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Biomedical subjects

S J Rose

Publications and source records attributed to S J Rose.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An electromyographic analysis of two techniques for squat lifting and lowering.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two different alignments of the pelvis and three different loads on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the erector spinae and oblique abdominal muscles during squat lifting and lowering. Each of 15 healthy subjects lifted and lowered loads with the pelvis aligned both in an anterior tilt and in a posterior tilt. Based on total duration, both the lift and the lower were divided into two equal phases. The EMG activity of each muscle was quantified for each half of both the lift and the lower and was normalized to the total EMG produced by the muscle during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction. The results indicate (1) that the EMG activity of the erector spinae muscles was greater when subjects maintained an anterior tilt than when they maintained a posterior tilt; (2) that the EMG activity of the oblique abdominal muscles was greater in the first half of the lift than in the second half for both lifting styles, although the opposite was true for both lowering styles; and (3) that the EMG activity increased with increasing loads. The results suggest that the greater trunk muscle activity occurring with the anterior tilt position may ensure optimal muscular support for the spine while handling loads, thereby reducing the risk for low back injury.

Adult

Carnitine deficiency associated with long-term pivampicillin treatment: the effect of a replacement therapy regime.

A 51 year old female developed a skeletal muscle myopathy after 3 months of pivampicillin therapy. Pivampicillin can cause carnitine deficiency due to the pivalic acid side group. Plasma carnitine content and the patients symptoms failed to improve significantly on discontinuing the drug. Oral carnitine replacement therapy was administered for 6 weeks but the patient's plasma carnitine levels responded only slowly to this treatment. It is suggested that pivampicillin inhibits uptake of carnitine from the gut and may either directly or indirectly depress endogenous carnitine synthesis. In such cases a more aggressive carnitine replacement regime is indicated and pivampicillin should be avoided in patients requiring long-term antibiotic administration.

Carnitine

A novel DNA joining activity catalyzed by T4 DNA ligase.

The use of T4 and E. coli DNA ligases in genetic engineering technology is usually associated with nick-closing activity in double stranded DNA or ligation of 'sticky-ends' to produce recombinant DNA molecules. We describe in this communication the ability of T4 DNA ligase to catalyze intramolecular loop formation between annealed oligodeoxyribonucleotides wherein Watson-Crick base pairing is absent on one side of the ligation site. Enzyme concentration, loop size, substrate specificity, and base composition were explored in an effort to maximize yield. Amounts of T4 DNA ligase in large molar excess to DNA template and ligated product are necessary to achieve high yields.

Autoradiography

Argon laser photoablation of a choroidal osteoma.

Choroidal osteomas are rare, juxtapapillary choroidal tumors, which are usually unilateral but can be bilateral in as many as 30% of patients. Choroidal neovascularization may complicate this condition and be associated with severe visual loss. A patient treated with argon laser photocoagulation for SRNVM is described, and clinical and radiographic evidence of destruction of the osteoma during an 8-year follow-up is presented. The possible mechanisms of laser's ablative effect on bone, in addition to clinical application for choroidal osteoma treatment, are discussed.

Adult

Reliability of isokinetic measurements of trunk muscle performance.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the reliability of isokinetic trunk muscle performance. Sixty-one volunteers participated (29 men, 32 women; age range, 20-60 years). All subjects were without low-back symptoms at the time of testing. All testing was performed with the subject initially standing, using speeds of 60, 120, and 180 degrees per second. Ten repetitions of flexion and extension were performed reciprocally at each speed, with a 3-minute rest period between speeds. Test-retest intervals were 1 and 3 weeks from the initial test. Peak torque-to-body-weight ratios, extension-to-flexion ratios, and average work per repetition were calculated for each speed for flexion and extension. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from .74 to .88 for measurements derived from peak torque, and from .88-.93 for measurements derived from work (with the exception of .69 for men at 180 degrees/sec). Standard error of measurements ranged from 8 to 32 ft-lb, with a tendency to increase with increasing speeds. It was concluded that, when using this protocol, isokinetic measurements of muscle function offer the clinician sensitive and reliable measurements of trunk muscle performance and that incorporating increased practice with women and longer rest periods with men may further decrease error associated with these isokinetic trunk strength measurements.

Adult

Life threatening Branhamella catarrhalis pneumonia in young infants.

Branhamella catarrhalis is a common nasopharyngeal commensal organism but is also a recognised pathogen. Lower respiratory tract infections caused by this organism have been reported in adults but not, to our knowledge, in otherwise healthy infants. Two infants, born prematurely, suffered near fatal pneumonia. Branhamella catarrhalis was the only microbial pathogen isolated in each case. We suggest that initial antibiotic therapy for severe pneumonia in young infants should be tailored to cover B. catarrhalis infection.

Humans

Type II fiber activation with electrical stimulation: a preliminary report.

Electrical stimulation to augment or maintain muscle performance has been well documented. The purpose of this preliminary report is to present the results of a single-case study conducted to determine the order of activation of skeletal muscle fibers as a result of electrical stimulation. The subject's quadriceps femoris muscles were electrically stimulated at 80% of maximal isometric torque. Pre-stimulation and immediate post-stimulation muscle biopsy samples were obtained, and a modification of the glucogen-depletion method was used to determine activation of muscle fibers. The pre-stimulation muscle biopsy sample demonstrated uniform periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive staining in all fiber types, whereas the post-stimulation muscle biopsy sample showed glycogen depletion of type II muscle fibers. The most PAS-negative muscle fibers were type IIa skeletal muscle fibers. The results of this single-case study provide evidence that electrical stimulation, as described, selectively activates type II skeletal muscle fibers. The implication of this finding is that, in many chronic diseases, type II fibers are selectively and preferentially affected. Electrical stimulation may be a clinically viable technique to use in patients with type II fiber involvement.

Adult

Association between direction of lateral lumbar shift, movement tests, and side of symptoms in patients with low back pain syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between direction of lateral lumbar shift (LLS) and 1) the occurrence of symptoms during the side-bending movement test and 2) the location of symptoms in patients with low back pain syndrome (LBS). Twenty-four patients with LBS (17 male, 7 female) with an observable LLS were studied. Side-bending movement tests were performed bilaterally, and the results were recorded as positive if symptoms occurred during the movement. The location of symptoms (right side or left side) was obtained from the patient history. Use of the chi-square statistic revealed a statistically significant relationship between the direction of the LLS and the direction of the positive side-bending movement test. Seventeen tests (71%) were positive to the contralateral side of the LLS, and 5 (21%) were positive to the ipsilateral side. Two tests (8%) were negative in both directions. There was no significant relationship between the side of symptoms and the direction of the LLS. The determination of presence and direction of an LLS is necessary in certain physical therapy management approaches. Pain or restricted side-bending movement has been used to confirm the presence of an LLS. This study confirms the clinical usefulness of the side-bending movement test for determining the presence and direction of an LLS.

Adult

Patterns of hip rotation range of motion: a comparison between healthy subjects and patients with low back pain.

The purpose of this study was to characterize and classify the prevalence of passive hip rotation range-of-motion (ROM) asymmetry in healthy subjects (n = 100) and in patients with low back dysfunction (n = 50). We categorized the subjects of both groups as having one of three patterns of hip rotation. Pattern IA existed when all ROM measurements were equal (within 10 degrees). Pattern IB existed when total medial and lateral rotation were equal, but one or more of the individual measurements were unequal. Pattern II existed when total medial rotation ROM was greater than total lateral rotation ROM. Those subjects with total lateral rotation ROM greater than total medial rotation ROM demonstrated pattern III. The distribution of subjects among the ROM pattern categories was significantly different in the patient and healthy subject groups. The frequency of occurrence of pattern III was greater in the patient group than in the healthy subject group. These results suggest an association between hip rotation ROM imbalance and the presence of low back pain.

Adult

Strabismus caused by melanoma metastatic to an extraocular muscle.

Nonocular melanoma rarely metastasizes to the orbit. We report the case of a melanoma presumably arising from an axillary lymph node sinus that metastasized to the left medial rectus muscle causing proptosis, diplopia, and reduced saccadic velocity measurements. Clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic data are presented and discussed.

Adult

Electrical stimulation of quadriceps femoris in an elite weight lifter: a single subject experiment.

The response to treatment of high intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to both quadriceps femoris muscles as an adjunct to ongoing weight training was evaluated using a single subject experimental design. For an elite weight lifter weekly maximal measurements of snatch (S), clean and jerk (CJ), and front squat (SQ) were obtained over 4 months during which the subject weight trained daily for 3 h. The 1st month, baseline data were collected. After baseline measurements, a 1-month period of high-intensity NMES was added to the subject's weight training. NMES was then withdrawn for 1 month and administered once more for 2 weeks. Three quadriceps femoris muscle biopsies were taken, two during the initial baseline period and one just before the end of the first stimulation period. The results showed a significant and clear relationship between performance gains and NMES administration and withdrawal. Steep gains for S, CJ, and SQ were seen after 2 weeks of stimulation, with front squat showing a 20-kg increase within the 1st week of both stimulation periods. Muscle biopsy showed an increased type I fiber area, decreased type IIa and IIb fiber area, and an increase of type II fibers after NMES. The results of this study support the use of high-dose NMES as an adjunct to weight training in elite lifters.

Adult

Peak torque-to-body weight ratios in the trunk: a critical analysis.

The purpose of this study was to document the relationships between body weight and isokinetic extension and flexion peak torque produced by the trunk musculature. Using a dynamometer, we collected isokinetic measurements during trunk flexion and extension at speeds of 60 degrees and 120 degrees/sec on 61 healthy subjects (29 men, 32 women; 20-60 years old) while standing. Extension and flexion peak torque measurements were calculated for each subject at each speed. Male and female subjects' data were analyzed separately. Each subject's body weight was paired with peak torque at each speed, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were calculated. The correlation coefficients ranged from .27 to .39 for extension and from .66 to .70 for flexion, establishing a positive linear relationship between body weight and each of the isokinetic measurements. Body weight accounted for very small proportions of the variance (as low as 7%-15% in extension isokinetic measurements). In attempting to use a client's body weight to predict isokinetic peak torque measurements, the clinician should be aware that a great deal of unaccounted for variance exists. We recommend that clinicians use other variables (eg, activity level, age) in addition to body weight to control for individual differences among healthy subjects when measuring isokinetic trunk extension muscle performance.

Adult

On developing expert-based decision-support systems in physical therapy: the NIOSH low back atlas.

We have described the process of the initial development of an expert-based decision-support system for the management of patients with low back syndrome. Important considerations for developing decision-support systems are reviewed, both generally and specifically. The term "expert" is dissected and discussed. Our work so far involved congregation of a number of experts and compilation of a testing protocol. We are now refining the system for specific populations and purposes.

Back Pain