patients, only one had had an adequate osteoplastic laminotomy. The treatment of spinal deformities was surgical in 12 cases, and done by either posterior or anterior and posterior combined arthrodesis. DISCUSSION: Spinal deformity may be the main complaint of a patient who has intraspinal tumor. Prevention of postlaminectomy spinal deformity is mandatory, and could be done by osteoplastic laminotomy and the use of a brace during a minimum period of 4 to 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of intraspinal tumors in children and adolescents should be done early, and laminoarthrectomy should be replaced by osteoplastic laminotomy.

Adolescent↗